Darran

He was taken out on Friday.

Rochdale v Aldershot The home side seem to have just gone off the boil again recently and Aldershot owe us won after putting in a poor effort against Dagenham the other week. They have won 4 of their 5 games since then and the other draw was a 3-3 one against Ebbsfleet last week, but Aldershot should have won. Rochdale haven't won in 4 now and an away win looks a big price here. Only Barnet have got more points than them in the last 10 games. Chorely v Spennymoor Another team in very good form are Spennymoor who have won 4 on the bounce, have only lost twice in their last 10 and are 3rd in the last 10 games form table. Chorley have only won 3 times in their last 9 games and 1 of those was against Farsley. Chorley are 5th, but Spennymoor are giving themselves a real good chance of getting into the play-offs. They look over priced to me for this. Gosport v Wimborne The 3rd team are also in top form at the moment and that is Wimborne. They haven't lost in 9 games and are setting themselves up nicely for next season. Apart from a win over Dorchester, Gosport have not won in their last 6. They lost 4-0 against Bracknell last week and they haven't been in great form themselves. I would make Wimborne favs for this game. Prices from Friday 6pm Aldershot 1pt @ 100/30 with Paddy Power and Betfair (365 are 7/2 and take up to 9/4) Spennymoor 1pt @ 15/8 with Betfred, Skybet and BetVictor (Hills are 2/1 and take up to 6/4) Wimborne 1pt @ 9/5 with Betfred (take up to 11/8)

There was a doubt that we would have a 2025 Aussie Jumps season as it was under threat of being axed, but thankfully it wasn't and we have another season to look forward to. The season starts with 3 races at Warrnambool on Friday with the first of them due off at 1am UK time. Race 1 First maiden hurdle of the season and as the betting suggests it does look a match between Balinor and Loft. Balinor made his hurdles debut on the final day of the season at Ballarat, but was a well beaten 5th that day. He should be capable of better than that though and he comes here on the back of some good form on the flat including winning at Moonee Valley 22 days ago over 3000m. The 3rd won the other day so the form looks solid. He had a trial of hurdles last week and his jumping looked solid. Loft used to be trained in Germany, but after running at Chester in August 2022 he didn't run in another race for 539 days and his Aussie career on the flat has not gone well. All his runs were in Group or Listed races though so he was running in strong contests. He has had 3 hurdle trials leading into this and I have been very impressed. His last one last week he jumped really slickly and he beat Affluential who was a leading hurdler last season. He just looked to have a touch of class about him and it looks like jumps racing is going to give him a new lease of life. I think he can land the first jumps race of the new season. Loft 1pt @ 5/4 with Paddy Power, Betfair, Ladbrokes and Coral Race 2 This also looks like being a match between Prismatic and Treasured Crown although you can never completely rule out El Diez given he always pops up every now and again. Prismatic ran in 3 hurdle races last season and he easily claimed his maiden win at Hamilton at the end of May. He then went to Warrnambool and he couldn't quite pick up the front running Fabalot. Back here a couple of weeks later though he managed to reverse the form as his jockey made sure he sat much closer to Fabalot and he was able to beat him comfortably. His had a couple of flat starts and he trialed over fences last week. He does have to give a lot of weight away to Treasured Crown who won his maiden at Sale last year. He was then 2nd to Alakahan in a winner of 1 over course and distance before finishing a fairly well beaten 4th at Sandown in a BM120 over 3400m. He's had a couple of hurdle trials and won the last of them last week. He's had 1 flat start. He is now trained by local trainer Symon Wilde. I know he's got the weight to carry, but for me Prismatic is the one to beat on his way to bigger targets later in the season. Prismatic 2pts @ 5/6 with Ladbrokes and Coral Race 3 This looks quite a trappy first chase of the season. Duke Of Bedford did win a trial here last week, but he has struggled at this track in races before. He had a strange season as he started really strongly then struggled a little before winning on the final day of the season at Ballarat. The favourite is Freddy The Eagle is making his chasing debut. He had some solid enough hurdle form last season and could be up to winning this. It's hard to gleam too much from his steeple trials and at the price I am going to look elsewhere. The Mighty Spar was 2nd to Wil John on his chase debut last season and he then won at Sale and Casterton over the hedge fences. He's had a couple of solid flat runs to lead into this. Instigator won this race last season and then pushed Stern Idol close in the Brierly over this course and distance. He then went off the boil after that. He's had 1 flat start and a couple of trials and he isn't out of this. I was with Tom Foolery on his first 2 starts at Ballarat and Pakenham last season where he was 2nd both times. I then wasn't with him here at the May Carnival and he went and won. The next day he was 3rd in the Grand Annual which was a huge effort. He didn't take to the hedge fences at Casterton, but he was 2nd here in the Thackeray before solid enough efforts behind Stern Idol at Pakenham and in the Crisp at Sandown. He's only had 1 trial leading into this last week. I'm going to split my stake here as I am happy enough to take on Freddy The Eagle and Duke Of Bedford. I'm slightly concerned that Tom Foolery has only had one trial, but he does love it here and looks a big price. I also like The Mighty Spar as well as he looked a horse who could go onto bigger things last season. Tom Foolery 0.5pts @ 6/1 with Ladbrokes and Coral The Mighty Spar 0.5pts @ 7/2 with Ladbrokes and Coral

No idea to be honest, but was a bit surprised to see him in the entries.

I did consider Leamington as well, but they have not been so good away from home this season. Also Alfreton have improved despite not having picked up a win. Their xGs have been very high recently apart from against Scunthorpe and Brackley. I can still see there being a bit of value in the away win, but just not enough for me to really want to get involved.

Gateshead v Tamworth Gateshead were poor on Tuesday night and Braintree fully deserved the win. Braintree pressed Gateshead hard and forced them into mistakes so their passing style of football didn't work. I can see Tamworth doing the same here and as we know they always make things difficult for their opponents. That loss on Tuesday made it 4 defeats on the bounce and they haven't won in 6 now. Tamworth meanwhile are in cracking form and I think they look a cracking bet at a big price. Hartlepool v Boston Boston looked doomed to going straight back to the National League North a few weeks ago, but they have now gone 6 games unbeaten, winning their last 3 and all of a sudden they have given themselves a right chance of staying up. They beat an in form Braintree last weekend and then beat another in form side in Rochdale on Tuesday. They went 3-0 up and ended up winning 3-2, but that was Rochdale's first loss in 5 games and they had been looking very good. Hartlepool on the other hand have not looked good recently. They haven't won in 8 games and it was a pretty dull 1-1 draw with Solihull last Saturday. Hartlepool have nothing to play for and with the form Boston are in at the moment they have to be a bet. Oldham v Halifax Halifax should have won on Tuesday night with Dagenham creating very little, but I think Halifax have a chance of getting back to winning ways here. Oldham did not convince at all against Rochdale last week and they still aren't playing very well. I certainly think that Halfiax look a big price here as there isn't much between these two sides for me. Hemel Hempstead v Aveley Aveley's relegation isn't far from being confirmed and they have lost 16 of their 19 away games. They have only picked up 1 point in their last 8 games as well. Hemel should have won easier than they did on Tuesday night against Welling, but they won for us again and in my view they should be shorter odds to win this given the form they are in at the moment. Prices from Thursday morning Tamworth 2pts @ 13/5 with Paddy Power and Betfair (365 are huge at 14/5, Hills are 11/4 and take up to 2/1) Boston 1pt @ 11/4 Skybet and Betfred (365 are huge at 16/5, Hills are 29/10 and take up to 21/10) Halifax 1pt @ 13/5 with Bet365, Paddy Power and Betfair (11/4 with William Hill and take up to 2/1) Hemel Hempstead 4pts @ 4/5 with Skybet and Betfred (Hills are 10/11 (take up to 4/7)

