Cheltenham - 3 Weeks

I've had a couple of bets since my posts last week. I have added Trifolium in the Arkle at 6/1. I was loathe to oppose Champagne Fever but his missing out on a prep run last Sunday has to go down as a bit of a negative and so at a short price I'm now willing to take him on. Trifolium has improved with every start this season. He was firmly put in his place at Navan back in early December by Felix Yonger but that horse put in a terrific round of jumping that day and I still think he's the best novice chaser we've seen this season. On Boxing Day Trifolium came through for second in the Grade 1 Racing Post Novice Chase. I was initially concerned that Davy Russell couldn't lay up that day but re-watching the race his body language suggests to me that he thought the pace setting Defy Logic and Champagne Fever had gone off too hard and would come back to him. Of course the latter made his mistake down the back straight and Trifolium stayed on for second. He improved again in winning the Irish Arkle last month and is a viable alternative to the favourite. He also has a good Festival appearance to his name when finishing in the frame in the Supreme a couple of years back. I actually backed him for the Arkle last year at a big price but connections decided on a hurdling campaign. He was never himself in 2012/13 and had a wind operation in the summer.

The other bet is Just a Par in the 4 miler on the opening day. This Paul Nicholls charge was impressive when winning at Newbury in November, looking a neat and tidy jumper and was amongst the market leaders for the RSA after that win but he ran like a drain in the Feltham on Boxing Day. I'm always willing to forgive one bad run from any horse, and once Paul confirmed his target I was happy to take 30 on Betfair. I'm not wholly convinced he'll stay but he's overpriced.

Supreme Novices':
The Liquidator £15w @ 176/10

Arkle Trophy:
Felix Yonger £20w @ 13/1
Trifolium £30w @ 6/1 (£15 NRFB)

Champion Hurdle:
Jezki £20w @ 172/10
My Tent or Yours £55w @ 65/10 (£15 NRNB)
Our Conor £30w @ 15/2 (NRFB, NRNB)

NH Chase:
Just a Par £5w @ 30/1

Neptune Novices':
Briar Hill £20w @ 12/1 (NRFB)
Ballyalton £5w @ 21/1

Champion Chase:
Al Ferof £10ew @ 16/1 (NRNB)

RSA:
Wonderful Charm £25w @ 16/1 (NRFB)
Smad Place £15w @ 8/1

JLT Novices' Chase:
Chatterbox £10w @ 25/1 (NRFB)
Felix Yonger £34w @ 9/1
Champagne Fever £20w @ 7/1 (NRFB)
Wonderful Charm £35w @ 7/1 (£10 NRFB)

Ryanair:
Al Ferof £75w @ 10/1 (£20 NRFB, £45 NRNB)
Cue Card £15w @ 52/10

World Hurdle:
Monksland £10w @ 24/1
Rule The World £20ew @ 20/1 (NRNB)

Triumph Hurdle:
Fox Norton £15ew @ 25/1 (NRFB)
Le Rocher £25w @ 10/1

Albert Bartlett Novices'
Briar Hill £40w @ 11/2

Gold Cup:

Sir Des Champs £15w @ 10/1 (NRFB)
Last Instalment £13ew @ 10/1 (NRNB)

Non-Runners - Total of £34 lost

£1 Lucky 15:
Irving (Supreme) 12/1
My Tent or Yours (CH) 4/1
Briar Hill (Albert Bartlett) 6/1
Bob's Worth (Gold Cup) 9/4

£10 Each Way Doubles:
The Tullow Tank (Supreme) and Faugheen (Neptune) 10/1 and 9/2
Our Conor (Champion Hurdle) and Mendip Express (Nat' Hunt Chase) 5/1 and 8/1
Carlingford Lough (RSA) and Al Ferof (Ryanair) 14/1 and 6/1