Tuesday
In the Opening Supreme Novice hurdle, I think it rests between Shiskin and Asterion Forlange. As both are in the same ownership it is a shame they take each other on. I am going to Stick with Shiskin
In the Arkle Brewinupastorm has strong claims, but an absence of 117 days is a bit of a worry. Rouge Vif is a horse I have liked for a while and is great value at 14/1 e/w. The Mare Maire Banrigh gets 7lb and is a huge player at 14/1, and she gets my vote.
In the Ultima handicap chase I am sticking with Vinndication. He had a slight problem after winning first time out at Ascot, but is reported in great form now by Kim Bailey, and I Think he is better than a handicapper . 6/1 currently is ok.
In the Champion hurdle I am going e/w with Supasundae, a solid grade 1 performer, in what is an open race, reports from Ireland have been positive and 16/1 e/w is a good bet.
The clash between Honeysuckle and Benie Des Adieux means the mares hurdle is probably as high in quality as the Champion hurdle, I am going to side with Honeysuckle.
In the novice handicap chase, De Plotting Shed catches the eye at 50/1. He was in Bob’s string a while bac when trained in Ireland, but has moved across the water to England. Although 10, he has good form this season, and his win over Alan Kings highly rated Who Dares win last time out, must give him a good shout here off 11-4.
In the Amateur riders novice handicap chase, Colin Tizzard holds a strong hand. Christmas in April catches the eye at 33/1 although stablemate Copperhead is a 6/1 shot and the more likely stable runner.
On Wednesday in the Ballymore, Thyme Hill 12/1 tops my list, although he is also in the Albert Bartlett. In his absence, Colin Tizzards The Big Brekaway 7/1 and Sporting John 6/1 are big players. Sporting John is in my string will be my hope in an open race, apart from the now favourite Envoi Allen 6/4.
In the RSA Colin Tizzrds Copperhead 6/1 would be my pick if taking his chance. Battleoverdoyen fell last time out but with a clear round should be thereabouts as should Faugheen, who would bring the house down if he won. At 10/1 he is a huge price
In the Coral Cup, Nicky Hendersons Dame De Compagnie cathes the eye off 10-9 at 12/1 and certainly the best value in the race.
In the Champion Chase, I am going to stick with Altior and say get on at 2/1. His win over Sceau Royal at Newbury was almost the exact same out come as at Cheltenham last March, suggesting Altior ran to his best. If he had not been beaten at Ascot I would suggest he would be around 4/5 . Defi Du Seuil may prove the new kid on the block, but I will stick with the reigning champion until floored.
In the Cross Country it is hard to go against Tiger Roll obviously, bit I have a nagging doubt this season that some thing may spoil the party The French have a very strong hand, with Easyland looking a major threat.
The Juvenile handicap hurdle is always a lottery, but Philip Hobbs seems vey sweet on the chances of Zoffee who at 20/1 will do for me.
In the bumper, Willie Mullins as always holds a strong hand. Appreciate It heads the ratings and at 7/4 is obviously the stable first Choice. David Pipes Panic Attack is close to the favourite on ratings and as 4 year old he gets a 15lb pull in the weights and at 10/1 looks a solid e/w play
On Thursday in the Golden Miller Novice chase, Itchy Feet has done well and is my selection at 5/1.
In the Pertemps handicap hurdle, course and distance winner Skandiburg catches the eyes off 10-9, 12/1 is a decent price as is 20/1 about Jatiluwih, who Philip Hobbs is keen on.
The Ryan Air is made for Frodon and what a great day it would be if Bryony can get him home again. I think the 5/1 is decent for a previous winner, but it is a stronger race this year with Min 11/4 a serious threat.
In the stayers hurdle Paisley Park is the standout, there is something of a Big Bucks style of running and winning about him, and I would not oppose him. Emitom at 12/1 is one for the frame.
In the 2m 4f handicap chase, Good Boy Bobby heads the ratings and has some decent form and 20/1 id generous enough. Course and distance winner Simply the Betts heads the market at 8/1 and off 11-3 you can see why. Other course and distance winners are Cepage 11-9, at 12/1 and Oldgrangewood at 16/1 . I am going to side with Simply The Betts.
In the mares novice hurdle the Irish hold a Strong hand with favourite Minella Melody 11/4 heading the market from Colreevy,10/1 who she beat recently. Nicky Henderson’s Floreesa has claims at 8/1 and at 66/1 Time To Chill could be worth a bit e/w, she was just 1 ¼ l behind Floressa last time.
