I think I could write a stupendously long book about my punting week at Cheltenham this week. I don't think I've ever had such a bruising battle with the bookmakers. It was really hard stuff but with a strong chin I managed to absorb the punches and finish the week level. You can't have a magnificent year every year and I think a draw is a fair result this time around. I'll be at Kempton today.
Kempton 14:40, Virgin Bet A Good Bet Handicap Hurdle
La Pinsonniere 11/2, 1.5pts each-way (4 places)
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Uttoxeter 15:00, JenningsBet Midlands Grand National
Aworkinprogress 11/2, 1.5pts each-way (5 places)
1pt each-way double
Well here we are, Friday 13th. Gold Cup day. It's been an up and down week. How will it end?
13:20, JCB Triumph Hurdle
Maestro Conti 7/1, 2pts win
Minella Study 6/1, 2pts win
Willie Mullins has a strong hand here but it's not easy to set them all apart on what we've seen so far. Instead, it could be chancing that Britain wins this race for the first time since 2019. Maestro Conti won the trial here well in January and looks to be improving for his racing. Minella Study was mightily impressive at this track in December and has been kept fresh ever since.
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14:00, William Hill County Handicap Hurdle
Karbau 9/2, 2pts win
This looks a more open renewal than recent times but Willie Mullins has won this in 4 of the last 6 years and looks set to strike again. Sinatra is interesting but inexperienced while Joyeuse must enter calculations now the rain has come. It could be that Karbau is the graded horse in a handicap however. He ran a cracker off an absence last time out and this has been the plan.
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14:40, Mrs Paddy Power Mares' Chase
Panic Attack 11/4, 2pts win
Dinoblue brings the best form into this and as last year's winner she must be respected although she's never been at her most impressive here. Instead, Panic Attack can strike for the Skelton's. Imperious this year in the Paddy Power and Coral Cup. We have no idea where the ceiling lies.
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15:20, Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle
Kripticjim 20/1, 1pt each-way (4 places)
This is a top heavy and Irish heavy market but this race often throws up a surprise. The Tizzard's have had a couple of horses run stormers this week and it could be that Trial's day winner Kripticjim has been overlooked. He seems to have bundles of stamina and loves a battle which is key for this race.
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16:00, Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase
The Jukebox Man 7/2, 2pts win
Grey Dawning 14/1, 1pt each-way (3 places)
The Gold Cup this year lacks a superstar but it's an open race. The form from the King George is key. Gealic Warrior may well have won that day if things had fallen differently but his stamina for this trip has yet to be proven and Jango Baie has the same questions. The Jukebox Man did so well to win that day when he looked beaten it could be that he will be hard to pass again here. He's unbeaten over fences and looks like he will actually improve for this track. Grey Dawning must also have a sound each-way chance now the rain has come. He's been trained to the minute for this and is a multiple Grade 1 winner. Last year's winner is respected but needs a big turnaround.
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16:40, Princess Royal Challenge Cup Open Hunters' Chase
Con's Roc 13/2, 2pts each-way (4 places)
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17:20, Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle
Andashan 16/1, 1pt each-way (5 places)
A few reverses yesterday (none more so than Winston Junior in the Fred Winter....) but old Johnnywho made sure it was a winning Tuesday. We head into Wednesday full of optimism!
13:20, Turners Novices' Hurdle
Ballyfad 10/1, 1.5pts each-way (4 places)
This is one of the best renewals of the Turners that I can remember. It is unheard of to get 22 runners. No Drama This End has looked impressive on all 3 starts since sent hurdling by Paul Nicholls and this strapping chasing sort has been kept fresh since taking the Challow at Newbury in December where he did it well despite having to make the running. This big field scenario will suit him better and he looked to enjoy the course when winning here earlier in the season. He should take plenty of beating but it's reflected in his price now. Act Of Innocence looked good when winning at Huntingdon and is respected for all he lacks a bit of star potential whilst Boss Man Jack is an unknown quantity for the Skelton's now pitched into the deep end after winning lower level races very easily. I'll Sort That and Skylight Hussle must be mentioned for Irish connections but Willie Mullins has a strong hand in this and will be feared by the British. Sober won at Royal Ascot last year and got the job done over hurdles on his sole run since. This race could set up well for him and he must have a big chance for all he lacks a bit of experience over obstacles. King Rasko Grey is the choice of Paul Townend and he looks talented but it is the horse who just finished in front of him the last day who could be the answer, Ballyfad. Gordon Elliott's 5 year old won 2 bumpers and a maiden hurdle at the back end of last year in increasingly impressive style. He then went and finished 2nd in a Grade 1 at Leopardstown last month (just fending off King Rasko Grey) being chinned by Talk The Talk on the line. He had to do all the donkey work himself that day and he looked like one who'll relish a stiffer test. He's a 3 mile point winner and his trainer knows what it takes to win this race having done so with Samcro for the same owners.
