FANTASTIC5 SATURDAY MARCH 31st

Darren Robinson ‏ @RobboTradingPro
ROYAL ROCK 14.40 DONC

PTMAHON ‏ @PTMAHON
 4.20 SIR GRAHAM WADE 11/4 DONCASTER #FANTASTIC5 #belucky :-)

@littleleics_gal
WEAPON OF CHOICE DONCASTER 14.05

@sambrookjames

Clean Bowled 5.10 Kempton

SUNDAYSLAM 25th March

@TMCJ
Chrysanthemum 4.00 Curragh 4****EW & Take It To The Max 5.00 Curragh 4****EW

lea pegg ‏ @thegamblingchef

5.00 curragh HUJAYLEA *** 5.30 curragh VIOLET LASHES ****

lee Wakefield ‏ @leewakey77

3.30 curr great huzzar***** nap. 4.40 hex just maddie*** nb 

littleleics_gal

NAP ESSIFER**** 15.50 DOWNPATRICK NB HIDDEN FUTURE*** 14.50 DOWNPATRICK

FANTASTIC5 SATURDAY 24th MARCH

@sambrookjames
Marodima 4.15 Newbury

Darren Robinson ‏ @RobboTradingPro

SUPRISE VENDOR 15.00 Kelso

Ger Stapleton ‏ @G_Stapleton

 Oasis dancer LINGFIELD 2.55

PTMAHON ‏ @PTMAHON

EMERALD WILDERNESS 15.25 LINGFIELD

@littleleics_gal

BAJAN TRYST LINGFIELD 14.55

SUNDAYSLAM 18th March

@tmcj EW Silver Steel 2.15 Newton Abbot 3*** & EW Mitchell's Way 3.30 Carlisle 3***

 Ger Stapleton ‏ @G_Stapleton
nap **** valrene 3.45 Nb *** knockfierna Limerick 3.55

@littleleics_gal
Nap Maisie Missile**** Newton Abbot 14.15  NB Border lad*** Newton Abbot 13.45

FANTASTIC5 MARCH 17TH

Ger Stapleton ‏ @G_Stapleton
Duaiseior KEMPTON 1.45

Darren Robinson ‏ @RobboTradingPro
 GETAWAY DRIVER 16.25 Uttoxeter

PTMAHON ‏ @PTMAHON
 prigsnov dancer 6.50 wolverhampton

@sambrookjames
Definate Dawn 3.35 Ffos Las 

@littleleics_gal
Walkabout Creek Uttoxeter 17.30

Cheltenham preview event Day 3

DAY 3

Again this is written as if nothing has been confirmed i will be going through my notes as if i’ve not read up who’s running when.  Some interesting debates came up and I hope the comments made help.

JEWSON CHASE

The start of this one began with the obvious favourite PEDDLERS CROSS [SC] could not understand why McCain would run him if he was not 100% [PB] stated there were questions looming of PC after his poor jumping at Kempton last December, [MW] made the boldest comment of all by stating that “peddlers was the lay of the festival” all the form would agree with PC being up at the front but there is a ?? so I would personally leave PC alone in this race. The panel do seem to like Nichols runners as again one of his runners got a mention in CRISTAL BONUS who will be sure to be primed for the festival this is one of [NL] likes for the race, the whole panel also agreed CALL THE POLICE stands a decent chance if the rain hits  The nod however went to CHAMPION COURT who would be the panels value call of the race, BLACKSTAIR MOUNTAIN was also fancied for a nice value E/W especially by [MW] a choice in which I would agree.

PERTEMPS HURDLE

SILVOLA DE SIVOLA is the choice for the panel his name kept cropping up all through the discussion however with previous years records the race being won by the Pipe yard or JonJo ‘o’ Neil yard should not be discounted, as with other trainers they thrive on the festival and prime their entries to the hilt.  Interesting stats around this race 8 out of 10 horses that win have won over 3m or further before, 9 of those winners have also not been heavier then 11st 2lb, thus [PB] confirmed that SIVOLA does indeed fit into the category of a winner from the stats he is my choice for the race and should certainly run a good race.  [MW] cast a vote for OUR FATHER after having an impressive win from a long lay off he’s edging closer to fav in the shortening of odds & fav’s rarely win this race.

