Thurs.28th.Feb.2013

WATERFORD, Woodland Hotel. 8pm.
Proceeds to Vincent de Paul and Waterford Branch of Alzheimer’s Society.
Panel John Francome, Mick Fitzgerald, Nick Luck, Mike Cattermole, Noel O'Brien, Tom Segal (aka Pricewise), Davy Russell and Hayley O'Connor (Sadblokes sponsors). A few surprise guests will also come along to the evening. Tickets €20 from Woodlands Hotel.
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Co. ARMAGH, Armagh City Hotel. 8pm.
Sponsor's Toals Bookmakers. Tickets £10 which includes £10 free bet with sponsor's tickets at the hotel prior to or on the night.
Panel: Trainers - Tony Martin, Andy Oliver, Stuart Crawford, Oliver Brady. Jockeys - Andrew Lynch, JJ Smyth, Ronan McNally. Archie Devlin (Toals) & Jarlath Devlin (Chair). Proceeds to Lislea Community Centre and donation to Cancer Research. Telephone link with David Pipe and Paul Nicholls.
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Co. KILDARE. Clanard Hotel, Athy. ?????
Panel to be announced. Proceeds will go towards the Lions Club charities.
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DUBLIN 2. Peadar Kearney’s, Dame Street. 7pm for a 7.30pm start.
In aid of the Belarussian Orphanage Project. Guest MC: David Jennings, Racing Post. Panellists: Danny Mullins, Shark Hanlon, Johnny Ward, Paudie Hassett Sponsor: Spoilsports €10 including €5 free bet. Free finger food. Raffle: Prizes will include €350 in free bets from Spoils Tickets: Available Spoils Camden Street, Parnell Street and Dame Street and will also be available on the door. Room in Sharks' Jeep if anyone wants a drive back from Thurles, leavin after his does the bookies in the 4.55

LIVE on Twitter - from Peadar Kearneys, Dame Street in Dublin.

"Clondaw Court may not run if the ground drys up"

"David Jennings has gone for Le Vent D'Anton in the bumper"

"The Shark is concerned that Golantilla won't have settled with the change of yard in time for Cheltenham".

ALSO other preview on BBC5 live now !

Bye Bye Miss American Pie on BBC now

TRIUMPH - The Shark also gives Our Conor the nod here #DRC says Bryan Cooper has never been so bullish about a horse.

Spoil sports are going 6/1 for #DRC members tonight for Our Conor !

If you want the views from the Cheltenham Preview night in Waterford follow @Emmet_Kennedy on Twitter

BBC5
Have a look at Godsmejudge 12/1 (A.King) in the 1.30 John Oaksey National Hunt Chase (1st on Wed).



Boston Bob (6), Harry Topper (8), Rival DEstruval (8), Buddy Bolero (10), Back In Focus (12), Godsmejudge (12), Goulanes (12), Merry King (14), Vesper Bell (14), Lyreen Legend (16), Terminal (16), Hawkes Point (20), Sire Collonges (20), Tofino Bay (20), Tour des Champs (20), Make A Track (25), Real Milan (25), Same Difference (25), Sea Of Thunder (25), Alpine Breeze (33)

Fri.1st.March.2013


DUBLIN 15, St.Peregines GAA Club, Blanchardstown. 7.30pm.
Panel Denis Kirwan MC, Paul Carberry, Robbie Hennessy, Donn McClean, Damien McElroy and Donal McCarthy (Star Sports). €15 incl. free bet and a goody bag.
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Co. MEATH, Donaghmore/Ashbourne GAA Club. 8pm.
Panel Tony O'Hehir (Rte, Compere), Robbie Hennessy, Jim Dreaper, Andrew Lynch, Bryan Cooper, Keith Donoghue, Miek Vince SPECIAL GUEST on the night PETER CASEY. Tickets €20 (incl. €10 free bet with Sponsors Bambury Bookmakers).
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Co. TIPPERARY, The Village Inn, Moyglass. 8pm. ?????
Free entry and Raffle in Association with Moyglass National School Parents Association.
Panel Ken Whelan MC, Philip Fenton, Thomond O’Mara, Philip Enright, Mark Boylan to sing The Festival Live and Hayes Bookmakers.
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Co. KERRY, Killarney Racecourse is NOT on this year - no sponsor apparently.

