The Cheltenham Preview, in aid of Temple Street Children's Hospital, is now online....
http://kildare.tv/cheltenham-preview-2012/

I know - He's living on cloud cuckoo land. He laid Gordon Elliot an even €500 on Hurricane that night

I am defo serious - about 180 odd witnesses too

The Shark as well as Allduckornodinner.

Cheltenham Preview from Leopardstown last night
********************************************
Tom Segal
Anthony Bromley
Davey Russell
Willie Mullins
Paudie Hassett-**** Rep

Day 1

Supreme
TS-cant have Darlan esp after the fall LTO,questioned form of Steps To Freedom
WM-Midnight Game not worked well yesterday.Didnt sound as confident as reported in prev previews.
DR-Midnight Game or Trifolium.He has choice between the 2 and says both should go well.Was disappointed with Mullins update on Midnight Game.
AB-Tetlami wont win,cant have Darlan after the fall.Talked up Montbazon and says he did a sparkling piece of work this morning.
PH-no real opinion and says more open race than prev years.

Arkle
DR-Sprinter Sacre best novice he has ever seen.Breathing op will help him.Accepts doubts bout the hill but reckons op has improved him.
WM-Worried bout the hill for SS but says he is classy horse.Said Blackstairmountain wont win and is looking at getting place at very best.Wasnt confident at all about him.
AB-SS is the real deal and will win by a fence.Said price is on short side though and he needs to settle but pace in this race will help that.Said he would win Champion Chase if ran in that.
TS-SS wont be beaten.Extremely confident about this one and said will win by a distance.
PH-SS to win easy.He cant have Cue Card as he doesnt jump well enough.

Champion Hurdle
WM-HF in great form and very pleased with him.Seemed extremely confident.
AB-not confident about Binocular.Zarkandar is a smart horse and will stay.Got impression he will be over further next year and poss future world hurdle runner.
TS-Zarkandar is a stayer and poor price.Likes his attitude though.Hurricaine Fly will win.Oscar Wells each way alternative.
DR-Hurricaine Fly wont be beaten.Reckons he is best he raced against.Said the Irish Champion rode like a very good race and Fly won it on the bridle.
PH-Fly will be hard to beat and one he wasnt confident of taking on.

Mares
WM-Quevega is in good form.Worked at the Curragh and made a bad mistake at on of the hurdles.Nothing major as he says she prone to making odd mistake in races.

CrossCountry
WM-Uncle Junior and Scotsirish will both love the ground.Uncle Junior will love the trip as he only gets going after 3m.

Day 2

Neptune
TS-Simonsig is very highly rated by his connections.Batonnier has a chance gave it as selection because others could run in alternative races.
AB-Batonnier not good enough to win this.Gave tip for Molotof for the Martin Pipe on friday should they decide to avoid this reace.Seemed confident on that one.
DR-Make your Mark will prefer the better ground at Chelt.Said he felt good to 2 out in heavy Leop ground.Can improve as only 2 starts.Simonsig has huge ability.
WM-Boston Bob worked well and he sounded very confident but no decision on where he runs(got felling it could be Albert Bartlett)Make you Mark worked very well yesterday.SLC has a chance feels Beneficient got the run on them the last day.
PH-Money says BB goes for Albert Bartlett.Simonsig a bridle horse and doesnt think he will win this.

RSA
DR-First Liutenant jumped well the last day can be a bit careful.Should not have ran at Fairyhouse and then rushed back for Leop race at Christmas.
WM-Sir Des Champs in good form.Alle Garde wont run in this and goes for the 4 miler(sounded very confident on this one)FL owners want him to run in this-got feeling SDC goes to Jewson but no decision on where he goes.
AB-Bobs Worth great festival form and wind op after Kempton.Grands Crus wont win gold cup and has to run in this.SDC goes to the Jewson.Not confident on Invictus.Join Together looks great and will stay all day.
TS-Join Together has no chance.Massive fan of FL and last years form has been franked.SDC should run here as wants the trip.Grands Crus not a 3miler and should go Jewson or Ryanair.
PH-Huge money for SDC but questioned form of last win.FL or Invictus to win.(Offered 4-1 for FL and SDC coupled as special)

Champion Chase
AB-Sizing wins by default as no opposition.Finians finds little of the bridle.SE most certain fav for him.
TS-SE wins.Hard to find any alternative.
DR-SE hard to beat.He will win on ability and not by default.Sound jumper.
WM-Cant see what will beat SE.
PH-SE beaten too often and opposes.BZ e/w value as evens to be placed.-(Offered 6/4 SE on the night as a special)

Bumper
WM-Champagne Fever in good form but may not handle the ground.Moscow Mannon confident he will be there at the finish.
DR-Village Vic but no great confidence in anything.This one is an improver.
TS-Royal Guardsman was impressive and will go well.
PH-Bookies benefit race and wide open.Jetzki and Village Vic to run well.
AB-Royal Guardsman one of the best.Impressed by Moscow Mannon.Negative for New Years Eve is that he is by Motivator.

