The Flat is back and here are the winners (hopefully!)

Hi all,

After a very good Winter, the Flat turf season has been sneakily creeping up on us and the Lincoln meeting at Doncaster is the curtain raiser and I will focus on the big race last of all here to reveal my eighth and final selection for the day across all the domestic fixtures.

1) Maureen 2.40 Doncaster

Maureen is trying her hand at sprinting this year after a pretty unlucky campaign last season where she didn't get the rub of the green in the big races such as the English and Irish Guineas and was probably the likely winner but for being stopped in her run in the Rosemary Stakes at the back end of the season. She is a very strong traveller and has done her winning on turf with a bit of give in the ground so softer ground certainly doesn't blunt her turn of foot, and she is also on favourable terms with both Jack Dexter and Tropics here with her fillies allowance. She for me is overpriced at around 11/2 at the time of writing. Jack Dexter has to be respected and I feel as though Tropics may just need one run to get to A1 condition.

2) Born To Surprise ew 3.15 Doncaster

Born To Surprise runs in the ultra competitive Spring Mile, a consolation race for the Lincoln for trainer Lee Carter and jockey Amir Quinn. Lee Carter has had his string in fine fettle this winter, as proved by the stats. In 2012, he had a record of 8/105, followed by 12/136 in 2013 but in 2014 he is already 11/68, and considering he is taking cast-offs effectively, he is doing an even better job. This horse is very talented and just lost his way for Michael Bell, so the change of yard over the winter wasn't a bad thing, and he ran an eyecatching race at Kempton lately, on his seasonal and yard debut, staying on late under hands and heels over further. He has won twice at Doncaster from three visits and I think he could outrun his odds of 33/1 at present.

3) Zafranagar 5.35 Doncaster

This lad is just about my nap of the day. In a race that probably won't take a great deal of winning, I can't see any reason why this nine year old won't be bang there at the end. He won this same race two years ago off a 4lb higher mark and having won over hurdles in November, he is clearly well within himself at present. I think he has a huge chance, although if there was some improvement from Roger Thorpe for this step up in trip, he could be the main danger.

4) Streets Of Newyork 2.55 Kempton

I posted on Twitter a while back that I thought this horse had a big race in him now he has moved to Brian Ellison, and this race might be perfect. After a very eyecatching effort at Musselburgh over hurdles on New Year's Day, he has finished in the frame twice in Southwell maidens over seven furlongs and a mile, staying on well on both occasions. He is up to eleven furlongs here and only has 8st 1lb to carry. I think there are much worse 12/1 shots around on Saturday than this lad.

5) Noble Protector 5.15 Kempton

Noble Protector is a horse who I have always had an eye on for a fruitful four year old campaign as I still think he was a big, raw baby. Hopefully with another winter under him, he should be well handicapped off a mark of 80 and he can make his presence felt here against older and more exposed rivals.

6) Kelvingrove 1.55 Stratford

A horse who I followed through the last Flat season and was bought for pretty big money for his new connections at the end of last year. He hasn't raced over hurdles yet but is a potentially very exciting recruit for Jonjo O'Neill and jockey Maurice Linehan. He was the best of these on the Flat and receives the best part of a stone from the majority of the field due to the four year old allowance and the rider's 5lb claim. I am really looking forward to seeing how he gets on.

7) Go West Young Man 3.55 Uttoxeter

Go West Young Man is a horse I've been keeping an eye on for handicaps on ground with some give in it, and that's what he's got here. He has an opening mark of 109 to go to war with, which is not unfair by any means and although he is up against two last time out winners here, he should be in the shake up.

8) Tres Coronas 3.50 Doncaster

Finally The Lincoln Handicap at 3.50, and I think there are a few who can go well here. Levitate will be thereabouts again as well as Off Art. Unsinkable is an interesting runner for Jonjo O'Neill who has good success in recent times with his Flat horses such as Tominator and Well Sharp, and this one has last season's leading apprentice Jason Hart aboard. I think however I am happy with two against the field, and they are Whispering Warrior and more so Tres Coronas. Whispering Warrior is thoroughly progressive and won the Lincoln Trial under a different rider last time at Wolverhampton but he has an equally impressive record on turf so that is not a problem. He could be the Group horse in here. Tres Coronas is a seven year old but always seems best with a run under his belt, and I felt he was a bit unlucky not to finish closer to Whispering Warrior last time and now gets a 5lb weight pull which should put them very close together.

I think both will go well.

