Cheltenham Festival 2025 - Friday

Earlier today Frank Keogh reported that the attendance on Wednesday was the lowest seen at the Festival since 1993.

Fact To File looked something special in the Ryanair this afternoon and, in other news, Frankie Dettori has announced he's filing for bankruptcy...

Malina Girl ran a creditable third on Tuesday but otherwise it has been a miserable, downward spiral for the blog's selections. Only one pick for the final day - and I'm not confident it's going to turn the tide... 

1.20 Triumph Hurdle

No bet for me in a race I'm not particularly fond of. 

Willie Mullins saddles 11 of the 18 runners; Paul Townend rides filly Lady Vega Allen. 

Tom Segal penned a piece in the RP Weekender [29.01-02.02] headlined "Flat-bred East India Dock set to find Triumph beyond him". To summarise, most of the current Flat bred horses aren't bred to stay any further than a mile whereas Jumps bred horses are stronger - and classier. 

Tom believes East India Dock won't be strong (or classy) enough to compete with the likes of Lulamba or a yet-to-be-revealed Mullins marvel.

Last time out East India Dock beat Stencil 10 lengths over the Triumph Hurdle course and distance on Trials Day; Stencil, sent off 11/4 favourite for the Fred Winter on Tuesday, finished down the field in 15th, with the comment 'weakened before the last' noted.

As a slight digression, I see East India Dock had a Flat rating of 89, Mondo Man a Flat rating of 111. 

The issue for the Gary Moore trained Mondo Man is he needs to learn to settle - he patently failed to do so in the Adonis at Kempton three weeks ago. On his previous run, in receipt of 10 pounds, he finished three and a half lengths behind Lulamba, despite having pulled hard in rear; he's in the same ownership as Botox Has and Nassalam.

Back in 2020 the same yard ran Goshen  - Flat rating of 80 at the time - in this race; ten lengths clear coming to the last, he made a mistake and dumped Jamie Moore on the turf. 

Connections fit a hood for the first time tomorrow and Brian Hughes replaces Caoilin Quinn in the saddle. I'll keep an eye out for the partnership during the race - a decent pace should help their cause.

2.00 County Hurdle

Sixteen declared. 

Absurde won this last year off 138 before embarking on a Flat campaign that culminated in a trip to Australia; this year he goes off 146. 

Willie Mullins' charge benefits from a hold-up ride and likes to weave his way through the field at the business end of a race. Last time out he finished fifth in the Melbourne Cup behind Knight's Choice, beaten under two lengths.

Paul Townend rides stablemate Kargese. Last time out this one was beaten at odds of 2/5f in the Warfield Mares' Hurdle run on good ground at Ascot. Since 2010 the Mullins yard has trained the winner of this on seven occasions.

The Skelton yard regularly targets this race and have had plenty of success in recent years with Superb Story (2016); Mohaayed (2018); Ch'tibello (2019) and Faivoir (2023). Valgrand flies the flag this year but he ran no sort of race when last seen behind Ooh Betty at Kempton over Christmas.

Hansard was fourth in that Kempton race and subsequently ran well behind Golden Ace (won the Champion Hurdle on Tuesday!) in the Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton. The yard is in better form now, operating at a 25% win strike rate over the past fortnight.

Cracking Rhapsody looked good in the Morebattle Hurdle at Kelso 13 days ago; connections will pick up a bonus if they win here but Ewan Whillans' charge has tended to show his very best form at Kelso. 

I'm going to have a bet on Our Champ in this because I think he's overpriced at 50/1 provided the ground has dried out sufficiently and the showers stay away. 

Back in October he won the Lavazza Handicap Hurdle run on good ground at Ascot, beating Break My Soul a nose with Secret Squirrel third, Afadil fourth and Fiercely Proud falling when disputing second. 

The yard were going through a lean spell at the time - as they are now - but he got the job done that day despite Freddie Gordon dropping his whip in the final 110 yards. 

Secret Squirrel has subsequently won a competitive handicap at Windsor, Afadil was third in the Imperial Cup at Sandown last Saturday while Fiercely Proud reversed form with the selection in the Ladbrokes at Ascot in December run on good to soft ground.

I bet Our Champ in the William Hill Hurdle at Newbury five weeks ago where soft ground went against him; he finished eighth behind Joyeuse (Secret Squirrel fell at the last, Fiercely Proud pulled up and later found to be suffering from an irregular heartbeat).

He ran without the tongue-tie at Newbury but it's back in place now. He has won on the Old Course here and ran third behind Tintintin on the New Course last April.

In a stable tour article [RP Weekender 26.02-02.03] handler Chris Gordon said:

"He'll go for the County Hurdle and he'll run really well if it dries up."

At the time of writing the going on the New Course is good to soft - the showers will need to stay away before the off.

Our Champ is the each-way suggestion, at the time of writing 50/1 with William Hill and bet365, both paying five places. 

4.00 Cheltenham Gold Cup

Galopin Des Champs will face eight rivals in his bid to win a third successive Gold Cup. 

Henrietta Knight, who trained Best Mate to achieve the feat (2002 -2004), thinks he will win.

Banbridge is no pushover on drying ground while course and distance winner Inothewayurthinkin, supplemented at a cost of £25,000, is 7/1 favourite for the Aintree Grand National.

Inothewayurthinkin and Monty's Star were fourth and fifth respectively behind Galopin Des Champs in the Irish Gold Cup at the Dublin Racing Festival.

Corbetts Cross didn't appear to have the best prep behind Pic D'Orhy at Ascot last month and wouldn't be suited by drying ground while The Real Whacker and Gentlemansgame were both pulled up in this race last year.

Ahoy Senor has shown his best form at Aintree, Royal Pagaille at Haydock.

At 6/1 Banbridge was an each-way bet to nothing but the price has disappeared; a race to watch and savour then.

Cheltenham Festival 2024 - Friday

The going on the New Course is currently described as soft, with intermittent rain forecast through the evening and tomorrow morning.

3.30 Cheltenham Gold Cup

On March 12th 1924 Red Splash, trained by Fred Withington and ridden by Dick Rees, won the first running of the Cheltenham Gold Cup as a steeplechase.

100 years on they bet 10/1 bar two for the 2024 Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Last year Galopin Des Champs beat Bravemansgame seven lengths; this year's race looks a stronger renewal.

Galopin Des Champs has won eight of his 11 starts over fences. 

He fell at the last when 12 lengths clear in the 2022 Turners Novices' Chase and has been beaten twice by Fastorslow at Punchestown; Willie Mullins' charge gained his revenge over that rival six weeks ago in the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown.

On official handicap ratings Galopin has a minimum of nine pounds in hand over all his rivals.

On two trips to Cheltenham to date, Fastorslow has been beaten a short head by Commander Of Fleet in the 2022 Coral Cup and, conceding four pounds, a neck by Corach Rambler in last year's Ultima.

Martin Brassil's charge underwent wind surgery immediately after that latest defeat at the Dublin Racing Festival.

Beaten a short head by The Real Whacker in last year's Brown Advisory, Gerri Colombe won the Mildmay at Aintree and just pipped Envoi Allen in the Ladbrokes Champion Chase at Down Royal before holding Capodanno a head for second place in the Savills Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas, the pair some 23 lengths behind Galopin Des Champs.

It's difficult to see Bravemansgame reversing the form of last year's race.

This term a mistake at the last handed the initiative to Gentlemansgame in the Charlie Hall at Wetherby and Paul Nicholls' inmate was beaten by Haydock specialist Royale Pagaille in the Betfair Chase. 