Gateshead v Braintree Gateshead were missing 10 players on Saturday and they duly lost to Maidenhead who had been out of form. I know Braintree lost to Boston on Saturday, but Boston are making a real fist out of trying to stay up and Braintree had been doing well prior to that. I think they have a chance of winning this at a big price. Halifax v Dagenham & Redbridge Still annoys me that Aldershot were so poor up front a couple of weeks ago when we were on them against Dagenham as they have won both their games since whereas Dagenham have lost both. They did take the lead against Tamworth on Saturday, but after going down to 10 men they struggled and barely created a chance. Halifax were our only winners on Saturday when they beat Sutton 3-0 and they are now 6 games unbeaten. They are giving themselves a great chance of being in the play-offs again and with Dagenham only having got 4 points in their last 10 games it should be a home win. I was surprised Halifax weren't even shorter in the betting as really they should be heading towards the 1/2 mark. Alfreton v Darlington Granted Darlington were well beaten at Peterborough Sports on Saturday, but Alfreton failed to win again themselves as they drew against Oxford City. Given how poor Alfreton have been you have to back Darlington at the price as they are the better team despite the fact they aren't always the most consistent. Kidderminster v Scunthorpe Ante-post wise we really need Kidderminster to win this and a draw wouldn't be bad either, but I have to look at this game without considering that and Scunthorpe are a big price. Kidderminster always seem to be well back and that has been the case again here. That means of course that the Scunthorpe price has drifted out and that makes them a value bet. They have won 7 out of their last 10 games and drawn the other 3. Kiddie to be fair have come out of their slump in form and have given themselves a chance of getting back in contention for the title. They are unbeaten in 5 and have won 4 of them, but Kidderminster for me should be no more than slight favs because of home advantage so at least if Scunthorpe do win we can have a winning matchday bet. Welling v Hemel Hempstead I chanced Hemel on Saturday because in the form they were in I thought they had a chance of getting a result at Worthing, but Worthing blew them away and won easily. That result makes me think Worthing wont be caught at the top now, but I also think we can ignore it as regards to the form Hemel are in and they have a great chance of bouncing straight back here. Welling's manager resigned yesterday which might have some to late as it looks a really hard task to try and keep them in the division. They have only picked up 3 points from draws in their last 9 games. Obviously a manager change always adds an element of doubt and as we know Hemel improved massively for one, but they had a great squad anyway, whereas Welling don't. Alvechurch v Kettering It looked like Kettering were going to be very hard to beat for the title, but they have dropped some silly points. In the last 15 games form table they are only 11th. There have been players leaving and the most bizarre one came last week when their best player left to join Matlock who are currently in the relegation zone in the Northern Prem. Whilst Matlock are clearly splashing the cash, all Kettering fans thought he would be going upwards not downwards! His leaving message on Twitter suggested that all is not well at Kettering right now and there is suggestion that the manager has lost the dressing room. They only drew against Lowestoft on Saturday which wasn't a great result and they only had 4 subs. The reverse game actually took place a couple of weeks ago and Kettering did win 2-1, but Alvechurch were in front for half the game and ironically it was the player who has gone to Matlock who scored the winner. In their last 8 games Alvechurch have only lost to Bedford, Kettering and Stamford who are all in the top 5 and only by 1 goal. With the goings on at Kettering right now I think Alvechurch have the opportunity to win this. Prices from 2pm Monday Braintree 1pt @ 4/1 with William Hill, BetVictor and Betfred (365 are huge at 9/2 and some smaller bookies are also bigger. Take up to 3/1) Halifax 4pts @ 17/20 with Bet365 and William Hill (take up 4/6) Darlington 1pt @ 21/10 with Bet365, Paddy Power, Betfair and Betfred (quite a few smaller bookies are bigger as they are on Betfair Exchange. Take up to 7/4) Scunthorpe 1pt @ 12/5 with Betfred, Bet365, Paddy Power and Betfair (Hills are 5/2 and take up to 2/1) Hemel Hempstead 1pt @ 9/5 with most bookies (2/1 with Hills and take up to 6/4) Alvechurch 1pt @ 21/10 with Betfred (Bigger with smaller bookies and take up to 7/4)

Apologies I only finished these off this morning in a bit of a rush Oldham v Rochdale Sutton v Halifax Worthing v Hemel Canvey v Lewes Folkestone v Whitehawk Redditch v Bedford Rochdale 1pt @ 23/10 with Bet365, Paddy Power, Hills and Betfair (5/2 on the exchange and take up to 15/8) Halifax 1pt @ 2/1 with most bookies (365 are 21/10 and take up to 13/8) Hemel 1pt @ 9/2 with Bet365 and Betfred (take up to 3/1) Lewes 1pt @ 29/20 with Bet365 (6/4 with Betfred and take up to 5/4) Whitehawk 1pt @ 3/1 with Betfred and Bet365 (take up to 11/5) Bedford 1pt @ 9/5 with Bet365, Ladbrokes and Coral (Betfred are 15/8 and take up to 6/4)

Fakenham 4.55 preview Well I was hoping last year's winner Rebel Dawn Rising was going to run, but to be fair he would have been long odds on to beat this lot so there might not have been a bet anyway. I am very keen on Go Go Geronimo though and he could give Kelly Morgan a quick double as we are of course also on Music Drive at Cheltenham and that race will finish about 7 minutes before this one starts. This is by far the weakest Hunter Chase he has run. In 2022 he was a neck 2nd in the Intermediate Final at Cheltenham and then only went down 0.75L in the John Corbet Cup a month later at Stratford. The following season after two point wins they ran him at the Festival, but not surprisingly he pulled up after being prominent. Last season his only Hunter Chase run was back in the John Corbet and he was a well beaten 3rd after making the running again. Clearly he isn't as good as he was, but he's still a very solid horse and I am fairly confident he's the best of these. This season he was 2nd to Fairly Famous on New Years Eve and then he won a fair race Revesby Park. Last month he was a 28L 2nd to Fier Jaguen, but he was never going to lead ahead of him and that horse looks in better form than he was last season. It was a solid run a couple of weeks later when 2nd to Camdonian and he's been off for a month since then. He has often worn cheekpieces, but the visor goes on for the first time and that should help him. He loves good ground and I think he will make all. My only slight concern is the outsider Cooldine Bog as he often front runs as well and I just hope he doesn't put too much pressure on, but given he's fairly limited I hope that the selection can see him off without using too much energy up. Amenon did win a Hunter Chase at Huntingdon last year on his first start for his owner/trainer/rider. That race was worse than this though and he has a penalty thanks to winning it. He was then well beaten in a much better race at Cartmel. He made his return 12 days ago at Charm Park, but he was stuffed and Camdonian was way in front of him in 3rd. That form leaves him with plenty to find. The betting has it down as a match and that is how it should be with Janika the danger to the selection. He won a Hunter Chase here in 2023 but was very lucky to do so as Rebel Dawn Rising was well clear when unseating at the last. Last season he pulled up in this race and didn't run well at all although it was a stronger heat to be fair. His runs after that weren't awful as a 21L 4th to Lift Me Up at Kimble over 2m4f and a close 2nd to Bothwell Bridge were fair efforts. This season he returned in the same race that Go Go Geronimo was 2nd to Fier Jaguen at Garthorpe and he pulled up. It was much better back there 3 weeks later as he travelled well and won by 5L. However the 2nd was also from Kelly Morgan's yard and carried 8lbs more whilst the 3rd carried 10lbs more. He also had Heidi Palin on top and for me this is a downgrade in jockey. On the jockey front to be fair none of them are anything special and Go Go Geronimo's jockey has yet to ride a winner under rules although has gone close on him and Janika's rider's only winner under rules was Janika's lucky win. Bet365 had put Go Go in as 2nd fav and I expected the rest to follow suit, but sadly they all put him in at odds on so the 11/10 has gone. I still think he's a bet though because I think he should be around 4/7 myself. Go Go Geronimo 3pts @ 4/5 with William Hill and Ladbrokes, Betfred and Coral (365 are 10/11 and take up to 8/13)