In the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir handicap chase, Course and distance Bob Mahler is a cracking price at 20/1. Smooth Stepper at 33/1 also holds claims as does Deise Aba at 12/1. I am going to side with Deise Aba.
The John Torpey Memorial Trophy
Feb Total
Steve 102.6 584.6
Peej 12 550.2
Bob 41.3 532.8
Cliff 119.2 528.2
Tony 53.3 495.9
Neil 41.3 439.2
Martin 111.5 408
Cod 12 336.5
News
With just a few days to the festival, Paul Nicholls gave the punter his thoughts on horses in our strings.
Clan Des Obeaux
"Clan des Obeaux is obviously a dual King George winner and looks absolutely fantastic in his coat."He was one of eight horses we took to Wincanton this morning, and he did a proper workout with Frodon over two miles. It was always the plan to go somewhere with them this week as part of their preparation. Him and Frodon worked particularly well, and I was thrilled with this lad. He has had a great preparation.
"Last year, we went from Kempton to the Denman Chase, which was put back a week, and then to Cheltenham. We are coming in with a different preparation this year because we have worked out that he is best when fresh. His best runs have been from Haydock to Kempton last season and then this season from Down Royal to Kempton. He is only eight and is bound to have improved. I think he is in as good a shape as he has ever been. He has not won at Cheltenham, but perhaps he will do that in two weeks' time. People say he does not act around there, yet he was just beaten by Whisper in a novices' chase and finished second in a Caspian Caviar Gold Cup under top weight, when he was half the horse he is now. He ran well in last year's Gold Cup and was bang there jumping the last. He did not quite finish off his race and I think that was down to a few things, the preparation being one of them. We rode him to the fore last year whereas this year I think we will ride him with more restraint. I think the key is that he is a year older and comes in off a different preparation.
"He is very effective when he is very fit and very fresh - I think he is lethal on those terms. I think he is my best chance of the week."
Frodon
"Frodon did not have an ideal preparation before Christmas.
"He ran in the Old Roan under top weight in preparation for the Betfair Chase and they took all the fences out. He then completely under performed in the Betfair, about the only time he has run disappointingly for us, so Clifford [Baker] scoped him and found out he had grade four ulcers.
"It is odd because all the seasons he has been in training with us, he has never had an ulcer. But for whatever reason he had them, and grade four is as bad as it gets really. We got them cleared up and then tuned him up for Kempton. I thought he'd win and he did quite nicely. He has improved a lot since and worked very well with Clan des Obeaux this morning. He was his usual, free, enthusiastic self and gave Clan a good tow and kept on galloping.
"He loves this time of the year and is back where he wants to be. He is in the Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup but is almost certain to run in the Ryanair Chase again. He loves the New Course at Cheltenham and is ready to defend his crown. I think he will run very well again."
Politolouge
"Politologue was just beaten by Defi du Seuil at Cheltenham in November giving him weight. He then ran ordinarily in the Tingle Creek and we found out he bled. We have purposely not run him since then, with the idea of going to Cheltenham, as he is very effective when fresh. He was one of the horses we took to Wincanton this morning. He has had a great preparation and it does not matter how much it keeps raining because that will suit him. I think at 33/1 he is a lively outsider in the Champion Chase. He was not beaten far last year and basically jumped the last upsides Altior. He comes right at this time of the year and I was very happy with him this morning.
Samcro was rated 50-50 for the Cheltenham Festival last week but has impressed in his work since then and is now all set for the Grade One Marsh Chase on Thursday, March 12.
Last seen being beaten by Faugheen in a Grade One at Limerick over Christmas, he’s had wind surgery since then and Elliott hopes he can regain his old sparkle at the Festival.“The plan is to go for the Marsh Chase now with Samcro,” Elliott told The Punter
“Listen, he’s a bit of a forgotten horse now and he has been disappointing, but if he could come back to his A-game he would have a chance in this race, but he’s a bit hot and cold. Hopefully we get him on a going day.
“He’s always worked well. We’ve just had problems with him scoping wrong. He worked well on Wednesday morning and scoped clean after it so hopefully we can keep him right now for the next 10 or 12 days and get him over there. I wouldn’t want to see heavy in the going for him, good to soft would be ideal.