He finished second behind Hewick in the King George but both would probably have finished behind Shishkin if Nicky Henderson's charge hadn't stumbled and unseated Nico De Boinville just after the penultimate flight.

Earlier this afternoon trainer John 'Shark' Hanlon withdrew Hewick, a 33/1 chance for next month's Grand National, on account of soft ground.

Last year's National winner Corach Rambler is currently quoted 12/1 joint favourite for the Aintree showpiece. 

Following a subdued introduction at Kelso in October, Lucinda Russell's charge finished third behind Royal Pagaille and Bravemansgame in the Betfair Chase at Haydock; you suspect it was at that point connections started to ruminate over a plan to come here. 

The last ten-year-old to win a Gold Cup was Cool Dawn in 1998.

L'Homme Presse won the 2022 Brown Advisory and the following November carried top weight to victory in the Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle. Next time he fell in the King George won by Bravemansgame and was subsequently off the track for 13 months. 

On reappearance this January he beat Protektorat (won the Ryanair Chase earlier today) in the Fleur De Lys Chase at Lingfield and finished a creditable third behind Pic D'Orhy at Ascot four weeks ago - after the race beaten connections were particularly upbeat about that effort with this race as the target.

In 2020 Monkfish won the Albert Bartlett and the following year he won the Brown Advisory. 

He has obviously had his problems since. Seven weeks ago he beat 2018 Supreme winner Summerville Boy in the Galmoy Hurdle at Gowran Park; many pundits thought he was going to turn up in the Stayers' Hurdle but no, here he is, in a Gold Cup. 

It's a bold move by connections which would indicate they feel their charge is in rude health.

The Real Whacker won his three chase starts at the track last year - including the Brown Advisory - but  hasn't won in three starts this term. 

I bet Patrick Neville's charge in the Cotswold Chase seven weeks ago - and had to go to inordinate lengths to eventually claim the £5 free bet which the advertisement in the bookmaker's shop window indicated I was entitled to.

I have to say I'd expected more from The Real Whacker that day. 

Leading, he jumped right on occasions and lost his pitch two out before rallying to claim second spot ahead of Stay Away Fay (pulled up in the Brown Advisory yesterday). He wears a visor for the first time.

Nassalam has appeared a different horse for the fitting of blinkers. 

He finished 34 lengths behind Corach Rambler in the Ultima last year but has since won twice at Chepstow after the aids were applied; last time he won the Welsh National by an astonishing 34 lengths and is quoted 33/1 for the Grand National. 

The percentage call is he needs heavy ground to be seen at his best.

With just five starts under rules to his name Jungle Boogie has clearly had his problems.

Galopin Des Champs is the one to beat; to date Fastorslow is the only horse to have done so over fences.

L'Homme Presse is suited by soft ground but tries this extended three and a quarter mile trip for the first time; if he sees the trip out, he holds an each-way chance.

Selection: L'Homme Presse each-way, at the time of writing 10/1 with Paddy Power paying four places.  

Cheltenham 2022 - Friday

Henry Daly thinks Hillcrest is probably the best he has trained and I'd love to see the horse win the Albert Bartlett (2.50) tomorrow but down the years the Albert Bartlett has served up more shocks than a sack of soggy spuds. 

Only one favourite has obliged in the past decade (At Fishers Cross in 2013); the only other winner returned at a single figure price was Monkfish in 2020. 

3.30 Gold Cup

In last year's Gold Cup Minella Indo beat stablemate A Plus Tard one and a quarter lengths with Al Boum Photo third, Royal Pagaille sixth and Santini pulled up. 

The champion returns to defend his crown after an up and down season. 

Rachael Blackmore took on Bryony Frost and Frodon from the lead in the King George; Danny Mullins and Tornado Flyer rode a waiting race and then came from behind to pick up the spoils. 

Minella Indo's second behind Conflated in the Irish Gold Cup last time was a far better performance and an encouraging trial.

A Plus Tard was most impressive in the Betfair Chase at Haydock in November. 

Although the going was officially described as good to soft that day, it was quite quick for the time of year. The race fell apart a little with Bristol De Mai unable to handle underfoot conditions, Imperial Aura falling and Waiting Patiently being pulled up but, that said, A Plus Tard sauntered to a 22 length victory over Royal Pagaille.

Next time A Plus Tard was pipped a short head by Galvin in the Savills Chase at Leopardstown. 

It's worth noting that De Bromhead's yard was going through a quiet spell at the time; on official ratings A Plus Tard has four pounds in hand over Galvin.

Galvin won the National Hunt Challenge Cup over three miles six at the 2021 Festival and, obviously, is a stout stayer.

Al Boum Photo was sent off favourite for last year's Gold Cup; although finishing third, connections were a little disappointed with the run. He sports cheekpieces for the first time tomorrow - the last 10-year-old to come home in front was Cool Dawn in 1998.

The British challenge is headed by Protektorat who beat Native River 25 lengths in the Many Clouds Chase at Aintree on only his second try at a trip beyond two miles five furlongs. 

His very best form has been on soft ground so Wednesday's downpour will certainly have helped the cause but at the end of  ITV's coverage today Luke Harvey reported the ground drying out quickly.

Royal Pagaille is another who wouldn't be suited by drying ground.

Three weeks after winning the Marsh Novices' Chase at last year's Festival Chantry House went to Aintree and slammed Shan Blue 32 lengths in the Mildmay. 

Nicky Henderson's charge didn't look overly keen in the King George. Wearing cheekpieces next time he beat Santini and Aye Right in the Cotswold Chase but it looked jolly hard work on tiring ground and he finished very tired.

Has Polly Grundy managed to rekindle the fire in Santini? 

Based near Ottery St Mary in Devon, the handler says her charge is 'as good as I can have him'; he is over 15 kilos lighter than when he ran in the Cotswold Chase. 

Powering up the hill, Santini was beaten a neck by Al Boum Photo in the 2020 renewal - another couple of strides and he would have won. He was rated 171 that day; his current rating is 153.

Asterion Forlonge is a talented individual but he has yet to win beyond two miles five and his jumping is a cause for concern. 

Aye Right is an old favourite who jumps well and likes to race with the pace but this is a big ask.

Galvin is my idea of the winner.

Selection: Galvin win (7/2 in places). 

5.30 Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle

Finally, I just can't resist a longshot in the finale. 

Langer Dan was second behind Galopin Des Champs in this race last year and races off a mark just two pounds higher tomorrow. 

This has been the target all season; the stable certainly know the time of day having won the County Hurdle with Superb Story (2016), Mohaayed (2018) and Ch'tibello (2019).

I like the Lanzarote form. 

Cobblers Dream won five and a half lengths that day on only his second start in a handicap and he has been raised eight pounds. 

I saw Ben Case's charge, a £85,000 purchase, on his debut in this country at Warwick and he certainly caught the eye.

Quinta Do Mar was in the process of running a big race in the Lanzarote and, four lengths down, looked booked for third when coming to grief at the final flight. 

In a Weekender stable tour [01-05.12.21] handler Ben Pauling said:

"There has been marked improvement this season and his two wins from as many runs, which were both impressive performances, have seen him shoot up 16lb to 137. He is still on a fair mark and will be saved for the Lanzarote Hurdle over the new year. I'd expect him to take some beating in that."

The handicapper dropped Quinta Do Mar two pounds after the run in the Lanzarote. 

The yard has been been through a quiet spell of late but Global Citizen won the Grand Annual yesterday and stablemate Anightinlambourn won at Huntingdon. 

Selection: Quinta Do Mar each way (40/1 generally with several layers paying six places).

