What a performance from Vautour. A very very impressive demolition job in the opener adds another string to Willie Mullins’ bow for next year’s staying chases. He really was awesome.

That aside it was a day for the bookies, most certainly.

As I mentioned, I hope you kept it tight! A few each way bob back on Grand Vision doesn’t give me much to talk about, so without further ado, I’ll drive on!

13:30 JCB Triumph Hurdle: Nicky Henderson hit the target for the first time this year on Day 3. Whilst it’s taken him a while to get off the mark he’s got a strong record in this race, winning it 5 times. I’m hoping the pick of his lot, Peace and Co can go well. I was very taken after Doncaster, as were most people, and I think he should hold off the rest.

14:05 Vincent O’Brien County Handicap Hurdle: Obviously, Richard Newland’s Ebony Express is hunting for the bonus after winning the Imperial Cup at Sandown last weekend and is most likely very well handicapped. However, the one I like here is Cheltenian. A winner of the Champion Bumper a few years ago, and by all accounts a new horse after a wind op. Carries plenty of weight, but I still fancy his each way chance at around 14/1.

14:40 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle: Taking on Willie Mullins horses at the head of the market hasn’t paid off this week, but I’m nothing if not consistent, so I’ve overlooked Black Hercules here. The one for me is No More Heroes for Gordon Elliot and Gigginstown. I’d be willing to forgim him his last run.

15:20 Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase: A real open Gold Cup. Opinions are divided which bodes well for bookies, if they can shake off some of their antepost liabilities on Silviniaco Conti. Personally, I feel the Nicholls horse has improved a fair share this year but a flat track looks the key to him. Maybe I sound like an old parrot regurgitating the views of the crabs in the press but I do genuinely feel he’s a flat track horse. It’ll be a great race, gan dabht, with the contenders in this category looking to be very well grouped on ability. I could go on forever talking about each one, but I’ll cut to the chase. The one I like is Road to Riches. This lad was a good winner of the Lexus and has answered pretty much every question asked of him since Galway bar a slight blip over an inadequate trip at Gowran. He’s a big price and should go very close indeed.

16:00 St. James’s Place Foxhunter Chase Challenge Cup: Having a share in Prince de Beauchene has been a nice excuse to keep a very close eye on the Hunter Chase sphere this season. I honestly think that the best Hunter Chase run in the world, yes the world, this year was the Raymond Smith Memorial at Leopardstown on Hennessy day. Our fella won by ¾ of a length from On the Fringe, who coincidentally was backed like defeat was out of the question suggesting he was 100% on the day and wont improve too much. The eye catching run was Salsify. Mad fresh, he jumped and travelled well out of his comfort zone pulling his way to the front as they passed the stands first time. He ran extremely well and was upsides jumping the second last. He blew up at the last and was cosied into 4^th with only one backhander administered by Coleman Sweeny as our lad went on. I really think he will improve no end for that after some 18 months off the track. I don’t buy the Paint the Clouds hype just yet. If I may, I’ll quote myself from 2013 on Salsify; “…the Irish Hunter Chasers are in a class of their own and this lad is the valedictorian. Owned by the Mother, trained by the Father, ridden by the Son there will be scenes of jubilation if he can come home in front.”

16:40 Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle: Tricky. I’ll be backing two against the field. Michael Cowley takes the ride on a horse for Jonjo by the name of Forthefunofit, who is talented, and won well enough at Huntingdon the last day. I’d have a little each way nibble on him and on McKinley who is very well handicapped in my eyes.

17:15 A.P. McCoy Grand Annual Handicap Chase: Well, it’ll be the last time you’ll see AP McCoy in the saddle at a Cheltenham Festival. The name of the race has been changed as a tip of the cap to the perpetual Champion Jockey. He rides Ned Buntline, who is the market leader at the moment. I might just back it in cash and keep the bet slip for posterity. But there’s no such thing as a fairy tale is there??!! Mount Colah could go well at a big each way prize, but all eyes will be on the champ.

So that’s it for the 2015 Cheltenham festival, folks.

Hopefully we can come out on top!

Slán tamaillín,

T

Not too shabby at all. A nice little each way bet on The Saint James, Don Poli romping home in the RSA and Moon Racer getting the job done in the bumper leaves me in pretty good shape at the half way stage of the festival.

What a day for Paul Nicholls! That form from the big Saturday races throughout the season has shone through in the festival and a three timer for Ditcheat has pleased the big man, I’m sure!

I’ll get stuck in to tomorrow, but before I do, I mention every year that it is notoriously difficult to make money on the 3^rd day of the Festival. So if you’re up I’d suggest maybe keeping it tight tomorrow so you can play with bookies money on Friday, as opposed to delving into your own precious hard earned cash! It’s a much nicer feeling to have your worst case scenario breaking even for the festival, than down.

Right so!

