FIVEWAYS named after the famous roundabout and pub in Childwall is a very lightly raced 9yr old with only seven runs to his name winning two of those on GF and Good ground over 16 and then 17f. Handicap debut on ground too soft and distance of 3m too far was not to his liking but this 2m5f on better ground could see him in a different light off bottom weight..

Good luck for the week MH and everyone

CHELTENHAM DAY ONE

Well it's here, it's finally arrived. Hang out the flags.. The meeting channel four's Morning line has been counting down to since Oiseau De Nuit crossed the winning line at about 5-19pm in the lucky last @ 40/1 at last years meeting.

There has been lots of talk of watered down races since the four days were introduced but the sight of the old favouites coming back year after year in the top races sets the heart a-fluttering in a way that the flat counterparts can only dream of.

The Greats of Kauto Star and Big Bucks (But not just yet) might be nearing the end of their days but the new stars are waiting in the wings to take their place in The Greatest Show On Earth.

1-30
The opener's past winners reads like a who's who of National Hunt past Stars with only Captain Cee Bee and Like a Butterfly bucking the trend of 5yr old and 6yr old winners. Prospect Wells this year @ 16/1 and 7yrs old is the only runner this year who doesn't fall into that category and while not totally out of it just doesn't seem to have the profile of today's winner.

There have been two shocks in the past ten years but overall it pays to stick to the more fancied runners who are well treated by RPR and OR.

The ground could be the key and with most of these having winning form on Soft to Heavy they could improve but I'm sticking with two with proven form on the better ground.

RPR and TS top rated GALILEO'S CHOICE who won a 32k Grade 3 on the flat and will be well suited by today's decent ground and STEPS TO FREEDOM who won a Grade 2 at Aintree beating MONTBAZON and who has been kept fresh since winning here at Cheltenham in November when beating another of today's rivals PROSPECT WELLS.

1pt on 7/1, 8/1 BOG.

I can't miss the possible dream treble of HURRICANE FLY, SPRINTER SACRE and QUEVEGA. The type of bet we all say we should of done after the event and with Henderson and Gerraghty talking about SRINTER being like the next PEGASUS and QUEVEGA so far ahead of his rivals it just needs THE FLY to see off  BINOCULAR and CO to seal a treble punters will talk about for years to come.

10/11, 1/1, 1/2. 3PTS  PP

Other bets

THE PACKAGE 2-40  13/2
HOLD ON JULIO  8/1

1pt on each

Thanks inono

SPRINTER SACRE prove connections correct along with QUEVEGA but HURRICANE FLY came to the aid of the bookies and spoiled the party but no doubt he'll be back.

TEAFORTHREE 1-30 6/1  2pts

POOLE MASTER  4-00  14/1  1pt
ACT OF KALANISI   18/1  1pt

KAZLIAN 4-40  4-40 8/1  1pt
GORGEOUS SIXTY  8/1  1pt
ROYAL BONSAI  20/1  1/2pt ew

3pts double
GRAND CRUS  11/8
SIZING EUROPE  10/11

Good luck Billy methinks you,ll need it isn,t that always the case.

Good to see you back BL
Shame abt results

JAMIACAN BOLT Haydock 7-20  7/2

PICANSORT  8-05 Lingfield  4/1

AMPLEFORTH 9-20  Haydock  4/1

Is Billy still about ?

With work and a Grandson to look after I watch more Fireman Sam and Thomas the Tank engine than Racing UK now.

COCKNEY DANCER 4-00 Wolves 11/2

The once well regarged Cockney Dancer beat the Michael Stoute hotpot Ladyship ( Now rated 92 ) on debut over 6f and was then well backed when 2nd favourite in a Doncaster 200k class 2 when finishing down the field. Found her level here at Wolverhampton over CD in September for Robert Winston who is back on and now only 5lbs above from stall 4.

Main rivals in the betting are drawn 9,10,11 with Restauranteur up in class and 6lbs while Fabled City is up 7lbs and tries Wolverhampton for the first time..

Wot a comeback

DUNGANNON 2-30 Lingfield  11/2

Class 2 Handicap  31k

Held up far side, headway halfway, led that group 2f out, soon ridden and no chance with stands' side group, 1st of 5 in group

Class 2 Handicap  28k

Raced near side, held up towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, led group and chased overall leaders final 100yds, kept on well, 1st of 6 in group

Hold up performer who has had no luck with the draw Gods of late and has ran in most of the Hot Handicaps last season and again drawn 12 of 12 tomorrow. Looking at the stats it's not as bad as some would have it and it could play into this Bay geldings hoofs.
Runs tomorrow off 95 which was the last winning mark back in August 2011 and a return to Class 3 company for the first time since winning there could just do the trick..

RAPID RIVER 6-55 Kempton  8/1  EW

This CD seems to bring out the best with some good runs of late, cheekpieces back on and only 2lbs above last winning mark with the lovely Gemma Tutty hoping to sit off in touch and swooping late..

HIPSTER 2nd

SILLY BILLY 3-50 Lingfield  9/2

The outside stall at Lingfield is regarded by many as a poor draw and even today's Racing Post gives negative comments about the chances of those drawn in the so-called car park.

Closer inspection over the years tells a very different story and in fact the outside draw has a very good record and at one point a little while back those drawn in the outside box had won twice as many races as any other singe stall.

Today's fancied horses are drawn in 11-13-10 and 9 with my fancy in 13, DOCTOR HILARY looks fancied but at the age of 10 could just find a few younger legs against him with this race over the years usually won by an up and coming youngster.

CD winner SILLY BILLY was just beaten by a whisker off this mark for a 5lb claimer in November and won off 76 in his CD claimer, the switch back to Ian Mongan could just do the trick.

Banging on the goalposts BL

Hope to see you back here more in 13

4th of six 4/1 into 3/1

Slowly out of stalls, in no hurry, going nicely in rear, effort and ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong..

Course winner who took advantage of lowest mark in November was just making her move when hampered LTO and has 4lbs in hand over other fancied rival Sophies Echo.

HAADEETH'S trainer David Evans has been banging in the winners of late with today's claimer Phillip Prince(7)joining in the success and trusted with the stables easy 4/6 shot just the other day.

My CD fancy has won three times over this distance and last won in April and is now 23lbs better off for this class 6 than he was in May for a class 3 including Prince's claim.

Cosy CD winner in May and just failed to double win record in October for Luke Morris with today's rival Glennten behind. Excuses since and a bonus with a return to this CD with Willie Twiston-Davies taking off a further 5lbs..

MH

2nd of 10

With winner going well, led narrowly over 1f out and looked winner, ridden, mugged near line..

AZRAEL 2-20 Wolv  5/1 BOG