That Coral one looked a decent preview - I was invited but was unable to attend. Ste kindly sent me the transcript yesterday and I like the way they covered every race and didn't just pass over a race as if it didn't exist where Pipe/Nicholls/Mullins has a handicap certainty you only hear about during the winners enclosure interviews.....
Any chance you could copy and paste that on here for us Grizzly? Would be good to add that to all the ones Zen has put up.
These are fantastic although my head is throbbing now. This Peddler Cross thing makes me doubt he'll even turn up now. McCain loves the horse and I can't see him taking any chances. Even if he runs and wins the stick trainer and connections would get, would be enormous.
Million In Mind Cheltenham Preview Date: Sunday 26th February 2012 Venue: Ditcheat Village Hall, Ditcheat, Somerset. Panel: Anthony Bromley, David Minton (Highflyer Bloodstock) & Paul Nicholls. Day 1 - Tuesday SUPREME NOVICE HURDLE PN: HINTERLAND is entered in the Fred Winter, for which he would more than likely carry top weight and Harry Derham may well ride. However, his owners are keen to run in the Supreme. He is better than he showed at Cheltenham last time having got stuck in behind horses after the second last. AB: MONTBAZON is Alan King’s number one and I feel he has a very good chance. Decent ground would suit him. DM: My two against the field would be TETLAMI, who Nicky (Henderson) likes a lot, and MONTBAZON. ARKLE TROPHY PN: Sprinter Sacre tends to race very freely and I am hoping he may run himself into the ground. He is undoubtedly the one to beat if he settles but he may prefer a flat track. AL FEROF jumps very well and he will be staying on strongly at the finish. I hope he can outstay Sprinter Sacre. DM: A.P. (McCoy) got off SPRINTER SACRE in last year’s Supreme NH and said he had an issue with his wind. That has been rectified and he is the one to beat. We are hoping Cue Card makes the running because that will be perfect for Sprinter Sacre. CHAMPION HURDLE PN: I am likely to run four (Brampour, Celestial Halo, Rock on Ruby & Zarkandar). I think Rock On Ruby is overpriced, especially as Cheltenham will suit him more than Kempton. He had a racecourse gallop at Wincanton (20th February) and went very well. However, my number one contender is ZARKANDAR. AB: I am keen to take Hurricane Fly on and, I feel he could be vulnerable if the likes of Celestial Halo and Overturn ensure there is a strong gallop. There is loads of improvement in ZARKANDAR because he wasn’t at his best at Newbury and yet he still won. DM: The wind operation has made a big difference to Binocular and I am expecting him to run very well. However, I fear he will have his work cut out to beat HURRICANE FLY. Day 2 – Wednesday NEPTUNE INVESTMENTS NOVICE HURDLE PN: I won’t have a runner in this but Ruby (Walsh) is very keen on BOSTON BOB. DM: Nicky (Henderson) is particularly sweet on SIMONSIG and feels he is one of his best chances of the whole week. I think BATONNIER will finish in the first four and I also like MAKE YOUR MARK, who I tried to buy and loved at the sales. RSA CHASE AB: Join Together looks fantastic and he should run well but, if GRANDS CRUS turns, up, he wins. DM: Nicky was amazed by Bobs Worth’s run in the Reynoldstown at Ascot because he thought he would need it following his breathing operation. He should run well but I like INVICTUS and FIRST LIEUTENANT. The latter appears to have been trained for the race all season. QUEEN MOTHER CHAMPION CHASE PN: I am going to run KAUTO STONE. He was very free at Ascot last time and I think he will benefit from dropping back in trip. The likely strong pace will suit him and he could run well. AB: I think SIZING EUROPE is the banker of the meeting. Lump on. DM: I suspect they are going to ride Big Zeb slightly differently but SIZING EUROPE is the horse to beat. FRED WINTER JUVENILE HURDLE PN: It is possible Hinterland will run but I like ULCK DU LIN, who I feel is well treated off 130. I have purposely not run him since he arrived from France because I wanted to protect his mark. He did a very good piece of work at Wincanton with Rock On Ruby (20th February) and he is in the same mould as Sanctuaire who won this for us a couple of years ago. AB: Alan King felt VENDOR was going to be his number one for the Triumph Hurdle before Christmas so he must be well handicapped off 129. He hasn’t run him since his win at Newbury in case his rating went up. BUMPER PN: I think ROYAL GUARDSMAN is the one to beat. He beat one of ours (Atlantic Roller) who I rate highly at Ascot, and the stable won the race a few years ago with Cue Card so they know what it takes. AB: John Ferguson has had a very good season and NEW YEAR’S EVE looks as though he has been trained for the race. Day 3 – Thursday RYANAIR CHASE PN: Poquelin runs and he has an each-way chance having run well twice in the race in the past. I think SOMERSBY will run well. AB: Rubi Light must be respected having finished third in the race last year but he may need soft ground. I think Somersby is a stone better horse at Ascot than anywhere else and I am not convinced the track will be ideal for Riverside Theatre. MEDERMIT would have a good each-way chance but his owners are favouring running in the Gold Cup. I think NOBLE PRINCE will go close because previous Festival and course form is very important. DM: I like NOBLE PRINCE and RIVERSIDE THEATRE. WORLD HURDLE PN: BIG BUCK’S looked great and I couldn’t be happier with his preparation. However, I have followed Oscar Whisky’s career throughout and he is a very good horse. He has got speed and class and is a big danger. Day 4 – Friday TRIUMPH HURDLE PN: Ranjaan is improving all the time but PEARL SWAN is my number one. I think it is between him and Grumeti and there is obviously very little between the pair but my horse has improved a lot since his last run at Cheltenham. Don’t discount DODGING BULLETS though. Quite hot headed when he arrived from Ireland, he hasn’t been the easiest to train but there is a lot of improvement in him. I was delighted with his run in the Dovecote Novice Hurdle at Kempton behind Grumeti and he isn’t that far behind Pearl Swan, judged on their homework. He is an interesting contender. AB: I don’t think the Irish juveniles are as strong this year. PEARL SWAN has a good turn of foot and Alan King is adamant GRUMETI is his number one. BALDER SUCCES shouldn’t be underestimated even though he may be the apparent ‘second string.’ He would prefer some cut in the ground though. DM: I like BALDER SUCCES who has looked very impressive, especially at Ascot last time. GOLD CUP PN: KAUTO STAR has looked as good as ever this season and goes there with a leading chance. I am not convinced Long Run has trained on this season and, while Burton Port ran very well in the Denman Chase, he had been off for a long time and I am sure Nicky would have had him pretty straight that day. I am not sure he will be able to repeat it second time back. AB: I wasn’t disappointed with LONG RUN at Newbury. The longer trip will suit him at Cheltenham because he was outspeeded at both Haydock and Kempton. Burton Port had been working the house down before he ran at Newbury so it was a very good performance by Long Run to concede ten pounds. FOXHUNTERS’ PN: CHAPOTURGEON has had a lot of problems since winning the Jewson Novice Chase at the Festival in 2009. He qualified for the Foxhunters after winning impressively at Newbury and then following up in a point-to-point last time. Richard Barber’s grandson Jack rides him very well and, if he gets good ground, he will have a massive chance. A lot of people have suggested he won’t stay but he has never run beyond two miles six. I don’t think he will have a problem with the trip. The ground is the key to him. DM: MONTERKY TUNKERTY was impressive when winning at Warwick and I think he is a very interesting runner. FESTIVAL HANDICAPPERS TO FOLLOW Paul Nicholls: SONOFVIC – Pertemps Final (Thursday) – He has been saved for this once we decided to go back over hurdles. He will love the decent ground and I think he is well handicapped. TED SPREAD – Imperial Cup at Sandown (Saturday 10th), County Hurdle & Martin Pipe HH (Friday) – he reminds me a lot of Desert Quest, who won the County Hurdle in 2006. A strong traveller, he wants good ground and he is on a nice mark. This has been the plan since winning at Taunton last time. ULCK DU LIN – Fred Winter Juvenile Hurdle (Tuesday) – see earlier notes. Anthony Bromley: MOLOTOF – Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys Handicap Hurdle (Friday) – he has won three out of three this season including a Grade 2 novice hurdle at Ascot last time. Rated 145, he will run off 11st 12lb but it will be narrow weight band. David Minton: OPEN HEARTED – Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys Handicap Hurdle (Friday) – A progressive horse, he has won four out of five with his only defeat coming at Uttoxeter when he fell on his hurdles debut. He goes there with a good each-way chance.
Before the Preview, Paul Nicholls gave his thoughts on the following during the parade of his stars: AL FEROF (Arkle Trophy): “He won the Supreme Novice Hurdle last year and, having been flat out all the way, he flew up the hill and I am hoping he will do the same in the Arkle this time. He has had a good year winning twice before finishing third in the Victor Chandler Chase at Ascot. The experience he gained there will stand him in good stead. He has improved a lot since then and it is all about jumping at speed in the Arkle. To win an Arkle, you need a horse who stays two and a half miles and he will be running on strongly up the hill again. Sprinter Sacre will be difficult to beat but our horse is not without a chance.” BIG BUCK’S (World Hurdle): “Once again, he has had a great season winning all three of his starts and his winning run has stretched to 15 races. Even though he won the Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham in January, I don’t think he was at his very best because there were a few horses in the yard under the weather at the time. However, he has bloomed since and looks much better in his coat. As he has got older, he has needed more work to get fit but he goes there with an outstanding chance. I have great respect for Oscar Whisky though and I fear he could be his toughest opponent to date. He has loads of speed but Big Buck’s forte is his stamina and we will ensure it is a thorough test.” BRAMPOUR (Champion Hurdle): “He goes for the Champion Hurdle and will be ridden by Harry Derham, who has done such a good job on him this season. He always worked very well at home last year but disappointed on the track. However, he had a wind operation and the summer off and he came back a different horse. Successful in a Listed Handicap at Ascot, he then won the Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham in November. Seventh in the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury last time, he wasn’t beaten far and certainly didn’t have a hard race. The way the Champion Hurdle will be run will suit him and he could grab a place. Decent ground will be ideal for him.” CRISTAL BONUS (Jewson Novice Chase): “A very decent horse who Anthony Bromley tried to buy in the past. Fortunately, he ended up here anyway after Mr Geffen bought him and we gave him a good break. He made a noise when we started working him so he underwent a breathing operation in September. Twice a winner over fences, he jumped brilliantly at Chepstow and then won the Pendil Novice Chase at Kempton. He jumped to his right that day and will be much better going left-handed at Cheltenham. We intended running him in the rescheduled Scilly Isles Novice Chase at Newbury but he had an infection in his near hind leg. Then, the weekend before the Pendil, he worked brilliantly on the Saturday but was hopping lame afterwards. Thankfully, by the Tuesday he was fine and the rest is history. I think he will be a smart horse over three miles next season but I am expecting him to run very well in the Jewson. All being well, he will run at Aintree after that.” HARRY THE VIKING (National Hunt Chase): “Unbeaten in four runs this season, two of which have been over hurdles and two over fences, he runs in the four mile chase and will be ridden by Will Biddick. I have liked him ever since he won a maiden point-to-point