CHELTENHAM NH FESTIVAL 2018 -- DAY THREE THURSDAY (STAYERS HURDLE)

It can get a bit busy at the bar...

Congratulations to ALTIOR winning The Queen Mother Champion Chase

CHELTENHAM NH FESTIVAL – THURSDAY MARCH 15TH 2018
1.30pm 2m 4f JLT Novices Chase	JLT Novice's Chase And we’re off…for day three of this years festival. Kicking off with a Novice chase for a change today and just a relatively small field of 10 are declared. Would have kicked off with INVITATION ONLY had Ruby Walsh been fit but that seems unlikely now and will skip this one.  TERREFORT and SHATTERED LOVE look lively contenders here so will try and dutch the pair. Both have won decent G1 events and the latter gets a reasonable mares allowance too.  Result -- 1st : SHATTERED LOVE 4/1.
2.10pm 3m Handicap Hurdle	Pertemps Network Final (Handicap Hurdle) Much more competitive for this handicap hurdle now with a field of 24 facing the starter. First selection has to be GLENLOE for the inform Gordon Elliott yard, has been winning these big handicaps in recent years and this seven year old selection has been targeted for this big prize since Christmas.  The opposition is considerable of course, will be looking at a couple of big price selections for the place markets and these will include the likes of KANSAS CITY CHIEF and THEO'S CHARM.  Result -- 1st : DELTA WORK 6/1.
2.50pm 2m 5f Ryanair Chase	Ryanair Handicap Chase  Just the 7 declared here and would have been a match between the two Irish yards DOUVAN and last years winner UN DE SCEAUX. However as Douvan fell in Wednesday's Champion Chase is unlikely to line up again here today so that will leave it to the likes of CUE CARD and FRODON to lay down some sort of challenge.  Result -- 1st :BALKO DES FLOS 8/1.
3.30pm 3m Stayers Hurdle	Sun Bets Stayers Hurdle Feature race of the day now and it's been given it's original name again the Stayers Hurdle (I couldn't ever bring myself to call it the World Hurdle I mean what was all that about.)  Decent field of stayers here with 17 declared, the first selection is still available at 12/1+ L'AMI SERGE travels well although struggles to win as much as he should, is still a good option in the place markets.  SAM SPINNER is the clear market leader and this is his biggest test so far, will instead give a chance to YANWORTH  Result -- 1st : PENHILL 12/1.
4.10pm 2m 5f Handicap Chase	Brown Advisory Stable Plate Chase Another massive field of 24 for what is really a run of the mill chase at the festival (only worth £60k) VILLAGE VIC hasn't been in the same form as when I tipped it up last year so it's a surprise to see him still at the head of weights this time around but doesn't appeal even at 33/1 (it'll probably romp home now) THE STORYTELLER moves out of novice company into a handicap but cannot be dismissed with his trainers recent record.  The Pipe trained KINGS SOCKS is also of interest from a yard that has won this plenty of times in the past and his form includes soft ground so that won't be a worry. Result -- 1st : THE STORYTELLER 5/1F.
4.50pm 2m 1f Mares Novices Hurdle	Dawn Run Mares Novices Hurdle A field of 15 line up now for the Mares Novices hurdle, and we've another odds on fav for this event with LAURINA from Willie Mullins who has made these sort of races his own with Quevega.  Since there's little to be made backing 4/7F will see if there is something amongst the other 14, the top one CAP SOLEIL is one for sure, very consistent and will go fine on the soft ground.  HIGH SCHOOL DAYS is one to consider too in the place markets, is forecast about 33/1 and has three wins on heavy ground and returns from a break too.. Result -- 1st : LAURINA 4/7F.
5.30pm 3m 2f Kim Muir Chase	Fulke Walwyn : Kim Muir  National Hunt Challenge Cup (3m 2f) The finale is for Amateur riders and will be a test as the ground will surely be worse for the previous races today, at least the lack of further rain hasn't made it an impossible task. Obtaining the services of a fairly experienced rider is a huge benefit around here and Nicky Henderson has snapped up Katie Walsh to ride SUGAR BARON for him and will surely have a good chance.  MALL DINI is also interesting having won over 3m (hurdles) previously, has a top amateur jockey too and sure to go close. Result -- 1st : MISSED APPROACH 8/1. ENJOY YOUR CHELTENHAM BET SENSIBLY

Results should appear here through the afternoon and Friday's details updated shortly.