National Hunt
DR-Four Commanders jumps well and is in good form
AB-Teaforthree connections very bullish about his chance.

Fred Winter
AB-Vendor will win and is only a steering job.

DAY 3

Ryanair
TS-Riverside not won Chelt and is massive lay.Medermit is preferred if runs in this.Great Endevour won PP well and has great chance.
AB-No idea why Rubi Light is the fav.Albertas has had troubled prep and doesnt fancy it.Poquelin is good e/w.Reckons Medermit runs in this one.
DR-Noble Prince to go close and better on good ground.
WM-Blazing Tempo could run here and e/w value.
PH-Riverside class horse in the race but its wide open.

World Hurdle
DR-Feels Thousand Star could be a big threat to BB.Carlito Brigante may go to Coral cup.
WM-BB has huge ability and thinks Ruby is most confident about this one than any other for the week.Thousand Stars may run in this and is proper stayer.
TS-Hardest race yet for BB if TS and Oscar whiskey both run.BB best horse in training full stop.
AB-BB should win with Dynaste to be placed.
PH-BB too short at the moment and could be higher on the day.OW plenty of class.So Young to run a big race.

Jewson
TS-All is not well with Peddlers Cross.vibes not confident from the yard.
WM-Not commiting to SDC running but sounded like he was leaning towards this race.
DR-Wants a runner in this race and SDC only option.Hinting to Mullins to run him here.
AB-Solix trainer is very pleased with him.Nichols pleased with Crystal Bonus.For Non Stop good form and goes for this race.

DAY 4

Triumph
AB-Pearl Swan and Grumeti to run well.Boulder Success the better horse and value bet for this.
TS-Dodging Bullets better than Pearl Swan.
DR-Worst race of festival.
WM-Darroun to run a big race.Improving stayer and good e/w.

Albert Bartlett
PH-Plenty of money for Boston Bob.will be 7/4 if runs in this.Mountbenbulben to reverse the form.
TS-Mountbenbulben was impressive the last day he ran.
WM-Boston Bob will run well in either race but this looks easier of the 2.Mountbenbulben the alternative.
DR-MBB wont reverse for with BB.Sea of Thunder is a good horse.
AB-Rocky Creek.BB to run here and will win.

Gold Cup
AB-Kauto will run but not ideal prep.Long Run to win.
PH-Long Run jockey is worst he ever seen.(9/4 special on the night)
TS-Long Run is a fruit bat and jockey is suspect.Midnight chase to run well and will stay the distance.
WM-Quel Esprit would prefer bit of cut.Long Run to win.
DR-Long Run best horse in the race.Burton Port.

OTHER MENTIONS OVER THE 4 DAYS
PH-Alle Garde 4 miler(prob NAP of meeting)New Story e/w in cross country.
AB-Hinterland runs in Imperial Cup not Chelt with Ted Spread going for County Hurdle(tip in itself)Triolo Dalene in the Novice handicap,Hold on Julio and Local Hero in County hurdle.
WM-Boston Bob wherever he runs,Final approach in Coral cup and Gorgeous Sixty in Fred Winter.
DR-Going Wrong in Novice handicap and Shop DJ e/w in mares race.
TS-Itsagimme,Getmeoutofhere and Citizenship should run a big race.

NAPS
TS-Citizenship
AB-Teaforthree and Vendor
PH-Alle Garde
DR-Shop DJ e/w
WM-Boston Bob wherever he runs.

OTHER MENTIONS OVER THE 4 DAYS

AB-Hinterland runs in Imperial Cup not Chelt

Guesser!

Thanks Almera. Has anyone anything on Maynooth last night. Normally quite good,

Cheers for them GimmeaBreak,Tom lashing the Guínness into him

i know who the great man is!!

more videos from Leopardstown


Champion Chase http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FV895rIn4JU

World Hurdle http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPFN_hPA400

Gold Cup http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHdomwnEYoE

Ryanair Chase http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5i53MjwUj0

Albert Bartlett http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKhUHmC3E2o

RSA http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Y4BR6TT7L8

Jewson http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3asqfxdIMII

Neptune http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CERgfcZuHF8

Champion Bumper http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7StOw9S6KaM

Come back to this page this Sunday 11 March 2012 when I'll be live blogging the Official Cheltenham Festival Preview from Cheltenham Racecourse. Event starts at 7pm.

