Ante-Post

    Two weeks to go and aside from impressive wins from Sire De Grugy and Beltor on Saturday there were few Cheltenham clues this past weekend. I think the former is the one to beat in the Queen Mother now but his opposition this time around is better than twelve months ago and It'll be interesting to see if he starts fav on the day.

    The handicap weights are out on the 26th and I've had my first bet on one. Mendip Express is a big strong chaser who's three runs this season have included two over hurdles but his lone effort over the bigger obstacles, in the Becher Chase at Aintree in December, was an eye catching one in that he never looked at home on the track, conceding notable ground travelling at the back of the field and jumping awkwardly at times, before finding his groove towards the end of the contest when he stayed on to take second. Obviously he was passing tired horses that day but I loved his attitude and Cheltenham as a course will be much more to his liking. And the form of the Becher is looking ok, Saint Are in third having run well on both occasions he has raced since. I took some 19 on Sunday and have added him to my short list of each way double candidates. Also on that list now is Rock on Ruby. I've done my money on More of That who was ruled out of the World Hurdle today but in his absence it looks a really open renewal and ultimately Ruby is the best horse in the race if we presume Annie Power goes for the Mares Hurdle. Sure he may not stay but he loves the track, looks as good as ever and I find it hard to believe he won't place at worst. I might even back him in a single on the day if his price is similar and the ground is decent.
 


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Arkle Chase:
Josses Hill £50w @ 11/1

Festival Handicap Chase:
Mendip Express £5w @ 18/1

Champion Hurdle:
Jezki £15w @ 13/2 and £25ew @ 11/2 NRNB

Neptune Novices' Hurdle:
Shaneshill £10w @ 14/1

RSA Chase:
King's Palace £75w @ 87/10

Queen Mother:
Uxizandre £15ew @ 16/1 NRNB
Champagne Fever £20w @ 84/10

Ryanair Chase:
Uxizandre £12w @ 16/1
Champagne Fever £10w @ 12/1
Cue Card £25w @ 77/10

Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle:
Tea For Two £10w @ 25/1
Value At Risk £15w @ 14/1

Gold Cup:
Boston Bob £10ew @ 20/1 NRNB
Champagne Fever £25w @ 17/1

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

Win Doubles:
Tea For Two(Lanzarote)(won)/King's Palace(RSA) £10w @ 6/1 & 5/1

Don Poli(RSA)/Cue Card(Ryanair) £10w @ 5/1 & 7/1


£5ew Doubles:
Mendip Express(Festival Handicap Chase)/Smad Place(Gold Cup) @ 14/1 & 16/1 NRNB

Jezki(Champion Hurdle)/Monksland(World Hurdle) @ 6/1 & 16/1 NRNB

Jezki(Champion Hurdle)/Rock on Ruby(World Hurdle) @ 11/2 & 8/1 NRNB

Champagne Fever(Queen Mother)/Smad Place(Gold Cup) @ 6/1 & 25/1 NRNB

Cue Card(Ryanair)/Tea For Two(Albert Bartlett) @ 6/1 & 20/1 NRNB




£78 lost on Non-Runners