Cheltenham Festival 2019 - Friday

A good day for the blog this Thursday but tomorrow, it's another day altogether. Beware the Ides of March.

We look set for a vintage renewal of the Cheltenham Gold Cup (3.30); sixteen have been declared with the going currently described as good to soft, soft in places.

Colin Tizzard saddles three. Native River bids to become the first horse to win back-to-back renewals since Best Mate completed his hat-trick in 2004. Stablemate Thistlecrack may be eleven years old but he retains some engine; if his jumping were more proficient, he would rate a top contender. Welsh National winner Elegant Escape isn't readily dismissed either but the suspicion is, as the ground dries out, a few in the field will finish ahead of him.

Presenting Percy won last year's RSA Chase in some style (Elegant Escape third, Al Boum Photo fell) and has been at or near the top of the Gold Cup market ever since. Patrick Kelly's inmate has had just one run this season - over hurdles - but has schooled over the larger obstacles at Galway as part of his preparation. The last horse to win the Gold Cup without a prior race over fences that season was Easter Hero in 1929.

Clan Des Obeaux's victory in the King George on Boxing Day (Thistlecrack second, Native River third, Double Shuffle fifth, Might Bite seventh with Bristol De Mail falling) represents top-drawer form and marks Paul Nicholls' charge out as a serious contender. His fourth behind Bristol De Mai in the Betfair Chase at Haydock in November (Native River second, Thistlecrack third, Might Bite fifth) for me just leaves a query as to how well he'll cope with the final climb up the hill of this extended three miles two and a half furlongs.  

Conversely, Bristol De Mai appears to reserve his very best form for Haydock.

Willie Mullins saddles four and Ruby Walsh rides Bellshill. Kemboy's win in the Savills Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas is noteworthy (Bellshill fourth, Shattered Love tenth) but Bellshill wasn't fully wound up that day and progressed next time out to win the Irish Gold Cup by a short-head from Road To Respect (third in the Ryanair earlier today).

Might Bite's mighty duel with Native River in last year's renewal (Anibale Fly third, Definitly Red sixth) lives long in the memory. Nicky Henderson's charge hasn't been in the same form this term; connections have tried wind surgery and, if I remember correctly, the horse has undergone treatment for ulcers. 14/1 would be a very big price if Might Bite was back to his best but he has always had quirks - he nearly handed the 2017 RSA Chase to stablemate Whisper - and I suspect ideally he'd prefer slightly better ground.

The mare Shattered Love underwent wind surgery in January and the balance of her form to date suggests she isn't certain to stay this trip but Yala Enki certainly will. Venetia Williams' charge often races prominently but is likely to find a few in the field staying on a bit more quickly.

Anibale Fly finished a very creditable third in last year's renewal, making up ground at the business end of the race without ever threatening the leaders, and four weeks later he came home fourth behind Tiger Roll in the Grand National.

Last time out the JP McManus owned gelding ran a pleasing trial in the Red Mills Chase over an inadequate trip of two and a half miles, beaten two lengths by Monalee (fourth in the Ryanair earlier today).

Of the protagonists Native River would be the one for me but on the back of that effort last year Anibale Fly - with something to find on the book - makes most appeal as an each-way outsider, although drying ground isn't ideal.

At the time of writing both William Hill and Ladbrokes go 25/1 and pay one fifth the odds four places.

With Barry Geraghty up, Anibale Fly is the each-way selection.

A Sandown longshot

The recent freezing weather has played havoc with the fixture list as well as my form study and this evening has left me in the throes of a particularly acute dilemma - do I to watch the opening Six Nations rugby match between France and Wales or Posh Hotels with Sally (Lindsay) and Nigel (Havers)?

Sterling work by staff at Sandown means tomorrow's card is set to go ahead. At the time of writing there are no planned inspections; the going on the chase course is described as good to soft, soft in places while the going on the hurdle course is soft, heavy in places.

Top marks too to ITV Racing who will show three live races from the first day of the Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown.

Earlier in the week, with the prospects for Sandown looking rather bleak, I spent some time on the Irish Gold Cup (3.35 Leopardstown on Sunday).

That means the usual hard graft hasn't gone into tomorrow's pick so minimum stakes would be the order of the day...

The two to have caught my eye in the Heroes Handicap Hurdle (3.00 Sandown) are Dans Le Vent sporting first time blinkers near the foot of the handicap and Full Glass about whom trainer Alan King has been quite bullish in the Weekender in recent months.

With Page Fuller claiming three, the former has a featherweight in these conditions but the trip may stretch the stamina while the latter hasn't taken well to chasing in this country but appears to be held in some regard.

Dans Le Vent is a tentative each-way suggestion; Unibet offer 22/1 and pay one fifth the odds six places.

The Savills Chase last December is a key piece of form when looking at the Irish Gold Cup.

Ten lengths covered the first six home that day but Kemboy was seven and a half lengths clear which meant there were just two and a half lengths between Monalee (second), Road To Respect (third), Bellshill (fourth), Outlander (fifth) and The Storyteller (sixth).

Road To Respect appeared unlucky stumbling twice in the race while significant improvement will be expected from Kemboy's stablemate Bellshill.

Five weeks ago the ground rode good at Leopardstown and it will again on Sunday; by my reckoning at least half the field would prefer more cut underfoot.

Bellshill is my idea of the winner; Anibale Fly (third in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, fourth in the Grand National) would be of some interest each-way at around 10/1 but that price has disappeared and Tony Martin's charge is one of those who would prefer softer ground.

And Sally and Nigel are at The Berkeley tonight - looking forward to it.

Wine and horses, Cheltenham and Aintree

For reasons entirely beyond my control I have a commitment I'm obliged to keep on Friday evening this week and so, unfortunately, will be unable to post as usual.

Actually I've landed myself in a spot of rather hot water by making the sort of rudimentary mistake somebody like The Wine Tipster could only describe as 'a schoolboy error'.

Sent on a simple errand to purchase a bottle of Pouilly-Fuissé (Chardonnay grape, Burgundy), I've come back home with a bottle of Pouilly-Fumé (Sauvignon blanc grape, Loire Valley), seduced by the slighly cheaper price...

It's a case of Cheltenham withdrawal symptoms.

This year there are four weeks betwen Cheltenham and Aintree, with much of the focus now on the Grand National which is scheduled for 5:15 on Saturday 14th April.

Danny Cook had barely dismounted from Definitly Red after finishing sixth in the Gold Cup before connections indicated their charge would not be running in this year's National; the Aintree Bowl is the likely target. Anibale Fly's third in the same race looked a decent enough trial - he holds entries in both the English and Irish Nationals - while American (ninth) is entered up in just the Irish showpiece at Fairyhouse, due off at 5:00 on Monday 2nd April. 

Total Recall was set to finish nearer first than last when coming to grief four from home in the Gold Cup; in some lists he is now favourite for the Aintree spectacular. 

Whatever, we should all note Harry Fry's quote after this year's Gold Cup:

"In the conditions at Cheltenham it didn't matter whether you won, were placed, unplaced or didn't finish, you had a hard race."

On Wednesday Tiger Roll ran a good trial in the cross country race at Cheltenham, beating The Last Samuri (third) and Beeves (seventh) with Cause Of Causes and Saint Are amongst those pulled up; Cause Of Causes, second in last year's National, was reported stiff and sore after the race. Beeves was noted to have run well for a long way at odds of 50/1 and Rathvinden's victory in Tuesday's four miler also mertis a mention.

In other National news Sandy Thomson is struggling to get his stable star Seeyouatmidnight qualified for the race.
 
