CHELTENHAM 2007 - The fate of the Favorites

5 winning favorites and 1 winning joint favorite from 24 races, would have resulted in a 6.67 pt Loss at level stakes, assuming you had backed both Joint favorites.


Past Cheltenham Results

Results from past Cheltenham races can be very good pointers to future winners. Below we take look at the Cheltenham results from recent years to see what we can learn.


2007 Supreme Novices Hurdle Result

1 Ebaziyan 40/1 Trained by W Mullins Ridden by D J Condon
2 Granit Jack 15/2
3 Amaretto Rose 2/1f

A shock start to the meeting with a 40/1 winner although as he was trained by Willie Mullins a few punters might have had a wonderful start. The favourite Amaretto Rose looked to be going very well throughout race but just didn't find as much as expected over the last hurdle.


2007 Arkle Result

1 My Way De Solzen 7/2 Trained by A King Ridden by R Thornton
2 Fair Along 10/3f
3 Jack The Giant 14/1

After months of uncertainty about which race he would run in My Way De Solzen has returned to the scene of his World Hurdle victory and won a high class Arkle Chase.
Don't Push It and Twist Magic both fell just as the race was beginning to develop and may have had a say in the finish but Alan King's gelding has won decisively and looks interesting for the 2008 Gold Cup.


2007 Champion Hurdle Result

1 Sublimity 16/1 Trained by J Carr Ridden by P A Carberry
2 Brave Inca 11/2
3 Afsoun 28/1

An Irish victory yet again in the Champion Hurdle but perhaps not to the horse that most would have expected. Brave Inca and Hardy Eustace battled out the early lead and were joined by the ridden along favourite Detroit City who never really looked comfortable.

Iktitaf looked to be going well but a fall brought his challenge to an end and this left Sublimity seemingly able to pick off his two more illustrious countrymen whenever he chose as he was going extremely easily. He took up the lead jumping the last and powered away for an impressive win in the top hurdle race of the year.


William Hill Trophy Handicap 2007 Result

1 Joes Edge 50/1 Trained F Murphy Ridden by D Russell
2 Juveigneur 7/1cf
3 Distant Thunder 7/1cf
4 Mon Mome 16/1

Ferdy Murphy had two big price winners in 2006 and Joe's Edge has provided another festival success at the massive price of 50/1.
There was only two short-heads between the front three at the line and the former Scottish National winner used all his stamina to get his head in front just in time.
Joe's Edge has previously shown a preference for good ground so his victory might suggest that the ground had dried out considerably and his next target will be the Grand National.


Sporting Index Cross Country Handicap 2007 Result

1 Heads On The Ground 5/2f Trained by E Bolger Ridden by Miss N Carberry
2 Silver Birch 14/1
3 Le Duc 8/1
4 Spot Thedifference 6/1

Punters got a little bit of their losses back with the first winning favourite of the meeting. Provided Nina Carberry with her second Festival winner riding for cross country specialist Enda Bolger.


Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle 2007 Result

1 Gaspara 9/2jf Trained by D Pipe Ridden by A Glassonbury
2 Altilhar 12/1
3 Laustra Bad 16/1
4 Zilcash 50/1

David Pipe trains his first Cheltenham Festival winner and lands a £75,000 bonus for winning this race and last Saturday's Imperial Cup. Owned by his father Martin this victory echoed some of the Pipe big winners of the past as Gaspara led most of the way for a convincing victory.


Ballymore Properties Novice Hurdle 2007 Result

1 Massini's Maguire 20/1 Trained by P Hobbs Ridden by R Johnson
2 Tidal Bay 10/1
3 Catch Me 7/1

An all the way victory for Massini's Maguire who held off the late challenge of Howard Johnson's Tidal Bay to win by a rapidly diminishing neck. The winner has shown some decent form this season but has been a little inconsistent and that is probably why he was allowed to go off at a generous 20/1.
Aran Concerto was a big disappointment and he seemed to find the hustle and bustle of Cheltenham too much for him at this stage of his career.


Royal and Sun Alliance Novices Chase 2007 Result

1 Denman 6/5f Trained by P Nicholls Ridden by R Walsh
2 Snowy Morning 10/1
3 According To John 66/1

A top class performance from Denman as he comprehensively silenced those who questioned the merits of his form up to this point. Paul Nicholls' young chaser took up an early prominent position and dominated the race throughout - he looks as if he can take on the very best next season and the prospect of him racing against My Way De Solzen and stablemate Kauto Star should be something to look forward to over a long summer of flat racing!.
Perhaps all Denman has to worry about is the worrying record of Sun Alliance Chase winners?


Queen Mother Champion Chase 2007 Result

1 Voy Per Ustedes 5/1 Trained by A King Ridden By R Thornton
2 Dempsey 20/1
3 River City 33/1

Time to through the stats book out the window as Voy Per Ustedes became the first six year old to win the Champion Chase for 34 years! Alan King's horses are running at the top of their form and are given top assistance from Robert Thornton in the saddle and this race was no exception as the young horse survived a mistake two out to get the better of Dempsey on the run in.
However, with Well Chief falling early in the race, Newmill disappointing and Nickname pulling out it's hard to say just how good a race this actually was.


Coral Cup Handicap Result 2007

1 Burntoakboy 10/1 Trained by Dr R Newland Ridden by S P Jones
2 Powerstation 12/1
3 Baron De Feypo 20/1
4 Oscatello 8/1

First season trainer Richard Newland has worked the oracle yet again in transforming an average Irish handicap hurdler into the comprehensive winner of a race at the Cheltenham Festival. Already this season he has encouraged the seemingly very exposed Overstrand into winning some big races and his small yard looks like one to follow. Usually this race ends in a head-bobbing finish but Burntoakboy has this well under control from three furlongs out and may be able to win again.


Kim Muir Result 2007

1 Cloudy Lane 15/2f Trained by D McCain Jnr Ridden by Mr R Burton
2 Parsons Legacy 12/1
3 Cheeky Lady 20/1
4 Ponmeoath 16/1

There was strong stable confidence behind Cloudy Lane with his trainer believing that better ground would suit him much better than the really soft surface he has been used to running on for most of this season. And so it proved as top Amateur Richard Burton coerced maximum effort from the young novice chaser and held on grimly from the fast finishing Parson's Legacy.


Champion Bumper Result 2007

1 Cork All Star 11/2 Trained by Mrs J Harrington Ridden by B Geraghty
2 Sophocles 40/1
3 Aranleigh 8/1

The stats boys will be up in arms again as Cork All Star has a pedigree more in line with a sprinter than a Champion Bumper Winner! Usually the winner of this race is from a family packed with stamina but not this time as Jessica Harrington's youngster confirmed his early season form. Undoubtedly well suited by the drying ground he could go on to win some good races next season but perhaps of more interest will be the fast finishing Aranleigh. Tony Mullins' gelding came from a mile back and will be interesting when asked to jump a hurdle.