This year I have decided to start a new thread for my preview of the race. If you want to read my Road To The Cheltenham Hunter Chase blog to see how things have gone over the last few months then go here https://forum.punterslounge.com/topic/191072-road-to-the-cheltenham-festival-hunter-chase-2025/#comment-3092747. The Irish pretty much dominate the head of the market at the moment, but I think that is partly down to the fact the Irish always tend to be more vocal on the preview circuit ahead of the race. That isn't to say the Irish won't win, but I always get the idea that they have never given much thought to the British trained runners. Johnny Dineen always rubbishes the British runners for example yet Britain has a much better recent record in the race so that argument doesn't really hold up. It would be great to repeat last year's preview where I put up the 1st and 2nd, but I obviously can't guarantee that. What I can guarantee is that I will give you the whole picture having spent many hours focusing on the race given it is the only race at The Festival which l concentrate on in advance. I have looked at the runners thinking the ground will be good to soft although there has been a lot of water put on the track so it might be a bit worse that. The race is run on fresh ground though which I think always helps. Finally before before the preview, the last couple of years I have looked to raise money for a charity called Small Steps who my youngest son benefitted from. They provide free sessions supporting young children with physical disabilities and their parent or carer, to enhance all areas of their child's development. Small Steps is a free service and as a registered charity we do not receive any statutory funding. Small Steps is solely dependent on grants, donations and fundraising in order to operate. The link to donate is https://fundraising.smallsteps.org.uk/donation/donate and any size donation will be greatly accepted. Allmankind - He made his debut at the July Meeting in 2018 which isn't the usual place you see future Cheltenham Festival Hunter Chase winners to be fair, but he could be the first one. Usually I also oppose horses who are on the downgrade having been top class under rules and Allmankind is a Grade 1 winner over fences and a 3 times Grade 2 winner. Usually horses like that are 11 or 12 by the time they end up going hunter chasing, but he is just 9 and that is important for me. He's had his injury issues and was clearly struggling in 2022 and the one run in 2023. He was off for 609 days before going back over hurdles and ran OK. His owner decided sending him pointing with a possible view to going for this race and the first part has really worked. He won on New Years Eve at Horseheath when beating What A Glance and it was a good start on the whole. Some of his jumping wasn't great, but then at other times it was superb. Horseheath is an undulating track with a stiff straight so it takes some getting and I hope it gives a clue that he will stay at Cheltenham. What was more impressive though was his win at Higham last time out. It was set to be a duel between him and Saint Calvados, who had run two solid races in points this season. They did battle for most of the way, until late on when Allmankind went clear and Saint Calvados was 10L back when he refused at the last. Annoyingly there is no video of the race, but by all accounts he jumped much better than he did at Horseheath. The most important thing for me though was the time as it was really quick and he was given one of the fastest time figures in points over the past 20 years. There is no doubt in my mind he has the ability to win this, there is a doubt though about if he will see out the trip. I'd imagine they will make the running with him or at least be very prominent so there is a chance he and the likes of Rocky's Howya might just set it up for a finisher, but for me the price factors in the chance he might not stay so I am happy to back him and have him onside. With the weather forecast in his favour as well the hope he will see out the trip increases. Angels Breath - The furthest he has been under rules was last year on New Years Day when he was a 13L 4th behind Stumptown over a furlong less than this. He ran in the Martin Pipe at the Festival last year, but pulled up after not travelling, He moved to Tim Vaughan and made a solid reappearance in a Mens Open at Wadebridge in December when finishing a close 2nd and he then built on that by landing the opening Hunter Chase of the season at Taunton. I think it was decent form as a couple of the pulled up horses have won since and the 2nd won a point and ran well enough in the Walrus at Haydock. The main issue though is he wasn't anywhere near as good at Ffos Las last month when Shearer more than put him in his place. I don't think he jumped that well and it will be concern in this. The trip is also a worry as he will probably be better over the Aintree trip and I suspect because Eva's Oskar didn't qualify they are running Angels Breath instead. Au Flueron - Would be having his first for Max Cromley after being with Gordon Elliott and David Christie in Ireland. He's qualified because he won 4 opens last season and also won one in October. The problem is he was stuffed in 2 Hunter Chases last May and he hasn't run that well in his 3 runs since the win on his seasonal debut. Hard to make much of a case for. Bardenstown Lad - He was trained by David's wife Sarah in points and Hunter Chases so far this season, but has now transferred to David's care. He was entered in pretty much every open point and hunter chase as connections were clearly desperate to qualify him for Cheltenham. It wasn't the easiest to get him qualified either as he wasn't given the best of rides at Alnwick on his debut for the yard when 3rd and then at Chaddesley Corbett he couldn't get past Master Templar. He then went to Warwick for the Hunter Chase that Lift Me Up won and he jumped terribly before staying on a bit into 5th albeit 23L behind the winner. James King got off that day and told connections to stick to points which did seem sensible advice based on that run. He did go back pointing for his next start and managed to get his first qualifying run up as he won a Ladies Open at Askham Bryan College. He then went back under rules and it was a totally different horse from the one we saw at Warwick. He jumped well pretty much led for most of the way until the 2nd went on after 2 out, but probably didn't quite see it out and allowed Bardenstown Lad to not just qualify for Cheltenham, but to win the race. He does have previous form at the Cheltenham Festival having finished 3rd in the 2022 Albert Bartlett, but he isn't go to find it as easy to front run in this and that could get him on the backfoot. Also his form this year wouldn't be good enough to win this. Carnfunnock - Was a fair horse over hurdles and did show a bit of ability over fences over the summer. His last of 3 starts came at Perth in August and wasn't so good. His trainer sent him pointing and he was 2nd on his first start behind the prolific Winged Leader. He then had a break until the end of January where he won and then followed up again a couple of weeks later. The form is no more than OK, He did beat Dento Des Obeaux into 2nd in the first race and he had finished a 7L 6th in the Aintree Foxhunters in 2023, but he hasn't been near that level since and was then even further behind Carnfunnock the next time. He looks under priced to me. D'Jango - Was a superb 4th in this last year and came into the race in good form. This season he is coming into the race on the back of 2 terrible runs and an OK run at Bangord when he stayed on a bit. I think it is hard to see him repeating last years 4th let alone going any better than that., Fairly Famous - When the Ellis team won the Aintree Foxhunter with Latenightpass they gave him a very quiet campaign by just running him in a couple of points and this is something they are looking to repeat with this horse as he has only run in a couple of 3 runner points this season. Both of which came at Horseheath and he started at 1/4 both times. He didn't win either by far and the bare form is nothing special, but this is the race he is being trained for and he has proven he has the ability to run well. He has 2 Cheltenham Hunter Chase night wins to his name as he bolted up in a good time in 2023 and then got the better of Premier Magic last May when having Lift Me Up miles behind in 3rd. That was a really good effort because the soft ground wasn't ideal for him and yet he was still able to win. I just wonder if that race left a bit of a mark when he went to Stratford for the Horse & Hound Cup as he was 3rd behind What A Glance. I mean it was still a good effort as he wasn't beaten far, but I thought he had the ability to win that. What we do know though is Cheltenham clearly suits him and the forecast looks like it will bring his perfect ground so he goes down as a possible contender for me. Go On Chez - No doubt been purchased to give the trainers son a ride round in the race. He won a couple of hunter chases last season at Ludlow and Kelso with ease and then ran a solid race in the Horse & Hound Cup at Stratford when 4th. It didn't happen for him in a couple of handicaps in the summer and that's when he was sold. He was running well in the Fakenham race Bardenstown Lad won until he tired really badly in the straight and was beaten 34L which really does highlight how much he tired. Should give his jockey a nice spin round, but hard to think he is going to do anymore than that. Haven't Time - A horse I have a lot of time for and got a deserved Hunter Chase win at Southwell a year ago. He was 3rd behind What A Glance here last May and that was another solid run as well. He made his reappearance at Taunton last month and ran really well to finish a close 2nd to Shearer. I suspect he was a little flattered by that as the winner had got racing from someway out. I can see why connections are going to run him as they probably wont get the chance to run one in the race again, but a top half finish would be a good achievement. Its On The Line - I'm going to start this by saying I just can't fancy him this year on the back of the Naas run. In 2023 he finished 2nd to Premier Magic, fell at Aintree and then won at Punchestown. Last season he won at Down Royal, Naas, was 2nd to Sine Nomine, won at Aintree and then received a Derek special when winning at Punchestown. I know he has raced lazily in the past, but this season it looks worse than ever. At Down Royal on Boxing Day he did at least stay on to finish 2nd behind Big Interest after looking like he would drop away at one stage. The Naas run was a shocker though and I was very surprised he stayed as favourite after it. It was the laziest he has ever raced and he looked very labored at the finish and in the end was 17.5L behind Ryehill. I'm a bit surprised they haven't stuck headgear on him given how lazy he ran at Naas. Derek is blaming the ground for the performance and maybe as he gets older he just doesn't want to make the effort on it anymore because he has handled testing ground in the past. Look I can't say he wont win because clearly if Cheltenham perks him up then he has the ability to go very close, but I just think he's underpriced based on his two runs this season and I am happy to take him on. Life Me Up - Sure to attract plenty of attention given his owners are Mr & Mrs C Horner. Whilst Christian will be in Australia for the start of the F1 season, I'm sure Geri will be in attendance. To be fair to both of them they nearly always go racing when their horses run and that includes going to points. He looked destined for big things when he won a Newbury Hunter Chase 2 years ago on just his 5th start. He then went to Cheltenham on Hunter Chase night and he was disappointing as he pulled up in the Intermediate Final. Last season he ran just 4 times with the 2 Hunter Chase runs both coming in May. He was a well beaten 3rd behind Fairly Famous over course and distance, but improved on that when finishing a 3.75L 2nd to What A Glance in the Horse & Hound Cup at Stratford. This season he started off by pulling up at Chaddesley Corbett over Christmas, but did show promise before doing so. He then built on that by beating Bennys King at Warwick the following month and that horse boosted the form at Leicester last month. He's only had 12 starts so there should be more to come, but my concern about him is that his two worst runs under rules have both come at Cheltenham. If he does run to form though I don't think you can completely rule him out of finishing the frame. Lisleigh Lad - Won the first Irish Hunter Chase of the season at Fairyhouse in November, but that was a bit of a surprise and it wasn't a strong race. Since then he's been pulled up in a point in December and then was a well beaten 5th behind Willitgoahead at Thurles in January. Looks to have little chance. Music Drive - He has been to the Cheltenham Festival before having been 8th in the Champion Bumper in 2022. He also finished 2ndin a Grade 2 Novices' Hurdle at the November meeting the following season. After running in a Pertemps Qualifier at the Leopardstown Christmas meeting the following month he then wasn't seen again until January when he won at Revesby Park on his first start for Kelly Morgan. It was clear he still had plenty of ability despite the fact he had been off for so long and Cheltenham looked a possibility. I thought his win at Brocklesby last time was even better. They went a strong pace and he was able to cruise through and pick them off to score impressively. After his first win his jockey said he hadn't got out of 2nd gear and I'm not sure he did after the 2nd win either. He jumps well and whilst this is going to be tougher he looks capable of being up to it. He is a one of those who is going to be looking to close and pick off the front runners late on. The concern with him is that he hasn't jumped rules fences yet, but I'm sure Kelly has schooled him well and she knows what it takes to nearly win this race as Top Wood, who went on to win at Aintree, was a close 2nd to Pacha Du Polder. Ontheropes - Looked an out and out stayer last season as he was a close 5th in the Scottish National last April. That was his best run of the season as well. He won on his seasonal return in January and that was fair form and he topped that when finishing 2nd to Ryehill at Naas which meant he qualified for this. It was no surprise that he stayed on that day although he wasn't getting anywhere near the winner. I suspect he will need to see mud to make it a real stamina test which would suit him and he'd have e/w claims if it did rain, otherwise I just think he will find it all happening a bit quick for him. Plan of Attack - Has won a couple of Open points this season, but was also well behind West Of Carrig in between them so unlikely to be fighting out the finish. Rocky's Howya - Was really impressing in point-to-points prior to running in this in 2023 and he was one of my selections for the race. He went off from the front as he always does and ran a huge race where he probably would have finished 2nd if a loose horse hadn't got in his way on the run-in. He ran 3 more times in points after that