Cheltenham 2008 - Tuesday
The opening day of the Festival and the roar as the first race of the day gets under way is something you have to experience first hand to really appreciate the atmosphere of the Festival. Latest updates are shown in blue.
2:00 Anglo Irish Bank Supreme Novices Hurdle
Current favourite is last years bumper winner Cork All Star at around 7/1, however the Jessica Harrington trained charge has not wholly impressed this season.
Of more interest is Noel Mead's Muirhead, who beat Cork All Star by 1¾ lengths at Fairyhouse in December. The one caveat being the race was run on heavy going. However I fancy the Mead's horse just that bit more than the favourite.
Khyber Kim would have been on the short list for the race, however after a very disappointing performance at Doncaster in February I would advise a watching brief at the moment.
2:35 Irish Independent Arkle Challenge Trophy
The race of the week for novice chasers which has thrown up a number of future champions over the years, including Waterloo Boy, Remittance Man, Flagship Uberalles, Moscow Flyer, Azertyuiop and Voy Por Usted amongst many others.
Whilst there are a number of promising novices entered, everything points to one horse - Noland, many punters idea of the festival banker.
Of course all the value has long gone, however it is very hard to look beyond this talented seven year old giving Paul Nicholls his first victory of the week.
For those looking for some each way value, then Irish raider Cloph, generally available at 10/1, could be the answer.
3:15 Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle
The Champion Hurdle betting was shaken up after last Sunday's AIG at Lepoardstown. The then Gold Cup favourite, Sublimity, by-passed the event due to the ground and this left the way open for Sizing Europe to show his credentials with a convincing win which has been almost universally acclaimed. Sizing Europe, not unsurprisingly is now the 5/2 favourite for the Champion Hurdle and those who had backed him at 10's and 12's earlier this month must be laughing.
As a result defending champion Sublimity has drifted out to 5/1 and that price may be worth a small each way dabble. Sublimity is still available at 5/1, whilst Sizing Europe has hardened into a generally available 2/1.
4:00 William Hill Trophy
A relatively small field for this years renewal and the race revolves around David Pipe's two entries An Accordion and Abragante. I have long been a fan of the latter however he is not one to trust with your mortgage. However the same could be said of all the runners, against all of whom question marks can be applied.
At 4/1 An Accordion offers little value and I would be inclined to have a very small punt on Abragante.
4:40 BGC Handicap (Cross Country)
The race that is opfen slated by the "purists", this race often provides the best betting opportunity of the week.
The Cross Country races at Cheltenham have become an Irish benefit. In the three previous runnings of this race the Irish have filled nine of the twelve places.
In particular Enda Bolger has a fantastic record, winning 9 cross country races at Cheltenham over the years and having a similar record back home in Ireland. He currently holds three entries in the race, all of which have a chance.
However I am going to side with compatriot Tony Martin, who runs Wonderkid, who is the clear favourite for the race but one who has the ticks in all the right boxes.
Since the original review plans have become clearer and I have now spotted a decent each way bet in the shape of Garde Champetre, from where else Enda Bolger's yard and with the added bonus of being ridden by Nina Carberry, who knows how to ride the cross country course.
5:20 The Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle
French raider Grand Schlem went into many notebooks after an impressive second at Kempton recently and at a best price 8/1 looks to be a good investment. Although beaten five lengths the manner of his defeat gave hope and being a four year old there is plenty of scope for improvement.
Irish challenger River Liane also went into many notebooks following a very impressive win at Leopardstown over the weekend, so much so it is now a generally available 4/1 favourite.
Another factor to take into account with this race is the Sunderlands Imperial Cup, run at Sandown the Saturday before the festival. The winner of the Imperial Cup is eligable for a bonus if it goes on to win at the festival, a not uncommon occurrence. So if the winner of the Imperial Cup does go on to run in the Fred Winter then take note.
In terms of a punt, I am going to stick with the value and go with Grand Schlem.
As suggested in the original review the Sunderlands Imperial Cup winner, Ashkazar, has been entered in the race and cannot be ignored, especially as it comes from the Pipe stable.
Recommendations
Supreme Novices Muirhead 1pt e/w at 8/1 Lost
Arkle Noland 5pts win at 11/4 Lost
Cloph 1pt e/w at 10/1 Unseated
Champion Hurdle Sublimity 1pt e/w at 5/1 Pulled Up
William Hill Trophy - Abragante 1pt e/w at 8/1 Lost
Cross Country - Garde Champetre 2pts e/w at 6/1 Won 4/1
Fred Winter Grand Schlem 2pts e/w at 8/1 3rd at 12/1
Ashkazar 3pts win Lost
Previously Advised
Champion Hurdle Osana 1pt e/w at 14/1 2nd at 9/2
Cross Country Wonderkid 3pts win Lost
Daily Total: £5 profit
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