Two I like e/w in Cheltenham today - Byron Blue in the 3.20 and Gary Charm to a lesser degree in the 5.05
Morning all, well it's that time of year when we all start thinking about the other HQ and settle in for a winter of the finest sport on the planet. It all starts today and despite what some say " it's not all about Cheltenham " but it really is. Anyway a few to avoid. 2.10 Colin's sister 2.45 gambling girl 3.20 florrie boy 3.55 cottersrock 5.05 troika steps Good luck Cheers.
Cheltenham 2.45 RIDESTAN 13/2 Should be improvement to come and I'd be surprised should he not be involved at the business end.
Morning all, got back from the US at 7.30 and, having slept off the old jet lag, am now primed for a study of the Cheltenham card. Great to see racing back at Prestbury Park. Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah the leaves are turning golden brown, the mornings getting chillier and the days shorter. The National Hunt season is upon us my fine friends
I like the chances of one of the ex-Bloomfields horses today: 3.20 Cheltenham Ruacana 33/1 e/w It is getting on for 2 years since Ruacana last won a race, the Class 2 Hogmaneigh Hurdle at Kelso in January 2015 over 2 miles on soft. The son of Cape Cross was running off a mark of 137 that day but had Mikey Ennis taking off 7lbs, so effectively off 130. Today Ruacana goes off 140 but with George Blackwell taking off 10lbs he is effectively off 130 again today. Blackwell is clearly capable as his 4 rides for Tim Vaughan this week read 3213 and he won a conditional jockeys handicap on Looksnowtlikebrian on Wednesday. I think today's trip of 2m5f on good ground will really suit Ruacana and, dropping back to Class 3 handicap company he is way too big at 33/1.
NM150 Parfait 7/1 225 Commander 11/4 2 singles and a double Don 200 Ouja 9/4 235 Swiftshire 5/4 2 singles and a double Chelt 210 EL Bandit EVS 245 Marracudja 5/2 355 Tiger Roll 5/4 3 singles doubles and a treble
And so it pans out - set a decent pace and held on. Nothing in that race to dissuade me that Ditcheat TB horses are going to be worth following.
Outpaced from the top of the hill but stayed on well up the straight to finish 6th. Might be one for Tim Vaughan to try and get on a nice mark for the Pertemps Final (ran in it off 146 last season, if he can get in off about 136 he could be really competitive). One to follow this season
I do think Cliffs Of Dover could well destroy them at the weights here. Price has gone now but it is fascinating that Nicholls is prepared to put a 3YO into a competitive handicap like this.
Oh my goodness he has absolutely hammered them there, despite having to sit and suffer somewhat down the hill. Great race and great training performance from Mr Nicholls
Spot on my good man! Glad i got some of the 5's earlier in the day along with Doubles and trebles with other 3 Nicholls runners at HQ 52.8/1 treble let the beers flow
Good work Woolly Really like that from Cliffs of Dover and great imagination from Nicholls putting him in handicaps. Might he be a Triumph horse?