13:30 JLT Novices’ Chase: Vautour looks class. Is class. By all means back him. But for some reason I just can’t overlook Noel Meade’s Apache Stronghold. I was very taken by his win of the Flogas at Leopardstown last time. He was very Novicey and was looking all over the place on the run in before he realised what he was supposed to be doing and galloped away to the line. He should improve again. Look, PP are going money back if your horse finishes 2^nd or 3^rd in the JLT so take advantage of that as an insurance. I wouldn’t put you off backing the fav either but this is just a hunch that I’m going to follow, and it could well be off a cliff!

14:05 Pertemps Network Final: Edeymi is very very well handicapped. I’d back him now before he shortens tomorrow. 8/1 at the moment.

14:40 Ryanair Chase: Don Cossack has been tipped up as a banker by many, but the one I’ve taken a shine to here is Balder Succes. Looks to have improved for the step back up to two and half miles and shouldn’t be far away here.

15:20 World Hurdle: A pretty poor renewal of the World Hurdle, if we’re being honest. Saphir du Rheu was originally sent over the larger obstacles this season, but didn’t take to it kindly. A high class hurdler on his day, I’d fancy him for this. A course and distance winner. He’ll improve from that Cleeve hurdle win too.

16:00 Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Stable Plate: It would seem that a big handicap at the festival has been the target for Attaglance for some time. He shoulders a very manageable racing weight in this and has a nice each way chance.

16:40 Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Handicap Chase: Grand Vision was third behind Brindisi Breeze in the 2012 Albert Bartlett and on his day can go well. He’s been in good form of late and with a valuable 3lb claim off his back the Tizzard’s could have a lively each way chance with this fella.

So that’s it for Day 3 folks. Box clever.

Slán tamaillín,

T

Well what an eventful day that was. The utter domination of Willie Mullins, combined with the shock fall of Annie Power really left me not knowing whether Id had a good or bad day!

Douvan proved himself, Un de Sceaux jumped and travelled and Faugheen now looks to be the best hurdler around by some way, and not just over two miles either.

As for my good self, well it was a pretty decent day with the Druids Nephew boosting the coffers, Un de Sceaux, Faugheen and a few bob each way on Thomas Crapper running into second did no harm either.

If some of you are baffled by Annie Powers fall, the camera angle on Racing UK showed it quite well. Cheltenham has, throughout the season, been subject to some low sun. The shadow of the final hurdle extended quite a long way back down the straight and she tried to jump the shadow. She just ended up diving into the hurdle and taking a tumble.

Anyway, onward we go! We’ve got a big day tomorrow!

13:30 Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle: This, to me, looks a very good, competitive Neptune. Nichols Canyon comes into the race having won at Leopardstown pretty impressively and Outlander looks to have a very nice turn of foot indeed. However, I’m pretty sweet on a horse of John Ferguson’s called Parlour Games. I highly doubt that Sheikh Mohammed had the Neptune in mind when sending an Oaks winner to be covered by Monsun. How and ever, he’s ended up with a very nice hurdler.

14:05 RSA Chase: Disappointing that Coneygree doesn’t run here. Don Poli is now my idea of the winner and I’d imagine he has the measure of King’s Palace. Definitely the class horse for me and I really liked the way he went about it the last day when getting the better of a horse I like by the name of Apache Stronghold.

14:40 Coral Cup: The first of the big handicap hurdles. A minefield. A dynamic handicap duo of Denis O’Regan and Tony Martin team up with an interesting horse by the name of Blackmail here on handicap debut. Ran in the Champion Bumper a few years ago and off the back of a couple of wins could be better than his mark. His each way chance is good enough for me. At a big price Goodwood Mirage could have an each way squeak.

15:20 Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase: In the antepost market I had plenty of each money on Champagne Fever each way at the bigger prices when I thought the big two were goosed after injury. I still feel the Sprinter Sacre of old will never be seen again. I’ve asked, several vets their opinion on his condition too and they all concur that the likelihood of Sprinter Sacre returning to his full ability again is low. I was very taken by Sire de Grugy’s prep. He jumped a bit big but he was well within himself and it puts him in a very good light for this. He’s the one for me.

16:00 Glenfarclas Handicap Chase: I don’t really have too strong of an opinion here. Any Currency is better than this mediocre field, but I won’t be getting involved in a serious way.

16:40 Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle: A tricky one. I’ll be having a small each way bet on The Saint James for Jonjo O’Neill. This lad has come from France and was very much minded on his UK debut at Sandown. He will no doubt improve and could be well in. AP looks elsewhere, but that doesn’t worry me too much.

17:15 Weatherbys Champion Bumper: WPM could nearly run this race on his own, he has so many in it! Look, it’s always tough to compare UK and Irish bumper form, but one I really liked the look of is Moon Racer for David Pipe, a course and distance winner.

So that’s it for Day 2 folks. Hopefully we can keep the bit of momentum going!

Slán tamaillín,

T

So. We meet again. Another year has flown by and it’s back. The most magical four day sporting event on the calendar. Of course, that’s just in my own humble opinion.

