Cheltenham Thursday 18th

[chris34]

1.30 Cheltenham Jewson Handicap Got my shortlist down to 3 fairly easily probably because this isnt my sort of race at the best of times lol!! Anyhow The Midnight Club was an extremely useful hurdler only beaten once over hurdles when 3rd round here in last years Albert Bartlett finaly got off the mark over the bigger obstacles last time out, if coming on from that he may well turn out well handicapped of a smart mark of 139. Nicanor another irish raider and another that opened his account last time out lightly raced and second has gone on to boost the form since. And finally Hey Big Spender has good course form with a win last time out over CD and a solid second prior to that up 8lb for latest win and certainly looks as though improvement likely! 0.25pt e/w hey big spender 11/1 vcbet 0.25pt e/w The Midnight Club 20/1 bet365 0.25pt e/w Nicanor 14/1 bet365 2.05 Cheltenham Pertemps Final No massive thoughts on this although I do like Palypso De Creek who was a useful sort in france and appears to be going the right way over british obstacles and was originally being aimed at Grand National still holds entry and this may be a warm up race but a good second last time out over fences and only try over hurdles was a win in an average novice hurdle on good ground. The other slight interest is the Course speciliast Kayf Aramis and cant see why he shouldnt be in the mix up somewhere having won this last year off a 20lb lower mark but has clearly improved since. 0.25pt e/w Kayf Aramis 20/1 vcbet 0.25pt e/w Palypso De Creek 33/1 lads 2.40 Cheltenham Ryanair Chase Again nothing really takes my fancy out of this lot although Deep Purple is clearly on an improving curve right now having won 3 grade 2 events including charlie hall and Peterborough chase and although pulled up last time out having bled but if all is well now 25/1 looks a massive price with a horse that is best on good ground. 0.5pt e/w Deep purple 25/1 bet365 3.20 Cheltenham World Hurdle Sure we cant see another short priced fav turned over in Big Bucks he really does look a class above anything these days and I have him still running in a few multiples so looking for ew value from here on in! Tidal bay really is a course speciliast with 8 runs and 4 wins and ultimately went the wrong way over fences but switched back to hurdles last time out and was ultimately impressive hard to say how much more he is capable back over hurdles but he was formerly very useful hurdler. The old boy War of Attrition has to be backed just simply for the fairytale of a good run now aged 11 having won the gold cup 4 years ago and is another that has relished the switch back to hurdles recently betaing Oscar Dan Dan on penultimate start would be nice to see the old boy give a bold showing! 0.5pt e/w Tidal Bay 15/2 pp 0.25pt e/w War of Attrition 40/1 corals 4.00 Cheltenham Byrne Group Plate Might be worth taking a risk with My Petra in this competitive handicap, hasnt had things go exactly right this season took wrong course when looking to be travelling well 3 starts ago, clearly something amiss on penultimate start but a good run over hurdles latest offers a lot more hope that she is fit and well and not handicapped out of this having won off a 9lb lower mark and will relish the quicker ground if it remains so. 0.5pt e/w My Petra 20/1 vcbet

[Stevet1859]

Re: Cheltenham Thursday 18th 1:30 Cheltenham: Lenabane 2pts win 1pt place 20/1 VC Bet & Rivaliste 1pt win 7/1 Ladbrokes Lenabane has been running in to Weapons Amnesty Citizen Vic and Pandorama in Grade 1 chases in Ireland. While this is not an easy assignment there is nothing of that class here. He is reported as being a good jumper which will stand him in good stead here and he may well improve for some better ground. Rivaliste looks like he has been saved for this by Paul Nicholls. He was a good winner at Newbury in November and the form of his nose defeat at Sandown has worked out well. 2:40 Cheltenham: Albertas Run 1pt e/w 16/1 Bet365 Albertas Run may be worth chancing. He has a pretty good record at Cheltenham and with some decent ground could go close. Add in Tony McCoy aboard and a decent run under his belt behind Monets Garden last time, then the 16/1 looks more than fair. 3:20 Cheltenham: Tidal Bay 1pt e/w 15/2 Paddy Power Big Bucks looks the most bomb proof of the short priced runners at this year's Festival, however if he does not run up to his best Tidal Bay could take advantage. Tidal Bay was a very impressive winner here when winning the Grade 2 Cleeve Hurdle. He possess a turn of speed and if Big Bucks hits a flat spot, then Denis O'Regan may make the reigning champ pull out all the stops if he kicks for home. The fact he ran so well last time is almost a concern, can he go as well again, especially after a wind operation? On the plus side Tidal Bay handles the going acts on the course and stays the trip.