Cheltenham

Cheltenham

Tuesday

1.30 Supreme: There are 12 runners in this with Willie Mullins having 6 of them which is simply ridiculous. The favourite is Mystical Power who’s out of the legend, Annie Power, he’s been impressive in his 3 runs where he’s won all. Paul Townend will be on Tullyhuill, who’s not far behind in terms of the betting. He won easily last time out and some say he’s the best of Mullins`s. At the odds, I fancy the Nicky Henderson-trained Jeriko Du Reponet. He bolted up with ease in his first two races but was made to work hard in his recent race. His trainer’s form in recent weeks has been terrible but this JP Mc Manus-owned horse is a nice price at 8/1 and is a good each-way bet. I actually backed this horse in December for this race as I thought his odds would shorten leading up to Cheltenham. This hasn’t been the case but I’m still sticking with him.

2.10 Arkle: This race is wide open as ante post-fav Marine Nationale has been forced to miss the festival through injury. The favourite is around 3/1 so there is plenty of value to be had in this. Mullins has the first 3 in the betting, with the talented but ever-so-mad Gaelic Warrior top of the list. He got destroyed by Fact to File last time out at the DRF but there had to be a problem with him because we all know he is a top-class horse. Quilixous has the booking of Rachel Blackmore this time, he has won 2 out of his 3 races where he got beat in his second race. That was over 3Miles and last time out won impressively from the front in a 2Mile distanced race. It’s evident that 2M is his preferred distance and is tipped by many to make it a good day for the Irish. I will go for an English winner in this race, The Tizzards are bullish about their horse, JPR One, who’s an excellent jumper. I think he’s the best of the English horses in the race and I have a sneaky feeling he’ll run a nice race with regular jockey, Brendan Powell on board. He’s a 7/1 shot.

2.50 Ultima Handicap: This race is difficult to predict with so many runners present. Grand National winner Corach Rambler has won this the last 2 seasons. Gavin Cromwell Stumptown is a solid horse who seems to have a huge engine. He won his last race which was at Cheltenham. The recent drug bust in Kerry, in which 33million of crystal meth was discovered was all over the news here. One of the individuals in that case actually had a share as an owner in Stumptown. In recent weeks, he has got rid of his share so he won’t be getting any prize money…… At bigger odds, Busselton and Chambard (Both 33/1) interest me. Busselton likes good ground and probably won’t get it due to the rain in the last while. Joseph O Brien knows how to get one right on the big day and this may be it although the Brits hold the best record in this race the last few years. Chambard who won at Aintree in December with a 5-pound claimer on board Lucy Turner is the one for me. This horse likes to bowl along in front and even though it’s a 3Mile race, hopefully, he can run into a place at huge odds. The favourite, MeetingOfTheWaters was bought by the legend, Jp Mc Manus only last week, which looks interesting.

3.30 Champion Hurdle: The best hurdler in racing won’t be running this year, unfortunately. That leaves state man the odds on fav. He’s won multiple Irish champion hurdles but was second in this renewal to the legend, Constitution Hill. State man should hack up here, he`ll be the one for everyone’s accumulator across the week. I’ll be shocked if he doesn’t bolt in here for the Mullins Townend combo. If backing him, to win by 5 lengths or more will be more value…. The second favourite, Irish Point who was due to run in the stayers hurdle is no slouch. He’s the one to chase State man home. It’s interesting to see that the JP-owned Iberico Lord has been thrown into this race at a cost of 18 000. As the trainer, Nicky Henderson is without his number one horse, Iberico lord is thrown in to hopefully pick up some prize money.

4.10 Mares Hurdle: Lossiemouth was hugely impressive last time when she destroyed her rivals at this venue. She’s going up in trip and has to prove she has the stamina. She’s odds on for this but I think her stablemate Ashroe Diamond could make a race of this. although he’s an amateur jockey, Patrick Mullins is no rookie, he’s a top-class jockey who is confident he can beat his father’s number one, Lossiemouth. Ashroe Diamond is the second favorite, she should jump off from the front and try and stretch her opponents. With a good front-running ride, hopefully, Ashroe Diamomd can do it. Echoes in Rain is a nice each-way bet where it’s a 20/1 shot. She’s been chasing home state man this season and shouldn’t be too far away.

4.50 Boodles: 24 runners all young horses starting their career. I hate this race as it’s so hard to choose one or two. Most of these horses are unknown so it’s probably wise to go for one at big odds and hope they can improve for a career-high victory. Bright legend 16/1 for the Tipp trainer, Denis Hogan. Yet to win in his 3 races so far but was ridden more positively last time out where he finished second at Naas on heavy ground. Jessica Harrington doesn’t have many horses compared to previous years. Pigeon House has been placed second in 5 out of his last 6 races. He`s a 33/1 chance and hopefully will remain consistent.

5.30 National Hunt There are only 7 runners in this marathon of a race over 3 miles 5Furlongs. I think it’s between the top 3 in the betting who are all Irish-trained. Corbetts Cross and Embassy Gardens are joint favorites at this time but I am pretty confident Corbetts Cross will win this for the ever-so shrewd trainer, Emmett Mullins. He was brought down in his last race but was going well at the time. He was second in a grade 1 over Christmas in Leopardstown which sounds good enough for this race. A hood goes on him this time so he should settle better and hopefully will win for JP. Willie Mullins trains Embassy Gardens which has won its last 2 races. the owners of this horse know how to get a winner at the festival as they’ve been in the winning enclosure numerous times over the years. They are the sponsors of Roscommon GAA (Ballymore).

Day One Selections:

Jeriko Du Reponet

JPR One

Chambard Each Way

State Man

Ashroe Diamond

Bright Legend

Corbetts Cross