Back in January the trainer gave Full Jack a low-key preparation before sending the gelding out to win the  Edinburgh National Handicap at Musselburgh. I spot a similar low-key approach with Seeyouatmidnight (has previously beaten Bristol De Mai and finished third in the 2016 Scottish National) but unfortunately the weather has had its say in the matter. 

Seeyouatmidnight still needs to run in a chase to qualify for Aintree. 

Mr Thomson might have expected to find a suitable opportunity at Carlisle's re-arranged meeting on Sunday but there isn't one on the card so the horse travels to Newbury on Saturday instead for the Doom Bar Handicap Chase (3.50). The gelding has been off the track for a year less one day and has had a wind operation in the interim but nonetheless has still been tipped up for Aintree in the Weekender at odds of 33/1...

The trainer states:

"He must have a fighting chance in the National and could be thrown in off 149."
 
Tempted? 

Of course, the final word after any Festival has to go to the handicapper - Matt Brocklebank has provided a neat summary of ratings adjustments together with notes on selected runners.

In the meantime, in preparation for Friday night, I'm off to do some initial spadework on these handy wine cheat sheets...

Cheltenham Festival 2018 - a brief debrief

Two of the twelve highlighted selections on the blog obliged this year (Presenting Percy win in the RSA Chase on Wednesday and Delta Work each-way in the Pertemps Final on Thursday) recording a modest profit of +1.25 points at advised prices over the week.

Regular contributor TW picked out Mohaayed in the County Hurdle and Le Prezien in the Grand Annual on Friday to record a very healthy Festival profit of +34.9 points.

Amongst the also-rans tipped, Burbank caught the eye, finishing seventh in the Coral Cup behind Bleu Berry, beaten just seven lengths on ground he didn't like. Prior to the race trainer Nicky Henderson indicated he would have really fancied the horse's chance if underfoot conditions had been more suitable.

Ireland had the Betbright Cup in the bag by Thursday evening; a late flurry from the home side on Friday brought a hint of respectability to the 17-11 scoreline but there should be no doubt questions remain for those based on the British side of the Irish Sea.

The first Festival in a generation to be run on soft / heavy ground saw a number of front runners beaten in the closing stages; Top Wood, Gino Trail and Fabulous Saga are three that come to mind from the final day. Of course, Native River proved the exception to that rule in his epic duel with Might Bite in an unforgettable Gold Cup.

The going on the members' lawn on Ladies' Day could be described as heavy, impassable in places.

This year we purchased Club enclosure tickets (full price £90) rather than Tattersalls tickets (full price circa £50); naturally conversation centred around value for money. Viewing is certainly better in Club, with the balcony over the paddock a particular boon, but for those who crave the cut and thrust of the betting ring the atmosphere was distinctly sanitised.

There were several opportunities to wander into random champagne bars and pay upwards of £154 a bottle but such temptations were easily resisted. In time-honoured fashion, after racing we retired to our regular haunt in Tatts (Guinness £5.50 per pint) where we swapped our perennial hard-luck stories and threw away unwanted betting slips.

The wind almost reached gale force on Wednesday too - at times I felt I was on platform 7 of Birmingham New St station waiting for the delayed Cross Country service from Edinburgh; several ladies had their hats returned by chivalrous gents.

A walk into the infield for the cross country race proved a mistake. As we stood next to the Cheese Wedges fence and waited patiently for the runners to pass, we sank, almost imperceptibly, further and further into the mud. All I could do was ignore the old adage 'Don't wear brown in town' as my black footwear changed colour before my very eyes; at one point there was a worry one member of the party would require 4x4 assistance to cross the track and return back to the main enclosures...

Highlights of the week for me - Native River's Gold Cup victory and Presenting Percy's commanding performance in the RSA. Will they take each other on in next year's Gold Cup? And a word too for Summerville Boy who overcame plenty of trouble in running before beating Kalashnikov a neck in the Supreme, the very first race of the meeting. It seems like half a lifetime ago now.

I'm sure we'll do the same again next year - but probably in Tatts.

Midlands Grand National 2018

Surrounded by random dog-eared notes, mostly written in HB lead pencil, losing betting slips and dishevelled racing papers, I have just watched a replay of this year's mesmeric Gold Cup and surreptitiously shed a tear.

On radio Tom Scudamore described the race as championship steeplechasing at its very best and, of course, he is correct.

Fifteen started but it effectively became a match after the first fence; a race between Native River and Might Bite to be replayed in the mind for years and years to come.

Tomorrow's card at Uttoxeter is under threat from overnight snow and rain; the going is currently heavy and an inspection is scheduled for 8.00am.

Eighteen have been declared for the Midlands Grand National (3.35) run over a trip of four miles two furlongs.

Kerry Lee saddles three while Henry Daly, Dr Richard Newland and Nigel Twiston-Davies all have two runners each.

Newcastle's Eider Chase provides a key piece of form; West Of The Edge finished second behind Baywing with Hainan fourth, Milansbar fifth, Back To The Thatch falling when appearing to hold every chance and Themanfrom Minella pulled up. That particular marathon was run just three weeks ago so there has to be a question mark over how well the participants have recovered.

This evening Dr Newland is pretty upbeat about West Of The Edge's chance and his charge heads the market; just one favourite has obliged in the past ten years.

In the same timeframe no horse older than nine has come home in front and just two have carried more than 10-12; Synchronised in 2010 and Firebird Flyer in 2016 both carried 11-5 to victory.

Those trends highlight the chances of the two Henry Daly runners; Artful Cobbler is preferred to Back To The Thatch who looked to take a pretty hefty tumble at Newcastle.

Hainan is of interest as there's a hint Danny Cook went for home a little too early in the Eider and he's 16/1 with Paddy Power who pay five places but on balance the grey has his fair share of weight.

Using the trends as a guideline I'm going to take a chance on outsider Billy Bronco who looks less exposed than a number in the field and was second behind I Just Know (declared Uttoxeter 4.10) in the North Yorkshire Grand National at Catterick in January.

Billy Bronco is 25/1 with Sky Bet paying one fifth the odds five places.

And in the event the meeting is abandoned?

I'll start my Cheltenham debrief post - and run that replay of Native River's victory in the Gold Cup.

Cheltenham Festival 2018 - Friday

The highlight of the whole week is the Cheltenham Gold Cup (3.30) with eighteen set to face the starter; the ground on the New Course is currently described as soft, heavy in places.

On official ratings and by general consensus Might Bite is the best horse in the race but speaking earlier trainer Nicky Henderson expressed his reservations:

“I'm worried about the ground and the extra two and a half furlongs as well. But he's been more straightforward and good this season.” 

Those that are likely to relish underfoot conditions include Native River, Our Duke, Killultagh Vic, Definitly Red, Edwulf, and American. 

Native River finished third behind Sizing John in last year's renewal (Minella Rocco second, Djakadam fourth, Saphir Du Rheu fifth, Outlander tenth and Tea For Two unseating Lizzie Kelly at the second flight); the official going on the day was good.

That was a decent effort from Native River who had won the Welsh National at Chepstow in December 2016 carrying top weight on soft ground. This season connections have trained the horse specifically for this race.

Our Duke hails from the same yard as last year's winner and is currently vying for favouritism. Clearly he is held in high regard but his price is short enough for one who tends to miss out the occasional fence.

Willie Mullins is responsible for four in the field. The market suggests Killultagh Vic holds the best chance but he only has three chase starts to his name and fell last time out in the Irish Gold Cup behind Edwulf. Total Recall won the Hennessy at Newbury in December but the form of the race hasn't worked out well while I feel Djakadam's best chances in this race have already passed by. Bachasson is relatively unexposed and could be anything; this is his first try beyond two miles six furlongs.  