Dec,
Ballynagour entries...14 to 16/1 generally except

JLT Specialty Handicap Chase (Grade 3) 
Coral Cup (Handicap Hurdle) (Grade 3) 
Thu, 14th Mar 4.00 Byrne Group Plate Handicap Chase (Grade 3)...5/1 fav against maybe Hunt Ball (8), Vino Griego (12), Alderwood (14) & Toner Doudairies (14), etc.   
Vincent O`Brien County Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3)
Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys H`Cap Hurdle
Johnny henderson Grand Annual Chase (Grade 3)

Really good word for Alderwood (Grand Annual) & Colour Squadron (Coral Cup) at the Kearneys Preview last night. Union Dues now looks the Mullins number one Bumper horse with doubts surrounding Clondaw Court.

DECALEC out of curiosity was there many at that preview night in Armagh city? cheers in advance

Really good one in Woodlands in Waterford last night. What a legend John Francome is. Every time he picked up the microphone he had the audience in fits of laughter.

Great panel as well....all top names.

Segal was very keen on the chances of Get Me Out Of Here in the Stayers. Overturn has no chance. Taquin De Seuil one of the bets of the Festival. Dosen't like Silviniaco Conti's chanes in the Gold Cup.

Davy hadn't much time for Arvika Legionnaire. Called him a camel. Confirmed Moyle Park wouldn't run in the Bumper....would wait for the Land Rover. The Rule The World of now is of similiar ability to First Lieutenant two years ago....didn't think much of the Irish RSA runners. Patrick and Emmet Mullins like Clondaw Court the most out of Willies Bumper runners. Barry Geraghty would ride Blackmail. Solwhit's aim this season is Aintree but if Charles did travel him to Cheltenham, take note....Word out of Mullins yard is that they can't get enough of Ballycasey. Hates the Triumph. Paul Barber told Paul Nicholls there'll be an inch and a half of rain next week and not to mind the weather forecasters on the telly.

Mick Fitz was negative on the chances of River Maigue..Ryanair is made for First Lieutenant. Didn't sound too sweet on Oscar Whiskey in the Stayers. Rolling Star has a big future regardless what happens in the Triumph.

Jessy Harrington confirmed Jezki's well being and seemed to lean towards a trip to Fairyhouse for Oscars Well.

John Francome said Reve De Sivola was the banker of the meeting. Thinks Overturn is battle hardened and that will stand to him. Dynaste would be too good.

Nick Luck was keen on Hidden Justice in the Triumph....didn't believe too much in ratings and didn't think Long Run had regressed 10lbs since Gold Cup win. Noel O'Brien later won this argument.

Brian Gleeson seemed to forget Hayley was one of the panellists which I thought was unfair. Nevertheless Hayley got her word in and was sweet on Zarkandar and Silviniaco Conti. Pointed out that Jezki and Cinders and Ashes were the worst results in their respective races.

Henry De Bromhead didn't know where Sizing Europe would run despite lots of encouragement from Jimmy Nesbitt to stick to the Queen Mother. Gave favourable mentions to Sizing Gold in the AB, and the Potts had high hopes for Sizing Tennessee in the Bumper. Gave his charity bet as his horse in the Cross Country.

Catt couldn't have Long Run. Can't see Hurricane Fly winning. Far West works well with Zarkandar.

Noel O'Brien put up Rebel Fitz as a CH outsider. Davy confirmed he wouldn't run, would go to Mallow next week instead. Noel O'Brien said he'd win in Mallow in that case. Preferred the 171 rated Bobs Worth to the 175 rated Silviniaco Conti. Dynaste 7/8lbs better than the Irish. Our Conor by far the best of the Irish in the Triumph on ratings.

Fri.1st.March.2013

DUBLIN 15, St.Peregines GAA Club, Blanchardstown. 7.30pm.
Panel Denis Kirwan MC, Paul Carberry, Robbie Hennessy, Donn McClean, Damien McElroy and Donal McCarthy (Star Sports). €15 incl. free bet and a goody bag.
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Co. MEATH, Donaghmore/Ashbourne GAA Club. 8pm.
Panel Tony O'Hehir (Rte, Compere), Robbie Hennessy, Jim Dreaper, Andrew Lynch, Bryan Cooper, Keith Donoghue, Miek Vince SPECIAL GUEST on the night PETER CASEY. Tickets €20 (incl. €10 free bet with Sponsors Bambury Bookmakers).