and did manage to beat Its On The Line in the last of them. Sadly he picked up an injury after that and missed all of last season. He returned with a very solid effort when 2nd to Winged Leader (he is a winning machine in points) and but for a mistake at the last he might have won. He then went to Limerick where his jumping could have been better and he faded to finish a 13L 3rd to Con's Roc. He then went to Cragmore and was able to reverse that form by beating him by 0.75L. He has been aimed at this race and if he is in the same form as 2023 then he would have a huge chance and he jumped round Cheltenham superbly that day, but the concern about him is if he is in that sort of form. Ryehill - A horse who has improved a fair bit this season which isn't a surprise because he is a huge horse and he is clearly growing into his huge frame even at the age of 8. He did win a maiden Hunter Chase at Cork on Easter Monday and then he was a well beaten 4th behind Its On The Line at Punchestown. This season he made his return when finishing a 6L 2nd to Angels Dawn which was a really solid return. It's his Naas run which was especially impressive though as he stormed clear on the run-in to beat Ontheropes by 12L and Its On The Line was back in 3rd. On that form he clearly has a huge chance and he is a horse who just looks like an out and out stayer as he was at his best in the final furlong at Naas and Cork. There is one pretty major concern with him though and that is his jumping. He made a really bad mistake at 3 out at Naas which Lee Shanahan did well to stay on, but it isn't just that error that worries me. In 2 of his 4 rules runs it mentions in the form comment that he didn't always jump with fluency and to be honest you could add that to his other two runs as well. It looks like he's still learning how to get over his fences cleanly which isn't a huge surprise given he has only had 4 goes over rules fences. The best race he has run in so far was the Punchestown run and his jumping meant in ended up in last place and a fair way behind the leader who was setting a strong pace. He did make a move to get up to the leaders, but almost as soon as he got there he found himself under pressure. There is going to be no hiding place in this contest and that is going to put his jumping under even more pressure. If the ground was going to be testing then I don't think that would matter so much because he stays so well, but it looks like we are going to be racing on no worse than good to soft and I think he might end up too far back. Worth adding that if Lee rides he won't be able to claim his 7lbs. So on bare form he's got a massive chance, but his jumping might just hold him back. Adding to my thoughts on his jumping and I have looked at his RaceiQ stats for his win last time and he only got a score of 5/10 and he lost 3.45L over his fences. His entry speed into his fences was the 2nd quickest in the race, but he lost 5.69mph. Clearly he has got a serious engine as he was able to overcome that and still bolt up and if he is anywhere close to the leaders turning for home he is likely to be staying on the best. Shearer - Paul Nicholls revealed the other week that he has backed Shearer to win this and he does look to have a solid chance. He only beat 3 rivals in his 2 chase wins in 2023 and then went missing for 601 days. He returned in a Ffos Las Hunter Chase last month and put in a very impressive performance when hammering Angels Breath by 37L. Now I don't think the 2nd was at his best, but it was still a top effort given he'd been off the track for so long. He then went to Taunton 12 days later in what was his last chance to qualify and he won again, but visually wasn't as impressive as beating Haven't Time by 1.25L. I don't think that tells the whole story though as Acey Milan forced him to start racing from a long way out and I actually think he deserves a fair bit of credit for still being able to win despite that. There is going to be a lot more pressure at the front end in this, but he didn't front run over hurdles so he might be more adaptable then what it has seemed over fences so far and he looks a possible contender. Take All - Has shown good form this season as he was bang in contention when running out at the last at Knightwick in November. Given how keen he was at Taunton he did really well to finish 2nd to Angels Breath. He then beat Famous Clermont in a Mens Open which was a good effort even if that one was making his seasonal debut. He then went to Haydock or the Walrus and he probably made his move sooner than he needed to and ended up weakening into 5th late on. He's never been this far so stamina has to be a concern as well. West Of Carrig - 23 year-old Adrian Browne owns and rides this horse and it is trained by his Dad so it is a real family affair. He is only rated 90 over hurdles so was nowhere near the level required for this. There is one piece of form that gives him a chance though and that is his 3rd to Con's Roc at Limerick. The winner didn't qualify for Cheltenham (apparently injured), but the 2nd is nearly favourite and the 4th was Rocky's Howya. He was well supported as well from 40/1 into 11/1. He travelled well during the race, but took a bit of time to quicken up and stayed on late. They then dropped him in trip for another maiden Hunter Chase at Clonmel where he was 3rd again staying on. That meant he had to run twice in the space of 8 days to qualify for Cheltenham which he did by easily winning a couple of Open points. I don't think either hunter chase run saw him at his best and the extra trip at Cheltenham looks like being ideal. Probably the biggest concern is the jockey as he's very inexperienced as he still claims 5lbs in points and he can't use his 7lbs rules claim in this race. I think if you like Willitgoahead you have to give this horse some sort of chance as well. What A Glance - A bit like West Of Carrig he wasn't rated that highly under rules and after a couple of poor hunter chase runs in 2023 his rating had fallen to 96. Last year though after 3 hunter chase runs he went from 96 to 140! Hard to know where the sudden improvement came from, but the 2 2nds behind Deise Aba at Lockinge and Stratford gave a hint he was certainly better than a 96 horse. He then bolted up on hunter chase night here beating Yippee Ki Yay by 11L, but he had more in hand than that. He then went to Stratford for the Horse & Hound Cup and he landed it in fine style beating Lift Me Up, Fairly Famous and Go On Chez. To win the 3rd biggest hunter chase of the season from where he was at the start of the campaign was quite something. On that form he's a leading player and we know he handles Cheltenham and any ground. The problem is the 2 runs this season have been below that. I don't have any issues finishing 2nd to Allmankind at Horseheath, but the 2nd last time at Buckfastleigh was not great. If he went and won I wouldn't be shocked, but I just find it hard to back him on this seasons runs. Willitgoahead - A horse who has been very popular in the betting thanks to Johnny Dineen and Jamie Codd putting him up. It had been rumored that JP had purchased him, but then his former trainer said he had turned down all offers. On Sunday however it was announced the horse had been sold and he is going to run for Gordon Elliott. I find it odd the new owners didn't just keep him in his care until after the race, but clearly he will be a lot richer now so maybe he doesn't care. Good to see that Gordon has stuck with Jamie Scallan who has been riding him previously. This horse highlights why it is pointless getting involved in this race that early because he wouldn't have been on the radar at all over the summer given he had won just once in 6 starts and you would have wanted at least 3 figures on him. This season though he has been a transformed horse. He won 3 on the bounce in points in October, November and December and it was the middle of them that was especially impressive as he beat Lifetime Ambition by 13.5L and that one was 2nd to Its On The Line at Punchestown last season. He made his rules debut over Christmas at Limerick where he looked the winner turning for home, but Con's Roc was able to outstay him on the run-in. His former trainer/owner has since said he shouldn't have run him on the soft ground. His next start was at Thurles in January and he beat Ramilies by 3.5L. Now on paper that isn't great form especially as that one ran poorly at Gowran Park on Saturday, but he was value for more than the winning margin as he won very comfortably. What really impresses me about him is his jumping. He has been really impressive on that front in both his rules starts and that is going to be a key asset in this race if he jumps as well again. Another thing to note is that 7yo have a terrible recent record in the race. Since 2000 there has only been 2 7yo winners and 1 6yo so it has been more experienced horses that have been winning. He is certainly one of the possible winners, but I personally think any value in his price has disappeared now. I had a look at his RaceiQ stats for his win last time and he gained 11.31L over his fences. Going back to his Limerick run he gained even more, 14.22L, over his fences. It wasn't though the highest in the race as the winner Con's Roc gained more. Wonderwall - A stablemate to Angels Dawn and very much looks a 2nd string to her. Was a solid enough horse for the Bowen's in the UK and ran some good races last year over hurdles. He has only run 3 times over fences under rules, but the last of them in June at Newton Abbot didn't go well and it was reported that the horse didn't appreciate the return to fences. That obviously has to be a concern here. He qualified very early on as well winning in October and early November and both were decent efforts. I don't like a long lay-off for this race though and he isn't on my shortlist. Angels Dawn - I think she might go off favourite as on the day punters catch on to her previous Cheltenham Festival form and I can certainly understand why she is going to be popular. In the 2023 Kim Muir she beat Stumptown by a neck off a mark of 131 and then last year off 142 she was bang in contention when falling at 2 out. I doubt she would have beaten the easy winner Inothewayurthinkin, but she probably would have come 2nd. As we have seen numerous times over the years Festival form is important as horses run well year after year. She qualified for this race nice and early and in November won a match at 1/20. Just before the turn of the year she went to Dromahane and beat Ryehill by 6L which was a good effort given what he did at Naas. Horses aged 10 have a good recent record in the race as well. I do have a couple of concerns. The minor one is the ground as she has mainly stuck to soft/heavy ground. The main one though is she basically has only run once since last year's Festival (I'm discounting the match as that was little more than a racecourse gallop) and that run was at the end of December. In the previous 2 years she had run 5 times before she won the Kim Muir with the last run at Punchestown in the Grand National trail and last year she had 3 runs with the last of them being in the Thyestes. I'd have preferred it if she'd had a more recent run, but clearly she is another possible winner. Verdict - My thoughts on Allmankind and Music Drive haven't changed and at this stage we have the value on both runners. If you haven't backed either yet I would want a double figure price about both and anything less than 10/1 would be too short for me. The shortlist of possible winners for me are Angels Dawn, Wilitgoahead, Ryehill, Music Drive, Shearer, Allmankind, Fairly Famous and Rocky's Howya. Lift Me Up and What A Glance have possible place claims. You will notice I don't have Its On The Line on the shortlist and I have to take him on based on his runs so far this season as he just doesn't look the same horse as the last couple of years. Angels Dawn for me should be favourite based on her Cheltenham form and if she repeats her Kim Muir runs from the last couple of seasons than she will be bang there. What surprises me though is that people are using Stumptown's and Inowthewayurthinkin's handicap marks as proof she is a good thing in this. Anyone who uses that though is being stupid because Stumptown's mark is based on his efforts on the cross-country course and the Inowthewayurthinkin has massively improved since. What they are doing now has no baring for me on how she will get on here. I personally don't think there is any juice in the price though as I would rather have seen her have at least run more run and more recently than the end of December. Willitgoahead's jumping will take him far, but you can pick holes in his form and his inexperience at his age concerns me also. Those on at double figures have a fair bet, but I can't be backing him at the price he currently is. I was tempted to put up Ryehill as a bet as it was an impressive win last time in what is the main Irish trial for this race. It was when I closely watched his jumping though that put me off. His jumping will be put under more pressure than it ever has in this and I wonder if he will end up too far back. What he is though is a through stayer and he has certainly improved from last season. If he can get himself into contention turning for home then I'm not sure anything will be staying on as well as him so he could be worth watching to have a bet in running. I have gone back and forth about if I should put up Rocky's Howya or not, but I have come down on the side of making him my Irish bet in the race. I do worry about his run at Limerick as his jumping wasn't great, but he was superb round here when 4th a couple of years ago and he probably should have finished 2nd. It is good he is coming here on the back of reversing the form the Con's Roc and he has been trained with this race in mind so he should be at his peak. I think he is the one Irish horse in the race who is over priced and as it was a point he won last time I think he has been overlooked. I know there is going to be plenty of pace on, but he wasn't far from holding out 2 years ago and there is every chance he can stay better now. Obviously I have already put up a couple of British trained horses and I will add one more in Fairly Famous. We know he loves the course and distance which is a big plus and he has been trained with this race in mind. Connections have long thought he was a horse for this race and for me there is nothing wrong with the way they have campaigned him so far given it has worked out for them in the past. I'm happy to have a bit on him e/w. Shearer is respected especially on the Ffos Las run and I think the Taunton effort had more merit than it looks on bare form. He looks priced about right though. Ultimately I am happy to have 4 e/w darts at double figure odds as the top end of the market looks short of value to me. All bookies are 4 places and Coral are 5 places Rocky's Howya 1pt e/w @ 16/1 with BetVictor and Ladbrokes (Hills are 18/1 and take up to 10/1) Fairly Famous 0.5pts e/w @ 20/1 with Bet365, Paddy Power and Betfair (take up to 12/1) Already advised Allmankind 1pt e/w @ 20/1 with Bet365 (if yet to back take up to 10/1) Music Drive 0.5pts e/w @ 25/1 with Bet365 (if yet to back take up to 12/!)