Definitly Red looked good winning the Cotswold Chase here in January (American second, Tea For Two pulled up). He is rated just two pounds inferior to Might Bite and at around 12/1 is interesting.

Edwulf comes into calculations on the back of his neck defeat of Outlander in the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown nearly six week ago (Djakadam third, Our Duke fourth, with Anibale Fly, Killultagh Vic and Minella Rocco falling). He holds each-way claims at around 14/1. 

Gordon Elliott is on record as saying Outlander is a bit of a Jekyll and Hyde character. The trainer can't tell which one will turn up on the day - what hope do we have? He's entitled to be in the mix on a going day.

American has been supplemented and will appreciate underfoot conditions but he has some ten pounds to find with Might Bite and there were no obvious excuses behind Definitly Red the last day.

Minella Rocco hasn't been in the same form this season as last; this is his first run following wind surgery.

A week or so ago I put up Double Shuffle and Saphir Du Rheu as potential outsiders in this; that was before the weather took its toll.

I see Double Shuffle is 66/1 in places this evening which seems a big price about a horse that finished one length behind Might Bite at Kempton on Boxing Day. Trainer Tom George has pointed out his charge has Cheltenham form in the book but the extra two and half furlongs on soft ground is the worry - in my mind's eye I can't see him staying on up the hill.

Saphir Du Rheu, fifth last year, is 100/1 this year and a little further information has come to light. He injured himself when falling in the National and wasn't seen until finishing well beaten behind Native River in the Denman last month. He is bound to improve for that but connections have indicated they would have preferred to get another run into him but have run out of time...

Native River is my idea of the Gold Cup winner but for betting purposes I have to take up Paddy Power's offer on Definitly Red.

Definitly Red (one fifth odds four places @ 12/1) is the selection.

I'm not sure I've seen a Triumph Hurdle (1.30) quite like this year's renewal before - just nine entrants with Willie Mullins saddling four. The two fillies with their allowance head the market; Apple's Shakira is a course and distance winner but short enough.

The vibes seem good for the Alan King trained Redicean who looked a different beast altogether in the Adonis at Kempton the last day. His three hurdle wins to date have all come at Kempton and this promises to be a very different test.

A distinctly trappy-looking affair but at around 5/1 Redicean is the win selection.

The County Hurdle (2.10) looks monstrous. They bet 10/1 the field, a field which contains the names of some old friends and some old foes. A number of those I had pencilled in haven't shown up (including Hunters Call) so I'm not going to play but I can see why last year's Fred Winter winner Flying Tiger, fourth behind Elgin in the Kingwell Hurdle last month, is popular.

Cheltenham Festival 2013 - Gold Cup day

Tomorrow's Gold Cup looks an intriguing renewal with 11 declared and the winner most likely to come from the first four in the market. In the past decade the favourite has obliged on six occasions; in that timeframe Synchronised was the biggest-priced winner, returned at 8/1 last year.

Nicky Henderson's Bobs Worth, rated 171, appears the worthy favourite. Small but with the heart of a lion, he won the RSA Chase last year, the Hennessy in December and is unbeaten at the track.

The worry is his preparation; he was forced to miss an engagement in the Argento Chase on account of a 'low grade' infection. Supporters point out that he has run well previously following a long lay-off but in the past 20 years every Gold Cup winner had seen the racetrack after the Christmas Day.

Ireland's main hope is Sir Des Champs. Last season he won the Jewson at the Cheltenham Festival and went on to take the Champion Novice Chase at the Punchestown Festival over a trip of three miles one furlong. This one clearly likes the track and supporters expect further improvement over the extended trip here. Off a rating of 168, he has something to find with the other principals.

On official ratings Silviniaco Conti (175) is the best horse in the race. This season he has beaten Wayward Prince in the Charlie Hall, Long Run and The Giant Bolster in the Betfair Chase and The Giant Bolster again in the Denman Chase, giving that rival four pounds on that occasion.

The slight worry is that all his wins at three miles plus have come on flat courses and there's a question as to whether he'll act on this track and see out the extended three mile two furlongs with the stiff uphill finish. In 2010 he won the Coral Hurdle over two miles three and sixteen months ago as a novice was quick enough to win over two miles five at Wincanton.

Long Run won the 2011 Gold Cup recording a rating of 179 in the process; his third in last year's renewal was given a mark of 182 yet this season he has struggled, given 172 for his neck defeat of Captain Chris in the King George at Kempton.

Amateur jockey Mr Sam Waley-Cohen, the owner's son, is on record as saying ideally he'd like to fit cheekpieces to his mount half way through the race; clearly that's not possible so connections will try the sheepskin aids for the first time tomorrow. This one is not the most fluent of jumpers and has a tendency to throw in the odd howler here and there, yet often his momentum seems unaffected. Following his jumping performance in the Feltham in 2009, a race he won, I never thought he could win a Gold Cup but, yet again, I've been proven wrong.

You pay your money and takes your choice; 6/1 Long Run looks reasonable value for a horse that's been there and done it before.

The each-way chances appear to be Captain Chris, Cape Tribulation and The Giant Bolster.

Captan Chris has had an excellent season and looked unlucky in the King George, although he came on the scene from a different parish that day. Better ground will suit but connections say he prefers to race right-handed.

At the age of nine Cape Tribulation is in the form of his life and in Denis O'Regan has the perfect partner for his hold-up style of running.

I backed The Giant Bolster each-way at 66/1 last year and just for a moment I thought he might win. He didn't and in the past placed horses haven't tended to improve enough to win. His jumping can look a little fragile on occasions but he certainly acts on the the track.

I'm aware Long Run bids to become only the second horse in history to regain the Gold Cup (and Oscar Whisky's run earlier today is an additional worry) but at eight years of age he's young enough. I take Long Run to win (6/1 Ladbrokes) with The Giant Bolster the each-way chance at around 14/1.

I've been impressed with Gevrey Chambertin this season and David Pipe will have done his utmost to ensure the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle is won for his father but the grey has his share of weight (although Tom Bellamy claims six) and there's no value in his price.

In similar vein, thirty five minutes later Nicky Henderson saddles six of the 24 runners in the race named after his father.        

The Hennessy Gold Cup and The Fighting Fifth 2012

Like many, I tend to prefer a young up-and-coming chaser for the Hennessy; the race was switched from Cheltenham to Newbury in 1960 - the number of times the variously aged horses have won is shown below:

6 year old:    7
7 year old:  21
8 year old:  11
9 year old:  10
10 year old:  2
11 year old:  1

Horses aged seven to nine have won 42 of the 52 runnings, while seven-year-olds boast a 40.38% strike rate in that period.

This year's renewal looks as competitive as ever with Nicky Henderson's RSA winner Bobs Worth priced up favourite at around the 7/2 mark. Alan King, who had a notable winner with Bless The Wings earlier today, tells us in the Weekender Hold On Julio '...is unquestionably the best chance I have had of landing the famous race', while The Package comes here in fine heart having taken Wincanton's Badger Ales Trophy three weeks ago but regular pilot Timmy Murphy may miss the ride after falling from Leeroar in Newbury's finale this afternoon.

