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Yesterday was very underwhelming, and the selections were below par. Good Time Jonny was well supported and went off 10/3 second fav, whilst Northern Bound took a walk in the market, and his drift justified his run. I've gone back to Cheltenham for three selection for Sunday.
Cheltenham 1:10
This is a nice novice race and it will be a good indicator of what level horses they are and if they will be vying for some of the big prize handicaps later in the season or even more. OSCAR ELITE catches the eye for Colin Tizzard (basically Joe Tizzard training in the name of Colin) and Brendan Powell. The Tizzard yard and Powell combination has hit the ground running this season, after a couple of poor previous seasons, and they have their horses in fine nick.
The only horse not to have a race over fences in this contest is the selection, but I don't think it will be as big of a deal as it normally would. He's clearly a talented horse, which we saw last season where he finished runner-up in the Albert Bartlett, and some nice races elsewhere. He is a previous PTP winner and has ran between the flags on three occasions, so has the experience over a fence, but not over rules.
On official ratings he is the second worst horse in the race, but I think he could become the best in here. He holds Threeunderthrufive on hurdles form, being in front of that horse on two occasions. Does He Know is a game horse, but has to give away 8lbs to the selection, and I think that could be a tough task. As for the other two, Streets Of Doyen shouldn't be underestimated for a trainer who does well when he sends his horse to this track, but his form over fences to date doesn't look too encouraging. The Twiston-Davies horse is an interesting runner, and it's up for debate whether he would've won if he didn't try to jump the rail last time, and I think he could be the main danger.
Cheltenham 1:45
A horse who I tipped up last time he ran was EMPIRE DE MAULDE and he gave us a nice winner when winning a Class 2 race at Kelso. He was very well backed that day, and the manner in which he won suggested he had plenty left under the bonnet, so the 5lb rise he has been given doesn't look too harsh, and I believe he can win again.
This is a totally different test for the selection, as it is at Cheltenham and the jumping test will be more difficult, but based on what we saw last time where his jumping was spot-on, this shouldn't be an issue. James Ewart is a good trainer for plotting out targets for his horses, and he doesn't send many to this track, so that alone gives the confidence that he thinks that his horse is well ahead of his current handicap rating of 137.
The selection is still a 7yo, and has bags more of improvement to come, whereas the others in the race are all arguably coming towards the end of their best and it's hard to envisage any of them getting any better. I expect Empire De Maulde to travel very strongly through the race, and Brian Hughes running down the hill on the bridle, and then it should be a question of whether he'll stay up the Cheltenham hill. James Ewart must believe he has the stamina to do so, as he is being targeted at the Scottish National in the long run, so will have to stay 4m to win that, so this must be fine for him.
Cheltenham 2:55
To win this race I think you need to well handicapped, and I think the horse that fills that bill is JESSE EVANS. This still lightly raced 5yo has a British rating of 143, but is 138 for today as he gets the assistance of 5lb claimer E Walsh doing the steering.
I think the form of the Galway hurdle is arguably the strongest form on offer in this race, and Jesse Evans finished 4th in that race and was far from disgraced as he finished 2.5 lengths behind the winner. Saldier was the winner that day, and I'm fairly certain he will be competing and running well in the Grade 1 races at some point during the season. Milkwood was second, and from that alone with the weight & distance difference between that horse, Jesse Evans holds a lot of horses on collateral form alone. Cape Gentleman was 3rd and he's proven to be a smart novice chaser, despite the fact he was heavily beaten yesterday by another classy looking horse. Tudor City who races in this today was 5th, 2.25 lengths behind Jesse Evans, and even though he gets a pull in the weights, I can't see how he reverses that form.
Noel Meade has got two flat runs into this lad so he will be fit and ready to rock and roll for this race, as it would've been a target as it offers a decent prize to the winner. There will be no excuses on the fitness side of things, and he should come into this as one of the fittest. He's clearly in good form as his flat runs yielded a 2nd place and a win. For this kind of race you need a horse who will stay the 2m and see out strongly, and that is another positive to this horse. He was staying on strongly in the Galway hurdle, and that is a stiff track and puts emphasis on the stamina, so there should be no issues with him powering up the hill off a strong pace, which more than likely be set.
A good day yesterday with the NAP winning and Galahad Quest making the frame.
Well done to all the other winners.
A great days racing in store not just from Cheltenham but Punchestown too with the Grade 1 Morgiana
1.45 The Mighty Don
I actually backed this horse on Thursday which is always a risk but I felt sure he’d run and I got 12/1 ew 3 places. He’s as low as 4s now with just the 6 runners.
I just think he’s very well h’capped. He’s an out and out stayer and goes well at the track.