and he does stay particularly well. We have purposely kept him fresh since his last run at Doncaster and I think he has a leading chance at the Festival. A laid back individual, I have been very pleased with his preparation.” JOIN TOGETHER (RSA Chase): “He goes for the RSA Chase and we have purposely kept him fresh because he goes well after a break. Unlucky when falling on his chasing debut at Chepstow, he won his next couple of starts at Cheltenham. He is a very good jumper and he stays well and I think he will be an awesome horse for the good staying chases next season. In an ideal world, he would have preferred it if the race had been run on the New course at Cheltenham because it places more emphasis on stamina. Having said that, I think the ground will be slower on the Old course, which will be in his favour. We had considered aiming him at the four miler but he is better than that and deserves a crack at the RSA Chase. I think he will run very well. KAUTO STAR (Gold Cup): “He looks stunning and you wouldn’t know he was a twelve year old. When he came back into work in July, he looked in great shape and he appears a better horse this season than last. Last year, he had a few minor issues making a noise and little bleeds but this season everything has gone to plan winning the Betfair Chase at Haydock and then following up in the King George. Ruby (Walsh) said he showed a tremendous turn of foot at Kempton and Long Run couldn’t go with him. He then idled in front. I think he goes to Cheltenham with a big chance and I couldn’t be happier with him. The fact Denman isn’t running is an advantage to him because Denman always ensured it was a proper stamina test. I hope he gets decent ground.” Please note: Kauto Star fell whilst schooling and his participation has, at the time of writing, yet to be confirmed. PEARL SWAN (Triumph Hurdle): “Despite the fact there is very little between him, Grumeti and Baby Mix, I feel he should be favourite for the Triumph Hurdle. Anthony Bromley bought him in November and he won nicely on his debut at Taunton. We then ran him in the Finesse Hurdle at Cheltenham and I told Ruby (Walsh) to take his time and see how the race developed. If he finished fourth or fifth then we would have prepared him for the Fred Winter at the Festival but he took off after the second last and stormed up the hill. Unfortunately, he lost the race in the stewards’ room but we knew there was a lot of improvement to come. We can improve his jumping and I think he is a really nice horse. I asked Ruby which was the best juvenile on either side of the Irish Sea and he said Pearl Swan. I think he has got a very good chance.” POQUELIN (Ryanair or Gold Cup): “He has become harder to train as he has got older. Disappointing in the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby on his reappearance, he stayed overnight and I don’t think it suited him because he was sick afterwards. He ran much better at Cheltenham last time in a competitive handicap under top weight finishing second. That run has put him spot on and, all being well, he will run in the Ryanair Chase for a third time. We have given him an entry in the Gold Cup as well but he is only likely to run in that if something happened to one of the principals and if the ground turned up very quick.” PROSPECT WELLS (Supreme Novice Hurdle): “He goes for the Supreme NH and he has taken well to jumping winning at Chepstow and Newbury and finishing a close second in the Graded novice at the Paddy Power meeting. Things have unfortunately gone wrong since because we ran him back too quick in the Ladbroke Hurdle at Ascot even though he finished fourth. He then ran no sort of race in the Tolworth Hurdle on heavy ground but he was found to have a trapped epiglottis, which basically meant he couldn’t breathe. A vet from Ireland sorted him out and, within ten days, he was back in work and his breathing has improved a lot since. He is the forgotten horse of the race and, if he encounters his favoured good ground, he could run very well.” ROCKY CREEK (Albert Bartlett NH): “A full brother to the ill-fated Tell Massini, he is a great big strong chasing type who will be very much one to follow over fences next season. Paul Barber saw him win his Irish point to point and liked him. He wasn’t fully wound up when finishing second on his Rules debut at Exeter but hasn’t stopped improving since winning in good style at Doncaster in a Grade 2 NH. Although he lacks a bit of experience, I think he has a leading chance in the Albert Bartlett Novice Hurdle.” Interestingly, Rocky Creek is positioned in one of the boxes at the top end of the yard adjacent to Denman and Kauto Star suggesting he is held in the highest regard at Ditcheat. ZARKANDAR (Champion Hurdle): “Unbeaten in four starts over hurdles, it was a very good performance to win the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury on his reappearance. A few horses in the yard were coughing at the time and he had a dirty nose the day after his win. He had a dose of antibiotics and is back in full work now. Improving day by day, he has made a rapid progress and I feel he is a live danger to Hurricane Fly. Ruby (Walsh) felt he hit the front too soon at Newbury and he will be at his best in a strongly run race galloping up that hill.” DENMAN’s tendon problem had heeled up and he is likely to go out into a field during the summer, all being well, with MASTER MINDED. In great form at home, he will start doing plenty of walking after Cheltenham.
Videos from the Boylesports Preview can be found here - http://www.youtube.com/user/betBoylesports Videos from the Betfair Preview can be found here - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLA798531D676187C9&feature=edit_ok Not all the races are up yet for the Betfair Evening but will be added in due course.
HINTERLAND is entered in the Fred Winter, for which he would more than likely carry top weight and Harry Derham may well ride. However, his owners are keen to run in the Supreme That's what i like to hear. The owners have got it right at least! Could do with Nicholls sounding more convinced to push Ruby in that direction, but that is probably wishful thinking.