Jewson Novices Handicap Chase 2007 Result

1 L'Antartique 20/1 Trained by F Murphy Ridden by G Lee
2 Bob Hall 10/1
3 Wee Robbie 20/1
4 Rasharrow 14/1

Ferdy Murphy is becoming the trainer to follow with four winners in the last two years at 33/1, 33/1, 50/1 and now L'Antartique at a tasty 20/1. The winner has always been well regarded by his stable but has taken a while to get used to jumping fences but has certainly got the hang of it now!
Graham Lee's mount stayed on well to lead over the last and never looked like being caught by the late run of Bob Hall. Favourite New Little Bric was prominent but weakened late on and the other well fancied runner King Revo jumped poorly before being pulled up.


Ryanair Chase 2007 Result

1 Taranis 9/2 Trained by P Nicholls Ridden by R Walsh
2 Our Vic 7/2
3 Billyvoddan 20/1

A superb race and a brilliant jumping performance from Taranis. Left in front a little earlier than he would have wanted after the fall of long time leader Crozan, Paul Nicholls' gelding fought off challenger after challenger under a classic Ruby Walsh ride.
Our Vic seemed to be well beat turning for home but was galvanised into making another effort by Timmy Murphy and was closing on the winner at the line but couldn't quite get there.


Ladbrokes World Hurdle Result 2007

1 Inglis Drever 5/1 Trained by J Howard Johnson Ridden by P Brennan
2 Mighty Man 10/3
3 Blazing Bailey 8/1

Inglis Drever becomes only the fourth horse to win the Stayers crown twice after his victory in 2005. Off the bridle in customary fashion early on, the slow early pace was against Inglis Drever and his supporters must have had some anxious moments.
However, the winner's stamina kicked in turning for home and he swept into the lead and held on well from Mighty Man. Favourite Black Jack Ketchum was a faller at the second hurdle.


Racing Post Plate Result 2007

1 Idole First 12/1 Trained by Miss V Williams Ridden by A O'Keeffe
2 Palarshan 28/1
3 Mariah Rollins 20/1
4 Le Volfoni 16/1

There were question marks before the race concerning former Coral Cup winner Idole First's jumping but his supporters had little reason to worry. Venetia Williams' 8-y-o found his rhythm early on and was a decisive winner.
Palarshan's trainer Henry Daly deserves a mention after bringing this horse back to finish a gallant second after nearly two years off the track.


National Hunt Chase Challenge Cup Result 2007

1 Butler's Cabin 33/1 Trained by J J O'Neill Ridden by Mr A Berry
2 Character Building 7/1
3 Countess Trifaldi 100/1

Owned by J P McManus and trained by Jonjo O'Neill (who have both won this race three times before) it seems amazing that this horse could go off at 33/1! Punters must have thought that as the winner hadn't yet won over 3 miles there would be a big doubt about him getting this 4 mile trip!
However his stamina came to the fore in the end as he outstayed Character Building but he also jumped well which could not be said for the remainder of the field and the race saw a large number of fallers including favourite Gungadu.


Pertemps Final Result 2007

1 Oscar Park 14/1 Trained by D Arbuthnot Ridden by T Doyle
2 Material World 14/1
3 Adamant Approach 16/1
4 Mistanoora 33/1

The final race of day three saw a good finish between Oscar Park and Material World and Tom Doyle's mount provided trainer David Arbuthnot with his very first Cheltenham Festival winner.
Kadoun provided Tony McCoy with more Festival disappointment as another of his fancied mounts failed to make the frame.


JCB Triumph Hurdle Result 2007

1 Katchit 11/2 Trained by A King Ridden by R Thornton
2 Liberate 12/1
3 Mobaasher 33/1

One of the most impressive winners of the week as Katchit maintains his high level of form and gives Alan King and Robert Thornton their third winner of the Festival.
The winner was always going well and quickened clear after the second last hurdle for an authoritative nine length success from Liberate.


Brit Insurance Novices Hurdle Result 2007

1 Wichita Lineman 11/8f Trained by J J O'Neill Ridden by A P McCoy
2 Air Force One 25/1
3 Itsa Legend 100/1

Persistance was the name of the game here as A P McCoy was at his very best to urge Wichita Lineman to victory after looking in trouble turning for home. In the end, the driving of the champion jockey paid off and Jonjo O'Neill's gelding came to take Black Harry at the final hurdle and registered AP's first winner of the week.
Black Harry took a horrible fall at the final hurdle and this allowed the winner's victory distance to stretch to twelve lengths.


Cheltenham Gold Cup Result 2007

1 Kauto Star 5/4f Trained by P Nicholls Ridden by R Walsh
2 Exotic Dancer 9/2
3 Turpin Green 40/1

The wait is over and Kauto Star has proved all the doubters wrong. Paul Nicholls and Ruby Walsh score with their third winner of the week but this is the one that really matters and their star horse has jumped well (apart from the last fence again!) and showed a brilliant turn of foot going towards the last to sprint away from his field.
Not only has Kauto Star won the Gold Cup but he has also won a £1million bonus for winning three top races this year.


Christies Foxhunter Chase Result 2007

1 Drombeag 20/1 Trained by J J O'Neill Ridden by Mr J T McNamara
2 Whyso Mayo 2/1f
3 Ned Kelly 20/1

Jonjo O'Neill's second winner of the day as Drombeag gets the better of a good battle with favourite Whyso Mayo to prevail by half a length.


Grand Annual Chase Result 2007

1 Andreas 12/1 Trained by P Nicholls Ridden by R Thornton
2 Hasty Prince 8/1
3 Ground Ball 33/1
4 Ursis 14/1

Robert Thornton has not had many rides for Paul Nicholls before but they came together in good effect here to land the 2007 Grand Annual wih Andreas.
After a good battle with Tony McCoy on Hasty Prince, Andreas found extra after the last fence to win by three lengths at the line.


Vincent OBrien County Hurdle Result 2007

1 Pedrobob 12/1 Trained by A Mullins Ridden by P A Carberry
2 Ouninpohja 11/2
3 Premier Dane 100/1
4 Kawagino 20/1

A fantastic race to bring the 2007 Festival to a close. Any number of horses could have won the race jumping the last but Pedrobob showed the most speed and resolution on the run in to overtake Ouninpohja and Ruby Walsh for a final Irish victory. - cheltenham-betting.co.uk

Current LIVE Odds

CHELTENHAM 2008 - COUNTY H'CAP HURDLE

Race Conditions
The Vincent O'Brien County Handicap Hurdle (5:50pm) is a Class A Grade 3 hurdle run over two miles and a furlong. It is open to horses aged five years old and upwards.

