Winning Chances are rated on a 5* basis
Bob
Acey Milan, is in the 3m 6f National Hunt Challenge Cup and 3m 2f Kim Muir chase. Disappointing so far and a faller last time out, 2*
Bob Olinger, has entries in the 2m Supreme Novice Hurdle and 2m 5f Ballymore novice hurdle. As his last 2 wins have been over 2m 4, the Ballymore is the sensible target and he is 7/2 2nd favourite for that and has 4*chance.
Ballyadam has the same entries as Bob Olinger, he has yet to race beyond 2 miles under rules, but with Appreciate It looking rock solid in the Supreme, they may come here instead. In the Supreme I give him a 3*, and 2* in the Ballymore
Easysland, in the Cross Country chase has a 5* chance, with some doubts around Tiger Roll, he beat the Tiger in this last year and could well follow up
Envoi Allen, has just one entry in the 2m 4f Marsh novice chase, currently unbeaten in 11 starts he is a 5* chance
Goshen, is in the Champion hurdle, and whilst he won well at Wincanton last time, that form is still way off what is required to give 7lb to either Honeysuckle or Epatante, 3 *
Latest Exhibition has entries in the 3m6f National Hunt Challenge Cup, The 3m Novice Chase, and 2m 4f Marsh novice chase. His best chance would appear to be the National hunt challenge cup, as he would avoid Monkfish in the 3m, and 2m 4f looks too sharp. In the 3m 6f, I give him 4*
Marown is in the 3m Brown Advisory novice chase, and whilst a decent sort, his price of 50/1 reflects his chance of beating Monkfish, 2 *
Robin De Carlow has not been out since October 2019, but beat Put The Kettle on then, she is in the 2m 4f mares chase, and Willie Mullins can do wonders, but I still only give her 2*
Santini, has been disappointing this season, and although on last years form in the Gold Cup he has only ½ l to find On Al Boum Photo, I can only give him a 3*
Uhtred is in the 2m 5f Ballymore novice hurdle, seen just once this season, when 4th recently over 2m at Punchestown, he has never been beyond 2m, so a 2*
Cod
Abracadabras, Champion Hurdle, has been beaten by Honeysuckle and Sharjah on last two starts, 2*
Al Boum Photo, aims for a 3rd Gold Cup, and if he jumps round should win. Native River's recent return to form could shake him up, but the rest of last seasons rivals seem to have declined 5*
Altior is probably now just a bit below his best certainly at 2m and in the ChampionChase, with Chacun Pour Soi to beat I would give him 3*. He is also in the 2m 5f Ryan Air, that would be more appealing perhaps now and I would give him a 4 * in that
Chacun Pour Soi, in the 2m Champion Chase (10/11) looks a banker, very impressive this season, he is 4/6 for this and rates 5*
Chemical Energy is in the Champion Bumper, only seen once when 4th at Leopardstown in February he is a 2*
Coole Cody, is in the Coral Cup handicap hurdle, Marsh novice chase, 2m 4f handicap chase and 2m 4f Martin Pipe handicap hurdle. Difficult to know what he will run in, his win in the Paddy Power Gold Cup pushed him up the chase ratings and his two chase runs since have been moderate, so a 3* in the chases. If he ran in one of the hurdles, his style of running is quite well suited to big fields and I would make him a 4*
Cyrname is in the Ryan Air and Gold Cup, he has disappointed this season and is a 1* in both
Easysland in the Cross Country chase has a 5* chance, with some doubts around Tiger Roll, he beat the Tiger in this last year and could well follow up
Frodon, Gold Cup, well it would be some story if Bryony and Frodon won this, but whilst I love them both, I can’t quite feel it. However apart from Al Boum Photo, most of the other big names have been disappointing so 4*
Goshen, is in the Champion hurdle, and whilst he won well at Wincanton last time, that form is still way off what is required to give 7lb to either Honeysuckle or Epatante, 3 *
Minella Indo, Gold Cup, has disappointed this season, and his jumping has not been great 2*
Min, Champion Chase, Ryan Air. Generally very consistent and is high class, so his pulled up recently behind Chacun Pour Soi is a worry. I don’t really seem him running in the Champion and if he did would rate 2*, but in the Ryan Air, 4*
Mister Fisher is in the Ryan Air, and whilst a decent sort, he is way off some who will run here 2*
Monkfish, Probably a monster fish on what we have seen, he is in the 3m (10/11) and 2m 4f novice chases, he would be a 5* in either, but will presumably run in the 3m.
