Day One was outstanding




A truly epic first day for the irish and not so bad here with a 33/1 and Hurricane Fly winning - with 24 points wagered and 25 received. any day you finish up at Cheltenham is a great day! So heres to another!

Point system

1 pt (e.g 10 euro) = minimum bet
5pt (e.g 50 euro) = maximum bet (confidence)

Race by Race tips on Twitter - @dermonolan91

  

John Oaksey National Hunt Chase

Rival D'estruval could win

Another of the traditional Cheltenham races here, where the jockeys from the other school of thought "point to points" get they're chance to shine.

One jockey who has never failed to shine is Derek O'Connor - who apart from being champion amateur countless times over here won this race on the likeable Chicago Grey in 2011. I find it interesting that Pauline Robson would book Derek for my selection Rival D'estruval and this really points to how much she wants to win this.

Whilst obviously after a blistering day one, the Willie Mullins trained Back in Focus will be popular - but my selection seems more like a proper stayer  and has showed this with his tough workmanlike wins all year - the extra few furlongs will only strengthen his claims.

2 pts win Rival D'estruval 9/2

Odds of 9/2 are very generous

Neptune Novices 14.05:

Chatterbox could well pop up

This race looks to be wrapped up by the all conquering Willie Mullins team - but there one horse here who could give trouble to the "certainty" that is Pont Alexandre, so maybe keeping both on side will be worth it.

Firstly Pont Alexandra looks like the horse that whatever beats him - will win the race. His form is rock solid, having to give weight away to his opposition last time and still slamming them and with that form on soft ground he looks the likely one and should be backed if you've made profits from yesterday! But I just cannot back a horse at 6/4 at Cheltenham so my each way money is going elsewhere!

I also though really like the chances of Chatterbox - who slammed My Tent or Yours earlier in the year - and with that form receiving a boost yesterday, odds of 9/1 have to be taken. He acts on soft and should be the biggest threat to Pont Alexandre which should see Geraghty close down on Ruby in the top jockey at Cheltenham race.. 

Minsk was too bad to be true also last time out and would not be entered here if that run was deemed true - may be worth a small e/w bet at likely odds.

1 pts e/w Chatterbox 9/1

0.5 pts e/w Minsk 33/1

14.40 RSA Chase

Lyreen Legend E/W shout

This looks to be another classic with at least 7 of these well capable of winning this - however with the soft ground I just feel this could well go to Lyreen Legend at a nice price . 

He was beaten by Boston Bob last time out - but the distance was a mere 1/2 length and maybe if rode a bit more casually Lyreen Legend will outrun his price that in the grand scheme of things really is too high. I believe its too high as he only has to turn over a half of a length with Boston bob and yet is almost three times his price.

Lyreen Legend is my each way bet of the whole festival.

He will most certainly thrive in conditions and with the brilliant Bryan Copper on board will be in the right place coming over the last fence - the stable seems in good form and a big run is expected by me at least! Lord Windermere may be one for the forecast.


2 e/w Lyreen Legend 9/1

Big Race of the Day 15.20 Queen Mother Champion Chase:

The black aeroplane should prevail

Again this race is a pure race to watch and enjoy - we get the chance to watch the "black aeroplane" Sprinter Sacre in action - and good grief is he not some sight!

Sizing europe will no doubt run his race and this perhaps is a fitting way to end his career. He will by no means be shamed - but Sprinter Sacre is from a different world and just simply wont be caught. Sizing Europe may tire himself out chasing SS and if so this may open the door for Wishful Thinking to grab a place.

So I advise to throw on the kettle and watch the performance of the whole festival.

.5pts e/w Wishful Thinking 25/1

16.00 Coral Cup

2 pt win Pendra 7/1 (Nap of the day)

1pt E/W Bondage 14/1

16.40 Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap

0.5 pts e/w Habesh 40/1

1pts e/w 14/1 Fatcatinthehat

17.15 Champion Bumper

1 pts e/w Sizing Tenassee 18/1 
1pts e/w Regal Encore 9/1

Cheltenham Points wagered: 24 Pts 

Points won =25.5 Pts

Profit = 1.5 pts