FESTIVAL ANTE POST BETS TO DATE

Trying to steer clear of antepost betting this year.

Arkle: Irish Panther is getting on a bit at nine, and has an awful lot more places to his name than wins, although maybe that's changed with his new barn.

All the novice races are punts to be honest my main bets so to speak come in the non novice events and they also represent the main value, if you look at the current prices for those races you can see the value achieved, just fingers crossed that Handstands swerves the Ultima and goes for the Ryanair, I just thought months ago it made good sense as that should cut up and have little quality as long as Fact or File does not go there that is.

Did you have a crystal ball months ago that FTF would run in the GC you'd be among a very few if you did

Just liked the Value at 66-1 for Handstands each way even if Fact or File did run and the gold cup was actually an option for both so was worth a shot, Handstands may not run so I end up losing, but it was worth a shot at 66-1ew.

Good luck with your selection

Good luck but i cant have Grey Dawning, dont think he wants it too wet so conditions a factor, no more than decent form against also rans and a couple of Venetias that have been off colour all season doesnt scream gold cup winner as i doubt he will stay especially if the king george quad get at it between last 2, Haiti and Maximus( with a run and if jumping holds up) will be coming up the hill when the others cry enough, especially if its wet, a Lord Windermere type of year maybe.

I just sensed something after his trial and the way he ran in that trial smacked of the good old days when trainers are just laying one out for the big one, I totally agree that there is no fantastic form in the book and will he wont he stay, who knows, just like the trial and he was pushed out to 25-1 afterwards so for me it was a no brainer, it then became value and I like value, not saying he would win but he represented value.

Ma Shantou looks your standout bet at the moment. Hopefully you get some runs for your money.
Haiti Coleurs has a big chance if conditions suit and able to get his rivals out of their comfort zone.

Further additions to ante post book.

ULTIMA HANDICAP, Hoe Joly Smoke 25-1, I have posted another thread about this so no need to explain, Myretown 16.0 betfair, I wanted 16-1 originally and the price only lengthened after his last run, giving him the benefit of the doubt on that run as ground was desperate and that with the 3m5f trip might have done for him, have to hope he can recover after that though intime for the festival which is always a risk, I maintain he has got 10lb in hand if he puts it together and back in trip and over the same course and distance as last year he may just put it all together, might just be a spring horse too.

THE PLATE, Slade Steel 20-1, I just think that he might be the class act in this race, limited chases and with a tonne of back class including last years grade one Turners hurdle, have a feeling that Henry De Bromhead will have him spot on, even allowing for the handicapper increasing his Irish mark he should run in this off a mark of around 150 and for such a classy horse that might not be to harsh, taking a bit of a chance at 20-1 but cant see him going off that kind of price.

Hibore you might not know that the price I got was still available the morning of his last race at Cheltenham, just took a punt as I thought if he ran well he would have to go for the stayers and the price would collapse and as it worked out that's exactly what happened.