Friday, 13 March 2020
The Whistling Shrew - Cheltenham Festival 2020 - Day 4
1:30 - Great race. Front 4 in the market look really strong. Would marginally prefer Solo who was a visually impressive Adonis winner though the official handicapper may have gone OTT. I can see Goshen and Allmankind fighting it out at the front and expending energy on it. Aspire Tower is a possible if bouncing back. A Wave of the Sea a decent each way price.
2:10 - Don't think I've ever picked the winner of this. Would give Saint Roi a good chance.
2:50 - Rameses De Tai is an unusual horse to have in this race insofar as he was a close second in a Welsh National. Will stay, will jump and will grind it out. Looks a good each way bet at the prices. Thyme Hill is a decent favourite off the back of a CD win. Irish form is complicated but I'd prefer Monkfish over latest exhibition and Fury Road. Janidl another interesting runner. Harry Senior also a nice price.
3:30 - Despite the stats of winners following up in this I don't see any reason to oppose Al Boum Photo based on the available form. At 3/1 he's still pretty good odds. But threats come from everywhere. Last year's RSA looked like decent form. I'd expect Delta Work to finish a little closer to Santini. Think Santini's chance depends on how the race is run. He's probably the best stayer in the field and I'd fancy him if it came down to a stamina test. Delta Work is slightly younger and open to improvement. he's done everything well this season but will need to improve again to challenge.
Kemboy has been behind Delta Work twice but did beat Al Boum Photo at Punchestown. Unseated in this last year and has generally underperformed at Cheltenham. The same could be said of dual King George winner Clan Des Obeaux who performs well enough here without hitting the peaks he does elsewhere. I think he might be a little overpriced due to memories of Silviniaco Conti failing to get up the hill time and time again.
Lost In Translation showed promise last year but has not had an ideal prep this season. Monalee, who was only beaten a head by Delta Work at Christmas is a nice price to hit the frame as is Bristol De Mai.
4:10 - Would love to see Don Poli run well! A lot of horses to like in this. Preference just about for former Gold Cup second Minella Rocco who is probably overpriced still. Shantou Flyer was second last year and has a great chance. He has (relative) youth on his side over Hazel Hill who beat him last year. Billaway interesting for the Mullins team.
4:50 - Don't think I've ever tipped the winner of this race either. I quite like Lisp or Ballywood e.w
5:30 - Don't know - Fav looks strong enough - Front View. The Bosses Oscar is each way shout.
Thursday, 12 March 2020
The Whistling Shrew - Cheltenham Festival 2020 - Day 3
Good racing yesterday. What a finish by Champ in the RSA! Envoi Allen looks something special and Politologue causes a huge upset in the Queen Mother (I was finally right about Defi De Seuil!). Tiger Roll ran well in defeat. Winner looked good. A third National looks beyond him but what a racehorse he's proved to be.
Thursday:
1:30 - Fascinating opener and I'd love to see Faugheen and Samcro battle it out. It's mad to think that Faugheen only won one Champion Hurdle such was his dominance in the division in the past. Last years third in the Supreme Itchy Feet is obvious threat as is fast improving Mr Fisher who I'd just about make my selection given stable form. Reserve Tank is a really interesting one each way who hasn't been seen since November but will improve bundles with a bit of sun on his back.
2:10 - Always difficult. Davy Russell has won this in his last three rides and The Storyteller is a very good horse so no surprise the market has found him as well as bumper winner Relegate. Such a big field I'd rather take one at a bigger price. Jatilwuh is interesting, as are Guitar Pete and Kilbricken Storm but I like the way A Great View has been plotted for this and he's the each way selection.
2:50 - I've been very strong on A Plus Tard for a while in this since his visually impressive win in the novice handicap last year was backed up with a grade 1 victory over Chacun Pour Soi. However, he has 4lbs to find on Min still and 2lb to find on Frodon. I'm not 100% convinced Min shows his very best form at Cheltenham. Frodon on the other hand has done little wrong this year, picking up a good grade 2 last time out and losing little in defeat to Lost In Translation in a gruelling Betfair Chase. I could see him repeating here although I can't shake the feeling he's vulnerable to a real Grade 1 performer. A Plus Tard is a tentative win selection assuming that as a 6 year old he continues to improve. I could see one of the three market principles flopping and Aso has always run well in this and looks a decent place bet at 25/1.
3:30 - Paisley Park looks leagues ahead. They tried every trick in the book to get him beat last time and he still won. The rest is a who's who of exposed 3m Hurdlers. I could see any one of Bacardys, L'Ami Serge, Penhill, Summerville Boy, City Island, Tobefair hitting the frame. Apples Jade wears headgear (I think for the first time?) but I feel she's lost enthusiasm for it. Each way selection would be either Emitom for Warren Greatrix who won this with Cole Harden (though his last run at Cheltenham was dire) or Ronald Pump who may not have the quality but is an unknown entity at this point.
4:10 - no strong fancy. I like Springtown Lake and Ben Dundee e/w
4:50 - Market usually finds the winner and it looks like it will be Minella Melody. with Willie Mullins' Concertista the obvious danger.