CHELTENHAM NH FESTIVAL 2018 -- DAY TWO WEDNESDAY (CHAMPION CHASE DAY)

2017 CHAMPION CHASE WINNER -- SPECIAL TIARA

Congratulations to all the connections of Buveur D'air the 2018 Champion Hurdle winner yesterday, as we move onto Day Two the feature race will be the Champion Chase which was superbly won last season by Special Tiara. 

Enjoy your day.

CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL – WEDNESDAY MARCH 14TH 2018
1.30pm 2m 110yds Supreme Novices Hurdle	Ballymore Novices Hurdle  And they are off for day two of this years festival. We had a great first day so hopefully that can continue, although the opener here is at the mercy of short price fav and good thing SAMCRO.  In opposition we have the likes of NEXT DESTINATION and VISION DES FLOS the latter should be well suited by the testing conditions and is our EW bet in the opener. Result -- 1st: SAMCRO 8/11F.
2.10pm 3m RSA Chase	Royal Sun Alliance Chase This renewal looks quite open for once and would have to be on board BLACK CORTON who's been expertly ridden by Bryony Frost and she is more than capable of winning here.  Also fancy DOUNIKOS from the Gordon Elliot stable and both selections are about 8/1 so the pair against the field for me here. Result -- 1st: PRESENTING PERCY 5/2F.
2.50pm 2m 5f Coral Cup Hurdle	Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle A huge field of 27 face the starter and about 9/1 bar.  MAX DYNAMITE is a strong fancy here as has been at the head of the ante post markets for at least three of the big handicaps this week and would have to be taken seriously in which ever race he actually lined up for.  Getting plenty of weight from the others BARRA is a decent shout in the win/place markets too. -- 3rd 16/1 Result -- 1st: BLEU BERRY 20/1.
3.30pm 2m  Champion Chase	Queen Mother Champion Chase The feature race of today and it's one for ALTIOR to confirm his class and win this thus securing another leg in our various accumulators for this week.  He should be up to seeing off the classy but vulnerable Willie Mullins pair of DOUVAN and MIN.  While last years winner SPECIAL TIARA is unlikely to repeat that effort this year, it is possible he can place at 33/1 if one of the principles fails to fire. Result -- 1st: ALTIOR   EVENS.
4.10pm 3m 7f XC Chase	Cross Country Steeple Chase (3m 7f) Many regular faces here over this unique course, a real test of jockey and horse and CANTLOW is a standing dish around this type of course and should be backed in the place markets at the least despite his advancing years.  TIGER ROLL is another for Ireland and its difficult to make a case for several of these around the banks, though when JP McManus runs 4 of the 16 there should be plenty of money about so the market can be informative.  Personally it's a novelty race and not really for me Result -- 1st: TIGER ROLL 7/1.
4.50pm 2m Juvenile Handicap Hurdle	Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (2m) Another of the big handicap hurdles this week, 22 runners and about 9/1 the field.  LISP is lightly raced and worth a shout in a wide open contest, and after her wonderful win yesterday will be backing Lizzy Kelly again on ESPRIT DE SOMOZA for the stable that won this event last year.  Big outsider is CASA TALL who makes his UK debut but has been winning over in France and worth a go at 33/1 Result -- 1st: VENEER OF CHARM 33/1.
5.30pm 2m Champion Bumper	Weatherbys Champion Bumper (2m) A race that has been dominated by the Irish trainers though it's no surprise that this year Willie Mullins has five runners in the field.  Blackbow (Mr P Mullins) Carefully Selected (Ruby Walsh) Tornado Flyer (Paul Townend). Colreevy (D J Mullins) Relegate (Ms Katie Walsh) Another race that I'd not be that interested in, but would probably have to back the first two of Mullins quintet to have an interest.  Big outsider with a squeak is MERCY MERCY ME. Result -- 1st: RELEGATE 25/1. ENJOY YOUR CHELTENHAM EXPERIENCE

Results will appear during the afternoon and Thursday's card will be available soon.

CHELTENHAM NH FESTIVAL 2018 -- DAY ONE TUESDAY (CHAMPION HURDLE DAY)

NOT MUCH ROOM TO MOVE IN HERE

OPENING DAY OF THE 2018 CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL, EXPECTING OVER A 250,000 PEOPLE OVER THE FOUR DAYS, INCLUDING 70,000+ ON GOLD CUP DAY ITSELF. THE BEST TOP CLASS NH RACING ANYWHERE, AND YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO MOVE FOR IRISH PEOPLE.