RYANAIR CHASE

Ok I said I was going on what was known by Tuesday and not after but i’ve got to give him a mention GREAT ENDEAVOUR he is a machine he won for me today and i expect him to do well at Cheltenham he is definately worth an E/W in my opinion & the panel like him.  NOBLE PRINCE is quite fancied by [PB] who has proven himself at Cheltenham before, [SC] took  liking to RIVERSIDE THEATRE with MEDERMIT likely to run elsewhere, [MW] was’nt keen to keen on debating much about this one he did agree however with [PB] on NOBLE PRINCE.

WORLD HURDLE

BIG BUCKS or not BIG BUCKS well the panel are in agreement BB is getting older and why there is no reason to suggest he wont be in great form & possibly win his price is ridiculous, they feel OSCAR WHISKEY will give him the run of his life and possibly be the one to beat him. [PB] agreed he felt O W will stay the trip but felt he would not trouble BB at the end, [SC] felt his price should be ¼ if BIG BUCKS does take the world hurdle he will make history by having won the hurdle four times & having a 16 race win streak

Interestingly enough [MW] blurted out he was keen to get a long shot E/W on DYNASTE which is my E/W selection of the race 

BYRNE GROUP PLATE

This has got to be one of my favourite races of the festival for value I wont be backing anything 11/1 or less although [PB] did give out some interesting information from a “un-named friend” that SLAUT FLO has been working very very well at home and all the panel agreed he was worth taking on this could be another history race in the making as no Fav has won since 1999, [MW] opted for HUNT BALL with [SC] opting for a bit of value in DIVERS who i personally would’nt put anyone off backing, myself there are three I like in this one for value with those being GREAT ENDEAVOUR / CALGARY BAY & TULLAMORE DEW

KIM MUIR 

Another value race [PB] immediately picked up on this being a weak race and pointed out Pam Sly’s runner HELPSTON as being over priced “if he was in the pipe yard he’d be much shorter” was quoted, he also liked FAASEL as he’s a reliable sort and [SC] was quick to side with him, as [MW] agreed he gave his liking as UP THE BEAT, [NL] liked MIDNIGHT APPEAL saying he may have sliiped under the radar, myself and Nick seem to have a lot of the same likes so far for this festival which I see as a good thing, he is the expert after all.  So with the panel also liking FAASEL for a nice bet again i have 3 fancies of my own all at a nice E/W price who are BLENHEIM BROOK / MIDNIGHT APPEAL & SADDLERS STORM.  

So that concluded the end of day 3 as the panel started to discuss day 4 it was that point I had to make apologies and leave L I had a train due and could not afford to miss it but I will post my thoughts on Day 4 before the day itself arrives, I hope you’ve enjoyed my Cheltenham views.

 I would like to thank Brit Bloggers ‏ @BritBloggers & http://www.coral.co.uk/ for giving me the opportunity to go to the preview event and I will make sure the tickets & free bet don’t go to waste ;)

SUNDAYSLAM 11th MARCH

lea pegg ‏ @leasdailybets
 2.15 nass BALLYNACREE *** 3.45 naas SPANISH AURIGA ****

seamus tracey ‏ @arklespacey
smocking aces 4 30 naas nap *5 dusky bob 4 25 market rasen*4

@LITTLELEICS_GAL
NAP karasakal*** E/W Warwick 15.35  NB Beacon bright*** e/w Warwick 15.05 

FANTASTIC5 SATURDAY 10th MARCH

@SAMBROOKJAMES
Angelino Poliziano 4.40 Wolverhampton

 PTMAHON ‏ @PTMAHON
 five star junior 10/1 5.15 wolverhampton #belucky #topchick #ff

 Ger Stapleton ‏ @G_Stapleton
Martys mission SANDOWN 14.20

 Darren Robinson ‏ @RobboTradingPro
13.55 Chepstow GUYDUS 2nd 4/1

@littleleics_gal
Torpichen  SANDOWN 3.15 E/W


Wolverhampton placepot selections
 14.20 - clockmaker 3rd 5/1 / lokentanks
14.40 - Adranian / Henry Bee
15.30 - loyalty /tarooq
16.05 - Devote myself 2nd 15/2/ dropzone / valiant bee
16.40 - steelcut winner 15/8/ decider
17.15 - piscean / mass rally / alben star winner 4/1 / woolfall sovereign
close but no cigar shame the quadpot was'nt the last 4 races as had halla san 2nd 20/1 FFS