If you want a Meydan interest for World Cup night, then maybe an each way lucky 15 of Shuruq 1.10, Dabadiyan 1.45, Mshawish 4.39 and Akeed Mofeed 6.05 might fit the bill.

Any feedback? Either fill in the box below or tweet me @willbowler2k12.

Be lucky,
Will

Cheltenham 2014 - Day 3 & 4 Previews

In this final post of Cheltenham selections, I have shortened the previews a bit to squeeze in all the races on the remaining two days of the meeting as most of you will read this on Monday evening. Let's get straight on with it then!

Thursday:
JLT Novice Chase:

Taquin Du Seuil must go well

A very open race to start off the Thursday, and one that I don't have much of a view on at the moment. Taquin Du Seuil though is a horse I've liked for a long time and I'm sure he can run well for Jonjo O'Neill and AP McCoy at around the eight or nine to one mark. Sizing Gold is another that I think will appreciate the decent ground and the drop back to two and a half miles is a plus after being outstayed by Foxrock over three on heavy ground last time. He has also been given very positive mentions at many Irish Preview Nights by his trainer and jockey so at around 12's at the time of writing looks a fair each way play.

Pertemps Final:

Top Wood surprised in deep ground last time and should love conditions here

The Pertemps is a race that the Pipe team have won a couple of times in recent runnings with Buena Vista, and I think Top Wood can go well for them this time around. He won well at a big big price last time at Haydock off a break, but his winning form prior to that was on a sounder surface. At around 20/1, he can run a race, as will Trackmate for James Evans, a rapid improver on good ground over the last two summers and was a course and distance winner here in October. But as ever with this race, there are loads with chances so if you fancy one, stick with it and have a go.

Ryanair Chase:

Can Boston Bob score at Cheltenham for Willie Mullins?

To answer the question under the picture, I'd be surprised if he did feature after such a poor run in the Cleeve Hurdle in conditions that he should have loved. Benefficient will be hard to beat for me, although I do have a soft spot for Al Ferof. I'm never been sold on Dynaste that much but I do respect him without fearing him. If you want one at a big price, Medermit could go well for Alan King and Robert Thornton, a horse who was narrowly denied in this race and the Supreme Novice Hurdle in the past and at 33/1, you could do far worse than chuck a few quid each way on him.

World Hurdle:

Could At Fishers Cross (right) cause a bit of a shock

A brilliant race that divides opinion. Will Annie Power stay? Is Big Buck's the horse of old? How good is More Of That? Is At Fishers Cross going to jump well enough? Can Rule The World play a part? Whatever your opinion, it will be a fascinating race to watch unfold. Personally, after seeing Annie Power quicken so well at Doncaster, I'm slightly concerned she won't stay but I'm probably wrong. I think Big Buck's will take a heck of a lot of beating, and At Fishers Cross could certainly be a big threat for AP. The only horse I think is any value is Zarkandar each way, who is ultra consistent and is well worth a try at three miles on good ground. But regardless of who you have or haven't backed, this is a race to saviour and hopefully it will live long in the memory.

Byrne Group Plate:
I could only find one here, and that is John's Spirit, a good winner of the Paddy Power and Jonjo O'Neill will be desperate to win this race for Patsy Byrne, who was a big supporter and friend of his up until his death last summer.

Kim Muir:
Another race I don't really like so I'll stick with the favourite Indian Castle, an improving novice who is a very good jumper and heralds from a stable who target this race and have won it with former stable stars such as Cloudy Lane and Ballabriggs.

FRIDAY:

Triumph Hurdle:
A tough one to call, with no particular runner interesting me enough to have a bet as of yet. Pearl Castle was very impressive when I saw him two starts ago and I've liked Abbyssial in Ireland, but he isn't the number one Mullins runner.

County Hurdle:
Another Mullins runner drawing me in here in the shape of Blood Cotil who stayed on well in the Fred Winter last year from a long way back, and also caught the eye in midfield behind Gilgamboa last time. He can go well, together with Cheltenian who won the Bumper a few years ago and ran a screamer in the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury last time.

Albert Bartlett:
A race I'm struggling to work out. I like King's Palace, and the fact he jumps so well will definitely help but there is no value in his price, neither is there with Briar Hill. Urban Hymn and Blakemount both finished very closely together at Doncaster, and I think the latter could go nicely at a price. If Rydon Pynes ran, I would have to back him and I think he could actually surprise a few at around 40/1.

