Like them or loath them, Cheltenham Festival preview nights are taking place up and down the country and if you were to take notes from just a handful, you would end up with a very long list!
I’ve personally yet to come across a preview night that touches on ALL 28 races at The Festival, so in time honoured tradition I’m going to take my annual brief spin through the entire four day shebang and hopefully identify a few winners along the way.
Day 1: Tuesday 10th March
1.30pm - Supreme Novices’ Hurdle
Shishkin will be a popular choice in the opening race of The Festival, but my preference is for ABACADABRAS (5/1) who was a game winner of the Future Champions Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown over Christmas and has performed solidly all season long.
2.10pm - Arkle Chase
The value each-way selection here is the Harry Whittington-trained ROUGE VIF (12/1). The six-year-old jumped superbly when taking the Kingmaker Novices’ Chase at Warwick and can make his presence felt at this level.
The Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase winner- Global Citizen, ranks as the main danger.
2.50pm - Ultima Chase
DISCORAMA (20/1) finished second to Le Breuil in the National Hunt Chase here last year and can be in the shake up once again.
Given that his connections ruled out a Grand National tilt with him this season, all his training will have been geared towards a bold showing at Cheltenham.
3.30pm - Champion Hurdle
Last year’s Triumph Hurdle winner PENTLAND HILLS (5/1) can step up to the plate once again and take the ultimate hurdling prize for Nicky Henderson.
His blip at Haydock will soon be forgotten in this truer run race.
4.10pm - Mares’ Hurdle
My banker on day one is the Henry De Bromhead-trained HONEYSUCKLE (5/4).
Probably good enough for the Champion Hurdle, she can account for her gender comtempories in this.
4.50pm - Northern Trust Novices’ Chase
SPYGLASS HILL (12/1) can give Henry De Bromhead another winner on the afternoon with this up and coming seven-year-old. Rachael Blackmore is likely to partner him again.
5.30pm - National Hunt Chase
A time for the amateur riders to shine and Rebecca Curtis’ LISNAGAR OSCAR (40/1) can run much better than his odds suggest.
Forza Milan is another on my radar too.
Day 2: Wednesday 11th March
1.30pm - Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle
ENVOI ALLEN (5/4) can get favourite backers off to a Wednesday flyer when he leaves the others standing at the bottom of the Cheltenham hill. Thyme Hill is the best of the rest.
2.10pm - RSA Chase
MINELLA INDO (4/1) jumped with aplomb at Navan in January and the seven-year-old can give Henry De Bromhead another winner on day two of The Festival. Copperhead is the one to fear most.
2.50pm - Coral Cup
Former Champion Bumper winner RELEGATE (20/1) ran a lovely prep race when finishing fourth at Punchestown last time and could easily be the forgotten horse in this contest.
My Sister Sarah is another each-way alternative at a fancy price.
3.30pm - Champion Chase
DEFI DU SEUIL (9/4) is taken to continue his rich vein of form and tap Altior for toe in the closing stages of the Champion Chase.
4.10pm - Cross Country Chase
A very unoriginal pick but TIGER ROLL (Evs) stands head and shoulders above his rivals here and can record yet another Festival victory.
4.50pm - Boodles Juvenile Hurdle
The Joseph O’Brien-trained CERBERUS (14/1) can be rewarded for his consistency this season by taking this Cheltenham Prize. Alan King’s French recruit Blacko merits consideration too.
5.10pm - Champion Bumper
The Willie Mullins-trained POWER OF PAUSE (25/1) can make amends for getting turned over at short odds on debut at Thurles.
Israel Champ should also be on any shortlist you draw up.
Day 3: Thursday 12th March
1.30pm - Marsh Novices’ Chase
Veteran performer FAUGHEEN (6/1) can bring down the house by taking the “St Patrick’s Day” opener. The twelve-year-old is as good as ever and this is a realistic target for him.
2.10pm - Pertemps Final
The Matthew Smith-trained RONALD PUMP (14/1) has held his form all season and a hurly-burly contest like this should be well within his scope.
At a price, Copper Goes West is worth a speculative each-way punt.
2.50pm - Ryanair Chase
A PLUS TARD (9/4) has a great chance of giving Henry De Bromhead a third day winner with this Cheveley Park Stud-owned gelding. Min is the obvious danger to the selection.
3.30pm - Stayers’ Hurdle
The banker of the week for many people will be PAISLEY PARK (8/11) and I have to agree with them. Forecast backers may want to consider Emitom who recently bounced back to form at Haydock.
4.10pm - Brown Advisory Chase
The Dan Skelton-trained SPIRITOFTHEGAMES(14/1) can game some compensation for just being touched off twice here this season. He clearly thrives at this racecourse and is a solid each-way bet.
4.50pm - Mares’ Novices Hurdle
JEREMYS FLAME (12/1) can bounce back here from her poor showing at Leopardstown where she was found to be lame. Prior to that run she was holding her form really well this season.
5.30pm - Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Chase
BONBON AU MIEL (20/1) hasn’t been seen on a racecourse since he fell in the RSA two years ago but he can provide Willie Mullins with a fairytale comeback.
Fitzhenry was just denied in the Paddy Power Chase and will be suited by this kind of race.
Day 4: Friday 13th March
1.30pm - Triumph Hurdle
I’ve had my eye on SOLO (5/2) for some time now after seeing him win at Auteuil and he showed his brilliance to the watching public by scooting home at Kempton on his UK debut.
2.10pm - County Hurdle
Greatwood winner HARAMBE (25/1) has the perfect profile for this race and can bounce back from being brought down last time. Birds Of Prey is an interesting outsider for Paul Nicholls.
2.50pm - Albert Bartlett Hurdle
The galloping grey RAMSES DE TEILLEE (12/1) can outstay his rivals here and continue his purple patch of form.
3.30pm - Cheltenham Gold Cup
If Delta Work is a 5/1 shot for the Gold Cup then there is no way MONALEE (20/1) should be the price he is based upon their Savills Chase encounter.
The nine-year-old has been a Cheltenham Festival runner-up twice before and placed fourth in the RSA last year. He can top off a potential first class week for trainer Henry De Bromhead.
4.10pm - Foxhunter Chase
MINELLA ROCCO (6/1) is enjoying a new lease of life in this sphere and after I saw him easily account for Hazel Hill at Wetherby, I thought he had the Foxhunters written all over him.
4.50pm - Grand Annual Chase
The JP McManus-owned GREAT FIELD (16/1) has showed nothing in recent times but I still believe he has another decent big prize in him.
Could a trip to the Cotswold reignite his inner flame? Paloma Blue has been knocking on the door all season and is another interesting each-way player.
5.10pm - Martin Pipe Hurdle
If you still have any funds left by race 28 then I suggest you have an each-way flutter on the Paul Nicholls-trained MCFABULOUS (14/1).
Winner of the Aintree bumper last April, the six-year-old has been brought to the boil nicely by the Ditcheat maestro. Joseph O’Brien’s consistent gelding Entoucas is one to bear in mind also.
*Credit for the main photo belongs to Seth Wenig / AP Photo*
