Very early for me to be holding AP vouchers for the festival but seriously tempted to speculate on Iwilldoit in the Pertemps. Runner up berth today in a qualifier and rated far less over hurdles. Wouldn’t be the first horse to have his GN prep in this race. The negative is that he seems to be totally ground dependant. 25/1. But will I do it this bloody early?
Reminds me of a Griff Rhys Jones sketch rehearsing for a car safety advert where he can't get the intonation right. Can't find it I am convinced........................... I am convinced........................... I am convinced........................... I am convinced........................... I am convinced ?......................... I am convinced ?.........................
I know its still early but I was hugely impressed by Burdett Road today and Pilgrim's 20/1 ticket looks very saucy. Best price 7/1 now which obviously isn't going to interest the value seekers but I haven't seen a juvenile come up the hill like that since Our Conor.
Thank you. I didn't put him here because it seemed too crazy a bet. Anyway, we have to wait for the battalion of Mullins and Elliott, who most likely have a few better than him. In his favour is that in the last seven furlongs there are only two hurdles, if he runs (there is still a long time to go and a lot can happen) and gets there close he could have a chance.
Adding JPR One to the portfolio at 33/1 for the Arkle. Obviously there are flashier types in Ireland but he was hugely impressive in the Arkle trial last Friday until that very unfortunate unseat after the last and the Tizzards obviously think the world of him: https://www.racingtv.com/news/tizzard-still-dreaming-big-with-jpr-one
Strikes me as mug punting that Ron. Whichever race he goes for I pretty much guarantee he will be bigger than 5/2 on the day!
I'm sure you are right stick but I had already posted one; otherwise I would have waited until I knew which one he was going for
The entries were released for the Champion Chase (19 entries), Ryanair (32 entries) and Gold Cup (20 entries) yesterday with, to be honest, very few surprises or even newsworthy aspects. At first glance the Champion Chase looks like a match between El Fabiolo and Jonbon, leaving just one place for e/w backers to aim for. However, the two at the head of the market might well meet in the Clarence House Chase at Ascot in a couple of weeks and a decisive victory for either of them might prompt defeated connections to consider the Ryanair - both horses having been entered for the Thursday highlight. There still doesn't seem to be much of an e/w angle though with many of the field looking past their prime - maybe Edwardstone for the UK and Appreciate It for Ireland at rewarding odds as both have festival winning form. The Gold Cup now has a very short fav after Galopin Des Champs demolition job in the Savills Chase and if he brings that form to the Gold Cup he will be very difficult to beat. If the ground were to come up quicker you'd think Fastorslow would be the main danger to the champ but he has been to the festival twice and been beaten twice (albeit very narrowly both times). The horse who does make appeal for an each way punt is Gentlemansgame at 25/1. Robcour also have Gerri Colombe but he has lost his air of invincibility and I could see both of their entries running. Gentlemansgame remains very unexposed and it is entirely possible he can take a big step forward from his Charlie Hall victory. The Ryanair has numerous dual-entered horses from both the Champion Chase and Gold Cup entries and it is the old conundrum of who will run where. If the ground came up on the quicker side I would be interested in Banbridge for this contest but you'd want NRNB as they may well skip Cheltenham again and go to Aintree with him.
Pricewise ante post Chelt preview schedule for those that like a point of reference. Tue Jan 9 - Gold Cup Wed Jan 10 - Champion Hurdle Tue Jan 16 - Champion Chase Wed Jan 17 - Arkle Tue Jan 23 - Brown Advisory Wed Jan 24 - Supreme Tue Jan 30 - Ballymore Wed Jan 31 - Triumph Tue Feb 6 - Stayers' Hurdle Wed Feb 7 - Ryanair Wed Feb 14 - Mares' races Thu Feb 15 - Albert Bartlett Thu Feb 22 - Turners/National Hunt Chase Wed Feb 28 - Champion Bumper Thu Mar 1 - Handicaps
Won nicely today Tam but is completely ground dependent. Anyone fancying him for the Ryanair should wait for the day - anything worse than good-soft and he won't win.