Gold Cup:
It really is Bobs Worth's race to lose I think, unbeaten at Cheltenham and last year's winner and this years race looks slightly less deep in opposition so I think he will win. As for each way bets, The Giant Bolster and Teaforthree are both horses that I like, particularly the former who has a great Cheltenham record.

Foxhunters:
With no Salsify, this race is a bit more open than normal, and maybe the Brits can be victorious this time with Harbour Court for Alan Hill and James Tudor. He is a horse with a huge engine and with a previous win at Cheltenham. There is another British trained runner that I like, and that is Ockey De Neulliac, a horse who could go well at a really big price.

Martin Pipe:
Not a race that's easy to analyse at this point, but Calculated Risk has targeted this race and won well when last seen at Sedgefield.

Grand Annual:
This features my best value bet of the week with His Excellency, who was cruising when falling at three out in this last year off a 9lb higher mark. He had a very hard campaign last year, racing about 15 times, but this time he has only had five starts to this point, and off a mark of 142 and ten stone eight to carry, I think 20/1 represents very good value.

If you have any comments or feedback, either fill in the box below or tweet me @willbowler2k12.

Be lucky,
Will

Cheltenham 2014 - Day 2 Preview

Unfortunately there is no Sprinter Sacre this year to light up the Wednesday of the Festival, but with the reshuffle of races at this year's meeting, it means there is a higher chance of us seeing a smart novice in either the Neptune, RSA or Fred Winter, and that's leaving out the Bumper. I have some strong fancies on this day in particular so let's hope they perform to their best.

Wednesday:

1.30 Neptune Novice Hurdle:

Ballyalton (right) fends off Garde La Victoire at Cheltenham in December

This is the race that I am looking forward to the most all week. I am definitely up for opposing Faugheen at the likely short price as his jumping in Ireland so far hasn't entirely convinced, albeit over slightly taller Easyfix hurdles last time at Limerick. He has a very similar hype to Pont Alexandre who failed last year and hasn't been seen this term due to injury and I just feel as though I can take him on. The main one to do it with of course is Red Sherlock, who is still unbeaten for the Pipes and is a dual Cheltenham winner; a massive plus. He won takingly last time when battling off Rathvinden up the hill and is sure to be involved at the business end. But as many of you know, I am a huge Ballyalton fan and I see no reason why he won't figure here. The ground was awful when he ran last time so you can forget that run but prior to that he had won at Cheltenham beating Garde La Victoire recovering after a bad blunder, and beat Oscar Rock at Newcastle over further on good ground proving he stays.
With many of the horses ahead of him in the market between Red Sherlock and Ballyalton likely to come out, he is too big at 16/1 and certainly won't be that on the day.

2.05 RSA Chase:

O'Faolains Boy was good in the Reynoldstown at Ascot

This race is really wide open. I don't like Ballycasey though, he's a horse I've never really got a handle on which was topped off by his schooling fall at Leopardstown last week. The other thing is he hasn't won over three miles over fences yet. He was beaten by Morning Assembly last season at Punchestown and that rival is back again here and must be respected. Smad Place has finished third in the last two World Hurdles and is another to be wary of, but I'm keen on another British trained duo. Corrin Wood really impressed me at Warwick when he jumped Black Thunder, a very useful sort, into the ground. He is a very good jumper and stays particularly well, a vital tool in what is normally a gruelling event. Donald McCain has stressed that he doesn't have to lead though and hopefully he can get into a lovely rhythm.
The other is O'Faolains Boy, a horse who was fourth to stablemate At Fishers Cross in the Albert Bartlett last season after doing much of the donkey work for him. He scoped very badly at Haydock two runs ago when he was pulled up at halfway, but bounced back very well at Ascot last time to beat Many Clouds and Third Intention and if he could replicate that, he'd be sure to figure.
As for the others, Gevrey Chambertin might be overlooked at 33/1 after having a pace battle with Many Clouds in that Ascot race just mentioned, which after a break of four months meant he dropped away very tamely in the straight, but he did jump well enough to suggest he is an above average novice. If it came up good ground, then Le Bec would be a big threat too.

2.40 Coral Cup:

Alan King had a 1-2 in this last year, can he win it again?

