CHELTENHAM 2008...
Tuesday 11th March - E/W Double...
Cheltenham 14:35 - Tidal Bay 5/1
2m, Class 1 Arkle Independant Chase - Good to Soft
This enigmatic animal has been called a few names in his debut season over fences, but don't let that put you off backing him as he is one of the most talented up and coming chasers around. He's only lost once this season and that was by a neck to a fellow competitor on Tuesday, Leslingtaylor. Yes he lost that race due to two jumping errors, the last of which was a fairly serious one that cost him the race, but I feel that too much has been said and written about his jumping that just isn't fair. A helter-skelter 2 miles around Cheltenham (where we know he acts) should enable him to get into a rhythm with his so called 'bad jumping'. He travels well in his races and I expect him to be bang in there coming up the hill. His jockey Denis O' Regan described him as 'electric' in his last bit of work, let’s hope so and that he proves his doubters wrong.
WON 6/1
Cheltenham 17:20 - Harry Tricker 12/1
2m, Class 1 Fred Winter Novices' Handicap Hurdle - Good to Soft
Harry Tricker has been progressing nicely this season culminating in a victory last time out which is a good trend for this race. His form looks reasonably solid with place efforts behind the likes of Doubly Guest, Pierrot Lunaire (who just got touched off by Binocular) and Serabad who hasn't been beaten far by Triumph Hurdle favourite, Franchoek. At a very attractive price Gary Moore's runner looks the one to be on.
UP 16/1
Is this Harchibald's year...? The Analyst thinks if the ground is good it might just be!!
Wednesday 12th March - E/W Double...
Cheltenham 14:35 - Air Force One 6/1
3m, Class 1 Royal & SunAlliance Chase - Good to Soft
The Analyst has a bit of a soft spot for this horse and it's easy to see why when you set eyes on this striking chestnut. With facile victories at Folkestone and then Fontwell it was only at Ascot in the Reynoldstown that the selection proved he was worth a place towards the head of today’s market. Although not winning that particular contest he was an eye catching second staying on strongly to finish under 2 lengths behind Albertas Run. With proven course form, after a brilliant second at last year’s festival behind Wichita Lineman he is a strong fancy to land a blow.
UP 6/1
Cheltenham 17:20 - Apt Approach 4/1
2m, Class 1 Weatherby’s Champion Bumper NH Flat Race - Good to Soft
The Bumper! Well what can I say? The selection fits pretty much all the trends you require when coming into this special race. He's Irish, he's a five year old, he'll be in the first six in the betting and more importantly he's trained by Willie Mullins! Although Mr. Mullins has a whole host of others entered in the 2m contest, vibes are that this is the one to be on. Having only raced once before this season, he couldn’t have been more impressive, scoring by 14 lengths. The runner up has franked the form winning next timeout. And if all that wasn’t enough, just one more stat to leave you with, Willie Mullins is the only trainer to have won this race with a horse that's only made one previous appearance........ He has done this a staggering 4 times!!!
Mullin's... the man with the Midas touch?
Thursday 13th March - E/W Double…
The World at his Feet?
The Analyst is on The Drever ante-post... but would love to see Lough Derg chase him home in 2nd and secure the Order of Merit!
Cheltenham 14:00 - Something Wells 12/1
2m 5f, Jewson Novices' Chase - Good to Soft
Thursday at the festival is Ladies Day so it's only right that today’s double includes two lady trainers, working at the tops of their games. Something Wells goes in the first for Venetia Williams after a successful season so far including two wins and an encouraging 2nd last time out over C&D. Carrying an attractive racing weight and with Sam Thomas likely to be aboard, this bay gelding has everything in his favour to run a big race at a big price.
FELL 16/1
Cheltenham 17:20 - Backboard 6/1
3m, Class 1 Pertemps Final Handicap Hurdle - Good to Soft
Lucy Wadham is our lady in waiting, to hopefully land the Thursday double. She teams up with jockey Dominic Elsworth and the tough gelding Backboard in the lucky last. Consistently running well this year, Backboard steps back up in trip to 3 miles which is sure to suit. Backboard never seems to run a bad race and with a fast pace likely to be set, he will be ridden patiently to stay on up the Prestbury Park hill.
PU 8/1
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Backboard... Jumping to Glory!
Friday 14th March - E/W Double...
Cheltenham 16:00 - Agus A Vic 4/1
3m 2f, Class 2 Christies' Foxhunter Chase - Good to Soft
The Patrick Martin trained Agus A Vic, is a rock solid selection in a race that looks there for the taking. This tough 7 year old has had 3 wins and two 2nds from 5 career starts and should provide the Irish and The Analyst with another festival winner. Staying on over 3m at Leopardstown last time, this step up in trip and emphasis on stamina should bring about even further improvement for the gelding out of formerly high class Old Vic.
FELL 5/1
Cheltenham 17:10 - Theatre Girl 5/1
2m 4f, Class 1 David Nicholson Mares Hurdle - Good to Soft
What better way to bring down the curtain on what is sure to be another awesome festival than with an emotional winner for Alan King in the race named after his former boss? Theatre Girl arrives at the festival never having been out of the first three in 8 career starts. Alan King speaks very highly of his tough mare, stating that both the step up in trip and demands of the Cheltenham Course will bring out even further improvement to her racing. That said she is taken to reverse the Doncaster form with Chomba Womba and land the Friday Double.
UP 9/2
The Analyst is backing Kauto Star to make it three in a row in the Cheltenham Gold Cup!!
The Analyst
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