I tipped Carruthers to win the Hennessy last year;  this year the trainer has been pretty bullish about his charge (despite a couple of below par efforts) although the horse would not want the ground to dry out too much and become sticky. Carruthers is certainly a big price and will stay the trip but I'm going to desert him for the 2011 Neptune Novices' Hurdle winner First Lieutenant. Irish trained runners have an abysmal record in the race but this one was beaten just two and a half lengths by Bobs Worth in the RSA last March; he's in receipt of one pound from that rival now and already has two runs under his belt, last time finishing a length behind Kauto Stone in the JNwine.com Champion Chase at Down Royal. At 10/1 he represents reasonable each-way value, although I'm not convinced the final two and a half furlongs are exactly what he needs.

Those looking for a lightweight at a price could do worse than consider the form of Alfie Spinner (18/1 Sky Bet) when finishing two and three quarter lengths behind Bobs Worth, both beaten by Invictus at Ascot in February; Invictus was to be my selection for the RSA in March but he picked up an injury and never made the race...

In a nutshell, two each-way chances against the field - First Lieutenant (10/1) and Alfie Spinner (18/1).

There's an eight o'clock inspection up at Newcastle tomorrow morning; if the meeting gets the go-ahead there will be just four runners in the Fighting Fifth. Donald McCain's Cinders And Ashes races off 151 and is priced up odds on this evening while Triumph Hurdle winner Countrywide Flame, rated 152, is on offer at 4/1 with several layers. No four-year-old has won this in the past decade but John Quinn's charge comes here fit from the Flat (he was second in Cesarewitch) and may handle the ground better than the favourite. The McCain operation has had a couple of winners of late but certainly hasn't been firing on all cylinders and the handler hints his charge will come on for the run. Obviously a tactical affair is the danger with such a small field - I just wonder whether Denis O'Regan may try to race from the front on Countrywide Flame. At 4/1 Countrywide Flame represents a value play against Cinders And Ashes.

A Knight's chivalric retirement

Yesterday Henrietta Catherine Knight called time on a training career that saw her win three consecutive Gold Cups with Best Mate (2002-4) and the 2000 Champion Chase with Edredon Bleu; owned by Jim Lewis, those horses also won the King George VI Chase for her in 2002 and 2003.

Knight came into racing through a somewhat circuitous route.

Having gained her BEd (Oxon) qualification at Westminster College, Oxford, she taught biology and history at St Mary's School, Wantage, before embarking on a career trainng racehorses. Her first winner under rules was The Grey Gunner at Bangor-On-Dee in 1989, Bruce Dowling up; in 1995 she married former jockey Terry Biddlecombe and the partnership went to the very top of the profession, becoming affectionately known as racing's 'Odd Couple'.

In November 2005 stable star Best Mate collapsed and died of a suspected heart attack after being pulled up in the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter. The quest to find a replacement was doomed to fail and led to a split with ambitious Jim Lewis.

Biddlecombe suffered a stroke in 2011 - it's Terry's continued ill health that is behind Hen's decision to hand in her licence. The vast majority of horses will transfer to Mick Channon who trains nearby at West Ilsley.

Over the years I came to associate the yard with well-schooled novice chasers, with a preference for using riders you'd lean to calling horsemen rather than jockeys. A couple of personal memories from the gaff tracks ...

Young Warrior (Bruce Dowling) won me some money one sodden New Year's Day at Exeter in the early nineties. There had been a market move for a horse of David Elsworth's, Seven Of Diamonds, and that one came to win the race but took a heavy fall at the last. Young Warrior collected but Seven Of Diamonds spent a fair while on the floor before eventually rising to a round of applause from the enclosures.

Another run that sticks in my mind is that of Blowing Rock (Jim Culloty) in a novices' handicap chase at Hereford in October 1998. We'd taken 9/2 and the horse had jumped well, gaining ground over his opponents at most of the obstacles. Three out Culloty sent the Strong Gale gelding on; the form book reads '... 5 lengths clear and in control when fell last, unlucky...'

Hen is set to have her final runner in next few days; it could be Harvest Song, owned by HRH The Queen, entered up in the 2.30 at Newton Abbot on Wednesday. That would be some finale - in Derby week, Hen Knight trains winner for The Queen - at Newton Abbot!

Eclectic quick links

Starting on a sad note with two racing obituaries... Ginger McCain, trainer of Red Rum and Michael Jarvis, 'one of the most popular figures in his sport'.

With new Natinal Hunt season just around the corner...

Betfred will sponsor the Cheltenham Gold Cup but Imperial Commander is out for the season.

Sizing Europe is set to make his seasonal debut at Gowran Park on Saturday.

Ferdy Murphy reports Kalahari King in the form of his life.

Noel Meade is waiting for the soft ground for Pandorama.

Trainer Patrick Prendergast is aiming for the Weatherby's Champion Bumper with Wandering Aengus.

Some might consider Nicky Richards' Noble Alan a winner without a penalty after the gelding unshipped Brian Harding two from home when holding every chance in the listed chase at Market Rasen yesterday.

Chris Bealby had a good word for point winner Chac du Cadran recently, describing his charge as 'capable of winning NH novice hurdles on soft ground'.

Saturday's Times Magazine (dated 24.09.11)  features an article on Leon Max, the Russian clothing tycoon and owner of the Easton Neston estate in Northamptonshire which incorporates Towcester racecourse.

Finally, those who enjoyed the collection of photographs taken by Racing Post photographer Ed Whitaker in his book  In The Frame may be interested to know a second volume, Beyond The Frame, has just been published -definitely has the look of potential Christmas present material!

Royal Ascot 2011 - Thursday is Gold Cup Day

The highlight on Ladies' Day is the Gold Cup run over two and a half miles; fifteen go to post. Last year's 20/1 winner Rite Of Passage unfortunately misses the event through injury.

The market has something of a lop-sided look with layers going 6/1 the field bar one; the one in question is Aidan O'Brien's Fame And Glory. The breeding boys believe the Ballydoyle bay should stay but I don't feel inclined to find out at odds of just 7/4. He didn't impress everyone when taking the Saval Beg Stakes at Leopardstown two and a half weeks ago and has a further six furlongs to travel here but on official ratings the favourite has at least five pounds in hand over all tomorrow's opponents.

As I've done with several long distance Flat races this term, I'm concentrating on horses with previous form over the jumps. Blue Bajan finished down the field in the 2009 Champion Hurdle behind Punjabi; he was subsequently off the track for over a year but appears rejuvenated in the care of David O'Meara. Connections have supplemented the gelding for this after his victory in Sandown's Henry II Stakes. Kasbah Bliss has finished second to Inglis Drever and fourth to Big Buck's in two renewals of Cheltenham's World Hurdle but has never quite lived up to the potential and came home sixth in this last year. The Betchworth Kid has bit and pieces of form - a close fourth to Recession Proof in Newbury's totesport Trophy last Feburary reads well but he isn't consistent and doesn't really strike me as the winner. If in the mood he'll stay and appears to have shown better form with some cut in the ground.

I'm not convinced I've mentioned the winner, so I'll have an each-way wager on Blue Bajan. He has form with a couple of the more fancied runners - William Hill's 14/1 looks reasonable value.

Any Other Business

Yesterday at Kempton there was double delight for Philip Hobbs and Richard Johnson with Captain Chris (2/5f) and Racing Post Chase winner Quinz (8/1) while at Newcastle the David Pipe and Tom Scudamore combination pulled off a similar stunt with Battle Group (5/1) and The Tracey Shuffle (6/5f). Better news from the Twiston-Davies team too with both Imperial Commander and Khyber Kim pleasing in their racecourse gallop; last year's Gold Cup winner had failed to impress in a previous piece of work at Warwick but it transpired he had raced with Oscar Magic who took the Kempton finale in some style and is now quoted at 20/1 (Coral) for the Festival bumper. If you agree with Nigel's view that Khyber Kim, second behind Binocular in last year's Champion Hurdle, is the forgotten horse this time around, then you'd be interested in the 25s available with several layers including Coral, Paddy Power, Victor Chandler and totesport.