Solihull v Ebbsfleet Sollihull were very lucky to get a point against Sutton on Tuesday night with Sutton recording an xG of 2.36 and Solihull only having an xG of 0.56 and just 6 shots on goal. That continues their poor run of form and whilst I know Ebbsfleet have only managed one win in the league all season here they are playing a team who have won even less points than they have in their last 10 games. I think it is worth taking a flyer on Ebbsfleet getting a 2nd league win of the season. Tamworth v Oldham Another side in dreadful form are Oldham although they are drawing more than they are losing, but the key is they aren't winning games. A 0-0 draw at Boston on Tuesday night sums up where they are at right now and as we know Tamworth is a hard place to go. Granted when we have backed them lately they keep drawing, but I really do think they will cause Oldham all sorts of problems. The home win price has come in a bit, but I think the value is still there. Hampton & Richmond v Hemel Hempstead I've not put Hemel up for a little while, but their great form has continued and it is just 1 defeat to Boreham Wood in their last 10 games. They look a fantastic price here to beat a Hampton side who had lost 5 on the bounce prior to beating Aveley last Saturday. Given Aveley are bottom and almost certain to be relegated that doesn't say a great deal so with Hemel flying I rate them a cracking bet. Slough v Farnborough Farnborough weren't quite at their best on Tuesday night when they lost 1-0 to Hornchurch, but Hornchurch have been in very good form recently. Farnborough meanwhile were out the other side of a very poor run of form and were 5 games unbeaten. Slough have only won two of their last 10 games and where their 4-0 win over Worthing came from I don't know. They have lost 6 of their last 9 games and I like Farnborough to give them another defeat. Havant & Waterlooville v Sholing (Southern Prem South) It seems that Betfred went 7/1 about Sholing earlier in the week and I suspect they were filled in because they haven't put the game back up yet. I still think they are a value bet though. In their last 7 games the flying Walton & Hersham are the only team to have beaten them and they have won 5 of the other 6 games. Its a superb run of form and they were fancy beating their fairly local rivals. Havant are struggling for wins at the moment and have only won 3 of their last 10 games against lesser sides than Sholing so I think Sholing can get another win. Prices from Friday 3pm Ebbsfleet 1pt @ 4/1 with most bookies (take up to 100/30) Tamworth 1pt @ 19/10 with Bet365 (take up to 6/4) Farnborough 1pt @ 17/10 with most bookies (take up to 11/8) Hemel Hempstead 2.5pts @ 19/10 with Paddy Power and Betfair (2/1 with Hills and take up to 6/4) Sholing 1pt @ 13/5 with Bet365 (Hills are 14/5 and take up to 2/1)