CHELTENHAM NH FESTIVAL– TUESDAY MARCH 13TH 2018
1.30pm 2m 110yds Supreme Novices Hurdle	Supreme Novices Hurdle  Day one, Race one, of the 2018 NH Festival and we're off... The Supreme novices hurdles gets us under way, we have a very short priced favourite here in GETABIRD for Mullins and Walsh and the Irish will be keen to start with a winning fav.  The likes of Kalashnikov and Summerville Boy will also be poplar but my EW/Place bet will be SLATE HOUSE, a course and distance winner here available at 25/1 . Result -- 1st; SUMMERVILE BOY 9/1.
2.10pm 2m Arkle Chase	Arkle Challenge Trophy Only a small field for the Arkle, rare for any festival race to only have five runners in, FOOTPAD might have scared off a few but is there really a lack of depth in the Novice Chasers? BRAIN POWER might be a value bet in a small field for a trainer who was won three of the last six renewals of this race, will need to improve his jumping though.  Result -- 1st; FOOTPAD 5/6F.
2.50pm 3m 1f Festival H'cap Chase	Festival Handicap Chase  First big chase of the festival with 18 runners declared and market looks wide open at about 8/1 the field. That includes the likes of COO STAR SIVOLA and VINTAGE CLOUDS who come here on the back of a decent runs although the latter fell here last year should stay all day.  Top weight is going to have to go some in this ground but is given a place bet GOLD PRESENT to collect along with a nod for VICENTE who failed to complete the Welsh National but a dual Scottish winner will also not mind the trip nor the going and will also be interesting for a place bet.  Result -- 1st; COO STAR SIVOLA 5/1.
3.30pm 2m 110yds Champion Hurdle	Champion Hurdle  The opening day's feature race is of course the Champion Hurdle and this year we're missing a few of the big guns from recent years but there's still a quality field. Last years winner BUVEUR D'AIR lines up again in great form and will a very short price to repeat his success of twelve months ago.  ELGIN has been supplemented for this and while a big step up in class must be well thought of at home, handicaps are out of the question so you might as well reach for the stars. A place bet at least. MY TENT OF YOURS should still be thereabouts up the hill but expect to be chasing the favourite and not good enough. N/R Result -- 1st;  BUVEUR D'AIR 4/6F.
4.10pm 2m 4f Mares Hurdle	"David Nicholson" Mares Hurdle (2m 4f) The Mares Hurdle is a Grade 2 hurdle run over run over two miles and about four and a half furlongs. It is open to mares only, aged five and above .  Looks to be at the mercy of APPLES JADE where surely a clear round will be more than enough.  Of the others JERS GIRL looks like the most likely one for the place market but I've got the fav in many acca's so if this goes down I might pack it in.  Result -- 1st; BENIE DES DIEUX 9/2.
4.50pm 4m NH Chase (Amateur Riders)	Toby Balding National Hunt Handicap Chase (4m) The National Hunt Chase Challenge Cup is a Class B chase run over four miles. It is the oldest race at the festival and is open to novices aged five years old and upwards, all horses are ridden by amateur jockeys who have to be Category B (Britain) and Category C (Ireland) riders to take part in the race.  Looking at the jockey bookings here, would give us IMPULSIVE STAR along with NO COMMENT against the field, probably not a race to be heavily involved with and over 4m on this ground it's most likely to see only a few finish. Result -- 1st; RATHVINDEN 9/2.
5.30pm 2m 4f Centenary Novices Chase	Centenary Novices Handicap Chase (2m 4f) Our finale on the opening day is a novices chase over 2 1/2 miles, where we have a field of 20 declared. .  Our selection here includes MISTER WHITAKER comes in with the lowest weight of the 20 declared, looks in form, and can give Mick Channon a winner today. Also of interest here is the Mullins/Walsh pairing on LIVELOVELOUGH who is making his handicap debut here. Result -- 1st MISTER WHITAKER 13/2. Enjoy your Cheltenham Festival this week.

GOOD LUCK
RESULTS SHOULD APPEAR DURING THE COURSE OF THE AFTERNOON