The Coral Cup is a fantastic race and as a budding commentator, one I look forward to with the big field and fast pace. There have been some amazing finishes to this in the past, What's Up Boys always springs to mind and some big gambles, with Son Of Flicka the biggest landed in recent times. This time around, Dunguib heads the weights for Phillip Fenton, a horse who won the Festival Bumper so easily in 2009 before going off a 4/5 favourite for the 2010 Supreme Novices, but was beaten by Menorah into third. He has only run a handful of times since and is very hard to keep sound but he'd be a fascinating runner nonetheless. Meister Eckhart is my main fancy for the race after his excellent second in it last year to the plucky Medinas and a very decent comeback effort at Fontwell where a) the ground was too deep for him and b) he needed the run badly.
Although higher in the weights this time, I see it hard for him not to be there at the business end.
The other three I can see going well are Clerks Choice, a horse with some good backform at the course and who's been doing well on the all weather since moving stables, Party Rock, who won four races on the spin last March/April and needs good ground to be at his best and Bayan, an improver from the Gordon Elliott yard in Ireland that loves a big field and ran Sametegal very close here in October and recieves a further 8lbs from rival here should they both run.

3.20 Queen Mother Champion Chase:

Sire De Grugy - Banker or lay?

To answer the question above, I think Sire De Grugy is a lay at the price for sure. He has been beaten three times over fences in his life from eleven starts, two of which have been here at Cheltenham, behind Captain Conan and Kid Cassidy, who will both line up against him here priced at around 5/1 and 10/1 at the time of writing. Kid Cassidy is not an easy ride, but you can forget his run in Ireland last time as he didn't travel over very well and the race wasn't run to suit him so AP wasn't hard on him when his chance was gone. Captain Conan is a threat for sure if he runs to his best.
Back to Sire De Grugy, Gary Moore has only trained one Festival winner in the past, which was Tikram in the Mildmay Of Flete many years ago and Jamie Moore has never ridden a Festival winner. It is not that I dislike the horse or connections, it is that he is a very poor value bet in my opinion at around 2/1 or 9/4.
What does win then I hear you say? Well, I was very keen on Benefficient but he is going to the Ryanair instead so I'll plump for Hinterland to give Paul Nicholls a winner. He is a previous course winner, but he has excelled this season in his second season as a novice chaser, beating the likes of Balder Succes, Taquin Du Seuil and Grandouet in the Henry VIII Novice Chase at Sandown when last seen in December and will love the decent ground. Noel Fehily rides which is another big plus.
Arvika Ligeonniere ran a shocker in last year's Arkle and looks much better going right handed to me. Both Module and Sizing Europe are others with chances but more a race to watch than bet in.

4.00 Cross Country Handicap Chase:

Sire Collonges (pink and black stripes) loved this course last time

Like this race or not, it certainly provides a different spectacle for people at the Festival. Balthazar King is a hard horse to pass when given good ground on this course, so is definitely the one to beat. Last year's winner Big Shu comes back for a bit more and must be feared but I'm siding with another Nicholls runner, this time Sire Collonges. I have backed him for the Grand National and this eight year old relished the cross country fences when winning here last time under Ryan Mahon. He loves good ground and I think he is a rattling each way bet. Love Rory may be the biggest threat should he take to Cheltenham on his first try for the cross country master Enda Bolger.

4.40 Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle:

Goodwood Mirage could be well handicapped

It's not a race that I find easy, similarly I don't think the handicapper does because he has very little evidence to try and give a horse a mark, and he may be 10lbs too harsh or 10lbs too lenient. I can find two of interest, and as my Twitter followers know, I'm very keen on Goodwood Mirage. He was bought for 380,000 guineas for Lady Bamford with the aim of winning the JCB Triumph Hurdle; JCB being the Bamford's famous business. After winning at Kempton on debut, he struggled at Cheltenham next time before really catching the eye at Kempton in the Adonis. He will definitely appreciate the better ground on offer next week, plus the end to end gallop which he would have become accustomed to on the level, something he hasn't yet experienced over hurdles which will help his jumping. He has a mark of 132 and I think he will go very well.
The other horse I like is David Pipe's only entry Azza under Tom Scudamore who could be quite well in off 129, and although I am not a trends man, she does fit all the trends for this race and at 25/1 might be worth an each way flutter.

5.15 Champion Bumper:

Modus storming up the Cheltenham hill on New Year's Day

One of the few races all week I have no real opinion about, but from what I have of Modus, he must run well for rookie trainer Robert Stephens. He has bolted up on both starts to date, at Exeter on debut and Cheltenham subsequently when he showed a very good turn of foot on bad ground. With a flat pedigree, you would think that would only be enhanced again on better ground and he is probably the best of the British runners, ahead of Our Kaempfer and El Namoose. Oscarteea could go well for the Honeyball yard.
As for the Irish, I was at Doncaster's preview evening recently and the panel put up a big argument for Killultagh Vic for Willie Mullins, who will be ridden by Ruby Walsh. He hammered Golantilla who was third in this race last year at Naas last time and could be the value Irish play, although personally I was impressed with Value At Risk's easy Leopardstown win.

