O/T:- The Cheltenham Festival

[laddo]

Working from home tomorrow and Friday so looking forward to watching and betting the races. Gonna put the racecards through the system and see what it churns out for tomorrow's card.

[Elite_Pie]

A decent first day made into a good first day by taking advantage of the offers. Despite going every year and spending more time studying the form, day two isn't usually one of my better ones. Here are my selections tonight, because I have more important things to organise tomorrow. Instead of simple selections, I'll do a copy and paste job of my more detailed thoughts for my coach passengers:

1.30 The Ballymore Novices' Hurdle (2m 5f)
The race has cut up in favour of form choice Sir Gerhard, but he offers little value at his current odds. Stage Star presents a decent home challenge and could improve, while it’s possible I Am Maximus could have come up against a good horse when beaten last time.
Selection: Sir Gerhard Each way: I Am Maximus

2.10 The Brown Advisory Novice Chase (3m ½f)
Bravemansgame tops the ratings, but there is a doubt that this stamina test will play to his strengths. L’Homme Presse has similar doubts, but is improving and could pose a threat if he stays. Ahoy Senor is another with potential, and Beacon Edge looks value for a place.
Selection: L’Homme Presse Each way: Beacon Edge

2.50 The Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle (2m 5f)
This is always one of the most difficult races to find the winner, but Saint Felicien could have the potential to overcome his inexperience up in trip, and could have been laid out for this. Call Me Lord isn’t the force he was, but could now be on a decent handicap mark.
Selection: Saint Felicien Each way: Call Me Lord

3.30 The Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase (2m)
An excellent renewal, giving Energumene the chance of revenge for his defeat by Shishkin in an epic race at Ascot, where Shishkin looked in trouble but still found enough to win. Chacun Pour Soi has the form to go close, but disappointed when beaten at odds on in this race last year. Nube Negra wasn’t beaten far in that race and could go well again.
Selection: Shishkin Each way: Nube Negra

4.10 The Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase (3m 7f)
If Tiger Roll shows anything close to the form he’s shown in winning this race three times before he will be hard to beat, but recent runs suggest he may not be the force of old. Delta Work is new to this discipline, but has the class to go well if he takes to it. Potters Corner does know his way around here, and could offer each way value.
Selection: Delta Work Each way: Potters Corner

4.50 The Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Handicap Steeple Chase (2m ½f)
A new race for day two, and not an easy one to solve. Amarillo Sky looks an improving young horse and could be well handicapped. Before Midnight won impressively over course and distance in October and could go well at a decent price.
Selection: Amarillo Sky Each way: Before Midnight

5.30 The Weatherbys Champion Bumper (2m)
It’s hard to look beyond the Irish bumper form in this race, and Facile Vega and American Mike head the ratings. Facile Vega was very impressive when landing a Grade 2 at Lepardstown and is narrowly preferred. Willie Mullins often does well with his less fancied runners in this race, and Seabank Bistro could repay each way support at big odds.
Selection: Facile Vega Each way: Seabank Bistro

Mostly I've been mocked on the journey home, but occasionally I've looked like Mystic Meg!

If anyone fancies a last-minute day out, I still have two places available.

[Magpies1959]

Wednesday selections
1.30 Sir Galahad
2.10 Bravemansgame
2.50 Gowel Road
3.30 Shiskin
4.10 Easyland
4.50 Amarillo Sky
5.30 Facile Vega

[i961pie]

1-30 Sir Gerhard
2-10 Bravemansgame
2-50 The Shunter e/w
3-30 Shishkin
4-10 Prengarde. --Diesel D'Allier e/w
4-50 Andy Dufresne.-- Sky Pirate e/w
5-30 American Mike --Seabank Bistro e/w

[laddo]

Here are my Day 2 selections:

Just the 3 races again.

2:10 Ahoy Senor and Bravemansgame (NAP)

2:50 Tempted by quite a few here but lets go with Unexpected Party and Camprond

4:50 Big field so lets go for a big odds winner Frero Banboue, Gumball and Sky Pirate.

Hoping for another day of profit

[laddo]

Well that didn't go as well as hoped

2nd and Non-Runner
4th (Place) and an Also Ran
3rd (Place), Also Ran and Pulled up.

Not disastrous more disappointing.

Day 3 is traditionally a really poor one for me maybe this year will be different.

[i961pie]

Hope you backed some winners EP to make up for the awful weather yesterday? I got a couple of e/w selections up including a 50/1 place in the bumper and have 2 doubles riding for today.
Today's selections are:-
1-30- Bob Olinger
2-10- Allaho
2-50- Side Du Berlais - Folcano e/w
3-30- Royal Khalia
4-10- The Glancing Queen - Grand Paradis e/w
4-50- Love Envoir e/w- Adrimel e/w
5-30- Frontal Assault - Chambard e/w

[Elite_Pie]

Hope you backed some winners EP to make up for the awful weather yesterday?

By far the wettest day I've known in 41 years at the festival, but it takes more than a bit of rain to spoil Cheltenham, I still loved every minute of it. I did manage to tip 4 winners so retained a bit of credibility! Today looks pretty uninspiring by festival standards, so mainly fun bets:

1:30 Galopin Des Champs
2:10 Sire Du Berlais
2:50 Shan Blue (e/w)
3:30 Paisley Park (e/w)
4:10 Guy (e/w)
4:50 Dinoblue
5:30 Omar Maretti (e/w)

[Magpies1959]

1.30 Gallopin des Champs
2.10 Winter Fog
2.50 Allaho
3.30 Flooring Porter
4.10 The Glancing Queen
4.50 Brandy Love
5.30 Frontal Assault

[laddo]

1:30 Galopin Des Champs
2:10 Sire Du Berlais. Stoney Mountain and The Cob (e/w both at very big prices)
2:50 Melon (e/w)
3:30 Royal Kahala
4:10 The Glancing Queen
4:50 Grangee
5:30 Come on Teddy