Here we go again!!
This is what every race fan across the world looks forward to, the euphoria, the thrill and the heart pumping, heart wrenching Cheltenham festival is back and I just can't wait for it to start. My blogg will be updated each day and I will try and suggest the best ways to find winners, I also have a new YouTube page entitled Mikes Horse Talk which you may find easier to listen to as I take you through my selections face to face in my own animated style! I cannot control my excitement!
Day 1 Champion Hurdle Day
1.30pm Supreme Novices Hurdle 2m 110y
The first roar of the week when the tapes go up and the super charged thoroughbreds are ready to do battle! It's what dreams are made of...one day maybe. On with the card...
This years Supreme really hasn't thrown up much in the way of a solid favourite or an out and out favourite that has stayed solid in the betting. Consequently, this race is nothing but an open contest and I'm intrigued by quite a few. However, my thinking is heading the way of the Grand National winning trainer Donald McCain trained CINDERS AND ASHES. This horse is in superb form at present and is certainly hitting Cheltenham on the upgrade, the horse won in terrific style on both his last starts and looks like Jason Maguire could open his Cheltenham account with a win here. The Donald McCain stable is in terrific form with 11 winners in the last two weeks and my only concern would be the lively ground conditions but if CINDERS AND ASHES can handle that then I think he has a great chance, any rain would be a welcome bonus though. With so many going to post here it would be silly not to have a couple so I'm heading towards a little more value and it's always good to find the value in a race where luck can always play its hand. Nicky Henderson has an excellent record in training in training winners at the festival and I'm going to back what could be deemed as his second string and that's TETLAMI. Barry Geraghty is on board who has ridden this horse on its last two starts to great effect. It's last run in February can be described as a prep run to keep him fit and fresh, he now looks to be another on the upgrade and with the ground drying up all the time I really can see this horse being in the mix. TETLAMI is a good each way proposition who will be staying on in the finish.
2.05 The Racing Post Arkle Trophy Challenge Chase 2m
Ten runners go to post here in a hotly anticipated race, will the mighty powerful, spring heeled, clean jumping and killer turn of foot from SPRINTER SACRE come to pass and destroy his opposition...I think yes! SPRINTER SACRE is an absolute machine who has progressed no end this season. The fifty to follow from the Timeform team picked this one out early last year and what an animal he has proven to be. His wins at Doncaster, Kempton and Newbury have progressively got better. Nicky Henderson undoubtedly has a superstar on his hands, the form looks the best in the book, he absolutely destroyed Peddlers Cross at Kempton winning by 16 lengths and won hard held last time out at Newbury. The quick ground will suit and a strong gallop is guaranteed for this short price favourite. Not an overly original selection but sometimes you just can't get away from it, nothing will come close to beating this horse in my view.
2.40pm JLT Specialty Handicap Chase 3m 110y
I love the Cheltenham handicaps, value for us punters and a huge amount of work needs to be done going through each runner but thats the whole point and fun of these handicaps.So where is the value? Well, look no further than the Ian Williams trained BAILE ANRAI firstly let me start by saying that the trainer is having a fantastic time of things at present and his yard is going from strength to strength. My selection here appears to be well treated by the handicapper, running off a low weight in which the excellent Harry Skelton can make amends for this horses mistake last time out. The horse was travelling very well three from home but blundered and fell. A strong pace here will suit and with lively ground in his favour this horse as every chance at another each way price. BAILE ANRAI will enjoy it around Cheltenham and is a solid proposition. Another selection here has to be made in this 19 runner field and that's looks to be a Nick Gifford trained horse who loves it around Cheltenham and who ran a blinder in the Coral Cup two years ago and an excellent performance in the centenary novices handicap last year. That horse is TULLAMORE DEW who looks to be primed for another festival adventure, judging on his last run at Ascot the horse will love the extended three mile trip and was closing with every stride, I don't believe the extra 6lbs for that performance will hinder this horse at all and with the Grand National winning jockey in the saddle I can see another outstanding performance on the cards.