If you have any feedback, either fill in the box below or tweet me @willbowler2k12.

Be lucky,
Will

Cheltenham 2014 - Day 1 Preview

With only days to go before the roar erupts from the grandstands at Cheltenham, I thought it was time that I collated my views onto the blog for you to view. I have a few strong fancies which will become clear over the next few posts, and hopefully we can be up by the end of the week.

I will start with Day 1:

1.30 - Supreme Novice Hurdle:

Irving a good thing?

Irving is the red hot favourite for the opening race of the meeting, but I have three pretty serious doubts about him that make his price of 5/2 seem very skinny to me. The first one, although it may be a very minor concern, is that he has never run left handed before in this country, after wins at Taunton, Ascot twice and Kempton so far. The second is that he has come off the Flat and is an out and out two miler, whereas the past winners of this race suggest on the whole that you have to stay well, with Menorah, Al Ferof and Champagne Fever all recent winners, with the likes of L'Escargot, the dual Gold Cup and Grand National winner a past victor further back. Finally, I am not one to make a point about jockeys but Nick Scholfield has only ridden one Cheltenham Festival winner, Hunt Ball in the 2012 Pulteney Land Novice Handicap Chase, and only one Grade 1 winner, Melodic Rendezvous in the 2013 Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown. I just think with these concerns, he is very short at 5/2, and I'd rather be a layer than a backer.
The British handicapper reckons that Irving is rated 149 after his easy Dovecote success, but Vautour is rated 154, acts on all ground, stays well, copes with big fields and has the master Ruby Walsh on his back. The only slight concern is his jumping and the fact he probably won't get an easy lead but apart from that, he must go very close indeed.
I would much rather back Vautour of the two, but I do feel this is a race to fire a couple of each way bullets at double figure price horses.
I particularly like Gilgamboa should he line up for AP and JP. He was a smooth winner of the Boylesports.com hurdle at Leopardstown last time out, travelling very sweetly throughout before asserting close home under Mark Walsh. We will find out this weekend which race he goes for (this or the County Hurdle) but hopefully they will choose this race as he has the same pull factors as Vautour in terms of ground, field size, stamina and jockey.
Finally, Garde La Victoire might be worth a small each way bet as well if you can excuse his last run because of the tacky soft ground at Kempton, then he is no 33/1 chance. He has form closely tied in with the likes of Ballyalton and Regal Encore, both horses I rate very highly plus his narrow defeat behind Ballyalton at Cheltenham proves he acts at the course.

As for the others, I don't think Josses Hill is quite ready for this given his profile, plus he can make the odd bad error. Wicklow Brave has been tipped up by many for this but his jumping left plenty to be desired last time. Splash Of Ginge needs softer ground to be seen to best effect and Vaniteux although very impressive visually at Doncaster last time out, may not find much off the bridle if asked. Sgt Reckless and Un Ace both have small chances at big odds too.

2.05 The Irish Independent Arkle:

Can Rock On Ruby win again at Cheltenham?

An intriguing renewal of the Arkle with two past Cheltenham winners towards the top of the market. Champagne Fever is the favourite and to be honest, I think he will be very hard to beat. Although beaten by Defy Logic over Christmas, Ruby Walsh was arguably guilty of getting into an unnecessary pace battle with him, forcing his bad error two out and leaving him no chance of catching Defy Logic thereafter. He schooled well after racing at Leopardstown and don't forget, he's won at the last two Festivals so will be extremely hard to beat. Rock On Ruby hasn't had enough of a test of fences yet to be clear as to whether he is as good over fences as he was hurdles, beating a total of two horses in two runs over fences. He will however relish the good ground and has a very good record at Cheltenham, but personally, there isn't enough for me to back him at around 9/2.
I couldn't have Dodging Bullets given his record last spring where he completely lost his form, but I may be completely wrong with that. Trifolium is the biggest threat to Champagne Fever to me, but I will stick with Champagne Fever to fend him off up the hill for a win perspective.
On the each way side of things, I fear that although Valdez was good last time, that he isn't quite this good, likewise Ted Veale who has struggled against the likes of Trifolium all season. Grandouet has an in and out profile both at Cheltenham and over fences which make him tough to judge, but he is overpriced if he can return to his form of a quarter of a length defeat behind Hinterland at Sandown at the start of December. Arnaud is another who could go well at a price, considering all his best form is on good ground.

