Let's get this up nice and early with a good meeting at Cheltenham for us all to take a look at. I, however, will be betting at Newcastle where Nicky Richards runs Eduard in the opener. This one ran well on hurdling debut only losing a head but well clear of the remainder that included some 120 rated horses. I think improvement is likely and even if he doesn't come on I'd be surprised if he can't win getting a half stone from Gold Ability. This is the trainers only runner at the track and he's got a successful record at the course. The 12.50 has a very exciting novice chaser making his fencing debut. Alands Island is a big talent. Very well supported on bumper debut. He was Tim's best bumper horse in the season he had the Champion bumper second which is an indication of the reputation he built for himself within the yard. His hurdling was good if not spectacular last year but JP paid big money for him to go chasing and not mess about over the smaller obstacles. He'll be favourite tomorrow and I think rightfully so. It's the right trip and the ground should be okay. I expect a bold debut and with a bit of luck I think we'll be seeing this horse in one of the Cheltenham middle to long distance novice chases in March. I will be on Dodging Bullets as well on Friday at Cheltenham. Good luck one and all on Friday.
Yankee on the first 4 races at Cheltenham: 1.15 Fingal Bay - I think this is a very special horse and hope that this season he will go to the very top of the novice chasing ranks. Much better than this lot and should be 4/6 in my view. 1.50 Astracad - ran exceptionally well in his novice season, goes well fresh, trip and ground will suit and I think he will prove to be much better than his current mark of 145. 2.25 Dodging Bullets - class and experience should see him murder this lot 3.00 Balthazar King - loves Cheltenham, genuine as the day is long, won the equivalent race at the festival and showed his well being when staying on really gamely on seasonal reappearance. Banker of the day
Chetenham 1.15 DYNASTE 15/8 Has the form to win this and should be favourite imo, gets 5lb from Fingal Bay as well. 1.50 KID CASSIDY 4/1 Had a jog around on his debut this season, looks like he could of been set up for this. 2.25 DODGING BULLETS 5/4 Won easy LTO and improving. 3.00 BALTHAZAR KING 3/1 Course specialist, looks well in to me. Best Of Luck All
evening all, thanks for the nice early thread bostonbob some exciting racing at chelts and newcastle tomorrow, also good to see Sizing Europe's smooth win today. in the races that have been mentioned i have more or less the same although Unioniste and not Dynaste (1:15 CHL), and Balthazar King (3:00 CHL) is my reserve if i have a non runner (isn't BK the horse that caused several jockeys to take the wrong course last year?). instead i went for Sizing Australia, but not confidently i have to say. also in the 3:00 CHL is a horse i probably wouldn't put proper money on, Orphee des Blins which has been cross country chasing for time but in the czech republic. last two runs over there were 29f and 35f respectively, winning her last race, the 35f, by 16 lengths a month ago under Jan Faltejsek (also her jockey tomorrow). well thought of by the racing post judging by their rating of 156. just a point of interest really. i was a bit stumped by the 4:05 CHL but went for Hunters Lodge/Aimigayle and as an afterthought for a non-runner reserve wrote in Jewel of the West, but i'm not sure if that should be swapped in to be one of my actual horses. i have a habit of winning with my afterthought reserves which is a bit frustrating. good luck all tomorrow
3.00 Cheltenham Orphee Des Blins 7/1 Seems a good price for the mare that won the Velka Pardubicka by 16 lengths. She hasn't come all this way just for the experience- and went really well when trying out the course today. Ironically she's better off at the weights with Uncle Junior- and beat him 45 lengths in the Velka. Why is he a shorter price? 3.35 Cheltenham. Top Wood 5/1 Nap Beat 128 rated Ulk Du Lin decisively on his second hurdles run. He is well in here off 122 and his rider claims the maximum 8lbs. On form, Buck Magic 10/1 would be the danger. He was a decent third at Wincanton in February to top performer Lovcen (150 rated), and gets in here off 118.
i wasn't wasting everyone's time mentioning her then, kewl. i just checked the cheltenham competition and she's mentioned in there too. you know i might have feted her now though she did refuse a prior long distance race but did really well the last two.