ANY TWITTERS out tonight ?

By Beaker1 on boards.ie ©

CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL PREVIEW EVENING at BANGOR-ON-DEE RACEOURSE
Thursday, February 28th
Leading trainer Donald McCain (DM), Cheltenham Festival Betting Guide author Paul Jones (PJ), Jumping Prospects author John Morris (JM) and broadcaster and commentator Stewart Machin.

Darren Owen acted as the genial host. As we covered Stewart’s comments from Warwick last week and the same races were analysed and he did not deviate from his views, there is no real point to simply repeat his thoughts.

Supreme Novices’ Hurdle

DM:I’m a big fan of Melodic Rendezvous and would love to see Jeremy Scott have a Festival winner as he is a hell of a trainer. My Tent Or Yours only won a handicap last time and McCoy can make one look better than they are. I sometimes question what a strong-travelling Henderson horse will find off the bridle. He has so many high class horses with a high cruising speed but I just wonder if they battle? Am I being unfair? Melodic Rendezvous is not ground dependant and will do for me.

PJ: My Tent Or Yours is already rated 10lbs above the figure Cinders And Ashes recorded when winning the Supreme last year and I can see him winning easily. However, history tells us the Supreme hasn’t been a great race for supposed good things and I would rather look at Dodging Bullets each-way, who is only 5lbs behind the favourite and has impressed at the course twice this season for a yard with two recent wins in the race.

JM: My Tent Or Yours is too short. I didn’t think they went a great pace early on at Newbury so he was well positioned and I felt many of them gave up in the straight. I felt that Jezki was the real deal before My Tent Or Yours overtook him as favourite and see no reason to desert him now he is a bigger price as a result. I think a lot of Melodic Rendezvous bit will stick with Jezki who blew away a good field a Christmas.

Racing Post Arkle Trophy

DM:We decided before the start of the season that Overturn had to school exceptionally to go chasing and if he made one error at home he would go back to hurdling. He was very good on his chase debut at Sandown but running him over 2m4f at Doncaster meant we couldn’t see him at his best. It was only until Musselburgh that Jason could really put the gun to his head and we expected Tetlami to go with us for longer but he was out of his comfort zone at the pace Overturn was going early on. Overturn and Simonsig are like chalk and cheese. Simonsig does everything on the bridle and as far as I could see he has only had two schools in his races this season as Hinterland was not put in the Kempton race. He might be a superstar but he will never have been in a race like this before and it will be interesting to see what he finds when he has to come off the bridle, which he will do here.

PJ:As much as I love Overturn I think he is a horse vulnerable when taking on the very best and Simonsig could be exceptional. Much will depend on when Maguire decides to throw in a huge leap and kick immediately after it and take advantage of freewheeling downhill like in last year’s Champion Hurdle but I don’t think Simonsig will have any problems sitting within five lengths of Overturn and I’m not sure that will be enough. I can’t have Arvika Ligeonneire on my mind at all.

JM:Simonsig is 8/11 and Overturn is 11/4 so there can only be one bet. Overturn is a complete natural over a fence whereas I am not sure yet whether Simonsig is and we know he is more battle-hardened than the favourite and we don’t yet know what Simonsig finds when asked. As a punter, at those prices it can be only be Overturn.

Stan James Champion Hurdle

DM:Cinders And Ashes has not had the opportunity to show what he can do since he won the Supreme as the ground has been all against him. He worked very nicely here yesterday. I wouldn’t be as confident as I was when Peddlers Cross and Overturn finished second in the race but I do feel he represents good each-way value as you can put a line through Newcastle as the main aim was to get a run into him on virtually unraceable ground and the ground was then very testing at Kempton. We pinched a Grade 2 on heavy ground as a novice but Jason told me afterwards not to run him on it again. I was against Hurricane Fly the year he won and even more against him when I saw him in the paddock but I am now his biggest convert and I don’t think any of the British runners will beat him. I think both he and Peddlers Cross had an off year last season off the back of their battle in this race two years ago.