Recent Winners
The traditional finale to the Festival is the County Hurdle. Unfortunately for any punters who have struggled during the meeting up until this point, the race is probably the most competitive of all of the events run over the four days, and as “getting out” stakes go organisers couldn’t have made things any tougher.

The pace is fast and furious from the off, and numerous winners have made up seemingly impossible amounts of ground after the turn into the straight to get their noses in front on the line, so however desperate thing look, don’t rip up your ticket too early!

There are prestigious prizes on offer to the leading jockey and trainer at the Festival and this race can frequently determine who wins those prizes.
In 2003 the event proved to be a showdown between Barry Geraghty and Richard Johnson for top jockey honours, with the Irishman coming out on top.
In 2006, Ruby Walsh pipped Tony McCoy to the title by winning the race on Desert Quest.

WINGMAN - WON the Totesport Trophy Hurdle (Handicap) 2m 1/2f

4 of the las t 9 winners went on to run at the Cheltenham Festival, three in the County Hurdle finishing 1st, 2nd & UP)

8) 8)


Key Trends
32 of the last 33 renewals were won by a horse starting at no bigger than 16/1.

Just 4 winners since 1959 were aged older than 7.

16 of the last 19 winners finished in the first 4 last time out (13 finished 1st or 2nd). - cheltenhamreview.net

CHELTENHAM 2008 - GRAND ANNUAL CHASE CHALLENGE CUP

Race Conditions
The Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase (4:40pm) is a Class A Grade 3 chase run over two miles and about half a furlong. It is open to horses aged five years old and upwards.

Recent Winners
Fancied horses have a good record in the Grand Annual Chase, with nine of the last twelve renewals being won by horses who started at 8/1 or shorter. The record of novices in the race is also notable.

Despite not being the most glamorous event run at the Festival, the race has thrown up some classy winners, who have gone on to achieve bigger and better things. Edredon Bleu and Pearlyman, for example, followed their triumphs in this race with successes later on in their careers in the Queen Mother Champion Chase.

The name of the race was extended in 2006 to commemorate the life of Johnny Henderson, so how appropriate it was for his son Nicky to train the winner of the 2006 race.

WANANGO has this race as its likely next target. Owned by J. P McManus and trained by Tommy Stack in Ireland, this horse proved back to his best when romping home by 13 lengths over PATMAN DU CHARMIL in a £15,845 race over 2 miles at Uttoxeter on Sat 16 Feb on Gd/Sft.

"He's made for Cheltenham and similar ground to today will be perfect" - Paddy Crowe (trainers representative).


Key Trends
Novices have won 9 of the last 26 renewals.

28 of the last 33 renewals were won by horses that started at no bigger then 10/1. - cheltenhamfestival.net

CHELTENHAM 2008 - ALBERT BARTLETT NOVICES HURDLE

Race Conditions
The Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle (2:35pm) is a Class A Grade 2 hurdle run over three miles. It is open to novices aged four years old and upwards.

Recent Winners
As the Ballymore Properties Hurdle begins to attract more Flat bred horses, particularly classy stayers, the Albert Bartlett Hurdle could develop into the main target for long term chase prospects during their novice hurdling campaign. It could also prove to be a good pointer to future years’ World Hurdles.

Key Trends
12 of the 15 horses to occupy a top 5 position finished 1st or 2nd last time out.

Favorites have won 2 from 3 runnings of the race both trained by Jonjo O'Neill. - cheltenhamfestival.net

DOUBTFUL / NON-RUNNERS

ELUSIVE DREAM could miss Cheltenham - racingPost 21 Feb

CHELTENHAM 2008 - PERTEMPS FINAL H'CAP HURDLE

Race Conditions
The Pertemps Final (Handicap Hurdle) is a Class A listed hurdle run over three miles. It is open to horses aged five years old and upwards who have qualified for the final.

Recent Winners
The Pertemps Final is another major betting heat and there are always rumours flying around that certain horses have been laid out specifically for the race. One thing that is certain, though, is that there will be a monster gamble on the morning of the race, often on an Irish runner. However, it's worth noting that two of the last four winners were priced at 50/1.

In order to participate in the race, all runners have to have competed in one of the qualifying races that are run throughout the year in Britain and Ireland. Those races do provide some form clues, but it is often not the winners that should be focused on, but those horses who might improve for running on different ground or at a different track, or who are simply better handicapped or in better form than they were when the qualifiers were run.

Key Trends
16 of the last 24 winners were aged 6 or 7.

Only 1 winning 5 year-old in the 34-year history of the race.

Only 2 favorites have won in the last 13 runnings. - cheltenhamreview.net

CHELTENHAM 2008 - FULKE WALWYN KIM MUIR H'CAP CHASE

Race Conditions
The Kim Muir Challenge Cup (4:40pm) is a Class B handicap chase run over three miles and about half a furlong. It is open to horses aged five years old and upwards. All horses are ridden by amateur jockeys.

Recent Winners
The Kim Muir is one of the hardest races of the Festival to predict, with eight double figure price winners in the last twelve years.

With only amateur jockeys allowed to ride in the race, the jockey’s form and ability can often be as important as the horse’s.

Many will also be keen to base their selection on the trainer and, given their outstanding record at the meeting, that will often mean looking no further than the Pipe yard. However, it is not always their most fancied runner that performs best. In a number of Festival events in recent years, their second, third or even fourth string has often sprung a surprise, as illustrated by the past successes of Maximise and Royal Predica in this race.

Key Trends
No Irish-trained winner for 25 years (supplied 6 of last 12 favourites).

Only 3 favorites in the last 13 runnings have been successful.

8 and 9 year-olds have won 10 of last 14 renewals from less than 50% of the runners.

22 of the last 30 win and placed horses started at odds of 16/1+. -cheltenhamreview.net

CHELTENHAM 2008 - RACING POST PLATE H'CAP CHASE

Race Conditions
The Racing Post Plate Handicap Chase (4:00pm) is a Class A Grade 3 handicap chase run over two miles and five furlongs and is open to horses aged five years old and upwards.

Recent Winners
The Racing Post Plate (formerly called The Mildmay of Flete) provides another example of why all runners from the Pipe and Henderson yards at the Festival deserve the utmost respect. Nicky Henderson has actually won two of the last three renewals of the race, whilst Martin Pipe won it four times out of five around the turn of the century.

Also worth following are novice chasers, who have a good record in race as they often turn out to be well handicapped compared to their more experienced rivals. However, with the introduction of the Jewson Handicap specifically for novices, that trend may decline in coming years.

Key Trends
12 of the last 13 winners carried no more than 11 stone.

French-bred horses have won 5 of the last 8 renewals (and runner-up in the other 3).

