The Annual Cheltenham Blog

Day 1 Update -
Hurricane Fly won - vv impresive and the nap won Quevega 11/10 sadly down to 49th in the Tote Ten to follow competition!

RUBY RUBY RUBY - only three winners, as usual the best jockeys win the big races at Cheltenham - Thornton , Johnson and Lee - Ruby had seven winners three years ago so dont be put off by the fact he has ahd three already !!!

The Annual under 4/1 fav rule at Cheltenham UPDATE -
As it stands there are likely to be a number of horses that will run that will be under 4/1 starting price that will be fav at the 2011 festival - in the last three years there have been 46 horses to start as fav that were priced under 4/1 - only 8 have won (Quevega = 25% of the winners total as well !). Many greats have tried and been beaten - so no matter how certain you think you are be careful !

Losers total last three years - 49
Cue Card lost 7/4 (Unplaced)
Medermitt lost 11/4 (Unplaced)
Definity lost 3/1(Unplaced)

Winners total last three years- 10
Hurricane Fly won 11/4
Quevega won 11/10


Day 2
In the 4 mile chase I will stump for Chicago Grey. Best bet of Day 2 though is TIME FOR RUPERT in the RSA Chase he is a quality horse and a little saver on The Giant Bolster at 25/1 will give you a good run and offer great F/C material I also love - So Young in the novice hurdle (NB) - really striking horse with gears.

The Queen Mother Champion Chase is a great race , past champions abound and I am praying for rain so that Golden Silver can show just how good a horse he is - if he doesnt get lots of rain I fear that Big Zeb and Master Minded will fight out the finish. Aegean Dawn has some how got in the Coral Cup off 11 stone, despite a scare pre Cheltenham he is pure class,I like the horse and a wee saver on Orsipuss at 33/1.

Plan A in the Fred Winter if you like tips from Craigy Boy ! or Paintball if you trust me! either way not a race I really like. The bumper has the usual feel but at 14/1 I could bet Divine Rhapsody if pushed.