Ante-Post

    I'll probably be doing an ante-post update once a week from now until the Festival. Tea For Two was deeply impressive in the Lanzarote last Saturday but narrowing down a possible target race for him at Cheltenham (if he went there at all) seemed problematical at first until his owner said he'd be staying in the novice ranks. Given the likelihood of decent ground in March I reckon the Albert Bartlett is a more likely race for him than the Neptune and so I've taken 25s about him for the longer contest. He was beaten in a decent novice hurdle at Newbury in November but that was a slowly run four runner contest totally at odds with the sort of pace he needs and his price seems inflated to me.

    I've been itching to have another pop at the Gold Cup since a number of firms went NRNB and Silviniaco Conti shortened for the race after his King George win. I've settled on Boston Bob who hasn't run badly thus far this season but usually improves for spring ground. When his RSA run is ever mentioned people debate about whether or not Lord Windermere would have caught him if he hadn't fallen but imo the real debate is how far would he have won the race if Townend had held on to him for longer (presuming he had cleared the last of course). He went clear that day as they rounded the turn into the straight and I think if that turn of speed had been postponed he'd have had more chance of jumping that last fence clearly. Ultimately three miles plus on good ground looks like being his optimum conditions and he has excellent place claims at least.




Arkle Chase:
Josses Hill £50w @ 11/1

Champion Hurdle:
Jezki £15w @ 13/2 and £20ew @ 11/2 NRNB

Neptune Novices' Hurdle:
Shaneshill £5w @ 15/1

RSA Chase:
King's Palace £40w @ 12/1
Tea For Two(Lanzarote)(won)/King's Palace £10w dbl @ 6/1 & 5/1

Ryanair Chase:
Uxizandre £12w @ 16/1
Champagne Fever £10w @ 12/1

World Hurdle:
More of That £20w @ 5/1

Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle:
Tea For Two £10w @ 25/1

Gold Cup:
Boston Bob £10ew @ 20/1 NRNB
Champagne Fever £25w @ 17/1
Taquin Du Seuil £15w @ 26/1
Wonderful Charm £5w @ 156/1

To Win at the Festival:
Cue Card £10 @ 16/1

£10 lost on Non-Runner(s)