Oxford City v Woking Let's start in the Trophy and I think Woking are a fair price to win this. Oxford have had a good run so far and holding Scunthorpe and Chester to 0-0 draws in their last two league games were clearly good efforts. I'm glad I didn't choose to watch the Chester match on Tuesday night because there was barely a shot had for either team in the whole match. It's almost like Chester are feeling the pressure now they are top given they only beat Farsely 1-0 last Saturday. Anyway given the form Woking are in at the moment I think they will provide a much stiffer test. York are the only team to have beaten them in their last 10 league games and in the FA Trophy so far since Cooper took over as manager they have beaten Radcliffe 4-0 and Gainsborough 3-0. Given they had beaten York in the previous round and had done really well in both Cups I think it was a very good result to go their place and beat them 3-0. I think they should be shorter to win this and get through to the semi-final. Oldham v Barnet Barnet are on fire right now and that was a great win at Rochdale last Saturday. Oldham have only lost once in their last 8 games which was to Maidenhead, but they aren't really playing well and they have drawn 3 of their last 4 games. Maybe they will up their levels given they are playing Barnet, but Barnet look pretty much unstoppable at the moment and if they can play to the levels they did against York and Rochdale then I think they will win this as well. I'd have them as clear favs. Barwell v Bishops Stortford (Southern Prem Central) I think the away team offer some value here. I know they have only won twice in their last 8 games, but they have got some creditable draws against Telford, Royston and Stratford in that spell. Granted Barwell surprisingly beat Stratford recently which came on the back of a run of 7 defeats. They were slightly unlucky to lose to Bromsgrove on Monday night as well as on 88 minutes they were 2-1 up and then they lost 3-2. In some ways though that does sum their season up and Stortford do offer a bit of value. Bromsgrove Sporting v AFC Sudbury (Southern Prem Central) Speaking of Bromsgrove I think they are also worth backing tomorrow. I know there is only one place between the 2 sides just above the relegation zone, but the home side are in much better form and have done well to get themselves out of the relegation zone. Sudbury have struggled on the road as well this season. Hendon v Hashtag (Isthmian Prem) Not opposed Hendon for a little bit now as there was a hint of improvement as they have managed 3 draws recently and pushed Dartford close. They are still to win though with their last win coming 16 games ago. Hashtag are in great form still them only losing to Carshalton and Dartford in their last 10 games. They are in with a chance of the play-offs as well as they have nearly caught up Dover and they should be odds on to win this. Prices from 11.30am Friday Woking 1pt @ 5/4 with William Hill, Bet365 and Betfred (take up to 11/10) Barnet 1pt @ 6/4 with William Hill and Betfred Bishops Stortford 1pt @ 21/10 with William Hill and Bet365 (take up to 7/4) Bromsgrove Sporting 1pt @ 5/4 with Betfred and Bet365 (take up to 11/10) Hashtag 3pts @ 11/10 with Bet365 (take up to 4/5)

