Strings Cheltenham Chances
Peej
Ballyburn has entries the Supreme and Baring Bingham novice hurdles and is a 5 * in both.
Chianti Classico, is due to go in the Ultima nd holds a decent chance, 4*
State Man ,Champion Hurdle now long odds on and hard to see him being beaten 5*
Love Envoi, is in the Champion and mares hurdle and will find some to good in both 3*
Dr Eggman is in the Baring Bingham and Albert Bartlett novice hurdles, he has run well in 2nd on his last 2 runs and has place claims again 3*
El Fabiolo, is in the Champion Chase and Ryan Air, he is likely to go Champion Chase, but is not the bset jumper and at odds on is a swerve for me 4*
Iroko is in the Turners novice chase, he is potentially very smart and won easily on his chasing debut in November. His absence since is the concern so 3* but could run a big race
Stage Star is in the Ryan Air, he had looked progressive but was pulled up at Cheltenham in January so has only completed once this season, 3*
Protektorat is in the Ryan Air and Gold Cup, he always runs his race but struggles to win at grade 1 level 2*
Teauphoo is favourite for the stayers hurdle, has only been seen once this season winning over 2m 4f at Fairyhouse, he doesn’t strike me as favourite 3*
Galopin Des Champs is the Gold Cup Favourite, this is a deep Gold Cup and he is probably justified as market leader but is no shoe in 4*
Steve
Jeriko Du Reponet is in the Supreme and whilst still unbeaten will probably find one or two better 4*
Trelawne, is in the Ultima, Fulke Walwyn and Browns nvice chase, He has run ok this season but I expected better, solid place claims 3*
Under Control is in the Champion, Mares and County hurdle. She shaped ok at Doncaster last time and in the County off 11-3 is a 4* In the Mares 3* and Champion 2 *
Marie’s Rock, is in the Mares Hurdle, she is tough and will go well but hard to see her beating Lossiemouth 4*
Captain Teague is in the Baring Bingham and Albert Bartlett novice hurdles, he has been kept for Cheltenham and should run a big race in either 4*
Stay Away Fay, is in the Brown Advisory novice chase and has solid claims 4*
El Fabiolo, is in the Champion Chase and Ryan Air, he is likely to go Champion Chase, but is not the bset jumper and at odds on is a swerve for me 4*
Jonbon is in the Champion Chase, his last 2 runs have not been great 3*
Grey Dawning is in the Turners and Brown’s Advisory Novice Chase, has looked progressive and is a live 5*in the Turners which looks his ideal distance
Stage Star is in the Ryan Air, he had looked progressive but was pulled up at Cheltenham in January so has only completed once this season, 3*
Shishkin is in the Gold Cup, he may have won the King George if he hadn’t tripped up, but 3m 2 worries me and I think he would have been better in the Ryan Air 3*
Bravemansgame is in the Gold Cup, he has had some hard races this season, and is yet to win, and whilst Paul Nicholls is confident, I think a place is the best he can do 3*
Bob
Brighterdaysahead is in the Supreme, Mares Hurdle, Baring Bingham and Mares novice hurdle. She has rather gone under the radar with the attention on Ballyburn and recently Tullyhill. She gets 7lb in the open novice events, and will have a first class chance 5* in the mare’s events against Lossiemouth 4*
Gaelic Warrior, unsated last time but is high class and holds entries the 3 novice chases. 4*
Lookaway is in the Supreme and Baring Bingham, he has rather lost his way lately 2 *
Giovinco, is in the Ultima, Brown Adviosry novice and Turners novice chase. His jumping has not filled me with confidence 3*
Nemean Lion, goes for the Champion hurdle on the back of his grade 2 win at Wincanton, he is improving and could well make the frame at a big price 3*
Captain Teague is in the Baring Bingham and Albert Bartlett novice hurdles, he has been kept for Cheltenham and should run a big race in either 4*
El Fabiolo, is in the Champion Chase and Ryan Air, he is likely to go Champion Chase, but is not the bset jumper and at odds on is a swerve for me 4*
