We start at Cheltenham on Tuesday where in the 3m 1f premier handicap chase Johhnywho (Cod) took his chance, Midfield, not fluent 3 out, headway going easily before 2 out, pushed along and left in second after last, led final 110yds, ridden out, winning by ½ l. He gets 88.8 points.
In the 2m grade 1 Champion Hurdle Lossiemouth ( Neil), Brighterdaysahead (Bob), took their chances,
Lossiemouth, Travelled strongly, soon raced in second, led on turn after 2 out, ridden and went clear final 110yds, won going away, winning impressively by 6 ½ l. She gets 79.8 points.
Brighterdaysahead, Prominent early, soon led, headed on turn after 2 out, jumped left last, no extra run-in, 2nd beaten 6 ½ l. She gets 26.8 points.
The John Torpey Memorial Trophy
March Total
Neil 133.3 772.05
Steve 00 633.79
Bob 26.8 536.11
Martin 00 356.16
Peej 53.5 415,54
Cliff 00 348.75
Cod 88.8 288.94
Cheltenham Grand Slam
Neil 133.3
Cod 88.8
Bob 26.8
Peej 53.5
Stats Per String
Runs Wins
Martin 46 14
Bob 42 18
Cliff 47 14
Neil 55 20
Peej 41 12
Cod 44 7
Steve 45 19
The Weeks Losers
We’re Red And Blue, Akimos, Jukebox King, Sober Glory, Mydaddypaddy, Lulamba, Jagwar, Brighterdaysahead, The New Lion, Anzadam, No Drama This End, Final Demand, Wendigo, Kateria, Iberico Lord, Stumptown, Majborough, Quilixios, L’Eau Du Sud, Jazzy Matty , Calico, Be Aware
Today at Cheltenham
1.20 Punter Entries, Bambino Fever, Kingston Queen
Bambino Fever was a good winner of a maiden hurdle last time but at 11/10 fav is there on an assumption of big improvement and she has a bit to find on a few of these on ratings. Kingston Queen won a grade 2 last time and at 25/1 is a decent ew player. The unbeaten Oldschool Outlaw at 9/2 will do for me.
2.00 Punter Entries Regents Stroll,
Regents Stroll is 11/2 jf and holds a decent chance but was beaten here last time. Unbeaten course and distance winner Sixmilebridge at 9/1 is the one for me.
2.40 Punter Entries Wodhoo
Unbeaten this season Wodhoo is 8/11 fav and this should be a match with Jade De Grugy who has been chasing this season but is a grade 1 winning hurdler and is 2 points better on hurdles ratings. At 7/2 she is worth a little interest against the fav.
3.20 Punter Enties Teauphoo, Ballyburn, , Hewick, Doddiethegreat,
It is hard to see Doddiethegreat or Hewick in the shake up, Ballyburn should go well, but has twice been behind Teauphoo, However the big danger could come from the improving Ma Shantou who is reported in great form and at 6/1 gets my vote.
4.00 Punter Entries Fact To File, Banbridge, Impaire Et Pasee, Jonbon.
The big surprise was Jonbon being declared along with Fact To File.
Jonbon has improved with the step up in trip, but no 10 year old has ever won this. Fact To File is clear on ratings and if returning to last years form will win. Impaire Et Passe should follow him home
Friday
1.20 Punter Entries Macho Man,
Willie Mullins has the first 3 in the betting and Macho Man was behind the fav for this last time. On ratings, 2nd in the betting Selma De Vary is best and with the 7lb mares allowance at 9/2 looks the bet.
2.40 Punter Entries Dino Blue, Diva Luna.
Dino Blue won this last year and has done nothing wrong since, so is worth her place at the head of the market, but 13/8 against 21 Diva Lunar and Panic Attack looks short.
Diva Luna is highly regarded by Ben Pauling and is unbeaten over fences and looks a solid ew price at 9/1, Panic Attack has been very impressive and at 9/2 will do for me.
3.20 Punter Entries Doctor Du Mesnil
Doctor Du Mesnil is held by the Passing Wife and at 25/1 has a place claims at best. Thedeviluo is a solid shout at 9/2.
4.00 Punter Entries The Jukebox Man, Gaelic Warrior, Jango Baie, Inothewayurthinkin, Haiti Coleurs, Grey Dawning,
The Punter horses fill the first 6 in the betting and it’s 4/1 joint favs.
Inothewayurthinkin won this last year, but has a poor season to put behind him but has been backed as if a big run is expected, but it’s a leap of faith. Jango Baie needs to find a bit more and was ½ l behind the Improving The Jukeboxman at Kempton, and The Jukebox man is 4/1 co fav with Gaelic Warrior. And I like The Jukebox man and the improving Haiti Coleurs at 8/1
4.40 Wonderwall is a course and distance winner, tops the ratings and at 5/1 looks a standout, and you can sing it after .
5.20 Punter Entry Hot Fuss in a tricky race is difficult to weigh up. he won at Windsor but disappointed at Kelso last time, he has an outside place chance and at 40/1 is priced fairly
Weekend Runners
Friday
Cheltenham
1.20 Macho Man
2.00 Celtic Dino, Hot Fuss
2.40 Dinoblue, Diva Luna
3.20 No Drama This End, Doctor Du Mesnil
4.00 Gaelic Warrior, The Jukebox man, Jango Baie, Inothewayurthinkin, Haiti Coleurs, Grey Dawning, Banbridge,
5.20 Hot Fuss
Fakenham
1.35 Babyken
Saturday
Uttoxeter
2.25 Juracon
News
Galopin Des Champs will not run in the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup after suffering a setback, with his stablemate Gaelic Warrior now clear favourite with some firms.
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