you hero thats my evening sorted any word on who's riding Zarkandar and Rock on Ruby. Presumably Jacob is on one of them
West Midlands Racing Club Preview Night A very familiar panel for the West Midlands Racing Club was hosted by author Chris Pitt (CP). He was joined by Racing UK presenters Lydia Hislop (LH) & Stewart Machin (SM1), journalist and tipster Sam Turner (ST) as well as the face of Betfair Tony Calvin (TC). The extremely knowledgeable panel was completed by Steve Melish (SM1), a regular guest on Racing UK. A packed room was accompanied by a brilliant atmosphere ahead of a great night of Cheltenham previewing. Supreme Novices LH: Iâm against Darlan; he appears to be to be a flat track horse. His worst performance came at Cheltenham, he will travel well but when it comes to it I doubt he will find a great deal. Itâs a very open race though; both Galileoâs Choice and Midnight Game are interesting contenders and appear to be overpriced. Steps to Freedom will like the ground and Cinders And Ashes looks a very solid horse. The most overpriced horse in the race has to be Molotof, who looks like heâs been overlooked. Itâs a very tough race to call but for me I would have to go with Galileoâs Choice and Midnight Game. SM2: Montbazon is a very progressive horse, and he really impressed me with his win at Newbury. You need a low 150s or a high 140s type to win this so something will have to improve to win and I feel that Montbazon is the one to do this. SM1: I am also against Darlan; the second-last flight at Newbury is still a very long way away from the line so nobody knows if he would have won or not. I think Galileoâs Choice is a very intriguing contender but Cinders And Ashes is the one for me. He was weak at four and ran a great race in the Bumper and he has improved a lot since then. He will revel in the better ground and I just feel he is a brilliant horse. TC: I havenât had many bets at the Festival over the years but the one I keep backing this year is Prospect Wells. Yes, he ran badly at Sandown but since then he has had a specialist operation and the yard are really happy with him now. Paul Nicholls has said he will run here and he looks a massive price if you look at his form with Steps To Freedom. When he was beat that day it was around the time the new whip laws had been introduced and Daryl Jacob froze as he didnât know how many times he had hit the horse. If you take that into consideration that he most probably would have beat Steps To Freedom and he definitely wouldnât be the price he is now. ST: I feel that Darlan is a false favourite, his form isnât strong and in this wide open race he is definitely not for me. I really like Motbazon, he is a very lazy horse and they are only just getting the hang of riding him and he would stand a great chance. Tetlami appears to be a bit of an unsung hero, he is a very useful horse and he is crazily overpriced at the moment so I would go with those two. Arkle We were joined at this point by special guest John Hales (JH), owner of Al Ferof, who gave us a very interesting insight into his horseâs chance. JH: This could be the last time we see him over two miles, Ruby got off him and said roll on the King George, with the plan to go for the Gold Cup next year. I was told two interesting facts the other day which would make you think twice about siding with Sprinter Sacre this year. Firstly Al Ferof won the Supreme in a quicker time than Hurricane Fly won the Champion Hurdle. Secondly that jumping the last fence last year we gave Sprinter Sacre a 4½ length lead and beat him by 5 lengths, from the last fence to the line we beat him by 10 lengths and at Cheltenham that is where the race will be won and lost. He is in great form and we are really hopeful that he will win again at the Festival. ST: I hate to disagree with JH but I think Sprinter Sacre (SS) will win the race, he looks an exceptional horse and if Barry Geraghty thinks he is the best he has sat on since Moscow Flyer you really need to sit up and take note. SM1: I think the value has gone in the race, short priced favourites donât do well in the Arkle but this may be different. Barry doesnât think there will be any problem with SS going up the hill, but I do think there are real dangers. Al Ferofâs form is rock solid; Menorah may jump better and run well. I donât like Cue Cardâs chances; itâs very difficult to win an Arkle from the front. TC: There is no depth in the race, SS and Al Ferof are both top class horses but if I had to choose I would go with Al Ferof. LH: SS has been very impressive on the clock, but he has never jumped under pressure unlike Al Ferof. SS didnât find much in the Supreme and I think the same could happen again. so itâs Al Ferof for me. Champion Hurdle TC: I think Hurricane Fly will win this again, I donât really think there is anything against him this year. Brampour has been very over-looked; he had a setback before the Betfair Hurdle, in which he sat out the back and giving Zarkandar 11lb was only beaten 9 lengths. At a huge price he is a great each-way shout. LH: I donât think Binocularâs run was as impressive as people thought so I think Hurricane Fly will win the race again. It will be interesting to see him run in a race with a stronger pace that Overturn will create. If there is a strong pace then Rock On Ruby, who is very unexposed, may have a chance of improving and running a very big race. Saying this though I think the market without Hurricane Fly is where we need to look, and 11/1 for the ultra consistent Thousand Stars, who finished fourth in the race last year, seems overpriced for this market for sure. SM2: I also like Brampourâs chances of getting a place but Hurricane Fly is a banker here. ST: Hurricane is pretty much impregnable, it will be interesting if there is a strong pace but I still think he wins. As LH said I think Thousand Stars is a ridiculous price without the Fly. SM1: Hurricane Fly is a very solid horse, probably the most likely winner of the returning champions. Overturn worked exceptionally well the other day and the yard is very bullish about his chances of getting in the frame. Neptune SM2: Simonsig has the best form in Britain without Fingal Bay; he probably didnât like the ground when he got beaten and he is easily the best in the race. TC: At 11/4 Simonsig looks a bit obvious but there isnât a lot of depth in the race. I think he is a very good horse but I do have a slight doubt about him staying. ST: Simonsig had a bad trach wash after Sandown and if Boston Bob goes in the other race as is expected then he will stand a great chance. Saying this though Batonnier is the best value, he is an out and out stayer and I think he may just catch out the flashy Simonsig. SM1: I also like Battonier but think he may not be good enough to beat Simonsig. I also like the outsider Cotton Mill who should have a great chance of getting in the frame. RSA Chase SM1: Grands Crus running in this race will depend on Kauto Star lining up or not in the Gold Cup, but if I had the choice then I would run him in this. I think he doesnât have a lot to beat in this especially after Bobs Worthâs tough race last time out. I think Grands Crus should win this quite comfortably. ST: Bobs Worth is the type of horse to win this race; he should grind away along with Join Together who I think will both be in the mix. TC: Join Together has come into the race very underrated and at 8/1 he has a very solid chance. LH: I think Grands Crus should run here, as I donât think the Gold Cup distance will suit him as well as this. I like the chances of Bobs Worth, Join Together & First Lieutenant but I think Sirs Des Champs could be a very good horse, the distance may suit him better and I think if he runs he would cause Grands Crus a lot of problems. SM2: I am also a fan of Join Together and at 8/1 I agree he is a massive price. Champion Chase LH: Sizing Europe (SE) is better than Big Zeb by a fair way now and should win this comfortably. Finianâs Rainbow is a big place player but I like Kauto Stone to grab a place at a big price. SM1 & TC: Both agreed that SE would win and Kauto Stone is a big price to get into the frame. ST: At 50/1 Iâm So Lucky may be able to fluke a place.