3.20pm Stan James Champion Hurdle 2m 110y
The stand out race for many a year on the first day of the festival and what a race in prospect. You really can't underestimate at least four of these and I'm siding with HURRICANE FLY again not original but what an absolute class act this animal is, the current champion of this race looks certain to score. His last run at Leopardstown was nothing short of remarkable, winning on the bridle in the manner in which he did was simply sublime. I am a huge advocate for finding value, a progressive type stepping up in class or indeed looking to beat the handicapper when I can but this is the one to be on, the one to beat and this one will certainly take all the beating!
Conversely, as is true with many a story, a twist of fate, or a lucky break can play a hand in the result of this race and that's why ZARKANDAR at an each way price is the horse to back if indeed you believe in fate. However, backing this horse from a form perspective is the right thing to do and fate may not need to play a part. ZARKANDAR since winning the Triumph Hurdle last year has gone from strength to strength, the way in which this horse stayed on at Newbury last time out was absolutely brilliant and looked like he was galloping on even after the finish line. At 6/1 if the Hurricane lets me down then Paul Nicholl's will have the answer here. Zarkandar is certainly progressing quickly, is still the youngest in the race but I believe has the credentials and scope to go and win this.
4.40pm OLBG Mares Hurdle 2m 4f
This is the most competitive race for the females in the world and what a great renewal we have on our hands again this year. We all know how good Quevaga is and I certainly wouldn't be surprised if she follows up again this year but I have to admit the break off does worry me. To win this the mares need to be at the top of there game. I'm looking at a consistent type here who will enjoy the ground, will get the trip as even further could be desired in the future and that's KENTFORD GREY LADY. At an attractive 14/1 this mare has shown consistent form in here last few runs, the trainer Emma Lavelle has been in terrific form this season and a win here would be the icing on the cake. Has a good each way chance.
5.15pm Novices Handicap Chase 2m 4f
Looking at a few trends in this race, all seven winners of this race have carried 11-4lbs, all have been of odds greater than 8/1 and five of the last seven winners were aged seven. With this in mind and the fact my selection likes quick ground over this trip it makes this selection quite easy. THAT'LL DO ticks all the right boxes off a low weight, representing the mighty Paul Nicholl's, Ruby in the saddle this horse quite simply makes most appeal.
GOOD LUCK TO ALL IF YOUR HAVING A PUNT!
This is what every race fan across the world looks forward to, the euphoria, the thrill and the heart pumping, heart wrenching Cheltenham festival is back and I just can't wait for it to start. My blogg will be updated each day and I will try and suggest the best ways to find winners, I also have a new YouTube page entitled Mikes Horse Talk which you may find easier to listen to as I take you through my selections face to face in my own animated style! I cannot control my excitement!
Day 1 Champion Hurdle Day
1.30pm Supreme Novices Hurdle 2m 110y
The first roar of the week when the tapes go up and the super charged thoroughbreds are ready to do battle! It's what dreams are made of...one day maybe. On with the card...
This years Supreme really hasn't thrown up much in the way of a solid favourite or an out and out favourite that has stayed solid in the betting. Consequently, this race is nothing but an open contest and I'm intrigued by quite a few. However, my thinking is heading the way of the Grand National winning trainer Donald McCain trained CINDERS AND ASHES. This horse is in superb form at present and is certainly hitting Cheltenham on the upgrade, the horse won in terrific style on both his last starts and looks like Jason Maguire could open his Cheltenham account with a win here. The Donald McCain stable is in terrific form with 11 winners in the last two weeks and my only concern would be the lively ground conditions but if CINDERS AND ASHES can handle that then I think he has a great chance, any rain would be a welcome bonus though. With so many going to post here it would be silly not to have a couple so I'm heading towards a little more value and it's always good to find the value in a race where luck can always play its hand. Nicky Henderson has an excellent record in training in training winners at the festival and I'm going to back what could be deemed as his second string and that's TETLAMI. Barry Geraghty is on board who has ridden this horse on its last two starts to great effect. It's last run in February can be described as a prep run to keep him fit and fresh, he now looks to be another on the upgrade and with the ground drying up all the time I really can see this horse being in the mix. TETLAMI is a good each way proposition who will be staying on in the finish.