2.20 Nube Negra 7/4
Should be a cracking race but I just think NN will come out on top this time.
2.55 Bua Boy 14/1 ew 6 places
Jessie Evans was as big as 14/1 on Thursday but the money has come and is now in to 5s and must go on the shortlist. But I’ve gone for another irish raider from Dennis Hogan’s Yard who was 2nd lto in a competitive h’cap with Eskylane who won a h’cap at Down Royal back in 4th and Advanced Virgo 6 1/2L back in 5th. The latter has a 6lb swing but looks held by the selection.
3.30 Washington 9/4
I think the fav looks like he needs further than 2m. He won lto but the jockey had to work really hard on him and I think he lacks the speed when jumping which is needed over 2m and Washington can take advantage.
4.00 Flying Sara 5/1
Trainer is flying at present and this is his only runner at the entire meeting.
Morgiana
Echoes in Rain 6/4
May not be as battle hardened as some in the race, but there’s no doubt she is the improver in the field. If ready fto and with her mares allowance, she should take all the beating.
BOL
Well done on Saturday mate 🇮🇪
Cheers elvis
GL today 👍
Well done the winners yesterday. DC,Cairnzy and ThePlug kept me right! 👏
It was yank in the US! 👎🇺🇸
Yankee and 2x singles…
Oscar Elite..1.10. 9/4
Empire De Maulde. 9/4(***)
Echoes In Rain…2.05 6/4(***** backed this yesterday when I seen it was out and DC somes it up well)
Natural History..3.43. EVS
GL all
Meant to say Empire De Maulde is backed with Paddy Power money back as a free bet on all losers
I didn’t go into much detail about the Shloer Chase , but this is why I think Nube Negra wins today.
He goes well fresh, fto last season he beat Altior by 3 1/2L (might have been passed his best) with Duc De Genievres a further 4 3/4L behind in 3rd, who had already had a run when only beaten 1 1/4L by PTKO. PTKO had to really battle to win this race last year and its a much better renewal in terms of quality anyway.
I also think the ground will be a factor today. PTKO to be at her best needs soft in the description and she won’t get that today by the looks of things.
Rouge Vif will definitely act on this ground and it wouldn’t be a major surprise if he were to win this today but I think both he and Politologue will take each other on for the lead and it will set it up nicely for the other two.
Should be a fascinating race but I just have slight preference for NN today.
Lmbo
1-33 auteuil Hermes Baie 11-8 🇫🇷.
Has to beat old rival thelme again, should he close again.
2-20 Cheltenham put the kettle on 7-4 🏴.
Without the mares allowance nube negra is probably a better horse, but the kettle gets the 7lb again and is 4/4 here which counts for a lot.
Also won this race last year.
2-55 Cheltenham
Ballyandy 12-1 ew extra
Rowland hill 12-1 ew extra
Both for 10 places.
Rowland ward not hill ☹️
🇫🇷
Selvka…11.05. 6/4(***). Wee R/fc with Lady Pink for a trainer 1-2.
Awe well better priced forecast with the drift in odds just pity Selvka wasn’t for 1st. Took long enough
Marseille ..11.35. 1-4. R/fc and wee single on Calgary 9/4.
Sharjah 2-05 punchestown 9-5 🇮🇪.
Jockey has ridden this and the favourite before and sides with the more experienced horse having ridden echoes in rain here in the champion novice.
Form figures are misleading as Sharjah has Chasing honeysuckles arse recently which is no shame
Has won this race before.
All of sharjah’s 7 Irish wins have come between August and december so looks like he is an autumn/winter horse.
Elvis last time you tipped this French horse it won and ATR tipster went with Thelme and you were right and it’s same today I see.
R/fc would have been a good play for if I’d seen it earlier but both are around 6/5 now.
GL 🇫🇷🐸 🐌 🧅 🧄 🦨
Well my luck was in there Elvis…Went with Thelme after much back n forth.
Well done elvis easy win.
Not sure what to make of it.
Willie Mullins was on local TV all the rage about Echoes in Rain but was far too keen.
Cheltenham 2-20 Put The Kettle On 15/8 Nap
This horse just loves this track 3 runs 3 wins getting 7lbs from her two biggest rivals is asking a lot from them .
good record first time out ,so don’t let her not having a run put you off .my bet of the day .
1-45 Cheltenham Yala Enki 11/4 just denied in this last year off a 1lb higher. I think he will make this a good test of stamina and could do it this year .also runs well fresh.
2-55 I am going to go with Adagio in this. He is the class horse in this but have to give weight all round but hopefully his class will get him into a place at least 14/1 ew .i wouldn’t put anyone off putting a few pound ew on tony martins horse Tudor city 33/1 The Gangster.