Cont . . . . Jewson ST: Peddlers Cross hasn’t had an ideal preparation so I would side with Champion Court who has excellent Cheltenham form and would have a great chance. TC: Peddlers Cross has had very little schooling since Kempton, but they were very happy with his last piece of work. I don’t really have an opinion on the race but Crystal Bonus and For Non Stop have very solid form. SM1: I couldn’t be backing Peddlers Cross. Donald McCain didn’t seem that upbeat about him at another Preview Night, and I think if it wasn’t Cheltenham he wouldn’t run. SM2: Crystal Bonus is definitely the one to take on Peddlers with. LH: Peddlers is obviously a very talented horse but with all the uncertainty around him I like the chances of Champion Court. Ryanair SM2: This is a much stronger race than in the past, and I like the chances of both Riverside Theatre and Somersby. I think that there is very little evidence in the argument that Riverside Theatre won’t run well at Cheltenham and he is a top class horse so he is the one for me. LH: If Quel Esprit ran in this then I think he would stand a great chance. SM1: Noble Price hasn’t run badly this season and should love the conditions coming into Cheltenham. ST: I can’t be having Riverside Theatre and I would take him on with Noble Price, who won at Cheltenham last year, he has had a tiny procedure to tidy up his wind and he looks like he has been trained this season for this race and this race alone. World Hurdle ST: It’s impossible to oppose Big Bucks (BB), Oscar Whiskey is one of the highest class of horses to take on BB but I think the market without him is the one to be looking at. Dynaste has great form against him and at 5/1 he looks a cracking price. TC: Oscar Whisky is the only horse who has a chance of beating him, but if BB runs to form then Oscar Whisky will have to be the best staying hurdler for around 40 years. LH: Without BB Dynaste at 6/1 and So Young at 8/1 look very interesting to me. SM2: I don’t think Oscar Whisky will stay but he is the only real class against him. Triumph SM1: I would like Sadler’s Risk’s chances of reversing the form with Baby Mix, who I think has a quirk in him. Balder Succes is the other one that would appeal at the prices. TC: Paul Nicholls has said that Zarkandar and Pearl Swan schooled really well yesterday. Pearl Swan was giving weight to Grumeti last time and has a real chance of reversing that form on Friday. ST: I am also in the Pearl Swan camp, he looked very green last time out and at around 8/1 he looks a great price. SM2: Urbain De Sivola, who beat Ranjaan comprehensively, looks a big price at 16’s. At the top of the market both myself and LH agree that Sadler’s Risk will love going left-handed and the extra distance and is in with a massive chance. Gold Cup LH: I think Long Run has been over-rated but the track definitely suits him more than Kauto Star. I really like Burton Port, I worry about the bounce factor but if he doesn’t then he will have a great chance. SM2: Long Run isn’t as far ahead of the others as the prices would suggest. Burton Port should run a big race and Grands Crus would be very intriguing if he runs but I would have stamina doubts. SM1: What A Friend has every right to run a big race once again and get into the places. TC: I think one of the top two in the market will win the race, back them both and sit back and enjoy. ST: Long Run has rather levelled out a bit, he did everything right at Newbury and only won by ½ a length. I think that Sam on board is an accident waiting to happen. Weird Al without the front two is a big price at 6/1 as well but I have also been speak to Burton Port’s work rider and he is pretty confident that the horse wont bounce and should run another huge race. Lay and Bet of the Festival The Panel were then asked for their lay of the meeting, as well as their bet of the meeting with TC kindly offering a £25 charity bet with Betfair. Bet : LH: Betting without Hurricane Fly – Thousand Stars SM2: Urbain De Sivola in the Triumph SM1: Shot From The Hip TC: Prospect Wells ST: Battonier in the Supreme Lay: SM2: Long Run SM1: Baby Mix ST: Cue Card for a place LH: Betting without Big Bucks – Oscar Whiskey
CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL PREVIEW at KNARESBOROUGH Sponsored by Sky Bet Thursday, March 8th The same panel as last year were invited back namely Channel 4 Racingâs Jim McGrath (JM), Cheltenham Festival Betting Guide author Paul Jones (PJ), Nick Robson (NR) (aka The Fox) of Racing Plus Newspaper and Sky Betâs Michael Shinners (MS). All 27 races were discussed. For the latest prices please click on the Sky Bet banners. SUPREME NOVICESâ HURDLE JM: I was credited with tipping Darlan at an Irish preview but that is incorrect. Tetlami is narrowly top rated but not so with Timeform who have rated Darlan as if he would have gone very close at Newbury but it was a muddling heat. Iâd split stakes between Steps To Freedom and Galileoâs Choice with a preference for the former. PJ: Shame Simonsig is not running as he would have been my pick. In his place I like Midnight Game best who looks to be improving at the right time and you have to respect Willie Mullinsâ number one 2m novice hurdler. Darlan strikes me as being very much under-priced. NR: I have backed Montbazon but am losing confidence in him after King said he might not be quite good enough. Cinders And Ashes is the other horse Iâve backed and he is a much stronger horse this year so can finish off his race better than in the Bumper here last season. Darlan is a poor price after such a bad fall. MS: Sky Bet are betting the first five paces on this race so come to us if you want an each-way bet. Itâs not a secret that J P McManus fancies Darlan so he is likely to get shorter still but I would still worry what he would find up the hill. Paddy Brennan is very bullish about Vulcanite. ARKLE TROPHY JM: I am not knocking Sprinter Sacre but 8/11 is short when he has a very worthy opponent in Al Ferof who is not too far behind on figures and he could have been one of the Nicholls horses off colour when he was third atAscot. Cue Card makes too many mistakes, even when he won at Newbury last time out. If you gave me a free bet I would back Al Ferof as his price is marginally bigger than I think it should be. PJ: I canât really see angle into having a bet here and now as the only way I see