Abbreviations for panel:

Alan Lee (AL)
Gordon Elliott (GE)
Aidan Coleman (AE)
Noel O'Brien (NO)
Tanya Stephenson (TS)
Mick Fitzgerald (MF)
Russ Wiseman (RW)

All set up now with power and WiFi sorted. Panel will start to preview Cheltenham Festival 2012 in about 25 minutes. Only TS is here so far. While you're waiting for the fun to start why not check out our preview videos? The main Festival news tonight is that Boston Bob goes for the Albert Bartlett on the Friday as opposed to the Neptune.

Audience is being asked to take their seats and lights are being dimmed. Lots of people here...way more than last year. I reckon around 1200.

Intro by Mary, Chair of Cheltenham and Three Counties Race Club. Alan Lee introduces Edward Gillespie who says course is in great nick and grass is terrific...never known it better. Good news. Watering will continue tomorrow. Going is good (good to soft) in places although Ed thinks it's good to soft. New course is half a point less good at moment with watering scheduled for Wednesday. Light drizzle forecast for Friday but otherwise sunny. Ticket sales are 10,000 ahead of last year.

RW says a few words about Sportingbet. He informs us that the lovely Sportingbet ladies will 'help us in any way'. Might take them up on that.

AL introduces panel. Jason Maguire not on the panel tonight and is replaced by Aidan Coleman (AC). Tanya Stephenson (TS) gets a good round of applause. Senior handicapper from Ireland Noel O'Brien (NO) in the house. AL reminds us that Gordon Elliott (GE) trained 2 winners at Festival last year. Rider of 14 winners Mick Fitzgerald (MF) is here to complete the panel.

Supreme Novices Hurdle
RW - Points out that more open than usual.
AC - Darlan has impressed Aidan and also likes Vulcanite.
MF - MF needs to speak up a bit! He's watched Darlan school and all is A1. No issues with confidence. Gives Tetlami a big chance too.
TS - Likes Hazy Tom thinking sounder surface will suit him better and also like Colour Squadron and also Distant Memories (50/1 shot).
NO - Steps To Freedom is top rated of Irish and is joint top rated for the race with Tetlami. Jessica Harrington is bullish. Also mentions that Trifolium is progressive and good value at 14/1.
GE - Steps To Freedom is classy although might have too much speed. Says Cinders And Ashes is best ride of week according to Jason Maguire.

Please comment on this page below or tweet me at @jpfestival.

Arkle Chase
MF - Sprinter Sacre is best horse he's seen since he retired. Nicky Henderson very excited about him. He's 'the real deal'. Much stronger this year.
AC - Sprinter Sacre not yet put to test but looks superior.
NO - Looks very good. Top rated on 161. Jessica Harrington not impressed with Barry G's comments about 'best horse he's ridden'. 'What about Moscow Flyer?!', she said.
GE - SS looks really special. No one else has mentioned another horse yet!
TS - Also for Sprinter Sacre...unusual she's going for a shorty. Since 1998 every horse that has finished in the first 3 in Supreme has not won at following Festival so not good for Al Ferof..at last another horse mentioned. But she has an each way one....Menorah. She has same theory as Ben Aitken @narrowthefield in that if Menorah goes faster he'll jump better. Cue Card won't go fast enough.
RW - Likes Al Ferof and thinks bookies have a chance of getting Sprinter Sacre beaten.

Champion Hurdle
RW - Difficult to find contender to beat Hurricane Fly.
NO - Hurricane Fly looks every bit as good as last year. Thinks it's an easier race than last year.
GE - Looks the best since Istabraq.
TS - Likes Overturn for an each way and he's good when fresh.
AC - Liked Zarkandar's run at Newbury.
MF - Potentially Rock On Ruby is smart but Hurricane Fly is a cut above. Never seen Binocular look better. Likes Zarkandar as form of Triumph is strong.

Other Tuesday races
MF - Likes Molotov wherever he runs.
Mares Hurdle
TS - Terre Du Vent could be good each way against Quevega in Mares.
GE - Quevega will win if she stands up. Quite likes Shop DJ.
AC - Rides Tempest River.

JLT Speciality
AC - Venetia Williams is really in form. Rides Carrick Boy which is his best chance on first day.