Only 1 winning favourite since 1981 - cheltenhamreview.net

CHELTENHAM 2008 - WORLD HURDLE

TIPBITS

Key Races
Eight World Hurdle winners since 1989 have previously run in the Long Walk Hudle, the latest being My Way DeSolzen who won the Long Walk before winning the World Hurdle.

Lough Derg was an impressive winner this season and had several likely World Hurdle contenders behind him. - cheltenham-betting.co.uk

Cheltenham Tips - Champion Horses Have Recent Form!
With the big championship races (The Gold Cup, World Hurdle, Champion Hurdle and Queen Mother) you can rule out horses which didnt finish in the first three on their latest start. 31 of the last 32 winners of these races all ran in the last three on their most recent run.

Cheltenham Tips - Age of Championship Winners
Out of the last 32 Championship winners at the Cheltenham festival, 28 were aged between seven and nine. A great tip which will rule out a lot of runners. - cheltenham-betting.co.uk


Recent Winners
The trend towards better ground at the Festival has meant that the event has become less of a slog and has enabled the classier horses to dominate. Not since Anzum, in 1999, have we seen a double figure price winner of the race. - cheltenhamfestival.net

KASBAH BLISS 2 pts WIN @ 10/1 with BET365

A FREE matching bet is available for anyone opening a new account with BET365.



Kasbah Bliss wins Rendlesham Hurdle Grade 2 Ascot Feb 2008

KASBAH BLISS is in the yellow colours with the white cap. Check the turn of foot after the last.



Key Trends
No 5 year-old has ever won, although plenty have been placed.

Only one winner older than 9 (Crimson Embers in 1986).

No Irish trained winner for 13 years.

The last 20 winners finished in the first 4 last time out.

No shock results of late. 8/1 the highest SP in last seven years. - cheltenhamreview.net

INGLIS DREVER is fancied to win this and is some peoples idea of a festival banker.

Timely couple of winners

ANYONE with a Cheltenham ante-post portfolio featuring horses trained by Howard Johnson and Jonjo O'Neill would have been encouraged to see the pair fire in a winner apiece yesterday – particularly Johnson, who had gone 21 days without success.

Despite the brouhaha over the scuppering of Johnson's plans to give his squad a pre-festival gallop at Hexham, he's already proven that he can ready one for Cheltenham without resorting to awaydays, and the victory of Cool Operator at Catterick is merely reassurance that whatever was ailing the stable is all but over.

O'Neill has had a quiet time of it, but you can bet Cheltenham has been at the forefront of his mind for most of the season, and the victory of Golden Oak, who traded at 50 in running in the staying handicap chase at Fontwell, was a nice tonic six days before the big one starts.

Roll on Tuesday! - racingpost.com


However, last years 3rd BLAZING BAILEY and last years 5th home KASBAH BLISS were 5yo's who will have strengthened up a huge amount this year and will present more of a challenge.

"The Ladbrokes World Hurdle has taken on increased significance in recent years, thanks mainly to the exploits of the great French champion Baracouda.

Yet I am reminded of the words of Captain Tim Forster, who once remarked: "There is only one thing more boring than a two-mile hurdle... and that's a three-mile hurdle!"

To be honest, from a jockey's perspective, the feature on the third day of the Cheltenham Festival is not the most exciting Grade 1 race we ride in during the season.

Yet top-class performers like dual winner Baracouda and Iris's Gift have given the race some panache in recent years, and the trend towards better ground has meant that the race is no longer the slog is sometimes could be. The classier horses have tended to dominate and not since David Nicholson won it with Anzum in 1999 have we seen a double-priced winner of the race.

Neither have we seen an odds-on winner. That could change this year, though. For Inglis Drever, already Evens favourite with most firms, looks a very good bet to record a hat-trick of victories in the race.

The Howard Johnson-trained nine-year-old, who first won this race in 2005 and again last year, having missed the 2006 renewal through injury, will be many people's idea of their Festival banker.

He does hit flat spots in his races but he always finds a second wind and there was a lot to like about the way he dismissed Blazing Bailey in the Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham in January.

In fairness, the holes in his opponents' form have been widening as the trials have unravelled. Wichita Lineman, last year's Brit Insurance Hurdle hero, took a lot of stoking up when getting three miles for the first time this season in the Rendlesham Hurdle at Haydock. That race was won in style by Kasbah Bliss, who finished fifth in last year's World Hurdle, but who was scoring for the first time in Britain since his Adonis Hurdle success two years ago. From the same Francois Doumen stable as Baracouda, Kasbah Bliss would also appreciate soft ground, which is not a common occurrence at the Festival.

Adding a touch of class to proceedings is Hardy Eustace, the dual Champion Hurdler, who will hope to give Ireland their first victory in 14 years. He is getting a bit long in the tooth at the age of 11, though, and it is hard to get away from the impression that this trip will tax him.

With his exciting novice season a fading memory, out-of-form Black Jack Ketchum's supporters have long since deserted him. But if Jonjo O'Neill can reignite his spark, he looks a big price at 33-1 (Ladbrokes).

The 2006 winner and last year's Arkle hero My Way de Solzen has disappointed over fences this season and any plans are being put on hold until he runs in the National Spirit Hurdle at Fontwell on Sunday. If he does run, he'd have a chance, but it is hard to see beyond the first three in the betting.

For that reason, BLAZING BAILEY, best-priced 7-1 (Stan James, Betfred, Boylesports) looks the each-way bet at this stage" - Richard Dunwoody

Last years World Hurdle race can be viewed below.

CHELTENHAM 2008 - RYANAIR CHASE

Key Races
Only three runnings of the race so far but a strong trend in that all three winners had run in the Paddy Power Gold Cup and the boylesports.com Gold Cup.

ThisThatandTother finished runner up in both. Fondmort finished fourth under top weight in the Paddy Power and was running well when brought down in the boylesports. Taranis finished 3rd in the boylesports after falling when running well in the Paddy Power.

Ryanair Chase Form Trends

Note horses who ran well in the Paddy Power Gold Cup and boylesports.com Gold Cup.

L'antartique won the Paddy Power this year with Knowhere finishing in third. Knowhere was pulled up in the boylesports but was around 6th turning for home when it looked like too many races in a short space of time caught up with him. If fresh and well for the Ryanair he could run a big race.

Tamarinbleu won the Boylesports in good style and has to be a serious contentender for the Ryanair. - cheltenham-betting.co.uk

Recent Winners

The second new race on day three is the Ryanair Chase (previously the Daily Telegraph Chase) and, again, its introduction has proved to be an unqualified success.

There were those who feared that the race might detract from the Queen Mother Chase or the Gold Cup. However, after three runnings the event has proved that there is a place at the Festival for a separate championship race over this distance.