2.40 Baylis & Harding Affordable Luxury Handicap Chase:

Ackertac going down narrowly to Triolo D'Alene last season

A race that I will have a more clear view on once the final declarations come out on Monday, although there is a horse entered that I fancy strongly. He is a big price, but I feel Ackertac could go well for Tim Vaughan after his excellent second place at the Festival last year behind Rajdhani Express. Course form is so important at Cheltenham, and this lad has lots of it, winning at the April meeting after that second place at 66/1. His mark has dropped a few pounds this season after running below par on desperate ground which he doesn't like, so I think he can be a real player at 33/1. Alfie Sherrin would be another I'll be backing should he get into the race after winning it two years ago. I don't fancy Hadrian's Approach at all as I don't like his jumping in a big field.

3.20: Champion Hurdle:

The New One was electric in the 2013 Neptune Novices Hurdle

What a race we have to look forward to here! Hurricane Fly, the dual champion is back again and as usual has been winning the Grade 1s at Leopardstown through the season, beating Our Conor and Jezki twice. Although he is probably less effective at Cheltenham than Leopardstown, it doesn't mean he doesn't act here which is quite obvious with 2 Champion Hurdles on the mantlepiece. My Tent Or Yours and The New One are very closely matched on the Christmas Hurdle form in which My Tent Or Yours mowed down The New One after he made a horlicks of the last hurdle. Now many people have views about the outcome of that race had The New One not made that mistake, but I personally feel that he would have won had he not made the error, but I understand the other side of the argument. The New One has a very good Cheltenham record and I am confident that he is the one to beat and I'm certain he will beat My Tent Or Yours in a battle up the hill. Our Conor is a huge danger given how easily he won the Triumph Hurdle previously and his trainer Dessie Hughes being adamant that he will be prepared for just one race only all season and it is this race. Jezki needs two and a half miles and I would be intrigued if Un De Sceaux turned up, although he has it to do.
Finally, Melodic Rendezvous won't get his ground and is likely to be outpaced. In summary, I am sweet on The New One, with Our Conor the chief threat, together with Un De Sceaux should he run.

4.00 David Nicholson Mares Hurdle:

Can she make it 6?

This race is all about Quevega and it is very hard to see her being beaten if she is at her best. Only a few appeal to me each way and they are Sirene D'Ainay and Down Ace but I think this is a race to watch and admire a brilliant mare making Cheltenham history.

4.40 Terry Biddlecombe National Hunt Chase:

Foxrock has a huge chance for owner Barry Connell

I don't have a great deal to offer here apart from that I think Foxrock will be very hard to beat for Barry Connell, Ted and Katie Walsh. Katie has a lot of Cheltenham experience and has ridden a few winners at the course over the years, and on a day where Ruby is likely to have at least two winners, this looks a good opportunity for more Walsh celebrations. Shotgun Paddy has slight jumping concerns, but if you want one at a really big price, Beeves could go close for Donald McCain.

5.15: Rewards4Racing Novice Handicap Chase:

Manyriverstocross (left) giving Oscar Whisky a race at Sandown last time

A fiercely competitive race to end the card but it does feature one of my lays of the meeting. That is Pendra, who is a horse that has been overhyped from the very start, with his wins in his career coming at Plumpton (x2), Carlisle, Lingfield and Huntingdon, all middle of the road tracks. He ran well on bottomless ground to be second in the Tolworth Hurdle but ran a shocker in the Coral Cup last season and terribly last time out at Ascot. He is effectively a disappointment considering all the chat. His trainer Charlie Longsdon hasn't had a Festival winner yet and is just 1-67 in all at the course.
Manyriverstocross however is one I like the most here, particularly after his trainer said that he was his best chance of a winner all week. He gave Oscar Whisky something to think about in the Scilly Isles Novice Chase at Sandown last time, and has plenty of good form at Cheltenham, including finishing third in the County Hurdle last year. I'm certain he will be in the shake up.
Baby Mix and Buywise could both go well at decent prices.

Fingers crossed we can start the week off well, find a winner and a bit of value.

Keep in touch with me on Twitter @willbowler2k12 or post a comment below.
Will