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14:00, Brown Advisory Novices' Chase
Romeo Coolio 5/2, 3pts win
Just as the first race is super competitive, so is the Browns this year. This is the biggest field (16) since Denman won in 2007. Wendigo will have his supporters and looks the best of British. A stiff test round this track will suit but I have a feeling the Irish have the upper hand in this. Willie Mullins is again mob handed and his team is headed up by one time short priced favourite, Final Demand. He's a Grade 1 winner over hurdles who looks every inch a chaser but he ran very poorly the last day when put in his place by Kaid D'authie and he's now difficult to trust. Kaid D'authie himself must have a big chance in this for all the ground is a slight concern. He looks a strong stayer though. Kistbuhel shouldn't be dismissed, he could lead these a merry dance round here but it's debateable if he will see it out whilst Oscars Brother is respected at a big price for a small outfit trainer. It could be that Romeo Coolio outclasses his opposition however. A once time Arkle fancy, connections now try 3 miles for the first time in the hottest pot they could find. He defeated the Arkle winner last time out (battled on well) in the Irish version but has looked a stayer on all of his runs and it's worth remembering how he romped home over 2 and a half miles over Christmas. He powered through the line that day and the forecast ground will aid him in this first go at the trip. He's the class horse in the race and that usually tells during this week.
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14:40, BetMGM Cup Handicap Hurdle
Kopek De Mee 7/1, 2pts win
Kateira 8/1, 2pts win
The Cup is one of the hardest punting races of the week and this year looks no different. Storm Heart is the class horse here and he is unbeaten this season and could defy his lofty mark. Jinko Blue and Iberico Lord are horses with lots of back class both representing Nicky Henderson who knows how to win this race whilst Puturhandstogether has Festival winning form and is respected now stepping up in trip. Dan Skelton has already won a handicap this week and it has been well documented that Kateira has been backed for this in recent weeks. She's a previous winner at Aintree's Grand National meeting and looked classy a couple of years ago. It's not been plain sailing since but she's back on a fair mark now and the suspicion is we're in for a big run. Although Willie Mullins has the favourite in Storm Heart, it's another one from Closutton who could take this. Kopek De Mee is a young horse who was fancied for last year's meeting but ran poorly. He bounced back to form to run a huge race in 2nd at Aintree in the Spring and has only been sighted once since (a poor chasing debut). He will be super fresh for this now and is open to any amount of improvement.
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15:20, Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase
Final Orders 11/2, 2pts each-way (4 places)
The Cross Country splits opinion but it's more of a punting race now it's a handicap. Gordon Elliott's Favori De Champdou deserves to be favourite after bolting up here the last day but the ground will be better here and he's gone up in the weights. Stumptown is respected looking for back to back wins but must lump a lot of weight away whilst Desertmore House has been tipped up by many. Final Orders has won over the track before and wasn't disgraced in behind the favourite the last day as he was bang there turning in before tiring in the ground. The better surface here will aid him and he's now a lot better off with Favori de Champdou at the weights.
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16:00, BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase
L'eau Du Sud 5/1, 2pts each-way (3 places)
This isn't the strongest renewal of the Champion Chase and it's fair that Majborough is a short price. He was turned over at this meeting last year and it can't be guaranteed that he will jump as well as the last day again. He's worth taking on at the prices. Il Etait Temps swept all before him since last April before putting in a laboured effort in the Clarence House last time out. He's respected if bouncing back but has a poor Cheltenham record. Instead, it may be worth chancing L'eau Du Sud one last time. Dan Skelton's grey hacked up here in November before putting in a poor run in the Tingle Creek. Connections think he has to be fresh, and he will be that here having not run since December. It's a week race this year and if the favourite underperforms in any way then L'eau Du Sud could be there to pick up the pieces.
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16:40, Debenhams Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase
Be Aware 9/2, 2pts win
Addragoogle 18/1, 1.25pts each-way (5 places)
Another open handicap with plenty holding chances. Vanderpoel must be respected in search of the hattrick whilst Jazzy Matty won this last year and has been aimed at a repeat ever since. Inthepocket must have a chance on his classy backform and Ballysax Hank could ghost into this if granted a decent pace. His stablemate Addragoogle is interesting at a price. Only a 7 year old, Gavin Crowmwell's horse was given some interesting course experience here in October after doing well on his first few chasing starts. He just ran OK that day but a small field affair wouldn't have suited and it was a classy race. He's since won a big field handicap on Boxing Day and ran well in another at Leopardstown last time out where he looked as though he had a bigger effort in him. He's respected for shrewd connections. This could all be elementary however as Be Aware could really enjoy this set up. He's been butting heads against some good horses since sent chasing and been trying to lead all the way in most of them. He finished 2nd in a Greatwood last season and now taking a lead, he could really go well here and take a lot of beating.