I was asked in work, not so long ago, to put into words why Cheltenham is special. I honestly struggled a bit. Ever since I was a chizzler Cheltenham has been a big deal, because…… well because it just is! I had never actually had to think why before.

But me being a troubled soul and all that, I pondered on it for a while. Needless to say I didn’t come up with a conclusive answer. Bearing in mind that I’ve never even been to the festival, how could I, of all people, talk about it with any clout?!

However, after about a few pints of porter on Saturday post ‘The Prince’ romping home in the Tetratema Cup at Gowran Park, it hit me. No, not the floor. I wasn’t that bad.

In Ireland, Cheltenham is literally spoken about with the same enamoured tone that you might hear in a fairy tale. As the great man, Barney Curley, once described it, it is the ‘Mecca’ of National Hunt racing.

It is the be all and end all.

The stories often tread the fine line between fact and folklore, but that’s what romanticises the whole event anyway. The stories of late night card games, in low lit pubs after racing, where the stakes were the highest they’ve ever been before. The stories of the fella up the road who bought a house after winning so much money at Cheltenham, only to lose said house in a card game the following year. The stories of JP McManus in the betting ring and literally cleaning out bookmakers.

I’m willing to admit that some of the greatest stories I’ve ever heard about Cheltenham have probably been absolute and utter bollocks, but they were fecking great stories.

Barring all that, there’s tip-top action on the track too.

If you’re a Turf Talk virgin, you’re very welcome along. Let me fill you in on how the whole thing works. I’m a waffler, a pontificator, a spoofer of the highest degree. If you’re not into that whole ‘buzz’ well then scroll down and the selections are in bold. But be warned, as every year I add this caveat I feel it’s as important as ever to point out that I am not in any way shape or form a professional punter. I’m just a racing fan with a penchant for talking shite and occasionally I get it right, but equally I get it wrong sometimes too. Just thought I’d point that out for anyone who’s been promised perfection from me!!

As for all you regulars, great to have you back and here’s hoping for a good week!

Let’s get cracking!!

13:30 Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle: Douvan looked good when beating Sizing John, a subsequent Grade 1 winner, on debut at Gowran by 12 lengths. He was good at Punchestown too. He comes with form, and a very very big reputation. However, at the price I simply have to look elsewhere. Absolutely no way am I backing a 7/4 shot who hasn’t been off the bridle yet. Maybe he’s just that good, but I can’t afford to do my brain on an unknown entity in the first, when there’s a long week ahead. L’Ami Serge has no doubt relished the move to Seven Barrows from France putting a string of 3 wins on the bounce together for NJH and BJG. A good winner of a bad Tolworth Hurdle, 4/1 is skinny enough. I like the profile of a horse of Harry Fry’s by the name of Jollyallan. A big price at 10’s.

14:05 Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase: This really is a mouth-watering prospect for racing Folk. The chance to see, what is in my opinion, the most exciting chaser in training. Un de Sceaux’s running style is the type that puts you on the edge of your seat. He is so aggressive at his fences, and when he wings one there is hardly a more beautiful site. He wins bar a fall, which as we saw recently is a possibility. Those downhill fences are notoriously tricky for novices, but his relentless gallop should allow him the breathing space to pop away, although I don’t think ‘pop’ is in his vocabulary. If you want to take him on, I wish you all the best, and Paddy Power’s money back all losers if Un de Sceaux wins is a no brainer if you’re out to get the fav.

14:40 Ultima Business Solutions Handicap Chase: Pendra has been well backed for this, but the one I like is The Druids Nephew who comes into the race after a prep over hurdles at Cheltenham back in January. This race has been the plan for a while and one can imagine his connections consider him to be well handicapped. I fancy his each way chance.

15:20 Stan James Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy: I am absolutely fascinated by this year’s renewal of the Champion Hurdle. For me, Faugheen is the one. Slightly boring, I know, but he just seems to have the x-factor. The nay sayers reckon he hasn’t beaten much, and has been protected. I would beg to differ and say that it has been a training masterclass by WPM. He has campaigned two horses, Hurricane Fly the other, in two different countries and kept them unbeaten this year. I can’t see him beaten.

16:00 OLBG Mares’ Hurdle: Annie Power even after being off the track for so long has 18lbs in hand on the next best on ratings. If she’s anywhere close to her best she wins. Unbackable for us mere mortals, but put Glens Melody in the forecast and you’ve a decent bet.

16:40 Toby Balding National Hunt Chase: I’m being extremely boring here again, but Albert Bartlett winner Very Wood really caught the eye when returning to winning ways at Navan last time. He should go well and is probably my bet of the day.

17:15 CHAPS Restaurants Barbados Novices’ Handicap Chase: Thomas Crapper was a game second to Don Poli over hurdles at last year’s festival and has turned into a tidy chaser. He is better than his mark and off bottom weight has a very nice chance indeed.

So that’s it for Day 1 folks.

Here’s hoping!

Slán tamaillín,

T