Sprinter Sacre not winning is by being too brave at a fence. The hill argument is a complete red herring, itâs a shorter race than the Supreme for starters and he was only a shell of a horse last year. Al Ferof was flat out according to Walsh in the Supreme over 2m½f and again in the Victor Chandler over 2m1f so I suspect he will be again here over 2m and the bird may well have flown by the time his stamina kicks in. NR: A mistake is the only potential downfall that can stop Sprinter Sacre. Blackstairmountain strikes me as the each-way value and top of the ground will suit if that is the case. He is the only potentially overpriced horse. MS: There is bound to be a price war so it is likely Sprinter Sacre will touch Evens somewhere at some point but I canât oppose him. JLT SPECIALTY HANDICAP CHASE JM: I think Quantitativeeasing will run very well. He was my original fancy and although I am a bit alarmed he is now top weight I will stick with him. His win here in December is working out very well. He has earned his weight rise. Tullamore Dew is another I respect as he is in form and has twice placed in Festival handicaps before. PJ: I have recently come round to thinking Our Mick is the bet. I do like novices in this race and fancy he is the best of those and is open to improvement upped in trip and he just keeps finding. Riguez Dancer is my idea of the best long shot if he squeezes in for Ferdy Murphy and hisDoncasterrun two starts back was eye-catching. I hear Hold On Julio is still not pleasing King and he works on Saturday and then a decision will be taken if he runs or not. If Quantitativeeasing wins off 155, he will be the first winner in over 30 years to be rated over 150 so he isnât for me. He would probably have to run to 162 or better to win I would have thought and I just donât think he is that good. NR: I couldnât have Quantitativeeasing off top weight. Hold On Julio clouted a fence or two at Sandown and had a couple of setbacks so itâs Our Mick for me who is crying out for 3m and novices have a good record in the race. MS: Weâre keen on Quantitativeeasing and trying to keep out of the way of him. There will be a price war on the day on the race for sure. CHAMPION HURDLE JM: Hurricane Fly has won ten Grade 1s and was only ridden to win last yearâs race rather than to run away with it so I am not worried he didnât win by far. Zarkandar is the least exposed runner in the field and I thought he did well to win at Newbury and won smug in the end. If Hurricane Fly is to be beaten, then I can only see Zarkandar doing so. PJ: Iâm not opposing Hurricane Fly. I like both Overturn and Thousand Stars in the without Hurricane Fly market. Overturn as he is massively overpriced in this market given he is joint top rated with Binocular if you take out the favourite which of course you can for this market and he worked very well last week. Thousand Stars also as I can see him being ridden to finish second like Theatreworld was three times behind his stablemate, Istabraq. Both strike me as good each-way bets without the favourite. NR: Hurricane Fly should win of course but Binocular has the class to put it up to him though I feel Rock On Ruby is the value on his Kempton second to Binocular. Overturn appeals as best of the bigger prices and he would bounce off good ground. MS: Weâre 4/6 Hurricane Fly and will lay the field against him. TUESDAY SHOULDER RACES JM: Outside of Quevega, Baby Shine could place in the Mares Hurdle and Blazing Tempo would also be interesting if she ran. Noel OâBrien (Irelandâs chief handicapper) told me that Scotsirish is one of the best handicapped horses of the week and he runs in the Cross Country. I am sure Bless The Wings will run well in the novicesâ handicap chase even though it was the other course he won over atCheltenhamlast time. He won with something in hand with his ears flicking. PJ: I liked Our Girl Salley to be second to Quevega in the Mares Hurdle but Betfair is telling us this evening she may have had a setback. I think Scotsirish will kill his rivals for speed in the Cross Country being able to hold his own in Grade 1 2m races and noting the ground is likely to ride fast on that course. I like Bless The Wings for the win and Vino Griego e/w in the novicesâ handicap at first glance but itâs not a race I have looked at closely as yet. NR: Shop Dj or Baby Shine would be my each-way alternatives to Quevega in the Mares Hurdle. Uncle Junior offers better value than Scotsirish of the Mullins pair in the Cross Country. The only other option is Sizing Australia on similar ground to what he won on in last yearâs race. Bless The Wings has a good chance in the novice handicap and White Star Line is a bit of value with his form tying in with Hidden Cyclone. MS: Quevega is different class to these and this looks a worse Mares Hurdle than the last two years. Our Girl Salley back in trip has e/w chance as she was the best horse at the weights when third atAscotlast time. Scotsirish was smashed off the boards for the cross country race here in December when he took the wrong course so looks the one with Sizing Australia only 5lbs than when winning last year being each-way value. I am not convinced about Triolo DâAleneâs jumping who is likely to be favourite in the novice handicap. Carrick Boy needed to win earlier this week to get in the race with a penalty which he did and he has gone under the radar a bit and would be my fancy. NH CHASE JM: Alle Garde has an each-way chance even on the figures of races that werenât up with his best form. He has a good chance of winning on his Leopardstown Grade 1 third behind Last Instalment. Mullins has a good hand as also has Soll but Alle Garde is more experienced and would be my fancy. PJ: I like Alle Garde. I just think his Leopardstown run behind Last Instalment and First Lieutenant is the best form on offer and that run was also on good ground like it could be on Wednesday whereas it was heavy when he was beaten next time. NR: Patrick Mullins has described Alle Garde has his best ride of the week and he has the most ability of these on his placed effort in a Grade 1 race. Teaforthree and Soll would want softer ground than is likely. MS: Harry The Viking has been ante-post favourite but he looks a bit quirky to me and may want professional handling. Alfie Spinner has the best British form so appeals as an each-way bet.