PJ:I was a big Grandouet fan until he missed the Kingwell but I like everything to go smoothly ahead of a championship race so one run in 15 months has to be considered far from ideal and I’d rather the yard were talking him up rather than Binocular. Hurricane Fly is just a little short for me and I’m worried whether Zarkandar will be as effective on the Old Course as he is the New Course where he won the Triumph and International by outstaying his rivals. I don’t think you can kick Rock On Ruby out of the three on his overall form, Cheltenham profile and being much better in bigger fields so 6/1 makes each-way appeal but I am thinking of making him my main bet of the race to place only at odds-against as I can’t see three horses finishing ahead of him.

JM:I’ve been so impressed with Hurricane Fly who looks back to his very best. I saw Cinders And Ashes gallop yesterday and that was the best he has looked when I have seen him this season. I have time for Zarkandar who is unbeaten this season and I think will improve again but Hurricane Fly is going to take all the beating.   

Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle

DM:I’ve got to be honest I’ve not seen Pont Alexandre. I’ve been impressed with Taquin Du Seuil though who is improving with every run though he does have quite a high knee action. Whether he needs it deep, I don’t know.

PJ:No strong view except that I will be surprised if one of the front three in the market doesn’t win. Hard not to be impressed with Pont Alexandre but his two wins for Willie Mullins have been dominating tiny fields in heavy ground so this will be a different experience. Jonjo O’Neill is adamant that despite his high knee action that Taquin Du Seuil will improve for better ground but all 13 Challow runners to run here have been beaten. Oddly enough I was more impressed with The New One’s defeat at Cheltenham when outstayed by At Fishers Cross than his easyWarwickwin and he would have won at Cheltenham with a better timed ride. His turn of foot could be the telling factor if used at the right time.

JM:The Irish won’t hear of defeat for Pont Alexandre and he will be well backed and start favourite for a race in which favourites traditionally have a good record. Taquin Du Seuil is an improving sort and Jonjo’s best chance of the meeting but he will have to be very good indeed to beat Pont Alexandre.

RSA Chase

DM:We booked Derek O’Connor three weeks ago for Super Duty for the Kim Muir but there is a chance he could still run here if the field was to weaken like if Dynaste goes for the Jewson. Take out Dynaste who is the obvious one and after him it’s a very open race. If Super Duty was to run here, he is the type that usually runs well in the race and he deserves his place.

PJ: Dynaste would be bucking a couple of serious trends if successful, the main one being the last 49 winners ran in the same calendar year. He could outclass them but we’ve seen so many obvious form horses get turned over in the RSA so, as a punter, I have to look elsewhere. I have gradually been leaning towards Boston Bob despite just two runs over fences who I didn’t think was right in the Albert Bartlett last year and did well to win over an inadequate 2m5f last time for a stable that know how to win this race. Unioniste may only be five but he has been running in the same races the stable’s other two RSA winners contested and I respect his chance too.

JM: Dynaste won the Feltham easily but the record of winners in that race is not brilliant. Back In Focus would be interesting if he ran here. Boston Bob hasn’t looked a natural to me so it might be worth taking a chance of Chartreux each-way if he runs as he is the type to run into the frame.

Sportingbet.com Queen Mother Champion Chase

DM:Sprinter Sacre is some tool. I was devastated when he beat Peddlers Cross at Kempton last season but don’t feel so bad about it now. I’d love to see a horse get him off the bridle one day.

PJ:As they let Sprinter Sacre kick on when he jumps to the front I just wonder if he will already be clear heading downhill with connections’ sights firmly intent in recording a monster official figure hoping to surpass Master Minded. If Cue Card runs here, then I would fancy him to be second but even further behind than he was when second in last year’s Arkle.

JM:I have no intention of taking on Sprinter Sacre so this is a race to watch, admire and then applaud him all the way back to the winner’s enclosure. If I was given a free bet I’d back Cue Card each-way.

Ryanair Chase

DM:No real view to be honest. I was the under-bidder forChampion Courtso I have always liked him and followed him closely. He is a solid, tough, professional horse but I am not sure he is quite good enough to win.

PJ:We’re still in limbo as we are not sure yet which race the front three in the betting head for. The one thing I do know is that I don’t fancy any of those that are confirmed for the race at present like Champion Court, Menorah, Riverside Theatre and Albertas Run. If First Lieutenant runs here, which he should do as he doesn’t fully the stay the Gold Cup trip at top level, then he is my idea of the most likely winner as I think the race is made for him under a positive ride. If he heads for the Gold Cup and Sizing Europe runs here then I would fancy the former Champion Chaser. My gut feeling is Cue Card is marginally more likely to run in the Queen Mother.