Quilixios, is in the 2m Boodles juvenile handicap hurdle and the Triumph, he won well at Leopardstown recently and is unbeaten in his 4 runs to date, and rates a 3* in the Boodles as he will have a big weight, but is a 4* in the Triumph
Sir Gerhard, is in the bumper, he won well at Naas, and the form of a lot in this is hard to assess, and would be a 3*
Tiger Roll is in the Cross Country, and whist I would love to see him win it again, he was 17 l behind Easysland last year, and I can’t really see why he would turn that around 3*
Cliff
Epatante, rates a 4* in the Champion hurdle, I see the mares allowance being a huge factor, but she has Honeysuckle to overcome
Envoi Allen has just one entry in the 2m 4f Marsh novice chase, currently unbeaten in 11 starts he is a 5* chance
Greaneteen is in the Champion Chase and Ryan Air, he has not lived up to my expectations and I would make him a 2* in both
Honeysuckle Champion Hurdle, is my idea of the winner, she has impressed again this season and the 7lb mares allowance is a big bonus 5* Also in the mares hurdle where she is also a 5*
Imperial Aura Gold Cup and Ryan Air, I can’t see him running in the Gold Cuip but if he did 1*, In the Ryan Air, I think he still has a bit to prove at that level and his unseating last time hasn’t helped 3*
McFabulous, is in the stayers hurdle, it is hard to see him mixing it with Paisley Park and Thyme Hill, 3*
Patroclus, in the 2m 5f Ballymore novice hurdle, has won his last 2, and whilst the form is difficult to assess, he is a 33/ 1 shot and is a 3*
Put The Kettle On , Champion Chase, , She has little chance in the champion chase against Chacan Pour Soi, 3*,
Real Steel, Gold Cup And Ryan Air, has been really disappointing so far this season, so it is hard to see him making an impact in either 1*
Roksana, in the Mares hurdle and stayers hurdle, her best chance is in the mares I would say, following an impressive Ascot win last time I would make her a 5* In the stayers, she again gets the mares allowance but I still make her a 4*, Dan Skelton is his best Cheltenham hope.
Rouge Vif, Champion Chase, another who has not progressed as hoped, beaten at this level and a 2*
Santini Gold Cup, on last years form he would have a big chance with just ½ l to find on Al Boum Photo, but he has been disappointing this season so just 3*
Shiskin The Arkle novice chase, has impressed this season, and has a great chance but likely to face Energumene so a 4*
Soaring Glory, his win in the Betfair hurdle was a huge bonus for the editor, so his chance in the Supreme Novice is obvious and I would make him a 4*. Also in the County Handicap hurdle, his mark there has been ruined so 3*
Sporting John, in the 3m Browns Novice chase and 2m Marsh novice chase. The Marsh would look to sharp and 3*, Monkfish in the Browns is a big problem 3*
Vinndication, in the stayers hurdle and Gold Cup. Jumping has let him down so in the Gold Cup 2*, in the stayers 3*
Martin
Annie Mc is in the 2m 4f mares chase, she has won well on her last 2 starts, 4*
Champ, is in the Gold Cup and stayers hurdle, made an impressive come back at Newbury recently over a trip far to short for him, and the question is the fairly quick turn round time. He is a 4* in the Gold Cup, and 3* in the stayers hurdle
Envoi Allen has just one entry in the 2m 4f Marsh novice chase, currently unbeaten in 11 starts he is a 5* chance
Goshen is in the Champion hurdle, and whilst he won well at Wincanton last time, that form is still way off what is required to give 7lb to either Honeysuckle or Epatante, 3 *
If The Cap Fits is in the 3m Brown novice chase and stayers hurdle. As he is aginst Monkfiash in the chase, 3* and in the hurdle 2*
Imperial Alcazar is in the 3m handicap hurdle and Stayers hurdle. He won a Pertemps qualifier last time, so one would think that race is the plan, and he has a 4* . In the stayers 2*
Itchy Feet is in the stayers hurdle, he has been disappointing this season 1*
Lisnegar Oscar is in the stayers, won it last year so that bumps him up a bit, and showed better form on his last, but I don’t see him beating Paisley Park or Thyme Hill, 3*
Lostintranslation, Gold Cup, Losthisway would be a better name now 1*
Main Fact is in the stayers hurdle, has struggled in graded company against the market leaders here, 2*