Iroko is in the Turners novice chase, he is potentially very smart and won easily on his chasing debut in November. His absence since is the concern so 3* but could run a big race
Fast or Slow is in the Ryan Air and Gold Cup. He would 5* in the Ryan Air 4* in the Gold Cup
Gerri Colombe, is going to the Gold Cup fresher than a few, I like his chance 4*
Gentlemansgame is in the Gold Cup, he won the Charlie hall in November but has not been out since . He is reported in good form but the absence is a worry 3*
Martin
Dysart Eynos Still unbeaten and in the Supreme and Mare’s novice hurdle, she should go well in which ever turns up in 4*
Favour and Fortune, is in the Supreme and County hurdle. He is useful and off10-10 in the County hurdle would be a 4* Alan King reports him in excellent form,In the Supreme 3*
State Man ,Champion Hurdle now long odds on and hard to see him being beaten 5*
Luccia, is in the Champion and County Hurdles, She won an Ascot Handicap last time and off 11-3 in the County is an ew play 4* In the Champion 2*
Youwearitwell, is in the mares hurdle, she has not really fired this season 3*
Stay Away Fay, is in the Brown Advisory novice chase and has solid claims 4*
Jonbon is in the Champion Chase, his last 2 runs have not been great 3*
Edwardstone is in the Champion Chase and Ryan Air. Whilst he didn’t beat a great deal last time his 40 l romp had Alan King purring after. 7/1 for the Champion Chase is a good bet 5*
Unexpected Party is in the Grand Annual, Turner’s Novice and Plate Handicap chase and it will be just that if he wins after a disappointing Season, 2*
Letsbeclearaboutit is in the Plate handicap chase, has been consistent without winning, as a result is probably in the handicappers grip 3*but could well make the frame
Gerri Colombe, is going to the Gold Cup fresher than a few, I like his chance 4*
L’Homme Presse, another live Gold Cup contender, he has perhaps been rather over looked, but I expect him to make the frame 4*
Cod
Kitty’s Light is sin the Ultima off 11-1, this will be a sharpner for the National if he goes 3*
Langer Dan is in the County and Martin Pipe hurdles. He has shown nothing so far this season and to see him as 2nd favourite in the County, even though he runs well at Cheltenham is a surprise 3*
El Fabiolo, is in the Champion Chase and Ryan Air, he is likely to go Champion Chase, but is not the best jumper and at odds on is a swerve for me 4*
Noble Yeats is in the stayers hurdle, he won at Cheltenham in January, has class and stamina 4*
Sire Du Berlais, is in the stayers hurdle, won it last year but only 1 disappointing outing this season, 2*
Galopin Des Champs is the Gold Cup Favourite, this is a deep Gold Cup and he is probably justified as market leader but is no shoe in 4*
Hewick is in the Gold Cup, he won the King George last time out and whilst he may have been a bit fortunate, would not have been far away. He fell last year but a clear round could take him close 4*
Neil
Irish Point, is in the Champion and Stayers Hurdle, Unbeaten this season, he holds a serious chance in both 4*
Lossiemouth is in the Champion and Mares Hurdle. She would get 7lb from State Man in thee Champion and could go close, 4* in the Mares she is 5*
El Fabiolo, is in the Champion Chase and Ryan Air, he is likely to go Champion Chase, but is not the beet jumper and at odds on is a swerve for me 4*
Unexpected Party is in the Grand Annual, Turner’s Novice and Plate Handicap chase and it will be just that if he wins after a disappointing Season, 2*
Bill Baxter is in the Plate and Fulke Walwyn handicap chases, he has been disappointing but will be off a dropping handicap mark 2*
Galopin Des Champs is the Gold Cup Favourite, this is a deep Gold Cup and he is probably justified as market leader but is no shoe in 4*
Shishkin is in the Gold Cup, he may have won the King George if he hadn’t tripped up, but 3m 2 worries me and I think he would have been better in the Ryan Air 3*
Gerri Colombe, is going to the Gold Cup fresher than a few, I like his chance 4*