JM:It’s very hard until we know where the main players are going to run. I can see Roi Du Mee running a big race as feel he is an under-rated horse and the owner sponsors the race.

Ladbrokes World Hurdle

DM: Peddlers Cross is grand form and he is as good a work horse now as he ever has been. At Musselburgh he travelled great and jumped brilliantly but idled in front but that is what he does. I was looking over him afterwards to see what might be wrong but Jason told me to stop worrying and that he gave him the feel he wanted. I am as much in the dark as anyone about three miles but the Cleeve isn’t great form so this is a winnable race for a horse with real class like Peddlers. I would say there are only two class horses in the race, the other being Oscar Whisky. The Champion Hurdle was never on the agenda. The ground will make a big difference to how this race will be run but it’s a very open contest.

PJ:I think Richard Johnson will wind it up from earlier than in the Cleeve on Reve De Sivola, especially if it is run on better ground, in a bid to expose the stamina chinks in the armour of Oscar Whisky and Peddlers Cross and I fancy him to outstay them. He is the strongest stayer in the race and just keeps on going. Get Me Out Of Here has stamina to prove but he is potential improver for a first try at 3m and has been second at the last three Festivals so lovesCheltenhamin the spring so he could be the fly in the ointment. I don’t think the Irish form is good enough.

JM:I have heard that Reve De Sivola is having training problems. It would be great if Peddlers Cross came back to his best. Bog Warrior is better over hurdles than fences so I respect him and especially if it comes up soft. Wonderful Charm wouldn’t be out of this if they ran here rather than the Coral Cup.

JCB Triumph Hurdle

DM:The ground matters more for this race at the Festival than any other. I’m aFar Westfan. Paul Nicholls was worried about his lack of tactical speed but he quickened well atAscotlast time. Hidden Justice’s form is working out well and I think he is the each-way value. I know Amanda Perrett’s yard always though he would make a super hurdler.

PJ:Our Conor should be clear favourite. I thought he was devastating when winning a Grade1 inIrelandlast time that supplied last year’s Triumph 1-2 and that even came off missing his Christmas engagement through coughing so you would think that there is more to come. I am not sure Rolling Star is the ‘now’ horse you look for in the Triumph being more of one for the future.

JM:There is only one winner – Our Conor. He destroyed a good field at Leopardstown with his jockey playing with them coming out of the back straight and, when asked, he just when whoosh! Back him.

Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle

DM:Utopies Des Bordes beat She Ranks Me at Sandown last time and I’m not sure that form is good enough. I like three horses very much; Gevrey Chambertin, Coneygree and African Gold. They may not be brilliant horses but they are real solid who are tough and genuine which is what you need for a race like this. Coneygree was a bit disappointing last time but you should see a better horse moving back up to 3m.

PJ:Utopies Des Bordes is already rated high enough to go close and receives a handy 7lbs mares’ allowance so I respect her chance as I do the tough Our Vinnie and I would prefer to take that pair at double figures over the favourites on value grounds. I hear from a colleague who interviewed Mullins two days ago that Champagne Fever could switch from the Supreme to this race and join Ballycasey in the same ownership. Though if it’s very soft, the Supreme would probably go favourite again.

JM:Gevrey Chambertin’s jumping is a big plus and he will run a big race if Pipe chooses this route. Ballycasey looks the pick of the Irish. I like the way Utopie Des Bordes won at Sandown and she is dangerous getting the allowances.

Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup

DM:Bobs Worth is as tough as nails and Silviniaco Conti has impressed in all three wins this season but I’m a Sir Des Champs fan. We’ve been waiting a while for a crop of young horses to arrive on the scene and three have arrived all at once.

PJ:I’m of the opinion The Giant Bolster will run another big race returning to the New Course at Cheltenham where he has looked so good twice before and I don’t think he was anyway near fit enough on both starts behind Silviniaco Conti this season and you can forget the King George blip. He still rates good each-way value. Gun to the head and it would be Sir Des Champs who is being brought along steadily and will appreciate a longer trip, better ground and a return to Cheltenham where he has twice stormed up the hill. If he is within a length at the final fence, I think he’ll win. I don’t like just one run this season for Bobs Worth and it still niggles me they wanted to bypass Cheltenhaml ast season with Silviniaco Conti who looks so good on flat tracks.   

