Cheltenham Day 1 – What’s another year?!

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