5:30 - Lot of good Amatuer riders in this nowadays. Again, market has found them. I'd give Milan Native or Diese Aba a go at prices.
Thursday:
1:30 - Fascinating opener and I'd love to see Faugheen and Samcro battle it out. It's mad to think that Faugheen only won one Champion Hurdle such was his dominance in the division in the past. Last years third in the Supreme Itchy Feet is obvious threat as is fast improving Mr Fisher who I'd just about make my selection given stable form. Reserve Tank is a really interesting one each way who hasn't been seen since November but will improve bundles with a bit of sun on his back.
2:10 - Always difficult. Davy Russell has won this in his last three rides and The Storyteller is a very good horse so no surprise the market has found him as well as bumper winner Relegate. Such a big field I'd rather take one at a bigger price. Jatilwuh is interesting, as are Guitar Pete and Kilbricken Storm but I like the way A Great View has been plotted for this and he's the each way selection.
2:50 - I've been very strong on A Plus Tard for a while in this since his visually impressive win in the novice handicap last year was backed up with a grade 1 victory over Chacun Pour Soi. However, he has 4lbs to find on Min still and 2lb to find on Frodon. I'm not 100% convinced Min shows his very best form at Cheltenham. Frodon on the other hand has done little wrong this year, picking up a good grade 2 last time out and losing little in defeat to Lost In Translation in a gruelling Betfair Chase. I could see him repeating here although I can't shake the feeling he's vulnerable to a real Grade 1 performer. A Plus Tard is a tentative win selection assuming that as a 6 year old he continues to improve. I could see one of the three market principles flopping and Aso has always run well in this and looks a decent place bet at 25/1.
3:30 - Paisley Park looks leagues ahead. They tried every trick in the book to get him beat last time and he still won. The rest is a who's who of exposed 3m Hurdlers. I could see any one of Bacardys, L'Ami Serge, Penhill, Summerville Boy, City Island, Tobefair hitting the frame. Apples Jade wears headgear (I think for the first time?) but I feel she's lost enthusiasm for it. Each way selection would be either Emitom for Warren Greatrix who won this with Cole Harden (though his last run at Cheltenham was dire) or Ronald Pump who may not have the quality but is an unknown entity at this point.
4:10 - no strong fancy. I like Springtown Lake and Ben Dundee e/w
4:50 - Market usually finds the winner and it looks like it will be Minella Melody. with Willie Mullins' Concertista the obvious danger.
5:30 - Lot of good Amatuer riders in this nowadays. Again, market has found them. I'd give Milan Native or Diese Aba a go at prices.
Wednesday, 11 March 2020
The Whistling Shrew - Cheltenham 2020 Day 2
1:30 - Envoi Allen looks the real deal. Easywork would be my each way play, albeit form done no favours in yesterdays supreme
2:10 - Tight contest. Minella Indo looks to be fav based on his ALbert Bartlett win last year. Could see any one of 7 winning it. Slate House looks overpriced as do battleoverdoyen and Easy Game. Champ and Allaho probably underpriced. I'd back Copperhead.
2:50 - Lottery, but Dame De Compaigne decent favourite. Would probably back Black Tears if I had to pick one out
3:30 - Shame Altior isn't here.I'd take Chacun Pour Soi to beat Defi. That said, I tipped against Defi when he won the triumph and also the JLT so I'm probably missing something!
4:10 - No bet but hope Tiger Roll hoses up again. Great to see Might Bite and Yanworth trying these obstacles out
4:50 - I'd give Thyme White an each way chance in this one
5:30 - Appreciate It is stupidly short so I'd give Israel Champ and Ocean Wind an each way shot.
2:10 - Tight contest. Minella Indo looks to be fav based on his ALbert Bartlett win last year. Could see any one of 7 winning it. Slate House looks overpriced as do battleoverdoyen and Easy Game. Champ and Allaho probably underpriced. I'd back Copperhead.
2:50 - Lottery, but Dame De Compaigne decent favourite. Would probably back Black Tears if I had to pick one out
3:30 - Shame Altior isn't here.I'd take Chacun Pour Soi to beat Defi. That said, I tipped against Defi when he won the triumph and also the JLT so I'm probably missing something!
4:10 - No bet but hope Tiger Roll hoses up again. Great to see Might Bite and Yanworth trying these obstacles out
4:50 - I'd give Thyme White an each way chance in this one
5:30 - Appreciate It is stupidly short so I'd give Israel Champ and Ocean Wind an each way shot.
Monday, 9 March 2020
The Whistling Shrew - Cheltenham Festival 2020 - Day 1
No time for a blog this year, but here are my selections:
1:30 - At prices: Abacadabras 6/1
2:10 - Notebook - 3/1
2:50 - Cobra De Mai 16/1 ew
3:30 - Cilaos Emery - 6/1
4:10 - Benie Des Deiux 8/13
4:50 - Beakstown 11/1
5:30 - Lord Du Mensil 13/2
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