JM:Bobs Worth will have been off the track for 104 days but remains a worthy favourite who is made for Cheltenhamw here he is unbeaten in four runs. I don’t think Sir Des Champs was ridden to best advantage on his first two defeats this season but his jumping was better under different tactics last time. I have a slight doubt in my mind whether Silviniaco Conti will enjoy Cheltenham having avoided the place with him.

Shoulder Races
Donald McCain then ran through some of his other likely runners.
DM:Son of Flicka is only 2lbs higher than when he won the Coral Cup last year but we don’t know yet which race he goes for as is the case for the four horses we plan to run in the handicap hurdles as the ground will be a factor. Bourne and Hollow Tree will also run somewhere. Our Mick is an obvious one for the JLT having been third in the race last year as a novice. He would have be raised if finishing second at Cheltenham so maybe it was a blessing in disguise Jason fell off. I’ve successfully persuaded the owner not to run him again since to protect his mark. Kruzhlinin goes for the Pulteney and I think he is a big price and good each-way value.Cloudy Lane always needs two runs and the plan is to go to the Foxhunters but if we are slightly unhappy with him we will wait for Aintree. Hellorboston goes for the Weatherbys Champion Bumper but I don’t think he’s good enough. Diamond King is also in the race and he was more impressive than I expected when he won on debut. We like him but Cheltenham is not the be-all and end-all.

Naps
DM: Overturn (Arkle)
PJ: Our Conor (Triumph)
JM: Our Conor (Triumph)
SM: Cottage Oak (Foxhunters)

Thanks to all for the input, much obliged.

Once again you come up trumps Catch me.....well done and thanks .Its always interesting to hear what others ave to say....

Could easily see young Cooper take Davy's title in a while, although the longer he stays with Dessie the better !

Donn McClean blog:
Cheltenham from A to Z
March 1st, 2013 by Donn McClean

I don’t think I’ve ever done up an A to Z of anything before, so here goes. Just 11 days to go now. (After this, London will be a doddle …)

A is for Albert, as in Bartlett, potato merchant (I had to look it up too) and for AP, as in McCoy, seventeentuple champion (I didn’t). A is also for Arkle, obviously, the race or the legend (Himself), decide at 2.15 on Tuesday afternoon, determined by whether you are eight bars richer or 11 bars poorer.

B is for Boston, and for Bob, and for Back for that matter, as in, In Focus, and for Big chances in the staying novice chases. (See also W below.) B is also for Barry, as in Geraghty, five winners last year and with a book of rides this year for which you would probably trade a solid gold marble.

C is for Cleeve Hill, overseeing everything, like the wise old oak that presides over all that goes on in the deep dark wood. C is also for Champagne Fever who, Cudicini-like (another C), lost his place on the Neptune Hurdle team and now can’t get it back because Pont Alexandre (Cech – this one is all about the Cs really) is dynamite.

D is for Dessie, as in Hughes as opposed to Orchid, Monksfield’s rider, Hardy Eustace’s trainer, whose Our Conor has a massive chance in the Triumph Hurdle and whose Lyreen Legend could surprise one or two people.

E is for Europe, as in Sizing, and for Electric at his fences, and for Every chance if he runs in the Ryanair Chase, and for Extremely difficult task if he takes on Sprinter Sacre in the Queen Mum.

F is for Fatcatinthehat, and for Fred Winter Hurdle. You think that’s a coincidence?

G is for Gigginstown House, and for Gold Cup, which is appropriate given that War Of Attrition was the last Irish-trained winner of the blue riband and that Sir Des Champs or First Lieutenant could be the next.

H is for Hill, which you should run up at least once, then imagine what it feels like to do it after running your lungs out and jumping your legs off for three and a quarter miles.

I is for Irrigation, the artificial type, about which Simon Claisse was obviously joking when he said that it might be necessary after the wettest 12 months that the world has witnessed since Noah was a lad.

J is for Jezki, and for Jessica, as in Harrington, and for Just remember the turn of foot that he displayed at Leopardstown over Christmas before you go thinking that My Tent Or Yours is certain to be JP’s best in the Supreme. J is also for Ja remember Captain Cee Bee and Binocular?

