CHELTENHAM 2009 - Day 1

Check out the bookmaker concessions especially if you are betting e/w.

I am sure the LADBROKES spokesman said the firm are paying 4 places on ALL races at Cheltenham today. Check before placing your bets but I am sure that's what he said.

If you back a horse with VICTOR CHANDLER and your horse falls, you will get a FREE bet to the same value.

1.30 SUPREME NOV HDL
TOTSPORT paying 4 places
LADBROKE paying 4 places
BOYLESPORTS paying 4 places
If you back a horse with BOYLESPORTS and COUSIN VINNY wins, you will get your money back, probably as a FREE bet.

There has been a scare with COUSIN VINNY who didn't travel well over from Ireland and didn't eat or drink after arriving.
General consensus is this horse is the best in the field and conditions will suit him, BUT there is this question over his well being and I will be leaving this race alone.

2.05 ARKLE CHASE
LADBROKE paying 4 places
SKYBET paying 4 places

A very open race this year, with no superstars on show. I will be having a small E/W bet on PANJO BERE @ 33/1.


2.40 WILL HILL HCP CHASE
BOYLESPORTS paying 5 places

Hcps are notoriously difficult to predict, but if we use the stats of backing lto winners, N Henderson trained horses & Irish trained horses, we narrow the field to 6 horses.

WICHITA LINEMAN, MILLENIUM ROYALE, CAILIN ALAINN, GOLDEN FLIGHT, OEDIPE, PATSY HALL.

Favorites have a terrible record so that gets rid of WICHITA LINEMAN.

I will be backing those 5, WIN ONLY.


3.20 CHAMPION HDL
BOYLESPORTS Paying 1/3 the odds

BINOCULAR looks a short price considering there is a field of 24 runners.
I give last years winner KATCHIT a good chance of finishing in the first 4, so KATCHIT e/w @ 16/1 will do for me.


4.00 X-COUNTRY CHASE
Enda Bolger wins these races all the time and has 4 runners.
I will side with L'AMI @ 9/4.


4.40 D NICHOLLS MARES RACE
Willy Mullins likes the chances of QUEVEGA and thinks this is his best chance of the week, thats good enough for me.

If you need some pointers to help you find winners, listen to the champ AP McCoy below.

BE LUCKY!!