Cheltenham Festival 2013 Day 3

Day 2 was a much better day for the blog. Tofino Bay was unlucky to be caught close home by Back In Focus being left alone 2 out meant he possibly idled in front, although he was entitled to get tired. I had him each way though so all was not lost. Godsmejudge also ran a fantastic race to take third and secure some more each way money. Boston Bob was unlucky to come down at the last when in front, looking to have the race at his mercy, although eventual winner Lord Windermere wasn't doing a lot in front and may have won with something in hand. The Coral Cup was a bit of a disaster. Milord battled well to sneak into 4th for the each-way money, I also backed Flaxen Flare on course at 25/1 having seen him drift throughout the day, I'm just sorry I couldn't flag him up on here in the morning! Regal Encore found one too good in the bumper which was a little frustrating but he's a serious prospect for next year.

I'm afraid I haven't got much time tonight having recently got home from Cheltenham and have work tomorrow, therefore I won't be able to go into any of my selections in depth. I can only apologise.

Jewson

Captain Conan represents value at 13/2

Over 2 1/2 miles I feel Dynaste will be very hard to beat. Although at 6/4 I'm willing to take him on when you take into account his form has tailed off in the spring in the past. I was going to take him on with Texas Jack whose form in the P J Moriarty was comprehensively franked in yesterdays RSA by Lord Windermere, Lyreen Legend and Boston Bob. However, I have seen CAPTAIN CONAN has drifted out towards 13/2 and that is just too tempting. I am unconvinced how much Aupcharlie finds off the bridle so therefore 5/1 is too short. Module may be found wanting now up in grade.

Advice - Captain Conan 2pt Win @13/2 Paddy Power/William Hill

Pertemps Handicap Hurdle
Lives up to it's reputation as a fiercely competitive again this year. Market leader Sam Winner is Paul Nicholls' banker of the week but is far far too short at 4/1. I fancy JETSON to provide stern opposition back on his favoured better ground. He was fancied to go well last year before being balloted out and is fancied to go well this year, Robbie Power is keen on his chance, he has been well backed due to the main tipsters flagging him up, he was my main fancy when the 5 day declarations come out so the fact his price has shortened is frustrating. This is so open that there is some each way value lurking around. STONEMASTER has been running well in some of these qualifiers without getting his head in front, notably here in November. He should go well again on some better ground and can build on his 6th in last years Coral Cup. ACCORDING TO TREV has been waiting for some better ground, although he is a novice and may lack experience, he won well here in October beating the highly touted Our Vinnie in the process and should see out the trip well. 140 looks high enough but I don't think he will be far away. Shutthefrontdoor has been laid out for the race but looks high enough in the weights off 144, Close House should go well for David Pipe.

Advice - Jetson 1pt Win @10 various
Stonemaster 1pt E/W @16/1 various
According To Trev 1pt E/W @Betvictor/Paddy Power

Ryanair Chase
There's plenty in here I feel have claims, but none are as strong as FIRST LIEUTENANT who the more I look at, the more I like. His form this year in the Lexus and Hennessy is absolutely rock solid and he should take a lot of beating. He has strong festival form and the drop back in trip is expected to suit having not quite got home over 3 miles and beyond this season. Champion Court should go well back at his favourite track, like many I think he lacks the x-factor to compete at the very very top level. Cue Card won't get his own way upfront, his jumping has tended to go to pot when contested for the lead and that's enough to sway him out of favour at 7/2. Last years winner Riverside Theatre goes well fresh but has been out of form since that win last year, where he didn't win like a horse firing on all cylinders anyway. Menorah has strong each-way claims but is a bit inconsistent. This appears to be his ideal trip and his Cheltenham record is also good, but he lacks value at 7/1. Albertas Run would be a dream winner, the drying ground is a plus but this is a tough ask having been off for a year and for a 12 year old. For Non Stop has been freshened up by a break but I think he's a notch or two below this standard.

Advice - First Lieutenant 3pt Win @5/2 various

World Hurdle
Use this link to view my ante-post World Hurdle thoughts 

Byrne Group Plate
According to the market Ballynagour has got this wrapped up already, I am willing to take him on though. His wasn't been able to put two runs together when trained in France and that's a worry having been raised 20lb for his last win. Although he does remind me of stable mate and last years winner Salut Flo, he is worth opposing at 4/1 in this ultra competitive handicap. Cantlow has been laid out for this, novices have an ok record in the race and he would pose the biggest threat to Ballynagour if his jumping stands up. The value in his price has all but gone though. I like a few in here at bigger prices. DIVERS has ran well at the last two festivals and is 7lb lower than is good 4th in this last year, the drying ground is a plus and 18/1 is too big. POQUELIN is another who will appreciate the better ground having ran ok in unfavoured poor ground this season. He is a real course specialist who is gradually falling down the handicap to a mark of 155, Harry Derham takes of another 5lb so off a mark of 150 I think he has decent each way claims.

Advice - Divers 1.5pt E/W @18/1 Bet365
Poquelin 1pt E/W @25/1 various

Kim Muir
This race has acted as a stepping stone for horses heading to the National in previous years. I have long been a fan of ROMANESCO since he was an unlucky faller here in October, he has run well throughout the season in Ireland in competitive handicap chases and comes here still on the upgrade. I find his purchase by Giggenstown is very interesting and the booking of Nina Carberry is a plus. I have backed him at 20/1 ante-post, he has shortened up considerably since due to being chosen as the pricewise selection. Super Duty has been heavily supported in recent weeks, he is a novice who is unexposed and has a good jockey booking in Derek O'Connor. It is likely he is ahead of his rating of 142 but at 5/1 he is too short for a horse lacking experience. ALFIE SHERRIN fits the mould of a national horse who did well last spring to win here and stay on into 3rd in the Irish Grand National. He is the choice of Mr Berry and must go close all things considered, he reminds me a lot of last years winner Sunnyhillboy. Prince Of Pirates is the Mcmanus 2nd string, he is progressive but has done all his winning on flat tracks in the hands of AP McCoy, he looks a tricky ride and I fear Nico De Boinville won't be able to get the best out of him like the champion jockey has been able to. Vesper Bell swerved the 4 miler to come here, he stays well and jumps well, he lacks course form but should go well. Galaxy Rock has the ability to go well if on a going day but that can't be guaranteed, the better ground will suit though. BECAUSEICOULDNTSEE was second last year off the same mark and will appreciate the better ground, Robbie McNamara retains the ride and he has strong festival form. He is each-way value at 25/1.

Advice - Previously Advised - Romanesco @20/1
Alfie Sherrin 2pt Win @10/1 Coral/Boylesports
Becauseicouldntsee 1pt E/W @25/1 Bet365/Boylesports

Cross Country
My thoughts for this race can be found by following this link

Cheers,

Josh