Well done with Yala Enki but for yet another poor jump at the last I think I might have had you !!
Still happy with the place though
Great race
Another outstanding front running ride from Bryony Frost on Yala Enki she really is 1st class from the front.
Well done theplug cheers 👏👏
Pretty poor racing again for a Sunday, even Cheltenhams not great. Anyway, Michael’s Pick 12.00 Punchestown could be worth an ew 66s at the moment, 20s ew extra down to 8th.
GL with all your bets today
Poor racing Pete?…..surely not, or do you mean from a betting ankle ?
We have
Champion Chase 1st and 2nd and 2020 winner
Albert Bartlett winner and 3rd
Mares Novice Hurdle winner
Coral Cup winner
Champion Hurdle runner up
The ground is still too firm for a lot of horses and that’s why the field sizes aren’t as big as they would normally be, but there’s no denying that there’s quality racing today.
Yeah right good for a lazy dog dangling Sunday afternoon.
Rubbish 😒
Sure not many big fields today , at Cheltenham , but its not a poor Card , one Race example , Race 3 – Shloer Chase .
Nube Negra — 2nd Champion Chace , beat Altior in Orchid Chace .
Put the Kettle on — Two times Cheltenham Grp1 , festival winner. .
Politologue — last run you can delete , Grp1 , last three forms 2 – 1 – 1 .
Good luck today .
Yes pete was a bit shit the day i still manged to get a few good price ones 11s 5s 5s 3s
bua boy 2.55 well done all winners yesterday
Hardy fellow 4.00
Hello
Cheltenham
Win
R. 1 – Does He Know
R. 3 – Nube Negra
Each Way
R. 4 – Jesse Evans
R. 6 – Flying Sara
Punchestown
Win
R. 5 – Echoes in Rain
Each Way
R. 7 – The Jam Man
BOL & Nice Sunday
1.10…Went with Oscar Lite just in my Yankee abut I was impressed enough to put Threeunderthrufive in my tracker and turned out quickly so I’m going to take a R/fc on them. Nothing major
GL
Pi$$ off doubley shafted!
Jumps ain’t my best for picking winners but last week odd if I abandon a horse I’ve noted lately it wins or go with more knowledge folk I regret it.
Threeunderthrufive jumping was great again but Oscar was going to least have a go and a forecast would have been a good consolation but not even a run at it an shall never know?
An luck changes in France!
2 heavy fancies in the 1.33 and went with Thelme (5/4) and others jockey just slipped off after about 2 jumps?? After that he really just had to get round. 🇫🇷🦨
3:10 fontwell – almazhar Garde – 13/2
I’ll get my coat 😂
if you backed put the kettle on you new your faith a long way out cant believe how bad she run.
Yeah mate.
Ah cheers to DC for the explanation and after yesterday with Cape Gentleman I used my free bet from Paddy Power after Empire De Maulde lost to back him.
Forgot I put £3 on Paddy Power Nuba Negra and I Like To Move it both to win at 5/1 so here’s hoping but I’ve Washington in my tracker and DC fancies him.
GL rest of the day day anyway lads!
Back Nube Negra obviously
Great run by Adagio under top weight thought he was going to win it
You were unlucky there , still a very good shout none the less 👍👏
3:43 fontwell- humaniste – 16/1
USA Yankee and few singles but it’s a late show with most…
Gulfstream-R6…Capturini 15/8(***)
Golden Gates-R7…Lagatha. 9/4(*****)
Del Mar-R8…Messier. 15/8(**** got the to 2 in the market in my tracker in Messier and Winning Map but like Flavian Prat on this last time easing down to win by 9/10l
Del Mar -R9…Basilia. 11/4(***)
Hope for better tha last night with zero luck 🐎🇺🇸👍
Sorry Messier 5/2
On with Paddy Power
Well done winners 👍.
Been a great view this weekend.
Think Skelton will be our best bet for a few wins at the festival.
Not much noise coming from Hendersons yard is there ?
Has he got any youngsters ready to rumble ?
Second that Elvis there looking good.
Not up a fortune but paid things and yeah good viewing and some cracking tips this weekend
Going to smash it in the US of A tonight but 😉
Although I’ll not be up for 3 out the 4!
Turned into a late one Lagatha wins at 9/4(*****) should left out early dokey but it’s on and it’s poppin!
Messier well backed from 5/2 to EVS but I ain’t taking that as a sign after last nights carry on.
Messier was the right pick!
Never mind tipsters etc,tracker n watch last race so a nice 5/2 went in and off at 4/5
One more n bed…hurry up you Yanks!