Well there is a max field of 24. I'd imagine some will have entered with a view to having a social runner in the race, but might not declare. It only costs £60 to enter so some will just want to give themselves the option. I must admit I didn't think it would be that high. 6 day decs will be made a week on Saturday.

31 horses have been entered and apart from Gracchus de Balme the ones I said wouldn't be entered haven't been entered. Premier Magic and Jeux d'Eau are two others who haven't been entered.

And this is a big reason as to why I do this blog. The bookies don’t closely follow the updates on this race so you can take advantage of things like this.

I have been told that JP has purchased the horse but nothing official has come out yet. I couldn’t possibly back It’s On the Line after his last run and if it’s true then they could well be thinking the same. I’d imagine we will find out tomorrow when the entries come out.

Allmankind made his debut at the July Meeting in 2018 which isn't the usual place you see future Cheltenham Festival Hunter Chase winners to be fair, but he could be the first one. Usually I also oppose horses who are on the downgrade having been top class under rules and Allmankind is a Grade 1 winner over fences and a 3 times Grade 2 winner. Usually horses like that are 11 or 12 by the time they end up going hunter chasing, but he is just 9 and that is important for me. He's had his injury issues and was clearly struggling in 2022 and the one run in 2023. He was off for 609 days before going back over hurdles and ran OK. His owner decided sending him pointing with a possible view to going for this race and the first part has really worked. He won on New Years Eve at Horseheath when beating What A Glance and it was a good start on the whole. Some of his jumping wasn't great, but then at other times it was superb. Horseheath is an undulating track with a stiff straight so it takes some getting and I hope it gives a clue that he will stay at Cheltenham. What was more impressive though was his win at Higham last time out. It was set to be a duel between him and Saint Calvados, who had run two solid races in points this season. They did battle for most of the way, until late on when Allmankind went clear and Saint Calvados was 10L back when he refused at the last. Annoyingly there is no video of the race, but by all accounts he jumped much better than he did at Horseheath. The most important thing for me though was the time as it was really quick and he was given one of the fastest time figures in points over the past 20 years. There is no doubt in my mind he has the ability to win this, there is a doubt though about if he will see out the trip. I'd imagine they will make the running with him or at least be very prominent so there is a chance he and the likes of Rocky's Howya might just set it up for a finisher, but for me the price factors in the chance he might not stay so I am happy to back him and have him onside. Obviously if it happened to be a slog then that would put me off, but most years it is usually decent enough ground especially as it is fresh ground. Music Drive has also been to the Cheltenham Festival before having been 8th in the Champion Bumper in 2022. He also finished 2ndin a Grade 2 Novices' Hurdle at the November meeting the following season. After running in a Pertemps Qualifier at the Leopardstown Christmas meeting the following month he then wasn't seen again until January when he won at Revesby Park on his first start for Kelly Morgan. It was clear he still had plenty of ability despite the fact he had been off for so long and Cheltenham looked a possibility. I thought his win at Brocklesby last weekend was even better. They went a strong pace and he was able to cruise through and pick them off to score impressively. After his first win his jockey said he hadn't got out of 2nd gear and I'm not sure he did after the 2nd win either. He jumps well and whilst this is going to be tougher he looks capable of being up to it. He is a one of those who is going to be looking to close and pick off the front runners late on. The concern with him is that he hasn't jumped rules fences yet, but I'm sure Kelly has schooled him well and she knows what it takes to nearly win this race as Top Wood, who went on to win at Aintree, was a close 2nd to Pacha Du Polder. For me these are 2 horses who will have gone under the radar of the majority of people because they have done their winning in British points and therefore the prices are bigger than they should be. Music Drive is so under the radar that quite a few bookies don't even have him priced up. The entries come out on Tuesday, but we have horses in the betting who either aren't qualified or are highly unlikely to be entered. Sine Nomine (would say Kim Muir would be the target), Winged Leader (likely to be sticking to points), Famous Clermont (likely to be Aintree bound). Cons Roc (not qualified), Big Interest (not qualified), My Drogo (connections have stated Aintree is the target for him), Ferns Lock (not been seen so far this season), Iskandar Pecos (trainer has said he is injured), Gracchus De Balme (has Aintree as his target and goes to Leicester on Tuesday), Evas Oskar (not qualified), Fier Jaguen (unlikely to be aimed at the race) and Time Leader (trainer has said he is injured), are all horses I don't expect to see in the entries on Tuesday for one reason or another. Both prices are taken from Bet365 normal ante-post market. If you want to take NRMB that is up to you, but unless either gets injured they are set to line-up. Allmankind 1pt e/w @ 20/1 with Bet365 (take up to 14/1) Music Drive 0.5pts e/w @ 25/1 with Bet365 (take up to 14/1)

Solihull v Gateshead The new Solihull manager has yet to win a game and he bizarrely said that the Woking keeper should have won the man of the match award on Wednesday night. Given he never had a serious save to make the comment made no sense at all. Gateshead are starting to find their form again as players start to come back from injury and they must take plenty of credit in winning a 7 goal thriller 4-3 against an in form Sutton on Tuesday. They are creating chances whereas Solihull aren't and I rate Gateshead as a confident selection tomorrow. Rochdale v Barnet I was looking forward to a thriller on Tuesday night as Barnet hosted York and what I ended up seeing was one of the most one sided games I've seen all season. Barnet put in a really impressive performance and whilst York weren't at their best, a lot of that was down to the fact that Barnet didn't allow them to be. I know that there is still a fair way to go, but Barnet should go on to win the league after that and it will give them plenty of confidence. Rochdale isn't the easiest place to go, but they have only won once in their last 6 and drawn their last 3 games. I don't think there is loads in the price and I hope it isn't a case of after the Lord Mayor's show, but if they perform like they did on Tuesday there is only going to be one winner. Tamworth v Southend I think we got a bit unlucky with Tamworth on Tuesday night as Yeovil didn't create much and the two goals were a heavily deflected long range effort and a shot that went through the keeper, who should have saved it. We know how strong Tamworth are at home and I think they are too big against Southend. I've been a bit down on Southend, but to be fair to them they have worked their way to being just outside the play-offs and have lost just 3 of their last 10, 2 of which were against York and Barnet. For me though this is a game that Southend could struggle as Tamworth make it so difficult for their opponents at home and therefore I thought he home win was value. Hereford v Alfreton Alfreton did end up with a higher xG than Spennymoor on Tuesday, but don't read too much into that because the bulk of it came in 3 chances in quick succession and obviously they could only have scored one of those chances so the figure is misleading as Spennymoor eased to a deserved victory. Hereford are flying and after 6 wins in their last 7 have found themselves in the play-offs and not being totally out of the title race. They should be odds on to win this with Alfreton in such desperate form and really no signs of that changing. Enfield v Tonbridge Might be odd wanting to back a team who lost 5-0 on Tuesday, but happy to back Enfield here. That defeat was to Eastbourne who as we know when they are on it can put teams to the sword which is what happened there. That was Enfield's first loss in 7 games and they had won 4 on the bounce prior to that defeat. Tonbridge on the other hand have only won once in their last 10 games, having lost 6 of them. They have also only won twice away all season so for Enfield to be outsiders to win this seems wrong to me. Winchester v Sholing (Southern Premier South) A month ago I wouldn't have considered backing Sholing as they were in poor form, but they drew with Dorchester and then won their next 3 before losing 2-1 to Walton on Tuesday night. That was still a good effort and they don't have to travel far at all for this game where they face a Winchester side who have only one once in their last 7 games. Dover v Chatham Pretty sure Dover went odds on for the title, but 6 losses in their last 9 games have seen them drop down to 5th in the table and all of a sudden they are closer to dropping out of the play-offs than they are to going back to the top. Away from home Dover have won 11 and lost just twice, but at home they have lost (7) more than they have won (6) so hopefully Chatham can make it 8 losses for them. Chatham have had a strange season as they were poor, then went on a great run to see them in play-off contention, but then have blown it by losing 6 out of 7 games. They did though get a very good 1-1 draw against bang in form Horsham last Saturday and its that result which gives me hope Chatham can win this especially given Dover's form. Chatham are a good side who have under performed so they certainly have the talent to win this. Prices from 11am Friday Gateshead 3pts @ 27/20 with Bet365 (7/5 with Hills and take up to Evs) Barnet 1pt @ 6/5 @ Ladbrokes, Coral and Betfred (Hills are 13/10 and take up to Evs) Tamworth 1pt @ 2/1 with most bookies (Hills are 11/5 and bigger available on Betfair exchange and Star Sport. Take up to 15/8) Hereford 2.5pts @ 21/20 with Betfred and BetVictor (11/10 with Hills and take up to 4/5) Enfield 1pt @ 9/5 with Paddy Power, Betfair and Betfred (19/10 with Hills and take up to 6/4) Sholing 1pt @ 7/4 with William Hill, Betfred and Bet365 (take up to 11/8) Chatham 1pt 12/5 with William Hill and Betfred (365 are 5/2 and take up to 2/1)

Yes someone had told me that. I'm waiting to see the Irish point entries for the weekend though before we can officially rule him out.