Bravemansgame is in the Gold Cup, he has had some hard races this season, and is yet to win, and whilst Paul Nicholls is confident, I think a place is the best he can do 3*
Cliff
Giovinco, is in the Ultima, Brown Adviosry novice and Turners novice chase. His jumping has not filled me with confidence 3*
Famous Bridge is in the Ultima and Fulke Walwyn chases, he has disappointed recently 3*
Iron Bridge , is in the Ultima off 10-9 and holds a decent chance 4*
Youwearitwell, is in the mares hurdle, she has not really fired this season 3*
Captain Teague is in the Baring Bingham and Albert Bartlett novice hurdles, he has been kept for Cheltenham and should run a big race in either 4*
El Fabiolo, is in the Champion Chase and Ryan Air, he is likely to go Champion Chase, but is not the best jumper and at odds on is a swerve for me 4*
Le Patron is in the Turners novice chase, Gary Moore was not keen on going here but other targets have been washed out, he was disappointing last time but had looked decent previously 3*
Botox Has is in the stayers hurdle, he struggles at grade 1 level 2 *
Shishkin is in the Gold Cup, he may have won the King George if he hadn’t tripped up, but 3m 2 worries me and I think he would have been better in the Ryan Air 3*
Gerri Colombe, is going to the Gold Cup fresher than a few, I like his chance 4*
L’Homme Presse, another live Gold Cup contender, he has perhaps been rather over looked, but I expect him to make the frame 4*
John Torpey Memorial Trophy
March Total
Steve 00 662.43
Peej 00 660.3
Cliff 00 507.87
Bob 00 499.39
Martin 00 460.39
Cod 00 426.6
Neil 00 377.91
News
Cheltenham Grand Slam
1 horse not currently in a string, entries to me by close Sunday 10 March
Constitution Hill was ruled out of the Champion Hurdle by his trainer Nicky Henderson on Maonday.
The participation of last year's emphatic winner has been in serious doubt since mucus was found in his scope after he trailed home well behind two stablemates in his final serious bit of work before the defence of his Champion Hurdle title at Kempton last Tuesday.
A subsequent blood test showed a "significant degree of inflammation" last week suggesting he was "definitely under the weather" in his trainer's words. Constitution Hill was scoped again after light exercise on Friday and showed no signs of mucus and a reduction in neutrophil [a type of white blood cell] levels but Henderson warned Michael Buckley's star hurdler would need to show "miraculous" improvement in his repeat blood test on Monday if he were to run at the festival.
While showing some signs of improvement, the results highlighted that he had yet to fully recover and Henderson was forced to rule him out of the festival. "Very sadly, we are going to have to admit defeat in the battle to get Constitution Hill ready for the Champion Hurdle and therefore have to declare that he will not be running there this year," said Henderson in a statement on Monday.
Marine Nationale is also out with an injury
Gentlemansgame may have become the forgotten horse of the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup but rider Darragh O'Keeffe said it is worth remembering the unexposed grey is trained by a master in Mouse Morris, who will have him primed to perfection for the biggest test of his career next week.
O'Keeffe will be riding in the Gold Cup for the first time and although Gentlemansgame hasn't been seen since he won the Charlie Hall on the first Saturday of November, his preparation could not be going any better according to the 24-year-old jockey.
Weekend Entries
Friday
Exeter
3.10 General Medrano, DR T J Eckleburg
Saturday
Sandown
3.35 Nickle Back, Dr T J Eckleburg
Ayr
1.58 Maimie’s Magic
Sunday
Naas
2.17 Mirazur West
Grand Slam
Leg 1 Neil
Leg 2 Tony
Leg 3 Tony
Leg 4 Cliff
Leg 5 Neil
Leg 6 Peej
Leg 7 Tony
Leg 8 Steve
Leg 9 Steve
Leg 10 Steve
Leg 11 Steve
Leg 12 Cliff
Leg 13 Neil
Leg 14 Cliff
Leg 15 Bob
Leg 16 Bob
First winner bonus available, In the UK - Brighton, Cartmel, Perth, Southwell, , Worcester
In Ireland - Ballinrobe, Galway, Roscommon, Sligo, Bellewstown, Laytown, Downpatrick, Listowel, Kilbeggan
