Off to Cheltenham tomorrow, these are my bets I will be placing in all kinds of doubles trebles lucky 31 amongst others. 12.10 Far West 12.45 Our Father 1.20 Garynella 1.55 Coneygree 2.30 Cristal Bouns 3.05 Grandouet 3.40 Oscar Whiskey Best Of Luck All
Can see tomorrow being a favourites day at Cheltenham. Can't see far west, our father, coneygree or Oscar whiskey being beaten! 5/4 is an awful price on zarkandar by the way! I quite like grandouet in that too
What a disappointing card at Cheltenham today! Too testing for these fragile NH horses? The Paul Stewart Gold Cup looks a real teaser. Both top weights have chances and, though Unioniste looks thrown in,it may be misleading. He folded rather quickly last time- once Dynaste upped the pace. On past, established form, the handicap pick of the race is Tartak. Like most people, I had consigned him to the rubbish bin, but the handicapper gradually dropped him down the weights last year (owing to many poor efforts), and he hasn't run off today's mark of 145 for nearly four years. Last time(his first run of the season), he ran off 147 and ran really well against Nadiya De La Vega. Carrying 11st 12 lbs, Richard Johnson had him in the front rank all the way, and he only gave best around the final bend- finishing sixth. Today, he's 10lbs better off with that rival and should strip fitter. If he does have a big chase win left in him, it might well be today. Tartak. Each way bet recommended. Currently trading at 30/1 on Betfair (only 9/2 a place) and 22/1 on Corals (normal place odds).
Driving down to Chelts shortly, stopping off for an Olympic Breakfast at the Little Chef on the A40. Oh how I love the winter. Hefty bet on Grandouet already placed.
Grandouet for me today 5/2 is a cracking price, think he will track the front two and have too much pace at the business end
Honeyball sends a couple of horses I like to Doncaster today. First up in the Novice Chase is JACKIES SOLITAIRE who being a 4yo mare gets all the weight allowances going in these events. She has missed a few intended runs due to unsuitable going but she is fit and raring to go. She has some great hurdling form from last season and was very close on several occasion to some very useful sorts. She is an exciting prospect in this sphere and I can see her making a winning debut. The other runner is maybe not for today but its KALANI KING in the 3m Novice Hurdle. He has run promisingly in his bumpers and has always been on a learning curve. He really is a beautiful beast of a horse and he looks every inch a chaser in the making. I am really looking forward to seeing him tackle a trip today as he has "stayer" written all over him. Whatever he does today he is one to keep an eye on but at 10-1 I cant resist having a little each way dabble. It's about time the Lavelle yard struck form and I was delighted to see my favourite mare Kentford Grey Lady win last weekend. You would have to say though that she was probably a shade fortuitous but it does seem that they are at last getting their act together. With that in mind I shall be having a dabble on EASTER METEORtoday. At 3pm today I shall be tuning my laptop in to some dodgy site to watch my dodgy football team with their dodgy manager. If they dont get three points today then they may as well start looking to trim things back for a season in the Championship. I cant help but feel a little sorry for Fernandes who has put his heart and soul (and small fortune) into this venture for very little reward. Come on you RRRRRRRRRRsssssssssssssssss Good luck with your bets today fellas.
Agree with Brough Tiger, looks like a favourites day at Cheltenham, although how often have we said that in the past only to be completely flummoxed? In the big handicap chase at 2.30 I've gone for Cristal Bonus. I can't explain what happened to him in the Jewson so am just going to put a line through that (possibly the ground was too lively?). But before and after the festival his form is good - slammed Duke Of Lucca in the Pendil in February and, arguably his best run to date, finished 2nd to an on-song Menorah at Aintree with Al Ferof 7 lengths back in 3rd. On reappearance at Down Royal he looked thoroughly professional and I think he is potentially thrown in off 157, since I really think he could be a Ryanair horse and would have him as a 165+ animal. I've looked at the International Hurdle long and hard and, although there are only 3 real contenders, it is such a tricky race to solve. Long term I think Grandouet will turn out to be the best of the 3 but today my head is telling me to go with Zarkandar. He has the fitness advantage and is getting 4lbs from the other two. In today's testing conditions that may just give him the edge - one thing we know he does is battle. I'll also be backing a couple of Sue Smith runners at Doncaster - Vintage Star in the opener and Mr Moonshine in the lucky last. Best of luck everyone
Morning all I wont bore you with any shorties up but i think the best of them is VASCO DU RONCERAY @ 6/4 2.10 Donc - DIVERS @ 12/1 His third in last years Paddy Power and his fourth in this years Byrne group plate off higher marks, would give him an excellent chance in this weaker race. 3.20 Donc - KING FONTAINE @ 25/1 Well handicapped if he can put in a clear round of jumping. Last win was off a 3lb higher mark. He's also 3lb lower than when coming third in the Scottish national. Good luck everyone
15:20 Doncaster - Court By Surprise (Gradually improving since switched to chasing and should give good account in this heat). GL today everyone! (Just one big skating rink down here earlier on, now thawing fast. Had to utilize my 'pregnant penguin' walk to stop falling on honourable a*** ).
Divers @ 9/1 (GP) Win or E/W 14:10 HANDICAP CHASE 2m 3f Harveys Hope @ 6/1 (GP) Win or E/W 13:35 HANDICAP HURDLE 2m 110yds Mr Puck @ 16/1 (GP) Win or E/W 12:25 NOVICE HURDLE (4Y0+) 3m 110yds Nadiya De La Vega @ 10/1 (GP) Win or E/W 14:30 P STEWART GOLD CUP (GRADE 3 H'CAP CHASE) 2m 5f EW Lucky and small EW accy Stay Frosty
I'm assuming the weights won't change in the 2.30 after Wishfull Thinking's withdrawal? Would be a massive plus for Unioniste if everything went up 5lbs ..................
Morning all - for Odddogs benefit, the Pricewise picks are Pentific and mr Moonshine in the 3-20 at Doncaster and Walk on in the 2-30 at Chelts. I have very bad news for Tamerlo - i wholeheartedly agreed on Tartak and have backed him. Have also gone with mr Moonshine and Boy from nowhere in the 1.55 at cheltenham. Good luck everybody.
Cheltenham 1.20 GARYNELLA 3/1 Has been schooling well at home and is expected to start his career for David with a win. Good Luck
CRISTAL BONUS 6/1 OISEAU DE NUIT 5/1 and if i write something in lower case then the names will stay in upper case
Christ he picked up there finally - still looks a big baby but had me worried for a minute. No doubt the forecast will pay 1.02