2.05 The Racing Post Arkle Trophy Challenge Chase 2m
Ten runners go to post here in a hotly anticipated race, will the mighty powerful, spring heeled, clean jumping and killer turn of foot from SPRINTER SACRE come to pass and destroy his opposition...I think yes! SPRINTER SACRE is an absolute machine who has progressed no end this season. The fifty to follow from the Timeform team picked this one out early last year and what an animal he has proven to be. His wins at Doncaster, Kempton and Newbury have progressively got better. Nicky Henderson undoubtedly has a superstar on his hands, the form looks the best in the book, he absolutely destroyed Peddlers Cross at Kempton winning by 16 lengths and won hard held last time out at Newbury. The quick ground will suit and a strong gallop is guaranteed for this short price favourite. Not an overly original selection but sometimes you just can't get away from it, nothing will come close to beating this horse in my view.
2.40pm JLT Specialty Handicap Chase 3m 110y
I love the Cheltenham handicaps, value for us punters and a huge amount of work needs to be done going through each runner but thats the whole point and fun of these handicaps.So where is the value? Well, look no further than the Ian Williams trained BAILE ANRAI firstly let me start by saying that the trainer is having a fantastic time of things at present and his yard is going from strength to strength. My selection here appears to be well treated by the handicapper, running off a low weight in which the excellent Harry Skelton can make amends for this horses mistake last time out. The horse was travelling very well three from home but blundered and fell. A strong pace here will suit and with lively ground in his favour this horse as every chance at another each way price. BAILE ANRAI will enjoy it around Cheltenham and is a solid proposition. Another selection here has to be made in this 19 runner field and that's looks to be a Nick Gifford trained horse who loves it around Cheltenham and who ran a blinder in the Coral Cup two years ago and an excellent performance in the centenary novices handicap last year. That horse is TULLAMORE DEW who looks to be primed for another festival adventure, judging on his last run at Ascot the horse will love the extended three mile trip and was closing with every stride, I don't believe the extra 6lbs for that performance will hinder this horse at all and with the Grand National winning jockey in the saddle I can see another outstanding performance on the cards.
3.20pm Stan James Champion Hurdle 2m 110y
The stand out race for many a year on the first day of the festival and what a race in prospect. You really can't underestimate at least four of these and I'm siding with HURRICANE FLY again not original but what an absolute class act this animal is, the current champion of this race looks certain to score. His last run at Leopardstown was nothing short of remarkable, winning on the bridle in the manner in which he did was simply sublime. I am a huge advocate for finding value, a progressive type stepping up in class or indeed looking to beat the handicapper when I can but this is the one to be on, the one to beat and this one will certainly take all the beating!
Conversely, as is true with many a story, a twist of fate, or a lucky break can play a hand in the result of this race and that's why ZARKANDAR at an each way price is the horse to back if indeed you believe in fate. However, backing this horse from a form perspective is the right thing to do and fate may not need to play a part. ZARKANDAR since winning the Triumph Hurdle last year has gone from strength to strength, the way in which this horse stayed on at Newbury last time out was absolutely brilliant and looked like he was galloping on even after the finish line. At 6/1 if the Hurricane lets me down then Paul Nicholl's will have the answer here. Zarkandar is certainly progressing quickly, is still the youngest in the race but I believe has the credentials and scope to go and win this.
4.40pm OLBG Mares Hurdle 2m 4f
This is the most competitive race for the females in the world and what a great renewal we have on our hands again this year. We all know how good Quevaga is and I certainly wouldn't be surprised if she follows up again this year but I have to admit the break off does worry me. To win this the mares need to be at the top of there game. I'm looking at a consistent type here who will enjoy the ground, will get the trip as even further could be desired in the future and that's KENTFORD GREY LADY. At an attractive 14/1 this mare has shown consistent form in here last few runs, the trainer Emma Lavelle has been in terrific form this season and a win here would be the icing on the cake. Has a good each way chance.
5.15pm Novices Handicap Chase 2m 4f
Looking at a few trends in this race, all seven winners of this race have carried 11-4lbs, all have been of odds greater than 8/1 and five of the last seven winners were aged seven. With this in mind and the fact my selection likes quick ground over this trip it makes this selection quite easy. THAT'LL DO ticks all the right boxes off a low weight, representing the mighty Paul Nicholl's, Ruby in the saddle this horse quite simply makes most appeal.
GOOD LUCK TO ALL IF YOUR HAVING A PUNT!
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