Cheltnham 2023

Well another year over and if you, unlike me, like backing the shorties you should have had a very decent meeting.
I'm sure there were plenty of decent antepost and week of meeting accas up, though equally many of those will have been busted by Shiskins flop and the last fence fall of Galopin Des Champs (though plenty will have been on Bob Olinger as well).

Time to dust myself down and look ahead to next year.

Novice Hurdlers
As ever the obvious place to start is the Bumper and despite the appalling conditions (surely if it had been any other meeting there card would have been cancelled) the actual race panned out much as the market had been predicting for months with Facile Vega winning impressively from American Mike with a couple more once raced Mullins horses in behind.
As ever it is impossible to know what race Mullins will choose (Sir Gerhard who won it last year eventually went for the Ballymore at the 11th hour) but at this stage I have to assume the Supreme will be the target for Facile Vega and the 4/1 looks worth throwing into some long range multiples.
American Mike was a 3m point winner so maybe they will aim at the Ballymore, the 10/1 is sensible enough. The third  James Gate is another who will presumably be aimed there and 20/1 is again fair enough.

Novice Chasers

The Arkle market is very confusing with the likes of Constitution Hill, Sir Gerhard and Vauban all being touted as potential Champion Hurdle horses.
If he goes chasing then Sir Gerhard will be the one to beat, but as ever with Mullins which race? Appreciate It was very disappointing on his comeback, even if it was in a Champion Hurdle, and maybe Jonbon at 14/1 is the most logical for the Arkle at this stage.
Already a point winner and a lovely big rangy horse (as he should be given his auction price). Seems to show plenty of pace and Nicky Henderson usually aims his good horses here so so I'd hope the Arkle would be the aim rather than the Browns Advisory but always a gamble.

I also thought Fil Dor who was second in the Triumph might make a chaser, Wells Chief was second in a Triumph before becoming a top 2m chaser, and State Man is another contender but can't seem to find any prices on them.

As ever working out what horses will run in the Browns Advisory and which the Turners is anyones guess so from an Antepost point of view it is very risky.

Champion Hurdle

An awesome performance by Constitution Hill and it looks like the owner is keen to stay over hurdles. Would certainly favour him over the reigning champion Honeysuckle, they may even meet at Punchestown, but at around 2/1 I can easily resist.
Vauban and Sir Gerhard also possible players but not enough juice in their prices at this stage.
If he was mine I would give up on chasing with Bob Olinger but whether he would be good enough here is another matter.

Stayers Hurdle
A terrific performance by Flooring Porter to regain his crown, and multiple winners are a regular feature of this race. Danny Mullins rode his rivals to sleep from the front and surely next year somebody will put in a spoiler or two.
Always one to go to the well too many times I have to give my cliff horse Thyme Hill another chance at 20/1.

Champion Chase
I stated in last years thread that I felt Shiskin was vulnerable and so it proved, even if the ground, or something more heinous, was to blame. I'll finally give up on Chacun Por Soi who will be 11 next year, but Enurgemene is clearly a beast, though soft ground was a big help to him. He's clearly the most likely winner and 3/1 is ok.
Edwardstone is very professional but just lacks that 'je ne said quo' and it was a weak Arkle he won.
Ferny Hollow is classy but too injury prone for antepost purposes and Galopin Des Champs is the potential fly in the ointment. Maybe he'll go Gold Cup, otherwise Mullins will have to choose between taking on Energumene here or Allaho in the Ryanair. Personally think the Ryanair is the right race for him, more of which below.

Ryanair
A comfortable repeat win for Allaho but not nearly as impressive as last year. Galopin Des Champ was going to hose up in the Turners and would be the likely winner if running here - as big as 6/1 available.
Shiskin maybe could come here but I'd want to see him prove he is still 100% after that last performance, and I expect they will still aim at the Champion. L'Homme Presse would be a great addition but the lure of the Gold Cup may be to much.

Gaillard Du Mesnil didn't get much attention after his 3rd in the Turners, but he was not beaten far by L'homme Presse (who was showered with praise), despite going wide all the way, being hampered by the fall of Farouk D'Alene at the second last and then a mistake at the last. He was actually closing at the line. Farouk D'Alene also went well until his fall and the intermediate trip looks ideal for him. No prices on these two but I may dabble at big prices if they are added nearer the start of next jumps season.

Gold Cup
A deadly performance by A Plus Tard and Rachel. Now they know how to ride him he looks a very worthy favourite and 5/1 seems very fair. The market is made by Galopin Des Champ but I can't have him as a Gold Cup horse at this stage, though don't put anything beyond Willie Mulllins. Also Mullins should have Monkfish back, though I've never been a massive fan. Having said that 16/1 is fair if you know he has recovered from the injury.
Protektorat ran well but can't see him reversing the form and Dan Skelton is not someone I rate at all so that leaves L'Homme Presse do carry the English flag into battle. He's a super horse and very uncomplicated but whether the extra 2f on a more galloping track  is in his favour is a question. 10/1 doesn't appeal to me. As mentioned above Gaillard Du Mesnil ran well behind him and has been forgotten about.