All roads lead to Cheltenham at this time of year - or do they? Starluck put in a couple of sketchy leaps on his way to a facile win at Huntingdon on Thursday. Several bookmakers offer a miserly-looking 8/1 about this one for the Arkle; Stan James and Victor Chandler go 12s but I'm not tempted and in any case connections have yet to commit to the race. Two jocks sweating - Jason Maguire appeals on Thursday against a seven-day ban which, if upheld, will see him miss the ride on Peddlers Cross in the Champion Hurdle; Tom Scudamore was relieved to get just three days for careless riding aboard Dan Breen at Sandown on Friday.

Something different at this year's Festival - Ladies' Day has been moved to Wednesday to accommodate St Patrick's Day falling on the Thursday. Booking my Tatts tickets for the Wednesday, I was set something of a poser by those clever marketing chappies - pay the discounted price for a ticket (£37) or, alternatively, pay the full price (£45) with the promise of a full refund if a lady trainer has a winner on the day. Jessica Harrington trains the current favourite for the Neptune, Oscars Well, while Venetia Williams has several entries in the Coral Cup along with Tenor Nivernais and Pepite Rose in the Fred Winter. Being something of a cheapskate, I had no qualms whatsoever in taking the discounted price.

Question: When will the Raceform Update Guide to Cheltenham be available in my local newsagents?
Answer: From Friday 4th March.

More sample stats for Cheltenham, this time from the guys at Racing Trends who have compiled 10 year trends for all the major Festival races. For example, favourites have a dismal record in the William Hill Trophy on the opening day with just one win in the last 14 years and only three since 1969; having said that, six of the last ten to collect the spoils were positioned either second, third or fourth in the market. Nine of the last ten winners finished in the first three on their last run while all ten had a handicap rating between 129 and 143. From 59 qualifiers in the past decade, no horse carried 11 stones or more to victory. If you fancy more of the same, you'll need to get in touch with the team on the link above.

Warwickshire Life is the sort of publication you tend to find in a doctor's waiting-room and isn't one you'd consider buying unless, of course, you happened to frequent a particular social sphere... Yesterday though I purchased a copy of the March edition as it contains an enlightening four page article on the Waley-Cohen operation and Sam's attempt to become the first amateur jockey to win the Gold Cup since Mr Jim Wilson rode Little Owl to victory in 1981. In the history of the great race only two other amateurs have performed a similar feat - Mr Hugh Grosvenor aboard Thrown In in 1927 and Mr Richard Black on Fortina in 1947 - so Sam has set himself something of a challenge in bidding to win this year's renewal aboard his father's horse Long Run. Robert Waley-Cohen owns Upton Estate near Edgehill, Warwickshire while the National Trust maintains Upton House, described by Wikipedia as '..agreeable but of modest architectural significance'. Hmmm... For a day job Sam runs his own dentistry business, Portman Healthcare, so you can't but admire the commitment and determination as he fits in fitness training around a full day at the office. Yogi Breisner has been working with the team to iron out Long Run's jumping problems which had been evident in previous races but the King George performance at Kempton indicated a marked improvement and marked Long Run as a horse to be taken very seriously. Trainer Nicky Henderson rates him his best chance of a Gold Cup to date so, rest assured, no stone will be left unturned in an attempt to realise the dream. I wish Sam Waley-Cohen the very best of luck on Friday 18th March.

A piece of good news to finish on - Ruby Walsh was back in the saddle earlier today, partnering Mikael D'haguenet in a spin after racing at Leopardstown. Ruby intends to return to race-riding later this week, possibly at Taunton on Thursday.

A sad weekend for racing

There were traumatic scenes at Newbury yesterday as two horses, Fenix Two and Marching Song, collapsed and died in the parade ring before the opening race. The horses appear to have been electrocuted - the suspicion is an underground cable may have been disturbed during recent maintenance work; this evening The Sporting Life reports a section of cable has been removed from the racecourse paddock area. Two other horses, Kid Cassidy and The Merry Giant, were also affected; Kid Cassidy was withdrawn at the start while The Merry Giant was allowed to take his chance in the opener but was reported 'badly traumatised' after the race. Once the seriousness of the incident became apparent, the remainder of the card was rightly abandoned, with the racecourse offering racegoers a full money refund. The BHA intend to make a further statement tomorrow.

In what has turned out to be a disastrous weekend for horse-racing, both Money Trix and Glencove Marina suffered fatal injuries in the Irish Hennessy at Leopardstown while at Warwick Colin Tizzard's Kilmurry had to be put down following an injury sustained at the penultimate flight in the Kingmaker.

Newbury also managed to make the headlines in The Times' business section on Saturday - Guiness Peat Group, which owns a 29.9% stake in the racecourse, is looking to sell off its investment portfolio. Ever fancied a share in a racecourse?

With the Cheltenham Festival little over a month away, I need to do some homework on a few potential longshots. Here's an initial list that needs plenty of work but might prove a useful starting point...

Mille Chief - 14/1 Champion Hurdle (totesport). Likely to run in the Kingwell at Wincanton.

Cue Card - 33/1 Champion Hurdle (Stan James). Colin Tizzard writing in the Weekender says a decision will be taken on Cue Card's Festival target by the weekend.

Knockara Beau - 16/1 Pertemps Final. Looks to have benifitted from return to hurdling. Fifth in Ballymore / Neptune Novices' Hurdle 2009 behind Mikael D'haguenet.

The Giant Bolster - 25/1 RSA Chase. Not the quickest but will be staying on when others have cried enough - a blog favourite.

Tarablaze - 25/1 RSA Chase. Well backed in the past few days.

Captain Cee Bee - 12/1 Champion Chase (totesport). McCoy rated this one his best chance of a winner at last year's Festival but the horse broke a blood vessel in the Arkle. Went on to win Ryanair Novice Chase at Punchestown.

What A Friend - 40/1 Gold Cup (Coral). Looks overpriced on Aintree Bowl victory last April.

China Rock - 66/1 Gold Cup. Not certain to line up and several question marks over his stamina - will he come up hill? Probably not, but the price is big and he's likely to appreciate good ground.

Finally, finishing on a much-needed lighter note, the Daily Mail recently reported Welsh Cob Basil the stallion likes to pop down to his local, The Meynell Ingram Arms in Burton, Staffordshire, for a pint of Marston's Pedigree. If you're asking, Basil, mine's a Guinness...

Royal Ascot 2010 - Thursday

Thursday is Ladies' Day and the feature on Ladies' Day is the Ascot Gold Cup run over two and half miles. Aidan O'Brien's Yeats has been something of a standing dish winning the previous four runnings but the great horse is in retirement now and the race has an unusually open look to it. Henry Cecil's Manifest is the market leader but at the prices he doesn't really make much appeal. Ballydoyle run Age Of Aquarius but the yard hasn't been in the best of form and this colt doesn't look certain to get the trip. Sir Michael Stoute is on record as saying this is a stiff ask for Ask on his first run of the season - Kieren Fallon has a good word for the horse in today's Weekender. Kasbah Bliss was beaten three quarters of a length by Frankie Dettori's mount Kite Wood the last time at Longchamp; connections will fancy their chances of reversing that form over another four and a half furlongs, although at the age of eight many will feel the best years are behind Francois Doumen's charge. There was a time I was sure a Cheltenham World Hurdle would come the way of this one but Inglis Drever and Big Buck's had different ideas.