In fact, not only is there currently a crop of top class two and half mile chasers, there are also a number of horses who specialise at that sort of trip around Cheltenham. Races such as the Paddy Power Gold Cup, boylesports Gold Cup, the TurfTV New Year Chase and the Chronicle Bookmakers Trophy Chase should all, therefore, prove to be excellent form guides for this race. - cheltenhamfestival.net

MOSSBANK @ 11/2 is the Ante-post selection of Pricewise.

DONT PUSH IT - Big player if he runs, however he is well handicapped and may go down that route.

MY WAY DE SOLZEN - Runs on Sunday but has shown nothing yet this year.

JACK THE GIANT missed Totesport Trophy due to setback, no knowing what shape he will turn up in.

L'ANTARTIQUE - Question mark over whether he is good enough. Graham Lee back on board would be a plus.

THE LISTENER - Needs soft ground. - Tom Segal, racingPost

Tuesday 04/03

Listener goes for Ryanair

The Listener will contest the Ryanair Chase at next week’s Cheltenham Festival - if he runs at all at the Festival.

The triple Grade 1 winner has been ruled out of a crack at the Gold Cup and could miss the entire meeting unless there is sufficient cut underfoot for the grey.

“We have definitely decided to go for the Ryanair if he goes at all. We have always said he won’t run if the ground is too quick,” said Nick Mitchell, assistant to the Alners.

Watch him win the Irish Hennessy last month by clicking here.

William Hill make him a 7/1 chance for his intended target. - williamhillradio


Key Trends
French-bred horses have won the last 2 renewals.

Paul Nicholls has won this race twice with Nicky Henderson winning the only other running.

7 of 9 win-and-place positions have been filled by horses in the first 4 in the betting. - cheltenhamfestival.net

CHELTENHAM 2008 - JEWSON NOVICES H'CAP CHASE

Race Conditions
The Jewson Novices Handicap Chase (2:00pm) is a Class A listed chase run over two miles and five furlongs. It is open to novices aged five years old and upwards.

Key Trends
All three winners of this race were aged 7.

1 favorite from 3 runnings has won. - cheltenhamreview.net

CHELTENHAM 2008 - WILLIAM HILL H'CAP CHASE

cheltenhamfestival.net

Key Trends
Only one favourite has won since 1977.

Recent Winners

No winner has carried 11 stone or more for ten years.

As with all the handicaps run at the Festival, the race often features a large field and is fiercely competitive. Antonin, in 1994, was the last favourite to justify his position at the head of the market, and it is crucial to find an improving well handicapped sort.

Stamina is often also a key characteristic to look for in potential winners as another fast gallop ensures that that runners need to get every inch of the three mile trip. Not surprisingly, therefore, the race has become a steeping stone to the Grand National, although only Rough Quest has done the double in recent years.

CHELTENHAM 2008 - NATIONAL HUNT CHASE

Recent Winners
The longest race at the Festival is also probably the most difficult to predict. Not only is the trip an unknown for many of the competitors, but all horses are novices and have to be ridden by amateurs. Not surprisingly, there has been only one winning favourite in recent times.

On man worth following in the race, though, is Jonjo O’Neill. Incredibly he has trained four of the last six winners.

Key Trends
22 of the last 24 winners finished in the first 4 last time out.

No 6 year-old has won for 19 years and no successful 5 year-old for 30 years.

Jonjo O'Neill has won 5 renewals - including 4 of the last 6. - cheltenhamfestival.net


No selection at present, but there are some interesting stats in this race.

CHELTENHAM 2008 - QUEEN MOTHER CHAMPION CHASE

TIPBITS

Cheltenham Tips - Champion Horses Have Recent Form!
With the big championship races (The Gold Cup, World Hurdle, Champion Hurdle and Queen Mother) you can rule out horses which didnt finish in the first three on their latest start. 31 of the last 32 winners of these races all ran in the last three on their most recent run.

Cheltenham Tips - Age of Championship Winners
Out of the last 32 Championship winners at the Cheltenham festival, 28 were aged between seven and nine. A great tip which will rule out a lot of runners.

Key RacesSix of the last seven winners of the Champion Chase have contested the Tingle Creek.

This season Twist Magic won the tingle creek by 3 lengths to Voy Per Ustedes. Voy Per Ustedes also finished runner up in 2006 before landing last years Queen Mother. - - cheltenham-betting.co.uk



TWIST MAGIC - Paul Nicholls long term fancy for the race. Has drifted in the market following defeat on testing ground early Feb. Probably needs good ground to be seen at his best.

MASTER MINDED - a bullish report from P. Nicholls earlier in the week (6 Feb) on ATR resulted in his price for the Champion Chase being slashed from 16/1 into 10/1.

MASTER MINDED subsequently beat VOY POR ESTUDES in a race on Saturday (9 Feb) and is now best priced around 5/2 fav. for the Champion Chase race.

VOY POR ESTUDES - Currently 2nd fav @ 3/1, but beaten by MASTER MINDED on Sat 9 Feb.

rp - Connections of Voy Por Ustedes were inclined to blame the sticky ground. Barry Simpson, racing manager for owner Sir Robert Ogden, said: “This has not dampened our enthusiasm for the Champion Chase because the winner is a good horse and we were giving him 6lb. Robert Thornton reported that the tacky ground didn't help, and, of course, Ruby had a soft lead on the winner. We'll get the pace we need at Cheltenham, and we're looking forward to the race.”

Champion Chase 2007
9 of the last 27 defending champions have retained their crown making good reading fof Voy Per Ustedes supporters. Watch how he won the Champion Chase last year.

CHELTENHAM 2008 - CHAMPION BUMPER update

Recent Winners
Despite only having a brief history, Irish trainer Willie Mullins already possesses a phenomenal record in the race and his entrants always have to be respected.

It is also interesting to note that since Dato Star’s victory in 1995, only two non five year olds have been successful.

With the future in mind it will always be worth keeping an eye not just on the placed horses but also on some of the horses further back in the field, as the race is bound to throw up some future big race winners.

Key Trends

13 of last 15 winners had won last time out

9 of last 11 winners were 5 years old

Irish-trained horses have won 12 of the 15 runnings.

Willie Mullins has trained the winner on 5 occasions. - cheltenhamreview.net

APT APPROACH and DRIVE ON REGARDLESS are probable runners in the race from the Willie Mullins yard & join stablemate LILLYWHITE DANCER in the lineup.

13 Feb update

ZAARITO
williamhill - Zaarito, an impressive winner at Naas on Saturday, has been backed for the Weatherby’s Champion Bumper at Cheltenham and is now 6/1.

Colm Murphy’s charge is unbeaten in three starts and, according to one williamhillradio.com presenter who was present in Ireland on Saturday, is the best bumper horse they have seen so far this season.

The handler explained following his success: “He’s not a very big horse and he’s not a very strong horse, but he seems to have a very big engine.

“If he improves half of what I think he can improve, he should have a serious chance.”