Cross Country
NO - It's a big type of event in Ireland. Quality of horse has improved in recent years.
GE - Tony Martin fancies his horse in this - Sadlers Storm.

Neptune Hurdle
GE - Mount Benbulbin goes for Albert Bartlett not Neptune.
NO - Monksland is unbeaten and is hugely progressive and unexposed. Liked by Noel Meade. Form connected with Boston Bob. Best of the Irish.
MF - Simonsig looks very smart. Proven at top level. Scoped bad after being beaten by Fingal Bay at Newbury.
TS - Likes Batonnier in this. 2nd best best of meeting. Came into reckoning on Festival Trials Day with win. Also likes Cotton Mill following Ambion Wood win on Saturday.
RW - Monksland very well backed today with Sportingbet.
AC - Likes Simonsig.

RSA Chase
RW - Think they can get Grands Crus beat. Will be offering 13/8.
AC - Thinks Grands Crus is beatable too and likes Bobs Worth.
MF - Has been disappointed with Bobs Worth but thinks following wind op and back left handed he'll go well. Just a bit worried he'll struggle to hold his position though.
GE - Really likes Sirs De Champs and thinks he'll win Gold Cup next year.
NO - Sir De Champs looks good. First Lieutenant is different type of horse. Join Together is best of English.
TS - Teaforthree could give Join Together a form boost in 4 miler. Says Paul Nicholls is very keen on Join Together. Likes Bobs Worth best though.

Just clocked that 2600 people are reading this! More than double last year. Hope you're all finding it useful.

Queen Mother
NO - Can't believe Big Zeb was himself last time out. Sizing Europe looks as strong this year as last. Pensioners are top in this race! Sizing Europe is clearer at the top than any other horse running at Festival.
MF - Sizing Europe is one that comes back again and again to Cheltenham. Revels at Cheltenham. Finians Rainbow is well and Nicky Henderson happy with him. Barry Geraghty hopes there's better to come.
TS - Can't see Big Zeb winning. Likes Sizing Europe for this.
AC - Wishful Thinking too short in betting as has been disappointing.
GE - Sizing Europe looks good.
RW - Would be biblical if all 4 champions won again. Major blow to bookies. Sizing Europe looks the best of the shorties.

Other Wednesday races
Coral Cup
GE - Carlito Brigante goes for Coral Cup although bit worried about top weight. Could get into place.


4 miler
MF - Harry The Viking looks like dour stayer. Allez Gard looks good for this.

Fred Winter
AC - Rides Kapga De Cerisy in this and think he's well handicapped. Venetia Williams would probably say this was her best chance of week.
NO - Hard to get handicapping right between Irish and English but happy this year that it's all balanced and French form complicated it further.
TS - Wants to take on favourite Vendor. Likes Dark And Dangerous and Royal Bonsai.

Bumper
RW - 6/1 the field. Market is quiet.
GE - Jessica Harrington's Jezki is best in this.
TS - Likes New Year's Eve.



Break over in 5 mins time....

We're off and running again.
AL: 900 people here tonight (JP: 3200 have read this blog post today).

Jewson
MF - Peddlers Cross has not looked quick this season and is taking his time to find his feet. Likes Solix.
TS - Much more viable horses in this race compared with Peddlers Cross. Likes Champion Court.
NO - Likes Peddlers Cross. Call The Police best of the Irish.
AC - Likes Champion Court more than Peddlers Cross. Has got his act together in Dipper. Alan Cawley is keen on his ride Champion Court him (lives with Aidan).
RW - All about Peddlers Cross. Could be a big drifter on day. For Non Stop is 13/2.

Ryanair
RW - Tough race and very deep. Have seen money for 9 horses.
NO - Noble Prince a bit disappointing this year. Strongest race of the 4 days. Wide open. Likes Somersby.
GE - Rubi Light has no chance! Wrong sort of race for Rubi Light last time.
TS - Likes Kalahari King as Ferdy Murphy is great in Spring and KK likes Cheltenham.
AC - Likes Great Endeavour. Thinks he's been trained for race. Captain Chris should jump better now.
MF - Great Endeavour looks good. Albertas Run would bring the house down.
RW - Little bit of money each way for Captain Chris today.