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17:20, Weatherbys Champion Bumper
Keep Him Company 13/2, 1.5pts win
The Irish Avatar 10.1, 1pt win
An open Bumper this year but Keep Him Company has plenty of form to his name and should go well here whilst The Irish Avatar has only raced once under rules but won with any amount in hand.
We are here already. The 361 day pilgrimage has met its end. The summit of the mountain has been reached. The sea crossed. The plane has landed. It's Cheltenham baby!
I will be taking up my pitch in the Best Mate once again for all 4 days (and a trip to Kempton on Saturday is pencilled in too). I'll be down the the pub on Saturday and it will either be a night of celebration or an damp evening in which to sink my sorrows. Boy I love it!
13:20, Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle
Old Park Star 5/2, 2pts win
El Cairos 8/1, 1pt win
Class. This is about a decent renewal of a curtain raiser as you could hope for. It's stacked with potential. You have to start with the Irish goliath that is Willie Mullins. His hopes seem to lay mainly with Mighty Park. Not many Supreme winners have been so lightly raced but the 5 year old son of Walk In The Park dismantled the field on his sole hurdle run at Fairyhouse in January, looking potentially top class. It's hard to know what he achieved that day though as not many others made much attempt to get into the race and the worry must be inexperience here. He will need to be a worldy to take this. Paul Townend rides Leader Dallier who hacked up last time out at Punchestown after finding Ballyfad too good on his Irish debut. He won plenty in France for previous connections and looks like one who will be equipped for this test. The stable has brought runners with more in the form book to this before and it may be that this year passes him by however. Sober Glory has only tasted defeat once in his career (a line can be put through that) but he has dotted up on every start since, looking very smart. The worry is that he's been winning at a much lower level than this and won't be allowed to dominate. Mydaddypaddy was ante-post favourite for this before Christmas but couldn't get the job done at Aintree when pitched into a Grade 1. He's better than that though and this race will be run to suit. He's got stacks of potential and I'm sure the stable will have him ready to show a career best but the worry is that the form isn't as strong as others here. Talk The Talk is the only Grade 1 winner in this race and must hold a big chance. He does take some chances at his hurdles though (fell at Christmas) and has looked an improved horse when faced with a softer surface. He's a smooth traveller but he may end up wanting more of a trip than this and the ground is a bit of an unknown for all he could just outclass these. Talking of class, El Cairos has oozed class since sent hurdling. He was going to dot up first time out for Gordon Elliott before falling at the last and nearly did the same at Thurles last time out before easing away head in chest. He's all speed and the forecast ground has come right for him. He has experience from the Bumper last year to call upon and he has a little bit of star potential about him. We have no idea where the limit lies and he's a bigger price than Mighty Park. This could all be elementary however, as Nicky Henderson knows how to win this race and sends out the clear favourite in Old Park Star here. A revelation since sent hurdling the 6 year old son of Well Chosen looked classy at Kempton in the Autumn before routing his opponents here over Christmas and then smashing up the field again in the Rossington Main. You can quibble with the form but not the manner of victory and course form (albeit the New Course) is always a positive. He's got such an abundance of class and stamina at this trip that he could have everything in trouble approaching the last and he must be in the list to get the week off to a flyer.
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14:00, Singer Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices' Chase
Lulamba 13/8, 3pts win
This is what this week is all about. A British superstar taking on an Irish one. It's Mullins v Henderson, Townend v de Boinville. Potential v Experience. Kopek Des Bordes v Lulamba. Don't get me wrong, Kargese is a top class mare who will have a chance for all she doesn't have the wow factor of her stablemate and Steel Ally is a slick jumper who has yet to taste defeat over larger obstacles. But I feel that the stage is set for a titanic tussle. Kopek Des Bordes looked a superstar last season and couldn't have looked any more impressive on chasing debut in the Autumn. He's been off 113 days however and that has to be a worry. While he's been off, Lulamba has been sweeping all before him. He ate up the ground from the pond fence at Sandown in December, steaming up the hill. That was good but the way he moved clear from his opponents at Newbury on terrible ground after plenty went wrong was plenty impressive as well. It's a real humdinger this but preference is for Nicky Henderson's 5 year old to take the beating here.