Question marks surround many of the market principals so I'm tempted to look elsewhere although that approach hasn't served me at all well so far this meeting. John Dunlop's Akmal likes to race from the front and wouldn't be without a chance especially if he's given a soft lead. Akmal and Tastahil (just beaten in the Chester Cup from a poor draw) are officially rated on the same mark. Granted, Akmal receives two pounds here, yet the books have John Dunlop's gelding at 12/1 while Barry Hills' charge is 66/1! Hills' son Richard prefers to ride the Dunlop horse (I assume he would have opted for his father's horse if he thought it good enough); that being the case I'll chance an each-way wager on Akmal.

Punchestown 2010 - Wednesday

The Guinness Gold Cup is tomorrow's highlight and it's difficult to get away from Denman - on official ratings he has some 18 pounds in hand over his two closest rivals, Joncol and J'y Vole. Those looking for reasons to oppose will be aware the drying ground won't suit and he had a hard enough race in the Cheltenham Gold Cup last month when finishing seven lengths behind Imperial Commander (with Cooldine who re-opposes tomorrow another 24 lengths adrift in fifth). Given the odds on offer, I'm not tempted to play.

In the Paddy Power Champion I.n.h. Flat Race Cheltenham bumper form is represented by Tavern Times (fourth), Bubbly Bruce (tenth), Up Ou That (thirteenth) and Shot From The Hip (twentieth). There were some lumpy bets for the last-named that day; he was sent off 3/1 favourite but ruined his chance early on by pulling far too hard. Megastar, fifth at Cheltenham, took the Aintree bumper a couple of weeks later, confirming Cheltenham form with Dare Me - the third there, Whispering Hills, takes his chance tomorrow. All of which, of course, pays a huge compliment to Colin Tizzard's Cue Card.

In the three mile novice hurdle (4.55) Magnanimity looks set to go off favourite; he carries a penalty for his win at Fairyhouse a fortnight ago. On official ratings Arabella Boy has two pounds in hand but he tries this distance for the first time. That being the case, I'll take a small interest in Ad Idem; the good ground should suit this son of Kayf Tara.

Festival review 2010

Firstly, the profit/loss details on the blog's highlighted selections at this year's Festival to a £1 level stake...

Tuesday
Punjabi WIN 15/2 - unplaced
Garde Champetre WIN 7/4f - fifth

Wednesday
Poker De Sivola E/W 14/1 WON - returned 8.75
Peddlers Cross WIN 7/1 WON - returned 8.00
Punchestowns WIN 2/1f - fifth
Kalahari King WIN 9/2 - third
Shot From The Hip WIN 3/1f - unplaced

Thursday
Poquelin WIN 11/4f - second
Karabak E/W 15/2 - fourth

Friday
Tell Massini WIN 100/30f - pulled up
Kauto Star WIN 8/11f - fell

Total wagered £11.00
Total returned £16.75
Profit/loss +£5.75
Win strike rate 18.18%
Profit as % of turnover 52.27%

Surprisingly, the figures read well enough. Wednesday was the lucky day - you may have noticed a more conservative approach thereafter... Some others mentioned in dispatches also performed with credit, most notably Cue Card who won the bumper at 40/1 (paid 60/1 on the Tote) and 14/1 Ryanair winner Albertas Run. Having gone to the trouble to dig out Colin Tizzard's quote about Cue Card the night before, you would have thought I'd have taken the trouble to place a bet but I didn't; at around 5.25 Wednesday evening I received a text from a colleague at the track who had bet the horse on the Nanny - that's racing!

This time last week media talk was of the four 'bankers'. Of the four - Dunguib, Master Minded, Big Buck's and Kauto Star - only Big Buck's obliged, making this a Festival for the layers. Commentators estimate the bookmaking industry is £60 million up over the four days.

Congratulations to connections of Imperial Commander who won the Gold Cup with authority. The decison to bill the showpiece as a two horse race (Kauto v. Denman) looks flawed now. I was amazed to hear Ms Fiona Bruce tell the nation on Friday's ten o'clock news that 'an outsider' had won the Cheltenham Gold Cup. If Imperial Commander was an outsider at 7/1, what was 250/1 shot Mr Pointment? A rank outsider possibly - I suppose we'll have to put it down to cutbacks in the BBC's racing coverage.

There were some notable performances over the four days but one that will live with me for a long time was Barizan's effort to make all in the Triumph. I've replayed that race a couple of times - had he not run down the last obstacle and landed in something of a heap, he would have gone extremely close; to me it looks as though he starts to make some ground on winner Soldatino as they climb the hill to the line - the form book reads 'rallied towards finish'.

Friday was Nigel Twiston-Davies' day. After taking the Gold Cup, elder son Sam Twiston-Davies rode the stable's Baby Run to victory in the Chrisitie's Foxhunter Chase. By this time the rain had started to get into the ground; fans of the slow-motion finish were in their element - for a moment I thought I was watching the final stages of a three mile handicap chase at Towcester. Not to be outdone by his elder brother, the younger Twiston-Davies was caught on camera running around in a highly-excited manner and then doing a quick 'live' interview. Some words of advice for this young man... I have no problems with your wagging off school, especially if you want go to the races, but don't do live TV interviews from the track as the chances are somebody will snitch on you. I fear a visit to the head teacher's office for a severe 'dressing down' will be on the cards tomorrow morning...

Finally, with the return of the Flat just around the corner, a quote from Kieren Fallon who was unfortunately punched by an owner while unsaddling Elna Bright at Lingfield yesterday: '...but I'm all right - he hits like a girl!'

Cheltenham Festival - Friday

The Gold Cup, the feature race of the whole meeting, is due off at 3.20. He'll be no price but I cannot desert Kauto Star. The media has played its part in building this into a Kauto v. Denman battle but McCoy's mount fluffed his lines the last time at Newbury - significant rainfall would improve Denman's chance but that seems unlikely. Trainer Paul Nicholls is on record saying that Imperial Commander represents the biggest threat to the main protagonists; 8/1 with most layers, the each-way appeal has disappeared and at the back of my mind I can still see his howler at the second in the King George, a jump that effectively put him out of the race. Cooldine is similarly priced so if you're looking for an each-way alternative to the favourite Tricky Trickster is the suggestion - he runs in this on the way to next month's Grand National for which he's currently 10/1 joint favourite.

The opener, the Triumph Hurdle, is invariably a rough race and not one I particularly like. Early season Barizan was quite highly-rated and Evan Williams looks to have freshened him up for a stab at this. Carlito Brigante is my idea of the winner but at odds of around 9/2 I won't get involved.

The Albert Bartlett looks fascinating with many of the leading contenders having shown their best form with cut underfoot - how they handle tomorrow's conditions is anybody's guess. Silver Kate is a tough likeable mare who tends to race from the front which is likely to leave her vulnerable here. Favourite Tell Massini won in impressive fashion the last time while Restless Harry did this blog a favour over a shorter trip at this course seven weeks ago. Kennel Hill is one to be wary of while both Possol and Cappa Bleu have been trying their luck over fences. I'm going to take a chance with Tell Massini.

The Pipe yard will be keen to take the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle and my guess is that's why Ashkazar is priced up 9/2 favourite. There's been a hint of a plot brewing with his last couple of runs but I won't be tempted.

Similarly Nicky Henderson fields three in an attempt to take the finale, named after his father. French Opera, with David Bass claiming seven, has a clear chance while stable jockey Barry Geraghty rides You're The Top and A P McCoy Pepsyrock. I'll watch with interest from the sidelines.

And that will be that... We'll come back next year and do it all over again!