The Greatest Show On Earth Day 2

Wednesday, 17th March 2010

A grey St Patrick’s Day start for the difficult second one of the Cheltenham Festival - not that any day here is ever easy but having had a nice couple of winners yesterday I feel the lucky shamrock I always carry is going to help me out. The Irish are in great heart after a initial clutch of winners but they are never more so than on March 17th here.. Will it be their day again ? You can never begrudge them a good one. I meet them in my local small town, buying their Racing Post to study over a hearty breakfast and they’re always smiling. Show a flicker of interest in the Racing Post yourself and they’ll offer you half a dozen tips. The atmosphere just wouldn’t be the same without the visitors from over the water.

NH CHASE CHALLENGE CUP
Amateur riders, amateur horses. Only Cheltenham would have the longest race of the meeting dedicated to both and it’s one where you do well to have a pin hand to prick the list. Favourites have a terrible record in this, so look for an outsider and keep bets to a minimum. A race to watch for fun.
But I will have small wagers on
SYNCHRONISED. Jonjo O`Neill has a great record in this race though it’s a sentimental bet as his stables aren’t far away and the trainer has the bluest Irish eyes. Has a decent chance.
POKER DE SIVOLA. Small each way. Trainer Ferdy Murphy is to be feared and you should get 16-1 or even better
I also like ABBEYBRANEY and PRESENTING FOREVER (very good amateur jockey Mr O Greenall up.) So if any of those four win I can say I told you so.

NEPTUNE NOVICE HURDLE
The Irish have every chance of taking this with Quel Esprit or Rite of Passage but I am going to hedge my bets with a home trainer and an Irish horse in Nicky Henderson’s FINIAN’S RAINBOW. Won’t be a huge price but you should get 6-1.

RSA STEEPLECHASE
I`m staying with Nicky Henderson as he has three runners in this race and it is expected to go to his PUNCHESTOWNS. He is a top class horse and if he doesn`t win Henderson’s LONG RUN may. But neither will be a great price and the only bet I`d have is for the Irish NOT to win this race. If you must dabble, then do it on Punchestowns.

THE QUEEN MOTHER CHAMPION CHASE
One of the great races of the Festival and MASTER MINDED is going for a hat trick. He will probably do it and is difficult to bet against. But I will have an e/w bet on David Pipe’s old favourite WELL CHIEF at a big price for a place.

THE CORAL CUP
In the usual huge field for this race anything can happen but I`m putting more money on Nicky Henderson and his QUANTITATIVE EASING. And sticking with David Pipe, I will have an each way at 20-1 at least on Pipe’s MAMLOOK, a horse in terrific form.

FRED WINTER JUVENILE NOVICES HURDLE
This is a stamina test for young horses and this year they have been short on races leading up to the Festival because of the long spell of bad weather. Let’s stay with David Pipe and Jonjo and have money on NOTUS DE LA TOUR and OPEN DAY.

THE WEATHERBYS CHAMPION BUMPER
Usually goes to an Irish horse. Huge field. I`m having two bets, on shrewd Irish owner J.P. Magnier’s SHOT FROM THE HIP and on Robert – ‘Choc’ – Thornton’s mount, DRUMBALOO.

As I finish this it is coming on to rain here. If the ground softens you would do well to tear up all my suggestions but I can’t start again. Let’s hope we can put at least a couple of winners away again today.