Metier, has entries in the 2m Supreme novice hurdle, and 2m 5f Ballymore novice hurdle. He has looked a smart sort so far, but has not gone beyond 2m so in the Supreme 4*, Ballymore 3*
Roksana in the Mares hurdle and stayers hurdle, her best chance is in the mares I would say ,following an impressive Ascot win last time I would make her a 5* In the stayers, she again gets the mares allowance but I still make her a 4*, Dan Skelton thinks she is his best Cheltenham hope
Santini, Gold Cup, on last years form he would have a big chance with just ½ l to find on Al Boum Photo, but he has been disappointing this season so just 3*
Shishkin, The Arkle novice chase, has impressed this season, and has a great chance but likely to face Energumene so a 4*
Peej
Allaho is in the Ryan Air and Gold Cup, he won a grade 2 chase last time over 2m 4f so the Ryan Air is the most likely target and would be a 3*, in the Gold Cup 1*
Champ is in the Gold Cup and stayers hurdle, made an impressive come back at Newbury recently over a trip far to short for him, and the question is the fairly quick turn round time. He is a 3* in the Gold Cup, and 3* in the stayers hurdle
Chantry House is in the 2m 4f Marsh novice chase, in a race that looks likely to cut up, with only Envoi Allen as a standout in it , 4*
Easysland in the Cross Country chase has a 5* chance, with some doubts around Tiger Roll, he beat the Tiger in this last year and could well follow up
Epatante, rates a 4* in the Champion hurdle, I see the mares allowance being a huge factor, but she has Honeysuckle to overcome
Envoi Allen has just one entry in the 2m 4f Marsh novice chase, currently unbeaten in 11 starts he is a 5* chance
Fakir D’oudairies, is in the Ryan Air and Champion Chase, he has been a bit disappointing this season, was well beaten by Chacan Pour Soi last time, 3* in both
Goshen is in the Champion hurdle, and whilst he won well at Wincanton last time, that form is still way off what is required to give 7lb to either Honeysuckle or Epatante, 3 *
Hoi Polloi, Ballymore unseated on his last start, a lot to find to figure here 1*
Le Patriote, is in the Arkle, and Marsh novice chases, and he needs a huge step up to feature in either, 1*.He is also in the County handicap hurdle, and would be a 3* in that
Minella Indo Gold Cup, has disappointed this season, and his jumping has not been great 2*
Monkfish, Probably a monster fish on what we have seen, he is in the 3m (10/11) and 2m 4f novice chases, he would be a 5* in either, but will presumably run in the 3m.
Shiskin The Arkle novice chase, has impressed this season, and has a great chance but likely to face Energumene so a 4*
Neil
Al Dancer, is in the 3m 1f handicap chase, 2m 4f handicap chase and Ryan Air. He would be out of his depth in the Ryan Air so 1*, and has been disappointing in his last two runs so 2* in the handicaps
Allmankind is in the Arkle, he has been improving steadily but has Shishkin and Energumene to beat 3*
Altior is probably now just a bit below his best certainly at 2m and in the ChampionChase, with Chacun Pour Soi to beat I would give him 3*. He is also in the 2m 5f Ryan Air, that would be more appealing perhaps now and I would give him a 4 * in that
Asterion Forlange, again has not really progressed this season, is in the 3m Browns novice chase, 3* and 2m 4f Marsh Novice chase, 3*
Eldorado Allen, Arkle and Marsh novice chases, having been beaten by both Shiskin and Allmankind this season 2* in both. He is also in the 2m Grand Annual handicap chase and 2m 4f Plate handicap chase, and makes more appeal, 4* in the Grand Annual, 3* in the 2m 4f as he has not gone beyond 2m
Envoi Allen has just one entry in the 2m 4f Marsh novice chase, currently unbeaten in 11 starts he is a 5* chance
Frodon, Gold Cup, well it would be some story if Bryony and Frodon won this, but whilst I love them both, I can’t quite feel it. However apart from Al Boum Photo, most of the other big names have been disappointing so 4*
GA Law, is in the 3 novice chases, Arkle, Browns and Marsh he has modest form overall, and a 2* in all of them
Goshen is in the Champion hurdle, and whilst he won well at Wincanton last time, that form is still way off what is required to give 7lb to either Honeysuckle or Epatante, 3 *
Hell Red, is in the Boodles Juvenile handicap hurdle, and Triumph hurdle. Having won well at Chepstow , he was a bit disappointing when third at Wincanton, but fits the bill in the Boodles and 4*. In the Triumph, 3*
