March 15 Tips, Wednesday.

 

13:30 JEWSON NOVICES' CHASE E/W

The Irish have got off to a torrid start at Cheltenham, having been seriously burned by Hurricane Fly yesterday and then Sizing Europe being denied - and unfortunately I can see an Irish Jockey winning, but not an Irish horse as I see Champion Court winning here.

Champion Court has been a great servant to Martin Keighley and has shown solid form - none more so than when he turned over the highly regarded Invictus last time out. He has been put away from this and will definitely make this a stamina test - he may not see another horse!

Alain Cawley has proved himself a top jockey of late and can add another feather tp his cap in a Cheltenham win.

Selection : 2 Pts each way Champion Court

14:05 PERTEMPS FINAL HANDICAP

Selection:  1 pt Each Way : Thehillsoffuinseach 14/1

                   1 Pt Each Way :  Pineau De Re

 

 

14:40 RYANAIR CHASE Nap

The Ryanair chase looks to be one of the races of the festival -  the whole field are capable of a run here and not one horse is a "good thing", but one horse who will love the ground, the distance and more importantly the track is Noble Prince.

He has been in decent form this year - mixing it with Sizing Europe and Big Zeb and generally running at a high level. He has had a nice prep - just like last year and in returning to the scene of his emphatic win I just think he willcome alive here and at a price.

Paul Nolans stable will have been buoyed by the run of Golden Sunbird in the Mares Hurdle and may see the winning enclosure yet with Noble Prince, with the booking of Davy Russel also massive.

Verdict: Noble Prince 2 Pt win 13/2

15:20 LADBROKES WORLD HURDLE

1.  Big Bucks goes into todays racing the King of the staying Hurdle and in all probability he will remain this after today, but a horse who will give him most to think about and is a nice each way price is Thousand Stars.

He never runs a bad race - fourth in last years Champion hurdle and then a winner in a listed Champion Hurdle over this ditance in France, which should prove that he will definitely stay. He has the ability to give big bucks the fright of all frights and is similar to Oscar Whiskey on form - He may just turn around the Irish and Willie Mullins Cheltenham.

Paul Townend takes the ride which is only a massive positive.

Verdict:  1 pt e/w Thousand stars 8/1

 

16:00 BYRNE GROUP PLATE N.B

 

This is a fine Spectactle of a race and is always a tight well run affair but a horse who adores Cheltenham and may just pop up here is Divers.

He has been poor this year and his jumping has let him down - but for one occasion when third in the Paddy Power here in Cheltenham, he seems to really flourish around here. He won well at last years festival and I see no reason why he cannot repeat today - especially given his trainers record.

The Champ Tony McCoy takes the ride which is only a massive positive.

 

Verdict: 2 Pts E/W Divers 7/1 

16:40 KIM MUIR HANDICAP CHASE

 

Verdict: 2 Pts E/W Brackloon High 12/1  

              2 Pts E/W Start Me Up 12/1