Cont . . . . NEPTUNE INVESTMENTS NOVICESâ HURDLE JM: Without question I would run Boston Bob in the Albert Bartlett. Until we know where he runs it hard to have a strong view about the race. PJ: I liked Sous Les Cieux for this after he won the Royal Bond, then went off him after a couple of defeats, but am coming round to him again. Partly as market moves suggest Boston Bob could be Albert Bartlett bound which tells me that Mullins rates them both highly so wants to keep them apart. I would have preferred to see Simonsig in the Supreme as question whether he has the guts for a race like theNeptunewhere they have to battle hard to win. On decent ground I also see Make Your Mark being a big player. NR: I wouldnât give up on Boston Bob running here. His owner told Andy Stewart this is where he wants to run. If he runs then Boston Bob is the bet of the meeting, if not, then I would switch to Make Your Mark MS: Weâre happy to lay Simonsig. Monksland likes decent ground and would be of interest if it came up such a surface. RSA CHASE JM: Grands Crus is not as short as he should be and providing he runs here he is one of the bets of the meeting. As he is such a strong traveller the view from many is that he wonât stay but, for me, the only danger is the ground. He is a neat and accurate jumper that goes left-handed and right-handed and will win if the ground is okay. PJ: I would be against Grands Crus wherever he runs as Iâve never seen him win a race when he had to battle and RSA Chases are rarely won with ease. I backed Bobs Worth straight after the Feltham as he just has RSA type written all over him and am happy with that bet though I am not sure I would back him at current odds. NR: Iâve backed Invictus so was disappointed to hear he is doubtful now after a setback today. Bobs Worth doesnât jump well enough so I would go with whatever Gigginstown decide to run between Sir Des Champs and First Lieutenant. QUEEN MOTHER CHAMPION CHASE JM: Colm Murphy does really well with his top horses in top races so I wouldnât judge Big Zeb on his Tied Cottage run. That said, it hard to get away from Sizing Europe who is an even better horse this year than last year so lump on. PJ: Itâs very simple really. SizingEuropeis even better this season and this yearâs race is not at good as 12 months ago so at odds-against then he is a bet and I donât usually back shorties at the Festival. NR: SizingEuropewill have to fall to get beat. Finianâs Rainbow just looks lethargic. Kauto Stone could hit the frame on his Tingle Creek form. MS: I think Kauto Stone could go well and be the one to give Sizing Europe most to do if you ignoreAscotlast time when he ran too freely. You can get 13/8 elsewhere (Boylesports) that Sizing Europe starts odds-on which is a good price. He will lengthen and then shorten up before the race and itâs a much shorter than 13/8 chance that he will go off odds-on. WEDNESDAY SHOULDER RACES JM: CapeDutchis of interest if getting in the Coral Cup. I was with John Ferguson last week and this is one of three horses he feels has realistic e/w chances this week (others being New Yearâs Eve and Cotton Mill). He was second to a well handicapped horse of Nichollsâ at the Open Meeting and had a break since. When I was inIrelandI didnât get strong vibes they thought they would win the Bumper but they have some strong contenders notably Clonbanon Lad. PJ: Batonnier might switch from theNeptuneto the Coral Cup and, if so, I like his chances off 138. Final Approach would be higher than I like ratings-wise on trends but he is not much higher than when winning theCountyHurdlefrom an impossible position last year so is well handicapped for me and open to more improvement at this trip. Edeymi is my idea of the Fred Winter winner. Vendor is an atrocious price off back of Alan Kingâs comments he is very well in as half the field will also be well in. Moscow Mannon is the most likely winner of the Bumper for me but no strong view in that race. NR: Sir Johnson is 4-4 inbumpers and been put away for this since the autumn by Peter Bowen and has been overlooked.SpiritRiverwon the Coral Cup two years ago and is only 4lbs higher this time. I like his chance and that ofFeatherbed Lane. Edeymi appeals most in the Fred Winter though his trainerâs recent record atCheltenhamis a worry. MS: If Batonnier runs in the Coral Cup then we want to keep him on side. We have seen money for Act Of Kalanisi and Dr Newland has won this race before. Kazlian and Ulck De Linn are the two we have seen money for in the Fred Winter but also respect Charles Byrnesâ Arnaud. I can pass on a good word in the Bumper for David OâMearaâs Ifandbutwhynot who is likely to be a big price. JEWSON NOVICESâ CHASE JM: Cristal Bonus has been most impressive since having a wind op after joining Nicholls and is my fancy. Sir Des Champs has also been impressive but whether he has as much tactical speed over this trip as Cristal Bonus would be a slight worry. PJ: Sir Des Champs and Cristal Bonus have been my two fancies against the field for a while but after speaking to Nicholls last week, he told me that Cristal Bonus would be much better jumping left handed so given how impressive he was going the other way at Kempton last time, then he would be the one for me. NR: No strong view but Sir Des Champs if he runs and I have had a good word e/w fromIrelandfor Call The Police. MS: I was at Kempton when Cristal Bonus won and he really was impressive. Peddlers Cross has switched here from the Arkle as his schooling wasnât what they wanted but there are more fences to jump here. We will want to get him. RYANAIR CHASE JM: Cheekpieces seemed to sharpen up Somersby atAscotlast time and he keeps putting up solid figures and has a good overall record so he would be my preference. Riverside Theatre is a very exuberant horse and I am one of his doubters. It is a fact that he ran disappointingly at the Festival before. PJ: I like Somersby each-way as feel it is hard to see him not run his race so he should place at worst if he runs to his form and you might even hit the jackpot. He has been placed twice at the Festival before donât forget and cheekpieces seemed to sweeten him up atAscot. Rubi Light may want softer, Noble Prince may want faster and they have something to prove on pure form with the best of the Brits so both could be under-priced. NR: I spoke to Paul Nolan who wants McCoy to ride Noble Prince but he looks set to be claimed for Albertas Run so Davy Russell will ride if that is the case. Rubi Light looks solid for a top three finish and handles decent ground as we saw when he was third last year. He is one of my bets of the meeting. MS: If it comes up decent ground I confidently expect Noble Prince to start a clear favourite. WORLD HURDLE JM: Oscar Whisky is good value at 6/1 if you take the view that he will stay. He is not certain to on pedigree but he has a good chance of getting the trip. I think Big Buckâs will be ridden prominently and gradually pull horses off the bridle. PJ: Iâm not opposing Big Buckâs but feel Mourad offers some value each-way in the without favourite market now that he has found his form again and was third last year and front running might be the making of him. NR: No strong opinion but Voler La Vedette each-way without Big Buckâs makes some appeal. MS: If I was take on Big Buckâs it would be with So Young who is still unexposed and may have won the Neptune last year had he jumped the final flight properly.