K is for potassium.

L is for Long, as in, way from the third last flight on the New Course to the winning line, and wait since last March, and way from winning a handicap off a mark of 149 to the Champion Hurdle, and Run, still unfashionable (see U below), although it is fashionable now to say that his rider gets a lot of undeserved stick.

M is for Mullins, as in Willie and Tom and Tony and Danny and Emmet and Mags and Patrick, but mainly Willie, more dominant in Ireland than the cats of Kilkenny and set to unleash the deepest raiding party that has ever been sent forth from one Irish yard to the Cotswolds.

N is for Noel, as in Meade, for whom you root every single year because of all the near misses before and after Sausalito Bay, because of Hill Society and Native Dara and Harbour Pilot and Harchibald, and whose Monksland is a real player in the World Hurdle this time.

O is for Oh my God we’re almost there (and it’s early).

P is for Pressure, which is really for tyres. (See also T below.)

Q is for Quevega, and Queen, and Quite flummoxed if she doesn’t win.

R is for Ruby, as in Walsh and Rock On. One of them could dominate the week and one of them could have to relinquish his crown. R is also for Russell, riding easily under his Irish crown, brimming with confidence and optimism.

S is for Sprinter, and for Sacre, and for Simonsig, and for Sertainty. And for Seven Barrows, incidentally, where there probably won’t be a party if those two don’t collect.

T is for Tent, mine or yours, we’re not really sure, but we’ll know after the curtain-raiser on Tuesday. T is also for Tyres. (See also P above.)

U is for Unfashionable, which is what Long Run is, which is why, a Gold Cup winner and a dual King George winner, he is only fourth favourite this year.

V is for Vent D’Antan, as in Le, who will bid to tread the path from Liz Doyle’s yard in Wexford to Cheltenham’s winner’s enclosure, just like Al Ferof and Cheltenian have done before him, only he won’t be going via Paul Nicholls or Philip Hobbs.

W is for Willie, and for Wylie, and for Wily, for that matter. It’s all about the staying novice chases for this combo. Until we do the Grand National A to Z next month anyway.

X is for Xtraordinary, which usually describes the week, and for which X apparently always stands in these things if you can’t mould the subject matter in such a way so as you can squeeze X-ray or Xylophone in. X is also for X-Country Chase, which is Excel (Xcel?) spreadsheet speak for Cross-Country Chase. (This one would have been much easier the year that Xenophon won the Coral Cup.)

Y is for Yielding, the ground on the first day, although they will call it good to soft. Y is also for Yacht, the thing that you will buy when your ante post Lucky 15 cops.

Z is for Zarkandar, biggest danger to Hurricane Fly, and for Zs, the sound that will come from your room on Gold Cup night when there are only 361 days to go.

Adare Preview

Alan King, Dan Skelton, Nick Luck, Andrew McNamara, Tom Segal, Dan Skelton and bookie Willie Power on the panel here in Adare, more later..

Simon Claisse by phone here in Adare: 3/4inch of rain expected between now and start of Festival - "every chance of starting on soft ground"

Andrew McNamara on the Arkle: there's nothing between Overturn and Simonsig so Overturn's accuracy oven fences swings it in his favour

Tom Segal on the Champion Hurdle: despite Hurricane Fly winning in '11, I'm not sure about him on the track. It's Rock On Ruby for me

Willie Power on Pont Alexandre: we won't be laying him at 3-1 or bigger, he looks good

Dan Skelton: 10-1 about Unionist is massive for the RSA. He needed the run at Newbury and I'd be fairly bullish about him

Derek O'Connor on the Champion Bumper: Union Dues looks the best of Willie Mullins', I don't see Golantilla having the form to win this

Pushed by Alan King to confirm the rumour, Dan Skelton says that it's true that Coral Cup fav Wonderful Charm COULD switch to the World Hdle

preview night in Quanes pub Blennerville on thursday starts @ 9pm i'm sure I saw at the weekend.

Kavanagh's Naas is on tonight

Matt Chapman MC
Katie Walsh
Paul Townend Niaal Cronin Danny Mullins and Leon Blanche who is giving everyone free tickets for the Spoilsports Cahmpion Chase at Punchestown.
€10 in. Free €5 bet. In aid of Motor Neurone