LILLYWHITE DANCER is the one to be with in this race £200 WIN @ 12/1

Willy Mullins has won this race time after time and this one is his number 1!!

BE LUCKY!!

CHELTENHAM 2008 - GOLD CUP update

TIPBITS

Cheltenham Tips - Champion Horses Have Recent Form!
With the big championship races (The Gold Cup, World Hurdle, Champion Hurdle and Queen Mother) you can rule out horses which didnt finish in the first three on their latest start. 31 of the last 32 winners of these races all ran in the last three on their most recent run.

Cheltenham Tips - Age of Championship Winners
Out of the last 32 Championship winners at the Cheltenham festival, 28 were aged between seven and nine. A great tip which will rule out a lot of runners. - cheltenham-betting.co.uk

This looks like KAUTO STAR's race unless the ground is really soft or he falls.

DENMAN looks the best of the rest and has a chance if the ground comes up soft. He would be the likely winner in most other years.

Kicking King out of Gold Gup


Kicking King failed to sparkle in a workout and misses the Gold Cup


by Tony O'Hehir



KICKING KING will miss the Totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup after failing to please trainer Tom Taaffe in a gallop on Wednesday morning.

The trainer now hopes the 2005 Gold Cup winner can return to action at Fairyhouse later this month or the Punchestown festival.

Taaffe said: "Kicking King won't be going to Cheltenham. He failed to sparkle as he should have done when he worked this morning and there is no point in sending him for the Gold Cup."

KickingKing has run twice this season since returning from an absence of over two years due to a leg injury.

He finished second to Nickname in the three-runner Normans Grove Chase at Gowran Park before finishing a disappointing third in the Red Mills Chase at the same track last month when a trapped nerve was reported to have affected his performance.

Owner Conor Clarkson said: "Unfortunately after a work-out this this morning Tom Taaffe wasn't happy, and neither was Barry Geraghty, with his work.

"We've therefore no option but to say he will not be running in the Gold Cup.

"Obviously there just something a little amiss at the moment," he told At The Races.

"His legs are fine but the quality would not be up to the standard of the Gold Cup.

"He's just not firing on all cylinders."

Clarkson insists Kicking King will not be retired after this setback and will instead be primed for the Punchestown Gold Cup in April - a race he won three years ago.

"This has nothing to do with his retirement, it is just the quality of his work," he added.

"His work was reasonable but Tom is an astute trainer and Barry is a top jockey.

"The quality of his work was just not up to the quality that he'd been producing in the last coupleof months.

"There may be a lingering, low-grade virus there and he'll have a nice little break now.

"If he shows sparkle in his work in the next couple of weeks we'd be delighted to go to Punchestown.

"The Punchestown Gold Cup is now the target."

Kicking King, also a winner of the King George VI Chase in 2004 and 2005, was as low as 20-1 to regain his Gold Cup crown on March 14. - channel4racing.com


Key Trends

No winner older than 10 for 39 years.

13 of the last 14 winners aged between 7 and 9.

8 of the last 10 winners were placed at the Festival before.

The last 53 horses to be beaten in the Gold Cup before were beaten again. - cheltenhamreview.net


CHELTENHAM GOLD CUP

TOTESPORT - Betting w/o KAUTO STAR, DENMAN, EXOTIC DANCER.

ANOTHER PROMISE 100 E/W @ 20/1 - 3 places.

atr - Ferdie is getting this one ready and will be backing it!!

As the race is likely to only have 6/7 runners as long as he gets round we should be in the money!!

CHELTENHAM 2008 - CHAMPION HURDLE update

TIPBITS

Key Races
The December Festival Hurdle at Leopardstown has seen six of the last ten winners. Runners in this seasons race who look to be contending the 2008 Champion Hurdle are Hardy Eustace and Jazz Messenger.

AIG Europe Champion Hurdle
The AIG Europe Champion Hurdle 1-2 filled the same spots in the 2006 Champion Hurdle. 6 of the last 11 Champion hurdle winners took part in the AIG Europe with four doubles being completed.

Sizing Europe is looking to add to the list this year after beating Hardy Eustace by an impressive 8 lengths.




Champion Hurdle 2007
You might want to watch the 2007 race a few times as 5 of the last 8 Champion hurdle winners had filled a place in the previous years race. Sublimity was unlucky not to make that stat 6/8 as he was hampered by a loose horse at the turn in 2006. Will Sublimity win back to back Champion Hurdles or can Afsoun turn the form around? - cheltenham-betting.co.uk




Champion Horses Have Recent Form!

With the big championship races (The Gold Cup, World Hurdle, Champion Hurdle and Queen Mother) you can rule out horses which didnt finish in the first three on their latest start.
31 of the last 32 winners of these races all ran in the first three on their most recent run.

Age of Championship Winners
Out of the last 32 Championship winners at the Cheltenham festival, 28 were aged between seven and nine. A great tip which will rule out a lot of runners. - cheltenham-betting.co.uk

Favorites 5-13

But only 2-10 if you exclude ISTABRAQ's 3 wins on the trot in the race


Key Trends

21 of the last 24 winners won last time out.

All 73 five-year-olds since 1985 have been beaten.

13 of the last 16 winners had finished 1st or 2nd at the Cheltenham Festival before.

15 of the last 17 winners started in the first 5 in the betting.

EBAZIYAN 100 e/w @ 25/1

This horse won last years Supreme Novices Hurdle after showing very little during the winter.

It was nominated by Willy Mullins as his selection for a Cheltenham Yankee bet in the Racing Post some months back.

The horse has been ignored possibly because of the poor record of Supreme Novice winners in the Champion Hurdle race.

However last years winner of the Champion Hurdle SUBLIMITY, at a price of 16/1, finished 4th in the 2006 Supreme Novices Hurdle .

In a recent interview with W. Mullins he said "Based on his form last winter you would not have fancied EBAZIYAN to win the Supreme Novices Hurdle, but he did.

EBAZIYAN is a spring horse and needs GOOD ground, anything the horse achieves on heavier going in the winter is a bonus".



Update - 28 JAN

A very impressive performance by SIZING EUROPE in the AIG Champion Hurdle in SOFT ground BUT there is still 6 weeks to go before C-day!!

EBAZIYAN btn 15 lengths in ground that was never going to suit, and now available @ 33/1.

SIZING EUROPE had the race run to suit this day with a strong pace and he is an out-and-out galloper.

EBAZIYAN comes good in the spring and as long as he gets GOOD ground at Cheltenham I can see him finishing a lot stronger than on this occasion!!

Only time will tell, but Willie Mullins didn't seem that bothered after the race when interviewed.

There was an interview with Dave Duggan on ATR on the subject of the Champion Hurdle and he mentioned a Dark horse in Ireland that could be the 2008 winner of this race.

