1.30 JCB Triumph Hurdle (2m1f – Grade 1)
This is a very interesting race for me because I fancy 2 horses. I’m struggling to get away from Peace And Co, I really am.
I’ve already spoke about Nicky Henderson’s chances at the Festival and he has a very strong hand here. I’ve tipped Starchitect on Day 2 but this very talented 4 year old made absolute mince meat of him when seen first time on a racecourse. We then saw Peace And Co in the Triumph Hurdle Trial here at Cheltenham when he pulled really hard in the early stages before beating Karezak by 3 lengths. Peace And Co was extremely well backed that day and was worth more than his 3 length success. He’ll need to settle a lot better here but he has a massive chance in my opinion. To give an example of his chances here, Peace And Co’s time form from Doncaster would’ve been enough to win the last 8 JCB Triumph Hurdles and that was the first time we saw him on a racecourse.
Another horse I like is Beltor. This horse almost pulled Tom O’Brien’s arms out of his sockets at Kempton and as I was watching the race I thought there was no chance that this horse could win after using so much energy. Beltor’s jumping was Novicey but thats to be expected, what wasn’t Novicey was the way this horse hit the front on the bridle 2 out and then when Tom O’Brien pushed the button, Beltor readily drew clear. That was a performance that I am struggling to ignore and this horse could be anything.
Main bet – Peace And Co
Smaller bet – Beltor
2.05 Vincent O’Brien County Handicap Hurdle (2m1f – Grade 3)
Ireland have an excellent record in this race so that is how I’m playing this race. Ireland have won 6 of the last 10 races and I feel they have a strong hand this year.
If you haven’t worked this out already then in handiaps I like to back horses that are carrying a low weight so anywhere around 11st looks a decent mark.
Quick Jack could be very well handicapped in my opinion so he would be my main fancy.
Although carrying a bit more weight than I’d have liked, Rich Coast usually goes well after a break. He will handle the better ground over in the UK and could go very well at a nice price.
Main bet – Quick Jack
Each way bet – Rich Coast
2.40 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (3m – Grade 1)
Black Hercules is bred to be smart over this longer distance and he showed his clear potential when comfortably winning a Grade 3 over at Cork in December and clearly Willie Mullins has kept his horse fresh for this. He was smart enough over 2 miles but this step up to 3 miles could bring out the very best in him. He will be my main bet in this race in the hope that Willie Mullins can win this race for the first time.
Another horse who is bred to appreciate a step up in trip is No More Heroes so it was a surprise to see him win over 2m6f and then step back to 2m4f. It mattered not one bit though as he stayed on strongly to beat Shaneshill by just under 2 lengths. He stayed at 2m4f and was a disappointing favourite at Leopardstown but we all know Leopardstown form doesn’t always transfer to Cheltenham, you only have to look at Jezki for that evidence. I’m willing to forgive him for that run as he steps back up in distance here and I’m hoping this will bring out the necessary improvement which will get him right involved in the finish.
The front 2 in the market look very strong in my opinion
Main bet – Black Hercules
Smaller bet – No More Heroes
3.20 Cheltenham Gold Cup (3m2½f – Grade 1)
Silviniaco Conti is hard to ignore for me here. He is one of my favourite horses and the way he has been running so far this season suggests that he is very much an improved horse. Quite simply, I would love him to win the Gold Cup this year! He is the highest rated chaser in training and in my opinion deserves to win this race after falling 2 years ago and then lost to Lord Windermere after leading over the last only 12 months ago. Paul Nicholls is absolutely adamant that Conti wasn’t right last year and I believe him. With the cheekpieces added he seems to be a better horse and I believe he will cross the line in front at this years Cheltenham Gold Cup!
Im sticking all my eggs into one basket and trusting my opinion here, so he is my only bet.
Main bet – Silviniaco Conti
4.00 Foxhunter Chase for Amateur Riders (3m2½f – Class 2)
Ireland have won the last 4 races so I wouldn’t put you off backing any of theirs in this one.
Favourites have a respectable record having won 3 of the last 10 races and 9 or 10 year olds have the best record. Ireland’s best chance of improving their record looks to be in the shape of Nina Carberry’s mount On The Fringe. However, she has it all to do trying to beat the impressive Paint The Clouds who looks to be an improving chaser.
Paint The Clouds has won 6 from 6 over the larger obstacles and has been an impressive winner in most of those starts.
Only a small bet in this for me but I can’t see past the 2 previously mentioned.
Small bet - Paint The Clouds
Small bet – On The Fringe
4.40 Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys Handicap Hurdle (2m4½f – Class 2)
I’m putting forward Full Shift for the Nicky Henderson yard. There have been 1 or 2 rumours circling that this horse is more than decent and although I don’t usually play on rumours, I fancy Henderson to have a very good Festival so I think we could do a lot worse than give it a bash with small stakes.
Full Shift was backed into 9/2 fav for this race last year but finished 11th behind Don Poli, now you all know how I highly I rate that horse so it might be strong form, especially considering how well Thomas Crapper ran on Tuesday! Nico De Boinville is the jockey and he is very talented.
Killultagh Vic had Windsor Park behind on his first run in 2015. He made a few mistakes that day and was staying on late in the race, if he can sort out his jumping then he will be a threat in behind a strong pace. Killultagh Vic might be the pick of the Irish.
Jolly’s Cracked It had the choice of most of the handicaps and the fact that Harry Fry has chosen to run him here gives him an outside chance in my opinion. We’ve seen a bit of rain overnight which will help his chances and any further rain before this race will be a bonus.
Small stakes on all those 3 should give us a chance of returning a profit.
Small each way bet – Full Shift
Small each way bet – Killultagh Vic
Small each way bet – Jolly’s Cracked It
5.15 Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Handicap Chase (2m½f – Grade 3)
Claret Cloak ran in this race last year and he would’ve surely gone close but for smashing through the fence at 2 out. He is best on good ground and has been given an almost identical preparation for this year. The only down fall might be him carrying top weight, but he has won off 11st 12lb in the past so I’m hoping it won’t be a problem.
Tony McCoy looks set to ride Ned Buntline and how fitting would it be if he claimed victory on his last ever Cheltenham race? He will appreciate them going off quick in front as he was a fast finishing 2nd in this race last year and he is only 4lb this year. He seems to handle any ground but the bit of rain that we’ve had overnight will aid his chances here.
Main bet – Ned Buntline
Small bet each way – Claret Cloak
That concludes the Cheltenham Festival for this year. Our Cheltenham Festival tipster will be back the same time next year! We hope you enjoyed our Cheltenham Festival Previews.