World Hurdle
RW - Big Bucks will be 4/9 on come Thursday.
TS - Moment at Cheltenham last time when Big Bucks faltered a bit but then he stormed clear. Great to watch. Majority of bookies she's interviewed gave Big Bucks as the one at the meeting they want to take on. Thousand Stars will come second.
NO - Would like to see Thousand Stars run well. Likes the drama of watching Big Bucks. Thinks race has more quality than usual.
GE - Doesn't run Carlito Brigante. Good field but thinks Big Bucks will win. Not sure that Oscar Whisky will get up hill.
MF - Flat spot of Big Bucks has happened at right time. If flat spot happens late then he could be beaten by Oscar Whisky. Barry Geraghty likely to play his cards late. Doesn't think Big Bucks will win.

Pertemps Hurdle
AC - Will ride Houblon Des Obeaux for Venetia Williams.
GE - Says his own has no chance. Thinks Our Father will win it.

Triumph Hurdle
RW - Very good race. Good quality. Those at the top of market have been heavily backed. Thinks Grumeti will go off favourite and could be a push for Baby Mix.
TS - Likes Balder Success and Countrywide Flame. Not ever liked Grumeti.
MF - Grumeti has good Flat form and is battle hardened. Thinks Choc will ride him. Likes Balder Success best.
GE - Shadow Catcher (trained by GE) has come on for every run and jumps well. Won't be too far away. Best horse his run in Triumph before. Stone better than Carlito Brigante who came 4th. Adds he thinks he'll win! Frightened of Darroun.
NO - Not a vintage year for juveniles. Baby Mix tops on ratings. Likes Darroun. Thinks there could be an upset.
AC - Baby Mix should beat Sadlers Risk. Likes him.

Albert Bartlett
GE - Hopes he'll win with Mount Benbulben who has a good each way chance.
AL: Says Paul Nicholls thinks Rocky Creek could be future Denman.
MF - Thinks Rocky Creek is a future chaser. Boston Bob says Ruby think's he's his best chance! (Has Mick got that right??).
TS - Has a strong one, her NAP is Fox Appeal. Brindisi Breeze may not like ground.
AC - Not much of a view on this but says Brindisi Breeze got easy lead at Haydock.
NO - Boston Bob well ahead on ratings on 151. Has looked special so far. A strong race now. Mentions Beneficient from Tony Martin and if trained by Mullins would be half odds.

County Hurdle
GE - Runs Plan A and Dirar but doesn't really fancy them.
AC - Unlikely that any of Venetia's will get in.

Martin Pipe
GE - Best chance of week in this with Toner D'oudairies.
MF - Likes Bourne.

Gold Cup
MF - Long Run has not been at his best this season. But trip will bring out best in him. Hasn't travelled with  usual vigour. Doesn't seem too keen on Long Run. (Could be significant as he usually likes Nicky's fancied horses - JP). Likes Synchronised.
AC - Given choice would ride Long Run.
NO - Irish weak this year. Top Irish horse is Quel Esprit. Thinks his jumping is a revelation. Could win a Ryanair. Lots of questions about top two. Synchronised looked good when winning. Out and out stayers do well in Gold Cup and has each way chance. Long Run will beat Kauto Star.
GE - Long Run will be better suited by trip than Kauto. Thinks he needs blinkers. However, thinks top two will be turned over.
TS - Away from top two likes Midnight Chase whose had a lighter season and has regular rider on board. Her each way selection. The Giant Bolster will make a frenetic pace.
RW - Bookies think tempo will be too much for Kauto. Wants to lay Kauto Star.

Questions (and answers!)
AC - Restless Harry's time was quicker than Brindisi Breeze. Big bull of horse but not sure he can carry top weight to success.
MF - Pearl Swan vibes from Ditcheat are strong.
TS - For Non Stop gave Al Ferof scare. Not sure he'll like a larger field.
GE - No chance for Forpadydeplasterer

NAPS
AC - Zarkandar
GE - Sizing Europe
NO - Boston Bob
MF - Boston Bob
TS - Fox Appeal

Just looking at the two I went to, my feelings at the time and still are that these events provide little information unless you are not a regular follower of the sport. Pretty woeful tipping to be honest although Sir Des Champs was given favourable mentions but both previews I attended that was only with reference to the RSA Chase whereas it went to, and won convincingly, the Jewsons. However NRNBs were in place at this time so they can be forgiven for that.

I'll take away Tony Martin's enthusiasm for Saddlers Storm, though it didn't get into the Cross Country. His 3 3/4 length defeat to Salsify at Leopardstown earlier this year now reads well in addition to his 2nd to Killyglen Saturday just gone at Down Royal. The winner's at only 25s on here for Aintree. One to keep an eye out for it it comes up at a price perhaps Punchestown bound.