Sorry not got time to produce a big write up but I really like SAINT ROQUE (6/1) in the 3.35 at Cheltenham tomorrow. He is a horse I followed last season and he showed lots of promise in 3 runs over hurdles. He has had a breathing operation over the summer and I will be surprised if this half brother to Quito De La Roque isn't well treated here off a mark of 118. Harry Derham is a very capable young rider and he takes off 6lbs. I think this wins well tomorrow. With Venetia Willliams in such good form I have had a dabble on PENTIFIC (11/1) in the 4.05 . I have been watching this horse for a while and I am absolutely convinced he is capable of winning a half decent race soon. He runs from the same mark he ran well off at Doncaster before falling at the last and he also performed with credit at the festival when finishing 9th to Alfie Sherrin. He didn't show much on his reappearance but hopefully that will have put him spot on for tomorrow's race. At 11/1 he is worth a small bet imo.
Ruby keeping everyone happy where I currently reside in N.I. Yesterday he rode a horse called Provo..tomorrow he partners Unioniste
RV,I put Pentific up on his reappearance and althought a 20/1 shot,he was poor...you're right though,he weighted to win an event like this if putting it all in.
Evening Dex yeah watched replay showed nowt mate. But I find it significant that he was 20/1 that day and only 11s atm for a much better race tomorrow. I think he could go off shorter as well.
Does anyone know anything about the jock on board Alderluck ? From what I can see he has only ever had a handful of races and hasn't got within a country mile of the frame, he rides the 4/1 jolly here. I've always been taught to go with the best pilot in amateur races and with Jamie Codd back fit Jamsie Hall has to have a chance, 6/1 would seem a decent price. Uncle Junior is 19lb better off with Baltazhar King from the festival, despite the lack of a recent run I expect him to be better for the softer ground (he ended last season winning the La Touch cup from top weight. You have to respect the fav especially after his reappearance over Cheltenhams regulation fences, I just think the 6/1 Unclue Junior is too good to miss.
The weekend starts here for me, off to Chelts tomorrow, happy days. I'm on the aforementioned win double involving Fingal Bay and Dodging Bullets. Also a little ew 'hail mary' lucky 15 too: 1.50 Arctic Ben 15/2 a consistent sort 3.00 Hello Bud 25/1 got to go for an old favourite of mine. To my knowledge has never tackled this type of race but the fact that he normally races up with the pace should go in his favour. Plus his good showing in the GN shows even at 14 he's still got the appetite for it. 3.35 Angles Hill 14/1another consistent performer with a very capable jockey on board 4.05 Bescot Springs 14/1 can't remember why I've picked him out! Good luck to all playing tomorrow.
RV- we're on the wavelength this weekend mate. I think Saint Roque is potentially over a stone well in because with Harry Derhams 6lb claim, he effectively runs off 112 tomorrow - and this is a Paul Nicholls horse he put up to follow last season. Tonnes of scope and one to keep a very close eye on regardless of what he does today. Take the 6/1 now if you are playing. He'll be 3/1 fav IMO. RIVER MAIGUE 5/1 is well overpriced in the 2.25 and I think this might prove to be very classy and can surprise a good yardstick in the shape of Dodging Bullets. I'll be amazed if Dodging Bullets ends up a prime contender for the Supreme Novice- just not the right type for me. You need your national hunt bred horses. As me and RV are on the same page- you should all be ****ting yourselves. We usually have differing opinions but when theyre the same we arent far away so SAINT ROQUE (Friday) and WALKON (Saturday) are you're two to follow for a tasty 50/1+ double
3.35 Cheltenham - BUCK MAGIC @ 12/1 & TITAN DE SARTI @ 6/1 This horse could quite easily make a mockery of his current mark of 118. His proximity to Lovcen in particular stands out, as he was coming back after a lay off of 457 days. Highly regarded by the stable who had a winner and two seconds yesterday. edit Just got my ATR tracker and have one horse and it's in the above race..LOL So instead it'll be a dutch on BUCK MAGIC & TITAN DE SARTI
Completely get where RV and Toppy are coming from with regards to Saint Roque but Nicky Henderson's record in this is scary winning it 2009-2011 and having the 2nd last year beaten by a head. Plus last years winner David Pipe could well be on a very good mark too. Super open race with 23 runners that you could make cases for a lot of so no bet for me but good luck lads.
Morning guys some great races at Cheltenham today and I will be investing some of the queens shillings on pipes horse in the opener DYNASTE 13/8 hopefully finish nearer 2/1 good luck if you play