Lostintranslation, Gold Cup, Losthisway would be a better name now 1*
Politolouge Champion Chase, I can’t see him following up against Chacan Pour Soi, but in a race that lacks depth 4*
Shishkin The Arkle novice chase, has impressed this season, and has a great chance but likely to face Energumene so a 4*
Silver Streak Champion Hurdle Got his grade 1 at Christmas, has run well in this before, but has to give Honeysuckle 7lb 3*
Southfield Stone 2m 4f handicap chase, took a heavy fall at Kempton recently, form in and out 3*
Steve
Allmankind is in the Arkle, he has been improving steadily but has Shishkin and Energumene to beat 3*
Altior is probably now just a bit below his best certainly at 2m and in the ChampionChase, with Chacun Pour Soi to beat I would give him 3*. He is also in the 2m 5f Ryan Air, that would be more appealing perhaps now and I would give him a 4 * in that
Champ is in the Gold Cup and stayers hurdle, made an impressive come back at Newbury recently over a trip far to short for him, and the question is the fairly quick turn round time. He is a 4* in the Gold Cup, and 3* in the stayers hurdle
Chantry House is in the 2m 4f Marsh novice chase, in a race that looks likely to cut up, with only Envoi Allen as a standout in it , 4*
Cyrname is in the Ryan Air and Gold Cup, he has disappointed this season and is a 1* in both
Epatante rates a 4* in the Champion hurdle, I see the mares allowance being a huge factor, but she has Honeysuckle to overcome
Envoi Allen has just one entry in the 2m 4f Marsh novice chase, currently unbeaten in 11 starts he is a 5* chance
Fusil Raffles is in the Marsh and Brown novice chases, and while a decent performer, those have very hot favourites 3*
Galvin, unbeaten in his last 4 starts, he is in the Marsh Novice chase and 3m 6f Nation hunt challenge cup novice chase. Hard to see him beating Monkfish in the Marsh so 3*. Not sure why he has been absent since October, but if he turns up 3*+ in the 3m 6 event
Imperial Aura, Gold Cup and Ryan Air, I can’t see him running in the Gold Cup but if he did 1*, In the Ryan Air, I think he still has a bit to prove at that level and his unseating last time hasn’t helped 3*
Lostintranslation Gold Cup, Losthisway would be a better name now 1*
Santini Gold Cup, on last years form he would have a big chance with just ½ l to find on Al Boum Photo, but he has been disappointing this season so just 3*
Sceau Royal, Has had a great season, but has always struggled in grade 1 company. He in the Champion Hurdle 3*, and Champion Chase 4*
Shiskin The Arkle novice chase, has impressed this season, and has a great chance but likely to face Energumene so a 4*
Tony
Al BoumPhoto aims for a 3rd Gold Cup, and if he jumps round should win. Native Rivers recent return to form could shake him up, but the rest of last season’s rivals seem to have declined 5*
Ballyadam has the same entries as Bob Olinger, he has yet to race beyond 2 miles under rules, but with Appreciate It looking rock solid in the Supreme, they may come here instead. In the Supreme I give him a 3*, and 2* in the Ballymore
Chacun Pour Soi, in the 2m Champion Chase (10/11) looks a banker, very impressive this season, he is 4/6 for this and rates 5*
Commander of Fleet, has been well beaten on last 2 starts, is in the Coral handicap hurdle 1*
Cyrname is in the Ryan Air and Gold Cup, he has disappointed this season and is a 1* in both
Easysland in the Cross Country chase has a 5* chance, with some doubts around Tiger Roll, he beat the Tiger in this last year and could well follow up
Envoi Allen has just one entry in the 2m 4f Marsh novice chase, currently unbeaten in 11 starts he is a 5* chance
Fakir D’oudairies, is in the Ryan Air and Champion Chase, he has been a bit disappointing this season, was well beaten by Chacan Pour Soi last time, 3* in both
Honeysuckle Champion Hurdle, is my idea of the winner, she has impressed again this season and the 7lb mares allowance is a big bonus 5* Also in the mares hurdle where she is also a 5*
Minella Indo Gold Cup, has disappointed this season, and his jumping has not been great 2*
Monkfish, Probably a monster fish on what we have seen, he is in the 3m (10/11) and 2m 4f novice chases, he would be a 5* in either, but will presumably run in the 3m.