March 6th Cheltenham preview event DAY 2

DAY 2 

A LONG AND AWAITED DAY 2 OF THE PREVIEW YOU’VE BEEN WAITING FOR. WELL SOME OF YOU ANYWAY!! (please remember I am writing this as if runners were still non-confirmed)

So with another free drink in hand courtesy of the lovely gentleman from the table in front who kept handing over a free drink token each time the glass was empty, we began to discuss CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL DAY 2

NATIONAL HUNT CHASE

The favourite at this time is none other than HARRY THE VIKING at 6/1 it has to be said this is a very very open race with a fair amount of money being put on the part owned Alex Ferguson animal and to be fair to HARRY i hope he stays as he is a wonderful beast who is one of my fav’s since following jump racing.  [MW] started this discussion giving praise to the Mullins yard for ALLEE GARDE he’s done Cheltenham before last yr he was 9^th behind BOBSWORTH he’s surely going to have improved since then and could be a good E/W bet, the ? as with most in this race is will he stay the 4 mile’s [SC] prefers TEAFORTHREE again a nice value price at the minute he’s ran further distance races than HARRY THE VIKING and may well be the value call for the race.  [NL] mentioned ALFIE SPINNER who is a potential stayer, it’s a tough call this race but the 3 mentioned so far all have a definate shout of a place.

NEPTUNES INVESTMENT HURDLE

The whole panel liked my choice for this race in SIMONSIG he’s definitely bred for the trip it was agreed his jumping needs to improve but price dependent for a win or E//W he should be in the top 3, [MW] strongly likes BOSTON BOB who is another to put in a short priced multi bet, there are the layers who will be there as he does tend to prefer heavy ground, again this is a tough race to call but he’ll definitely stay the distance.

RSA CHASE

And so we come to the beast of beast races as it stands before the runners are confirmed, the amazing GRAND CRUS was the opener of discussion & I’ll be honest I love this horse, those of you who know me, know me well enough to know i dont back anything less than 5/1 odds and pretty much always do E/W bets, there was some doubt over which race G C would race in however [MW] felt Pipe should enter him for the Gold Cup, BOBSWORTH Is the obviuos danger to G C although [MW] isnt keen on how small he is and not convinced he’s a chaser however he did run a race to be praised when he placed behind King’s INVICTUS, a point also to bare in mind with BOBSWORTH is he’s faced GC before and did struggle in that race on boxing day. SIR DE CHAMPS was given a good word by all the panel with the lay of the race going to JOIN TOGETHER.

Kings INVICTUS has made it to my shortlist as a solid E/W L15 selction.

QUEEN MOTHER CHAMPION CHASE

Horses of 10+ don’t have a brilliant record at Cheltenham therefore no matter how good in form and great SIZING EUROPE may be the whole panel were against him on those stats even if he did win last year.  He will have been primed and prepped for Chelts so I wouldnt put anyone off adding him to a multi bet he’s likely to be short odd’s to do so.  Both [NL] & [ML] fancy FINIANS RAINBOW to give SIZING a good run for his money, with [MW] adding the BIG ZEB is geeting on & not being as good as he once was, with the potential value being in SOMERSBY who has beaten FINIANS by going off at too fast a pace previously to have won.

CORAL CUP        

[SC] started with more of his fantastic stat facts stating that no horse rated higher than 147 had won this race this would instantly rule out the likes of FEATHERBED LANE or GET ME OUT OF HERE

THIRD INTENTION was given an E/W value option by [MW] with also OUR FATHER being in with a good chance if he races, the horse i’m interested if it goes in is DONALD MCcCAINS BOURNE this is an amazing animal who gave a fantastic performance at Ascot, also going on [sc] stats he’s rated lower than 147 so in my opinion has a massive chance of being in with a place at great value.

FRED WINTER

So we get to the race where I blurted out at the end of Day 1 my like for this race I was eager to see if any of the panel mentioned my pick of the runners, VENDOR was given the majority of the time during disucssion with [PB] saying “HE’S SURE TO RUN HIS RACE” although they all agreed his price was too short, there was a lot of admiration for the King yard with another of his runners FIRE FIGHTER also being given praise with a probable E/W shout, [SC] made a point of saying there were some well handicapped runners in this one and value could well be thrown up elsewhere, HINTERLAND has always placed at Cheltenham and is well worth a value 7/1 E/W

Did any of the panel mention the one I liked – no they didnt they’d already heard me mention it a little earlier but no-one gave Honeyball’s runner a mention who of 6 hurdle races has placed in 4 of those with 1 win, JACKIES SOLITAIRE if it runs will be my bet of the race.

