Cheltenham day one -
The festival needs no introduction so will get straight into the selections for day one.
13:30 Supreme Novices Hurdle:
3 Selections -
Vautour - 5 point win @ 3/1 (7/2SP) = WON
Gilgamboa - 0.5 points EW @ 12/1 = unplaced
The Liquidator - 0.5 points EW @ 22/1 = unplaced
The Supreme this year looks a very competitive renewal but perhaps unsurprisingly the biggest stand out for me comes from the Mullins yard, As usual Mullins looks to hold a strong hand with 3 solid entrants. The selection (Vautor) possesses almost the ideal profile coming into this race, stays further than the trip, has the look of a real stamina horse (a big plus at Cheltenham), lines up for arguably the best Cheltenham trainer/jockey combo and just for good measure was an impressive grade 1 winner last time out. The only real negative is the fact that he is yet to run at Cheltenham, considering his profile he should be well suited. Mullins 5 year old gelding couldn't have been more impressive in his 3 runs so far this season (winning all 3) & he could take his game to next level with a big run in the festival opener. Gilgamboa is another of the Irish contingent lining up for this one. A winner in 3 of his 4 races to date, including last time out when nicely beating last year's Triumph hurdle winner Flaxen Flare over 2 miles at Leopardstown. Prior to that he won over 2m 4f at Punchestown, which is a positive since i'm of the opinion that staying further than the required trip is a big positive at Cheltenham. Has improved steadily in 3 runs so far this season and looks one who could go well at a decent EW price in the hands of MCcoy. Lastly in this race, The Liquidator for David Pipe looks a decent EW prospect at 22's. Previous winner here at Cheltenham in a Grade 2 back at the November meeting, Although he only faced 3 rivals he could hardly have won in better fashion scoring by some 15 lengths from the front. In addition to that he finished a very respectable 4th in last years Champion Bumper at the festival on similar ground. Has that important course form, combine that with the fact that Pipe appears to have his string in fine form at the moment, so at 22's the Liquidator looks well worth an EW punt.
Note: paddypower are refunding losing bets on the supreme if your horse finishes 2nd, 3rd or 4th. worth baring in mind particularly if backing Vautour.
14:05 Arkle Chase
Trifolium - 1 point EW @ 9/2 = PLACED (3rd)
Another of the Irish raiders is the pick here, can't get away from the fact that they get their horses firing for the big meetings over here (namely Cheltenham) time and time again. Trifolium for Charles Byrnes looks a promising sort over fences & while the price allows, an EW bet seems worthwhile. Inevitably there will be plenty of money for Champagne Fever at the head of the market, particularly if Mullins takes the first race. However,Trifolium beat him two runs back and although Champagne Fever is unbeaten at the festival, that was over hurdles and there's question marks as to whether he's as good over fences, ultimately i'm not convinced that form will be reversed and thus Trifolium is the one for me. Byrnes gelding was a very respectable 3rd place finisher in the 2012 Supreme Novices on good ground, proving that all important course form. This season he looks to have taken well to chasing, notching up a 2nd and a win (LTO) on his latest 2 outings, both in grade 1 company. Last time out he looked very impressive when winning by 9 lengths at Leopardstown, beating some good horses including previous festival winner Ted Veale and previous runner up Felix Yonger. Overall Trifolium looks as though he could still be on the up, at the prices he looks the one to be with.
14:40 Festival Handicap Chase
2 Selections -
Time for Rupert - 0.75 points EW @ 14/1 = pulled up
Vintage Star - 0.5 points EW @ 16/1 = fell
Starting with Time for Rupert, Paul Webber's 10 year old is looking dangerously well handicapped on his best form. The old boy has plenty of decent Cheltenham form, including a creditable 5th in the 2012 Gold Cup. Based on those previous Cheltenham runs today's trip of just over 3 mile looks pretty much ideal. Last time out he finished a respectable second at Doncaster over 3 miles in good to soft ground, now down to his lowest mark ever this may just be the Time For Rupert. Secondly Vintage Star is a horse who has been holding his form well this campaign for last year's Grand National winning trainer Sue Smith, particularly in similar races. Ran well to get 6th place in this season's Welsh National after not fully staying the trip. Last time out in a grade 2 handicap over 2 miles 5 he ran another solid race to finish second. The booking of multiple winning Irish champion jockey, Davy Russell is a bit of an eye catcher for this one also. No doubt this is a very competitive handicap but Vintage Star has a nice profile and could go well at a decent EW price.
5:15 Novices Handicap Chase
2 Selections -
Close House - 0.5 Points EW @ 14/1 = unplaced
Ohio Gold - 0.5 Points EW @ 18/1 = pulled up
Starting with David Pipe's 7 year old - Close House, doesn't exactly have a great deal of recent form to get anyone up out of their seat but he is beginning to look potentially well handicapped off a mark of 135. Does have a couple of decent pieces of Cheltenham form, most notably when finishing runner up in a competitive handicap hurdle back at the 2012 November meeting. Since going over fences things haven't quite clicked but the blinkers go on today for the first time & if they can spark a return to some of that useful old hurdle form, particularly that shown around here, then he could be in with a shout at a nice EW price. Moving onto Colin Tizzard's Ohio Gold. Finished 3rd in this race last year off a 2lb higher mark and is looking well handicapped on that form. Ran a respectable 4th last time out over C&D & its looks as though this race has been targeted specifically. 18/1 looks a tad overpriced for a horse with proven form in the race, So Ohio Gold is another who could go well at nice odds.
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