We’ve hit the halfway point and safe to say its been a brilliant if not dramatic Cheltenham Festival so far! Lets try and find a few more winners today for you all.
1.20 2m1f (2m179y) (New) Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) (Registered As The Dawn Run Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle) (GBB) (Class 1) (4yo+)
We saw big changes in this market in recent days; long time ante post favourite Maughreen is a significant drifter and I suspect Paul Townend opting to ride Aurora Vega is the biggest reason behind her price change. It has left Sixandahalf your clear market principle and I can see why. Very classy on the Flat she was also good in bumper company. Her only hurdles run saw her looked professional with her jumping winning emphatically at Fairyhouse. She will have schooled plenty at home and I think she will be the one to side with in the first.
2.00 Cheltenham 2m4½f (2m4f127y) (New) Jack Richards Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (Grade 2) (Registered As The Golden Miller) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (5yo+)
One of the changes to the Festival that I think has worked is moving this race to a handicap. Two I like her come from the same formline which was when they finished second and third respectively to the Arkle winner Jango Baie. Springwell Bay the runner up that day then returned to Cheltenham to win on New Years Day. I love his profile for this race and expect him to run well. I also think the third from that race in December warrants more respect that the market is giving Caldwell Potter. Perhaps it is the price tag chat we always seem to have to suffer whenever he runs. A top hurdler, whilst this season hasnt been ideal I think he arrives here with a nice mark of 146 to exploit.
- Springwell Bay 1 point each way
- Caldwell Potter 1 point each way
2.40 Cheltenham 3m (2m7f213y) (New) Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (5yo+)
A race I love but hard to find the winner of! Two darts here, Will The Wise has managed despite the new harder rules for novices to qualify and I loved his attitude last time out when winning at Naas in the mud. He has form on a sounder surfacer and I think he will be a popular bet. The other is a much bigger price and needs it to dry out, Super Survivor arrives from a bang in form team in Jamie Snowden and rider Gavin Sheehan. He has been nudged up to a mark of 128 off the back of wins at Huntingdon and Donny. I think returning to hurdles has been a great move and he could have a huge run in him at a massive price.
- Will The Wise 1 point each way
- Super Survivor 1 point each way
3.20 Cheltenham 2m4½f (2m4f127y) (New) Ryanair Chase (Registered As The Festival Trophy) (Grade 1) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (5yo+)
Sometimes you have to just keep it simple. Teahupoo has the best form in the race with his second to Lossiemouth at Fairyhouse. A winner of this 12 months ago he really should outclass this field and deliver a big race win for Gordon Eliott.
- 2 point win Teahupoo
4.40 Cheltenham 2m4½f (2m4f127y) (New) TrustATrader Plate Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (5yo+)
The award for the race I want to back about 6 in comes here with the Plate! Lets narrow it to just two horses. One will be the novice Jordans who providing we get no more rain should get going to suit. This will be his handicap debut and whilst he is in at the deep end I think this team can land another Festival winner. Masaccio at this trip is the other dart I want to throw. His run behind the Jukebox Man at Newbury over a similar trip is good form in my book.
- 1 point each way Jordans
- 1 point each way Masaccio
5.20 Cheltenham 3m2f (New) Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Amateur Jockeys’ Handicap Chase (Spon By Thames Materials) (GBB) (Class 2) (5yo+ 0-145)
Two horses here to couple both towards the head of the market. I backed Johnnywho for the wrong race and love the jockey booking here of Derek O’Connor. I suspect connections felt he could have been reaching slightly higher hights after the Carlise win but this mark of 140 looks very exciting if returning to his best. The other will be the most popular horse of the week with anyone if Walking On Air can win for Alan O’Sullivan, we lost Alan’s brother Michael so tragically recently and its was great to see him get a fitting tribute on Tuesday at Cheltenham. Gary Brown’s horse was always well regarded when trained by Nicky Henderson and got put up 4lb for a last fence fall at Doncaster on his previous start. Both will be plays for me in the final race.
- 1 point win Jonnywho
- 1 point win Walking On Air