I mainly just put my Saturday tips up on here and I don't always fancy anything midweek anyway.

AFC Fylde v Dagenham If Fylde are going to stay up it is their home form that is going to do it although they did win last week at Halifax which was a decent effort. Things at Dagenham seem a bit ropey off the pitch with their keeper dropping down 3 levels and the former manager saying some strong things about how he was sacked. They have only won twice away from home all season and I think Fylde should be slight favs to win this. Gateshead v Altrincham Frustrating Altrincham didn't hang on for the win after going 2 up especially as it was keeper error that gave Oldham the equaliser. To be fair Oldham probably did enough to get something from the game. I am happy to back them again though as they played some decent decent football and I'm still not certain about Gateshead. I know they easily beat Wealdstone last time, but this is tougher and I don't think there is much between the two sides. Boreham Wood v Eastbourne Eastbourne keep being priced at some crazy prices away from home despite the fact they are in title contention. They were unfortunate to lose 2-0 to Torquay last week, but they were very impressive on Tuesday night in beating Hampton. Boreham Wood are misfiring at the moment despite spending plenty of money on the squad and there is no way the away win should be priced as high as it is. Hemel Hempstead v Maidstone The weather was the only winner on Monday night as Hemel and Chelmsford played out a dull 0-0 in dreadful conditions. They are worth backing again though with Maidstone's strong run of form taking a bit of a nosedive. They had got themselves into title contention, but some poor results including losing at home to Aveley on Tuesday night mean that is beginning to look unlikely again. Prices from Friday 7pm AFC Fylde 1pt @ 13/8 with Skybet, Betfair, Paddy Power and Betfred (365 are a huge 15/8 and Hills are 7/4 and take up to 6/4) Altrincham 1pt @ 9/4 with Bet365 and Betfair (take up to 2/1) Eastbourne 1pt @ 100/30 with Paddy Power and Betfair (Hills are 17/5 and take up to 5/2) Hemel Hempstead 1pt @ 3/1 with most bookies (365 are 31/10 and take up to 5/2)

I'd imagine the ground being better than it usually is for this meeting plus the fact she would have been out of the handicap has put them off. I would be a bit surprised if she ran in the hunter chase at The Festival given the way the season has gone with her.

The obvious place to start this update is with the Naas hunter chase and it saw Its On The Line put in his moodiest effort yet. I know he can race lazily, but this was easily the laziest I have seen him race and he looked very hard work. He still got himself into contention, but usually where he finishes the race off strongly he weakened in the closing stages and was beaten 17L in the end. It will be interesting to see if the resort to headgear for Cheltenham and I think they should after that, but I just don't see how he can still head the market after such a moody effort. At this stage I find it hard to want to back him for the race especially given the price he is. He did at least reverse form with Big Interest who weakened very tamely after being headed at 2 out. He isn't qualified for Cheltenham yet, but has been entered in a point at the weekend. I was very impressed with the winner Ryehill though who took his form to a new level by winning this by 12L. His jockey did very well to stay on him after a bad mistake at 3 out, but apart from that he looked very good and certainly is on my radar as a possible winner. Connections of Angels Dawn will have been delighted as well given she comfortably beat Ryehill by 6L at Dromahane at the end of December. My prediction now is that she will go off favourite on the day. There were a couple of good performances in British points at the weekend with both winners looking like they will be heading to Cheltenham. Allmankind beat What A Glance on his pointing debut at Horseheath, but stepped up on that by winning at Higham impressively on Sunday. The time was quick as well so he clearly still retains plenty of ability. That win qualified him for Cheltenham, but the concern for me is the trip. Granted Horseheath is undulating and maybe he was all out because it was his opening run of the season, but it is a worry that it was his stamina running out. Higham is flat and the winning time was 5m54s so it was far from a stamina test. He might be of more interest at Aintree, but I think he certainly has the ability to go close at Cheltenham if his stamina does hold out. At Brocklesby Music Drive put in an impressive performance to win again in a quick time. He had won well on his debut for the yard as well at Revesby Park last month. He had shown a fair bit of ability for Gordon Elliott over hurdles and in bumpers, but had been off since the end of December 2022 until running last month. He has yet to jump a rules fence and clearly that will be a concern going into a race like this, but it isn't unknown for a horse to win this having not run over fences under rules. He could be an interesting contender. The concern I had about Shearer is if he would be fit enough for the Ffos Las mud last week, but he certainly didn't have any fitness worries as he hammered Taunton winner Angels Breath and never looked like being in any danger. I'd think that win might well have been the best in a hunter chase so far this season in the UK and so he has to be on the shortlist at this stage. He does though still have to qualify and his final chance to do that will be at Taunton on Tuesday where he will have to finish in the first 2. The obvious worry will be if he can back up that win so soon and then be ready for Cheltenham if he does. Jet Plane heads to Haydock on Saturday and if he finishes in the first 2 he will qualify, although he might just go to Aintree. Eva's Oskar can't now qualify for Cheltenham as he isn't eligible to run at Taunton. In Ireland Con's Roc has not been entered in a point this weekend so if he is to qualify he will have to win an Open next weekend.

Bath v Hornchurch I was considering Bath on Tuesday and they won beating Chelmsford and it continued their improved form since changing manager. They have only lost to Dorking in their last 6 games and for me they should be clear favs to beat a Hornchurch side who haven't won in their last 8 games and lost a key player to Worthing this week. Hemel Hempstead v Chippenham Hemel are another side who have improved since changing their manager as I have highlighted on a few occasions now. They were involved in a great game on Monday night when losing 4-3 to Boreham Wood. They are a better side than Chippenham although the away side to still pose a threat as they have done pretty well away from home this season. That includes beating Boreham Wood 4-1 in their last away game. That stops me from making them a stronger bet, but they certainly deserve to be solid favs for this game. Curzon Ashton v Kings Lynn Not the first time I have backed Kings Lynn away from home and we have had mixed results, but happy to go with them again here because they just shouldn't be the price they are. They are level on points with Curzon and whilst they do have 3 games in hand it does highlight there isn't much between the sides. Granted Kings Lynn have only won twice in their last 8, but they have also only lost twice and one of those was when they under performed at Scunthorpe. Curzon have only won twice in their last 7 and they haven't been overly convincing for a while now. At the price they are I have to chance an away win. Prices from 8pm Friday Bath 2pts @ 6/4 with Paddy Power, Betfair, BetVictor and Betfred (Hills are 8/5 and take up to 6/5) Hemel Hempstead 1pt @ 27/20 with Bet365 (Hills are 7/5 and take up to 6/5) Kings Lynn 1pt @ 16/5 with Skybet, Paddy Power, William Hill, Betfair and BetVictor (take up to 9/4)

Yeah will be fascinating to see what happens. I suspect the form will be reversed, but will be a watching race rather than a betting race.