Day 4 Cheltenham Tips

JCB Triumph Hurdle

This is probably one of the toughest races to choose from. The reason being is there are at least 3 horses that have very big claims. I cannot really split any of them if i am honest. But split them i must. Rolling Star beat Irish Saint last time out over course and distance and for me that has to be an advantage.

Far West beat River Maigue last time out, now River Maigue is thought a lot of, and that is outstanding form in my books, also he has also won over course and distance in the Triumph Hurdle Trial in November beating Vasco Du Ronceray by 7l.

Our Conor beat Diakali last time out in a Grade 1. Diakali previously won a Grade 3 beating Flaxen Flare by 28l.

My tentative pick will go with Far West, and that’s only because he has course and distance form, and River Maigue is probably a bit better than Diakali. Nut i am not confident, because Irish Saint is a very good horse and he was beaten by Rolling Star. Either way it should be between these 3. Diakali is liked a lot by Willie Mullins and he might surprise a few and sneak into the places. Its not me that cannot split them neither, neither can the stats.

Stats                                                    TNT

1^st Rolling Star 9/2                         Far West 9/2

2^nd Our Conor 4/1                          Rolling Star 9/2

3^rd Far West 9/2                              Our Conor 4/1

County Handicap Hurdle

This race is the complete opposite from the Triumph wherein there are quite a few horses that come here with a chance. Several ran in the Imperial Cup the Saturday before, and they come here on slightly better ground. Mr Mole was pulled up between the last hurdle in his last race. He is still a bit of a baby by all accounts but is improving. On his form alone he should win this. He has beaten Champion Hurlde hope Melodic Rendezvous, and Melodic Rendezvous is a horse i like a lot. Also he beat Home Run more recently. I think the ground was not to his liking last time out and he just got tired.

Pine Creek was in the same race as Mr Mole and i think he might of had some ground issues too, i would expect him to improve on direr ground. Tanerko Emery was in the race too and was a brilliant 2^nd. I think he would actually like the rain, but he has been in such great form, that i cannot discount him.

Stats                                                    TNT

1^st Tanerko Emery 20/1                 Mr Mole 20/1

2^nd Valdez 40/1                               Pine Creek 33/1

3^rd Mr Mole 20/1                            Tanerko Emery 20/1

Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle

Coneygree is a half brother to Carruthers and has a bit of class like him. He stays all day and has won here over course and distance(G2 Albert Bartlett in December). He has been beaten by todays favourite At Fishers Cross, but i think the step up in distance will only be an advantage to Coneygree.

African Gold has done nothing wrong in fact he beat the Queens horse Close Touch who just this weekend destroyed a very promising field of Novices, beating Many Clouds by 12L, this must frank his form. Ballycasey is very well liked, and Willie Mullins likes him, stepping up to 3miles will suit well.

My main tip is Utopie Des Bordes, i like her a lot, i think she has a bit of class about her. She put som much pressure on Twigline (a very promising Irish horse) that she fell. This step up in distance can only bring on improvement, and she will go very well, she is also carrying 7lb less than her competition.

Stats                                                    TNT

1^st At Fishers Cross 9/2                 Utopie Des Bordes 10/1

2^nd Ardkilly Witness 100/1        African Gold 12/1

3^rd Ballycasey 9/2                          Coneygree 14/1

4^th Inish Island 16/1                      Ballycasey 9/2

3.20 Cheltenham Gold Cup

This race is going to be a cracker this year no particular horse stands out. Not only do we have Bobs Worth, Sir Des Champs and Silviniaco Conti, there is also Long Run and Captain Chris among others.

Bobs Worth is the worthy favourite, even though he did miss his prep race in January. Nicky Henderson is not worried by that as he has proven he can go well fresh.  Bobs Worth victory over First Lieutnent, Grand Crus, Rock On Ruby and Tidal Bay, mean his is the horse to beat.

But as i said the others all have claims, including stable mate Long Run, who’s victory in a hard fought battle with Captain Chris in the King George. He won this race 2 years ago and was 3^rd here last year, so he has claims, in fact AP McCoy said of all the runners, he would want to ride him.

Paul Nicholls thinks a lot of Siviniaco Conti and rates him highly, he thinks he has improved as much as Bob’s Worth, he won his prep race well, and was blowing hard at the end. He needed that and connections thinks the brier ground will bring out the best in him and he will want a fast pace.

Sir Des Champs beat Flemstar last time out and on that win alone will mean that he has claims. Phillip Hobbs thinks Captain Chris can win this, and is quite bullish about his chances, and after being beaten a neck by Long Run, he is in with a shout.

First Lieutenant ran very well in the Lexus, and has in fact been running very well this year, he just cannot get his head in front. The Giant Bolster was 2^nd here last year and a 2^nd to Silviniaco Conti could give him e/w chances

Stats                                                      TNT

1^st Bobs Worth 3/1                        Captain Chris 16/1

2^nd Silviniaco Conti 5/1                  Silviniaco Conti 5/1

3^rd Sir Des Champs 4/1                  First Lieutenant 12/1

Foxhunter Steeple Chase

Tricky Trickster has been off for a while with an injury, and Paul Nicholls has slowy brought him back to race fitness with a couple of runs, as this has always been the main target.

Salsify won this last year, and although its very rare for back to back wins (Double Silk 1993-94 was the last to succeed)  but you have to give him a chance as he has been in great form and if anything as good as last year will be up there again. Rumbury Grey has been running has been very consistant and i should think he had a chance. I would prefer the ground to be better for him, but i think he will be up there too.

Stats                                                      TNT

1^st Cottage Oak 8/1                        Salsify 11/4

2^nd Current Exchange 33/1        Tricky Trickster 10/1

3^rd Rumbury Grey 33/1               Rumbury Grey 33/1

Conditional Jockeys Hurdle

I will be leaving this for nearer the time, as too many horses are booked for this and other races, with the other races being their first choice

Grand Annual Chase

Last race of the festival and Alderwood tops the list of runners, he comes here in great form and is the one to beat. He goes on any ground, he won here last year in the County Hurdle.

His Excellency seems to go ok at Cheltenham but i am not sure what happend last time he was here, might of been the extra furlong on heavy. He should go well today, on better ground.

Viva Colonia beat Sydney Paget a couple of runs ago and he has since gone from strength to strength. Soft ground is ideal and in my opinion has a great chance.