Cont . . . THURSDAY SHOULDER RACES JM: Our Father was ridden with unbelievable confidence last time and is clearly a contender for the Pertemps Final. Sivola De Sivola is another that makes appeals as is Jetson who won the Leopardstown qualifier with more in hand than the margin suggested. Crack Away Jack could be well handicapped. He was bombing away at the time of a bad mistake here in November and I would probably want to be with him in the Plate. I know Brackloon High runs in the Kim Muir and he was fifth at the Open Meeting over hurdles and been running well over fences since and would be a speculative selection. PJ: No view yet on the Kim Muir, Buena Vista each-way in the Pertemps Final could easily come off for the fifth year running as Pipe is putting up a 10lbs claimer this year and he did win it easily last year with a 5lbs claimer and is just 2lbs higher and I like Crack Away Jack in the Plate as he has tip-top Festival form and the vibes are that Nicholls has him back to near his best so he could be very nicely treated compared to his hurdles rating. NR: I like Michael Flips in the Plate who looks pretty well handicapped having been second in a Grade 1 novice chase last time and also respect Salut Flo. Baile Anrai is interesting if he runs in the Kim Muir where I also like Helpston. I am looking atSapphirRiverin the Pertemps Final who has decent French form. MS: We’re keen on Sivola De Sivola in the Pertemps Final and also feel Catch Me has been lined up for this for a while. Salut Flo and Divers have been best backed with us for the Plate. I like Helpston for the Kim Muir and also Micks Delight for Victor Dartnall. TRIUMPH HURDLE JM: I backed Shadow Catcher last time and felt he should have won. He was going like a winner throughout and why he hit the front as early as two out I don’t know. He travelled best through the race by some way. I took 20/1 for the Triumph soon after and that is my only ante post bet. PJ: Grumeti looks bomb proof each-way and I rate him as the best of the Brits but do feel the Irish have a real chance this year in a race they have not won for 10 years. I would expect Shadow Catcher to reverse form with Hisaabaat from Leopardstown and rate him and Darroun as the main dangers. NR: Grumeti really does look rock solid to run a big race. I couldn’t have Sadler’s Risk but Shadow Catcher has good each-way claims. MS: If you fancy an each-way bet it might be best to wait until the day as it looks like being a big field and you could get four places. I fancy Sadlers Risk to reverse Adonis form with Baby Mix. It’s wide open and could even 6/1 favourite on the day. Pearl Swan each-way for me. ALBERT BARTLETT NOVICES’ HURDLE JM: As with theNeptune, hard to give any strong views until we know where Boston Bob is running. PJ: Having backed Mount Benbulben for this about two months ago at a much bigger price than he is now I really hope Boston Bob heads for the Neptune as I do rate his second to Boston Bob as the next best piece of form in the Albert Bartlett by quite a way. NR: Hard to see beyond Boston Bob orMountBenbulbenthough Fox Appeal is improving steadily and could run a big race. MS: BrindisiBreeze is our worst result of the Festival if he wins having laid it at 33/1 before he won by half the track last time out. I’d take on Rocky Creek. GOLD CUP JM: If Long Run runs to the same form as in last year’s race then he will win. He is still very hard to knock on paper and I thought he ran a fantastic race when second to Kauto Star in the King George for a real stayer and Kauto was ridden beautifully that day. The fact remains, however, that Long Run did make a couple of errors in Gold Cup last season and his runs in the Paddy Power and RSA at Cheltenham here were littered with mistakes. Some ridiculous things have been said about Sam Waley-Cohen but he is a very capable amateur. I so think that Long Run will drift on the day. PJ: I just have a feeling we will get a result here. I’ve liked Weird Al’s each-way chances for a while but they are now starting to firm up even more following Kauto Star’s schooling fall and rumours all is not 100% with Long Run. I don’t fancy Grands Crus to stay looking how he fell away in the French Champion Hurdle over 3m1½f. Weird All goes best fresh, loves the track and represents an upwardly mobile yard and I have gone in again. I could also see Knockara Beau running on strongly through beaten horses and could even grab a place at huge odds like so many of his ilk have done before. NR: I expect Grands Crus and Kauto Star to both run. Long Run is the most likely winner but is too skinny so it’s Synchronised and Weird Al that have most place potential. MS: I am sure Long Run will drift so see no point in anyone backing him now. Burton Port has the potential to bounce so I am looking at What A Friend to sneak into frame as he needed the run at Newbury last time and only just missed out on a place by a short head last year. FRIDAY SHOULDER RACES JM: Salsify wants decent ground and has good form and is my Foxhunters’ selection. I doubt whether Chapoturgeon will stay the Gold Cup trip and Barbers Shop is a bit of a monkey these days. Tanks For That runs the course well and he should run well in the Grand Annual forHenderson. I would run Prospect Wells in the County if he were mine and rate him one of the bets of the meeting if they do with Brampour holding the weights down. My three against the field for the Martin Pipe are Bourne, Balgarry and Poole Master who all look ahead of the handicapper if they get in. PJ: I like On The Fringe for the Foxhunters’ who was fourth last year as just a 6yo and was an encouraging third to Salsify giving weight on his only run since last month. Citizenship should love the extra1fand uphill finish compared to Leopardstown when he won last time finishing very strongly and he and Dirar are my two against the field in the Vincent O’Brien County Hurdle. I have a sneaky feeling Free World may be a third long-term plot in the Grand Annual for Arthur Moore having won twice fairly recently. Not looked at the Martin Pipe yet and probably won’t until the day as it’s a nightmare. NR: Raya Star should be on the premises in the County off a strong pace which he hasn’t had on his last two starts yet still won atAscotand went close at Newbury. Ubi Ace wants a fast 2m and is not to be underestimated and also has just moved to Jonjo O’Neill from Tim Walford. McCain thinksCloudy Laneis his best bet of the meeting in the Foxhunters’.CapeDutchis interesting if he gets in the Martin Pipe. Lucky William interests me for the Grand Annual and does Bellvano who might get the race run to suit. MS: Snap Tie has shortened most with us for theCountyHurdlebut a lot of punters are waiting to see what happens in the Imperial Cup first. We will be ducking Salsify in the Foxhunters’. We saw money this morning for Toner D’Oudairies for the Martin Pipe and Gordon Elliott has commented on Twitter tonight he is switching to this race. Toubab is likely to well backed in the Grand Annual as it’s the getting out stakes and the Nicholls-Walsh horse always is.
Another video preview for the ones too lazy to read! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMHOdIVTJ3k&feature=youtu.be