Santini, Gold Cup, on last years form he would have a big chance with just ½ l to find on Al Boum Photo, but he has been disappointing this season so just 3*
Thyme Hill, was beaten just a neck by Paisley Park at Ascot and in the stayers hurdle, will renew rivalry and could easily revers placings 5*
The John Torpey Memorial Trophy
March Total
Cliff 00 731.4
Neil 00 696.5
Cod 00 618.3
Martin 00 497
Peej 00 448.8
Tony 00 442.3
Steve 00 424.8
Bob 00 217.1
So The Editor is February trainer of the month
First winner bonus available, In the UK - Brighton, Cartmel, Newton Abbot, Perth, Southwell, Stratford, Thirsk, Worcester
In Ireland - Ballinrobe, Galway, Roscommon, Sligo, Bellewstown, Laytown, Downpatrick, Listowel, Kilbeggan
News
Harry Fry told the punter It's all systems go and Metier is our leading light so fingers crossed," said the trainer. "I think the forecast is unsettled through the middle of next week and [clerk of the course] Simon Claisse said it was good to soft, soft and would be a combination of good to soft, good or soft in places on the opening day, while they don't let it be any quicker than good to soft for the first day.
"He had an awayday at Wincanton on Thursday morning and enjoyed himself."
Ian Ferguson, who sent out Zemsky to win the Foxhunter Chase in 2011, has been given a big chance to double his festival account next week as leading National Hunt Chase contender Galvin will run under his name and not Gordon Elliott's.
Buveur D'Air will not bid for a third victory in the Unibet Champion Hurdle next week and will instead be aimed at the Aintree Hurdle. The ten-year-old returned from injury in The New One Unibet Hurdle at Haydock in January, finishing second to Navajo Pass, and was available at 22-1 with the sponsors to strike at Cheltenham. His trainer Nicky Henderson announced he will instead be aimed at the Grade 1 Betway Aintree Hurdle on April 8. He won the race in 2017, beating My Tent Or Yours by five lengths, and was second to Supasundae in 2019.
This weekend we have a few entries,
I K Brunel is in the 2m 4f handicap hurdle at Ayr on Saturday, Karl Phillippe, and Patroclus are in the 2m 4f grade 3 handicap hurdle at Sandown, Marown is in the 2m 4f listed handicap chase. At Naas on Sunday Latest Exhibition is in the 2m 4f grade 3 novice chase, Forged In Fire is in the 2m bumper at Limerick
At Warwick I K Brunel is in the 3m 2f handicap hurdle
Four-time Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning trainer Paul Nicholls believes King George VI Chase hero Frodon is a “great each-way price” for the festival showpiece on Friday week.
Things we will Miss This Year
Each others Company
The roar of the crowd when the tapes rise for the start of the Supreme Novices' Hurdle – a genuine hairs standing up on the back of your neck moment.
Somehow managing to bump into all those people we've met at previous festivals, whose names we don't even know, despite the huge crowd, and having deep and meaningful conversations long into the night about just how good a trainer Willie Mullins is.
Being utterly oblivious to everything else that is going on in Britain and the rest of the world for the duration of the four days. Cheltenham is wonderfully all-embracing.
Breakfast Together, a pint at 10.30 am, and sorting the place pot. Cod discussing the size of his sausage
The Traditional Curry
Friday in the Nine Elms
Cod celebrating a winner, then telling us he did back 7 in the race
Neil watching a grey finish 2nd at 33/1 and only backing it to win
And Won’t Miss
Drunks who think they are funny, drunks who are aggressive, and drunks who keep bumping into you because they're barely capable of standing up.
Paying Stupid prices for beer on course.
Clambering up and down the steps, and people pushing in to our viewing spot
Paying Bob loads of money at cards
Farts in the cab on the way home