Today (23 Jan) I read Noel Meade may run NICANOR in the race, subject to a positive result from an x-ray next week of a slight crack in a cannonbone.

Could this be Dave Duggans Dark Horse??

CHELTENHAM 2008 - CHRISTIES FOXHUNTER

THISTHATANDTOTHER has been installed as the jolly for this one by Irish bookmaker Cashmans.

Irish horses have a very good record in this race filling the first 4 places last year headed by DROMBEAG, and the first 5 home in 2006 led by WHYSO MAYO.

There is a Hunters Chase on Sunday at Leopardstown which should provide some clues to the strength of the Irish change this year - racingPost (6 Feb)

CHELTENHAM 2008 - CORAL CUP

Recent Winners
The Coral Cup is first of the big handicap hurdles run at the meeting and is, therefore, a huge betting heat. A well handicapped horse is essential and it often pays to wait until the day of the race to see where the money is going before finalising a selection.

Having said that, only one favourite has been successful in recent years (Xenophon was backed down from long odds to 4/1F in 2003) and in that time some monster gambles have been foiled by relatively unconsidered outsiders.

Key Trends
9 of the last 11 winners carried no more than 10 stone.

Only 1 favourite has won in the last 13 renewals. - cheltenhamreview.net


RINGAROSES

RacingPost - Interesting for the Coral Cup.

RacingPost - Henrietta Knight has the Champion Hurdle in mind for this one in 2009.

WINGMAN - won the Totesport Trophy Hurdle on 9 Feb and will be aimed at the Coral Cup. Previous winners of the Totesport finished 1st, 2nd and Unplaced in this race.

MON MICHEL - Withdrawn from the Totesport Trophy when well backed, is a Classier animal than the winner WINGMAN. Both horses are trained by Gary Moore, interesting if both turn up for this race.

CHELTENHAM 2008 - SPA NOVICES HURDLE

26 Jan - Byrne Group Cleeve Hurdle Grade 2 (Class 1) (5yo+) 12 hdles 3m

Gone To Lunch - 3rd @ 25/1

racingPost - If there was a surprise package in this race it was the novice Gone To Lunch, who showed much improved form in a staying-on third. However, he has been highly progressive all season and the stiffer the test the better he looks. If the form can be taken at face value he will be the one to beat in the 3m Spa Novices' Hurdle back here in March.

TOTESPORT are offering a matching FREE £25 bet to anyone opening a new account this month.

CHELTENHAM 2008 - TRIUMPH HURDLE update

Race Conditions
The JCB Triumph Hurdle (2:00pm) is a Class A Grade 1 hurdle run over two miles and a furlong. It is only open to four year old novices.

Recent Winners
The final day of the Festival gets underway with the cavalry charge that is the Triumph Hurdle. The race always attracts a large field, which means that luck in running is critical.

All the runners are four year olds and so inexperience has also tended to be a problem in the past. However, it seems to be less so these days with more horses coming to the juvenile ranks straight from lengthy careers on the Flat.

Because they are so much more battle hardened than their more traditionally jumps bred counterparts, it is becoming almost impossible to win the race with anything other than either a decent recruit from the Flat or a French bred runner – racehorses in France begin schooling and racing over obstacles much earlier than British or Irish horses.


Key Races
Franchoek was the impressive winner of the Coral Future Champions Finale Juvenile Hurdle Grade 1 in December.

One of the most useful form guides is actually to look at the runners flat form. Detroit City, Penzance and Katchit, who have won the last three runnings, were all rated highly on the flat.

Last time out winners is a key form trend with 12 of the last 13 winners having won their final prep race.

Stamina is also key for the race with horses proven over a mile and half warranting close attention.

Celestial Halo was beaten just 3.25 lengths in the 2007 St Ledger - cheltenham-betting.co.uk


Key Trends
12 of the last 13 winners won last time out.

Only 2 favorites in the last 13 runnings have obliged.

Alan King horses won the race in 2005 & 2007.

9 of the last 14 winners started in the first 4 in the betting.
- cheltenhamreview.net


9TH FEB
Don't write off CELESTIAL HALO, I still expect him to be thereabouts in the Triumph - P. Nicholls.

CELESTIAL HALO was much higher rated on the flat, he ran off a mark of 100 when beaten just under 4 lengths by LUCARNO in the St. Leger - R. Dunwoody.

FRANCHOEK - The only concern with the horse is the ground, as there is some doubt how he will go if the ground firms up. He does have a pronounced knee-action which suggests he is happier with a bit of cut in the ground. - R. Dunwoody.

4TH FEB update
CELESTIAL HALO beaten on Saturday by SENTRY DUTY (6yo) so not the end of the world, the point was made in Sundays Racing Post, the horse is open to improvement and it is very unlikely that the horse was fully wound up 4 weeks BEFORE its Cheltenham target.


Another tricky race, so lets concentrate on what we know ??

CELESTIAL HALO - P. Nicholls main hope, won lto.
Galileo gelding.
Finished 7th in 2007 St. Leger btn 3 lengths
"Could be very special" - A. Stewart (owner)

BINOCULAR - Placed in listed company in FRANCE, won on Hdl debut, Plenty of form on soft ground. Different class to FRANCHOEK on flat (Both owned by JP Mc Manus).

I think at this point a lot of the value has gone in regard to Ante-post betting, so at the moment NO BET is the recommendation on this race.

27 Jan - update
sportinglife - Franchoek has been cut into 7/2 from 5s for the Triumph Hurdle by Betfred after he romped to victory at Cheltenham.

Robert Thornton never had to ask Alan King's star hurdler a question as he kicked clear off the home turn and jumped the last in fantastic style to easily dispose of Serabad.

"In my opinion that was the best race that Franchoek has run," said Betfred's Dave Metcalf.

"He has all the right attributes for a Triumph Hurdle candidate, and it will take a real good one to lower his colours in March.

"If anything does beat him they will certainly know they have been in a battle!" added Metcalf.

"However it will be interesting to see which one of JP McManus' Tony McCoy will ride, as Binocular oozed class when winning on his debut at Sandown and Nicky Henderson is very bullish about his chances in the Triumph, for which we go 8/1."

CHELTENHAM 2008 - BALLYMORE PROPERTIES HURDLE

10 Feb update

FORPADYDEPLASTERER @ 16/1 - emerged as a serious threat to all at Cheltenham with a stylish victory in the Deloitte Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown.

Trainer Tom Cooper said: "He does want further but we have been running him over shorter to teach him to race at speed.

"He had a slight problem behind after his last race but these races have been about educating him to jump and travel.

"I am thrilled with him and he will be twice the horse over a trip. He'll go for the Ballymore now and wait to you see him over fences next year!"


THE TOTHER ONE - Best price 14/1 with Victor Chandler.