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14:40, McCoy Contractors Juvenile Handicap Hurdle
Winston Junior 11/2, 3pts win
Glen To Glen 8/1, 2pts win
The Fred Winter is always one of the best betting races of the week and it's got a new slot here, being the 3rd race up. Saratoga has been on everyone's lips for the past few weeks and he must have a chance on handicap debut. He'll enjoy the better ground and could be chucked in on flat ability. He's on a stiff enough mark considering he hasn't actually got his head in front however and perhaps doesn't look as classy as last year's winner in these colours. Manlaga and Mustang De Breuil also represent J P McManus (both for Nicky Henderson) and must hold chances but preference is for impressive Ascot winner, Winston Junior. The son of Churchill built on his hurdles debut at Fontwell to finish second on this course behind Triumph hope Minella Study. He travelled like a classy horse that day and was unlucky not to finish closer. It all came together at Ascot the last day when he bolted up and a mark of 131 looks readily exploitable. Glen To Glen represents Joseph O'Brien who has farmed this race recently and must also hold a good chance. He was 4th at Royal Ascot last year but hasn't had the ground this winter. He won last time out however, and that was a good effort all things considered.
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15:20, Trustmarque Ultima Handicap Chase
Johnnywho 12/1, 2pts win
Resplendent Grey 20/1, 1pt each-way (5 places)
This is difficult. Jagwar heads the betting to double up at Festivals but has let down favourite backers the last twice and hopes are pinned on a step up in trip. This is a tough race to try the trip however and doesn't look much value. Iroko is the class horse in the race but must defy top weight in one of the seasons toughest races. Myretown must have a chance of taking this race again but his jumping is really starting to let him down and it's unlikely he'll be given a freebie in front again. Hyland and Handstands both hold chances too but have to bounce back to form. Another who must bounce back is Johnnywho for the same owner as the front two in the market. Jonjo O'Neill must be frustrated that he has yet to get a big win into the 9 year old but let's not forget how he came there swinging in the Kim Muir last year only to get chinned on the line. He's the type who relishes a big field test and he has plenty of experience now. He likes the track and it could be that in first time cheekpieces it all comes together here. It would be some story. At bigger odds Olly Murphy's Resplendent Grey was talked about as a potential Gold Cup horse early in the year and was well fancied for the Coral Gold Cup but got left at the start. He's since run well behind Protektorat at Windsor and comes into this a relatively fresh horse. It's not forgotten how he came from the clouds to win at Sandown and could be mowing them all down late.
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16:00, Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy
The New Lion 3/1, 2.5pts win
Not one of the best Champion Hurdles ever run but it's an intriguing renewal nonetheless. Lossiemouth finally runs in the big one after taking the Mares' Hurdle for the past 2 years. Connections may feel it's a winnable race and she does look to be the horse with the best form book but hasn't looked at ease when facing the best of the best over this trip in the past and I just wonder if connections think she will need to be right up there with them turning in to win, and hence why they've plumped for headgear. She must have a massive chance of landing a festival 4 timer nonetheless. Brighterdaysahead downed her in the Irish Champion Hurdle last month and although value for the win, Gordon Elliott's mare doesn't have the best Cheltenham record and may be better over further at this trip. Golden Ace must be mentioned again and will run her race but it's unlikely things will pan out so well again. Alexei isn't without a chance either for all he'll need to step up again but it's Dan Skelton's The New Lion who gets the vote. He is a horse who always finds masses for pressure and that will stand him in good stead here. He won at the festival last year and would have learned a lot for the Fighting Fifth for all he fell late on. This track will suit more, so too will a strongly run affair on nice ground. He showed he has a turn of foot last time out when he needs it and while others have had brutal campaigns, he's been kept nice a fresh to peak when it matters. Huge chance of claiming a first Champion Hurdle for the Skeltons.
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16:40, Sun Racing Plate Handicap Chase
Down Memory Lane 9/1, 2pts win
Madara has been well touted for this since finishing 2nd at Kempton last month and must have a big chance here for the Skelton's but I can't help remembering how she's been beaten when a short price over this course and distance before. It's an open race but Gordon Elliott must hold a good chance with Down Memory Lane for JP. I remember seeing him finish behind Leau Du Sud at Sandown last season and he really did poke your eye out. He's a horse who's shaped as though there's a big run in him and it could be that he's a proper graded horse in a handicap here.
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17:20, National Hunt Challenge Cup Novices' Handicap Chase
Wade Out 8/1, 2pts each-way (5 places)
King Of Answers 14/1, 1.5pts each-way (5 places)
One of the more fiendish handicaps to end the day. Newton Tornado will likely go well for last year's winning trainer if going on the ground while King Of Answers has looked a proper stayer in his runs to date this season. The suspicion is that top weight Wade Out could sweep past them all however. Olly Murphy has already got a course win into the 7 year old and he will have learned plenty for the run at Windsor the last day. He doesn't travel well, which is why stronger headgear is now applied and he'll require another Sean Bowen masterclass but connections have aimed him at this race all season and he looks the type who will find bundles of improvement for the step up to marathon trips.
