‘What’s another year?’ was one of the great rhetorical questions ever posed by the great crooner, Johnny Logan.
‘I’ve been waiting such a long time, Looking out for you, But you’re not here…’
Well, Johnny, you Cheltenham-centric swine, you. The wait is over, my friend. You’ve weathered the 361 odd day famine, prepare for the proverbial feast.
Yes indeed, the Cheltenham Festival has rolled around once again and, as has become tradition, I’ll be here covering each of the four days. At long last the trials are run, the previews are over and the talking is finished. We can finally get down to business.
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. Occasionally I call it right, but alas, I get it wrong sometimes too. Just thought I’d point that out for anyone who’s been promised perfection!
As for you hardened Turf Talk followers, you’re very welcome back! I’m sure you know the drill at this stage!
A quick acknowledgement of the fact that this is the 5th consecutive Cheltenham Festival I’ve covered on the blog. A lot has changed since that first fateful day in 2013, but it would be remiss of me not to extend my warmest thanks to you, the reader. New ones, of course, but especially the regulars. It’s your continued interest and interaction that keeps me on my toes.
Jesus Christ, I think I’m getting soft.
Anyway, enough of that auld guff. Let’s get stuck in, shall we?
13:30 Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle: The curtain raiser. This race often commands a lot of pre-festival attention due to it’s position on the card. This year the 2 mile Novice Hurdling supremos are probably lacking the standout star which we’ve become accustomed in previous years. Think Altior, Douvan, Vautour etc. At the moment, at least. Melon has been subject to a significant amount of talk, looked sharp enough in maiden hurdle company and could well turn out to be a class horse over timber. However, with only one run over hurdles against lesser competition, a short enough price and so many unknowns I have to look elsewhere, even though Ruby Walsh has decided to ride. I won’t blather on here, the one I’ve gone for is Bunk Off Early. A very solid run in a Grade 1 last time when second in the Deloitte to Bacardys at Leopardstown. Back on better ground and a slightly shorter trip should suit.
14:10 Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices’ Chase: Very little to discuss here in the context of the search for the winner. Altior is shaping up to be one of the greats with the tagline ‘the next Sprinter Sacre’ being thrown about with reckless abandon. Who knows how far he’ll go, but in 2m Novice Chase category he looks a class above his contemporaries and should win well, although at a prohibitive price. One out the market to give a second glance to is Some Plan for Henry De Bromhead and David Mullins. Obviously the race the last day fell apart, but I think on better ground he could outrun 20/1 but shouldn’t trouble the fav realistically. 4/1 for a place is a fair bet, for me.
14:50 Ultima Handicap Chase: A very competitive handicap, as one would expect at the Cheltenham Festival. At 7/1 the field the market has yet to really speak for anything here, but I’m looking at one at an each way price. The one I like here is Label Des Obeaux for Alan King and co. At 6 years old, perhaps a tad young for this kind of contest, but he’s a horse on the improve, winning the last twice, getting 7lbs for his latest victory. Hasn’t been out of the frame all year and ran well at Cheltenham, behind Singlefarmpayment, earlier in the season. 16/1 e/w with 5 places around.
15:30 Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy: The more I look at this race the more bullish I become about Yanworth. ‘Bullish about a favourite Tom? Real original…’ Alright, alright. Gizz a break. But I do really like him. Unbeaten this season, including the Christmas hurdle, stays well. The bet of the day for me. Only beaten by Yorkhill in the Neptune last year. Mark Walsh. Oooooh, I can feel it in me waters, lads.
16:10 Mares Hurdle: I’ve genuinely lost a bit of sleep trying to come a decision here. Firstly, I’d been knocked for 6 when it was announced Limini and Vroum Vroum Mag would take each other on in the mares. Then I was trying to figure out whether or not Apples Jade would still be a player, even though Limini handed her arse to her last time. Vroum Vroum looked out of sorts at Doncaster last time and perhaps still is, given Ruby has elected to ride Limini. With that in mind, I’ve taken the cowards route and opted with the favourite, with the view that, in this particular case, Ruby’s judgement must be worth a fair amount.
16:50 JT McNamara National Hunt Chase: Edwulf and A Genie In Abottle deserve to be at the top of the betting and are likely to run big races with top of the range amateurs booked to take the respective rides, but the juice is gone out of their prices. One at an each way price that really took my eye the last day was Bigbadjohn of Rebecca Curtis’. All he did was stay the last day over 3m at Ascot. At 14/1 e/w getting 4 places with a few firms, one I’d like.
17:30 Close Brothers Novices’ Handicap Chase: Foxtail Hill has been all the rage on the Cheltenham Preview Night circuit and does have a fair chance. However, I’d prefer to have an e/w bet on a horse of Henry De Bromhead’s down the bottom of the weights by the name of All Hell Let Loose. Looked a different beast first time out for Henry during the summer and, no doubt, that mark has been protected for a ‘big day out’.
Sin é for Day 1, folks. It’s good to be back!
Beir bua!
Slán tamaillín,
T
Turf Talk 