RacingPost (3Feb)
He is improving rapidly and will be some sort of chaser next year. He is in the BALLYMORE and the 3 mile Hurdle and we will make up our minds nearer the time.

IF the ground dried up we would go 3 miles as he is quite versatile, BUT he will probably go for the BALLYMORE.

CHELTENHAM 2008 - ROYAL & SUN ALLIANCE CHASE

Recent Winners
Shocks are often a feature of this event, and only two favourites have won in the last thirteen years. Cheltenham is always a tough place for novice chasers, and the quicker pace of Festival races and the stamina sapping trip have all probably contributed to this statistic.

The key then is to find tough, stamina laidened contenders who jump well, even if they don’t boast as much form or potential as some of their rivals. - cheltenhamfestival.net

AIR FORCE ONE 2 pts WIN @ 8/1 is my Ante-post bet for the race.

Key Trends
30 of the last 33 winners finished 1st or 2nd last time out.

11 of the last 13 winners were aged 7 or 8.

2 winning favourites since 1992, but 9 of last 13 winners started between 2nd-4th fav. - cheltenhamreview.net

18 Feb 2008 - Albertas Run joined Air Force One at the head of the betting for the Royal & SunAlliance Chase after beating that rival by almost two lengths in the Reynoldstown Novices’ Chase at Ascot. They both share top spot on the 5/1 mark, while Joe Lively, who finished out with the washing in the same contest, is now 14/1 (was 8s). - williamhill

9 Feb update
MONEY TRIX will NOT run in the race. He has had a little problem and is undergoing treatment which will last for around 2 weeks - rp. - cheltenhamfestival.net


SILVERBURN - Current BEST odds available: 16/1 with Willliam Hill

RacingPost (3 Feb 2008)
He's in he ARKLE as well as the Sun Alliance but the only way he would run in the ARKLE is if it were absolutely bottomless, so it's highly likely he will run in the RSA. 3 miles round Cheltenham will suit him - P. Nicholls (Trainer)


TIDAL BAY, currently as low as 6/1 fav on some books for the SUN ALLIANCE Chase.

RacingPost (3 Feb 2008)
Tidal Bay didn't run up to his best. He raced keenly in the lead, a tactic that probably wasn't ideal for him, but it was his jumping that really let him down. He can jump, but he was getting in tight early on, and made a complete mess of the seventh when going in too long. Although he came back to lead again three out, and was clear going to the last, he completely misjudged the final fence, did well to stand up, but lost out in a driving finish.

On this evidence you wouldn't want to consider him for any race, either over 2m or 3m at Cheltenham, for his jumping just isn't good enough. However, he is talented, though probably not a two-miler, and he shouldn't be written off completely but needs to regain confidence in his jumping.

CHELTENHAM 2008 - TRIALS & POINTERS W/END

RIPPLING RING - WON @ 7/2

racingPost - RIPPLING KING scored in good style on his debut, overall, the form is easy to pick holes in. However, the winner did it well, travelling and jumping well, and after going on two out, stumbled for a stride on landing over the last, but ran on strongly to score cosily. He could well be a great deal better than the bare form suggests and will be an interesting candidate in the Supreme Novices.


ASHKAZAR - WON @ 4/7

racingPost - ASHKAZAR did not look entirely straightforward going to two out and briefly faced a serious challenge from Bormo until putting his Flat class to good use on the run-in and scoring comfortably.

The Chepstow Grade 1 in which he was fourth to Franchoek is working out well, and that was his only defeat since he arrived from France with smart staying form to his name on the Flat. He has entries in both the Triumph and the Supreme Novices', and is now a 16-1 chance with Corals (20-1 with Cashmans but shorter elsewhere)for the former, although owner David Johnson reportedly is not very keen on the race.

TIDAL BAY, currently favorite for the ARKLE (2miles)and SUN ALLIANCE (2m5f) Chases.

racingPost - Tidal Bay didn't run up to his best. He raced keenly in the lead, a tactic that probably wasn't ideal for him, but it was his jumping that really let him down. He can jump, but he was getting in tight early on, and made a complete mess of the seventh when going in too long. Although he came back to lead again three out, and was clear going to the last, he completely misjudged the final fence, did well to stand up, but lost out in a driving finish.

On this evidence you wouldn't want to consider him for any race, either over 2m or 3m at Cheltenham, for his jumping just isn't good enough. However, he is talented, though probably not a two-miler, and he shouldn't be written off completely but needs to regain confidence in his jumping.

THE TOTHER ONE - WON @ 9/4 backed in from an early morning 4/1

racingPost - maintaining his unbeaten record and confirming that he is very much on the upgrade. Connections must have felt it was like picking money up off the streets whenhe scored off a 23lb lower mark on his last visit to this course, and he took the rise in his stride as he was held up about five or six lengths off the pace and made his progress to be upsides the leader at the last before being driven out up the hill. He was made a 12-1 shot (from 25) for the Ballymore Properties Hurdle and a more generous 16-1 (from the same odds) by VCBet for that race; he is one of several who may have been much better served by a stronger pace.

SENTRY DUTY - WON @ 7/1

racingPost - A 101-rated Flat performer and had finished fourth at Newbury last season on his only previous start over hurdles. He stepped up on that with a fine display, travelling and jumping well and after quickening clear from the second-last, fairly romped home. He has a choice of novice engagements at the festival, and after this convincing win, he could go very well indeed in his chosen race.

The form has a more solid look than the first division as well for the first two finished a long way clear of the rest. Second went to the easy Newbury winner Celestial Halo, another smart recruit from the Flat who was odds-on to follow up thatsuccess. However, although penalised, he was firmly put in his place by the winner. He didn't appear to do a great deal wrong either, for though not fluent at every hurdle, he jumped well enough, came to the stands' side to challenge in the straight, butwas simply outpaced by the winner, though in turn he finished well clear of the remainder. He may well have run up to his Newbury form, which make his conqueror a pretty smart cookie.

CHELTENHAM 2008 - TRIALS & POINTERS W/END

Two horses fancied to go well today by trainer Paul Nicholls:

2.35 sandown THE TOTHER ONE

3.40 sandown GUNGADU

There should be some real Cheltenham festival pointers today and tommorrow.

RIPPLING RING - finished 3rd in Sth African Derby should be an interesting one on his hurdling debut. A good run will see his price cut for the SUPREME NOVICES HURDLE.

ASHKAZAR needs a good performance to get him into one of the Novice hurdle races.

TIDAL BAY, currently favorite for the ARKLE (2miles)and SUN ALLIANCE (2m5f) Chases, his run today should determine which of the races he will run in.

Taking part in the shorter race requires a horse that jumps well at speed, so the test today is to see whether his jumping holds up under pressure.

CELESTIAL HALO will need to run well to confirm his 2nd fav. position in the TRIUMPH HURDLE market.

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