CHAMPION BUMPER

Another large debate with the top 4 in the market all being mentioned with the market currently at the time being dominated by CHAMPAGNE FEVER & MOSCOW MANNO although the panel were not to keen on M M it was mentioned that Richard Johnson had said his chance of the festival was in VILLAGE VIC, [MW] gave FICKLE FORTUNE a good value E/W bet.

With the discussions turning to the audience Clive @kingofbumpers along with another menber of the audience caused a smile when they both fancied COOL GEORGE for the bumper.

MARCH 6th CHELTENHAM PREVIEW EVENT REVIEW

I left cannon street tube station bemused i’d not been to London for over 20 years! Yet here I was searching for a bar even the locals had not heard of...... Eventually I arrived it was 6pm the event was not due to start until 7.30pm, the bar looked like an old tube tunnel the decor was modern the people were friendly and welcoming, I did not recognize anyone I wondered if any of the the people I spoke to from twitter were there yet, it was 6pm the event was not due to start until 7.30pm so i doubted they were, a few tweets and a drink later the two men who were sat on the sofa opposite me were talking  I heard the name Gosden mentioned and my ears pricked up, Simon Clare [SC] from Coral and Mark (the couch) Winstanley [MW] were happily discussing racing.

I’d never been to an anything like this before and here I was at a Cheltenham preview event one of the biggest racing festivals of the year.  Was I excited yes you could say that, nervous yes a little of that too I went outside for a cigarette and Spoke with Nick Luck who was also outside having a smoke in the big smoke, along with a couple of guys from Coral. upon entering back inside I was shown into a room with lots of tables given a programme of the races that would be discussed that evening a pen and most importantly a free drink token for the bar!!

The room was full, I looked around apart from a couple of bar staff I was the only female in the room, did I feel intimidated? Not at all everyone was lovely I met some of the guys from twitter Josh, Ian, Clive & TOM (Sorry Tom for getting the name wrong!) Not forgetting Mark who introduced himself at the bar slightly later so there we sat at our table 3 from the front myself Josh and Mark pens poised paper at the ready ............. It was 7.45 Nick Luck [NL] announced we would start without jockey Paddy Brennan who was on his way after racing in Exeter

So with the scene set & the panel ready let’s begin CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL DAY 1

SUPREME NOVICES HURDLE

[MW] humour came out right away saying this race was “awful and best left alone so give it a swerve”[NL] gave a touch of encouragement to [MW] to find us a horse to bet on and eventually the following conclusion was reached. DARLAN who is currently the Fav for this one was discounted after his fall at Newbury the feeling was he would not be recovered enough [SC] passed comment on his price shortening due to being napped by the yard as JP’s nap for the festival.  GALILEO’S CHOICE currently 2^nd Fav was also discounted [SC] who was a wealth of statistical comments throughout the evening gave Dermot Welds poor stats at Cheltenham as a reason to avoid this one.

[MW] along with the rest of the panel did recognise that there was room for improvement with Nicky Henderson’s TATLAMI who had perhaps gone under the radar and could be a solid E/W bet, [MW] also mentioned the gallant COLOUR SQUADRON being in with a chance of a place, [NL] made me smile when he being a man of my own heart likes a value bet spoke of VULCANITE saying that had he been ridden with different tactics he probably may not have been 7 lengths behind MONTBAZON in his previous race.  For the record I did place Vulcanite in one of my lucky 15 E/W’s on Monday evening so my smile was justified.

ARKLE TROPHY

The question on everyone’s lips has to be will SPRINTER SACRE get up the hill??

Well this one was quite a debate there were agreements and disagreements jokes & laughter with the following conclusion made...  MENORAH may have the class but doesn’t jump so well to consider backing it, and the ambulance should follow Johnson round the track for not if but when he gets thrown off! Even more laughter erupted around the room with [MW] comments of Joe Tizzards booking on CUE CARD as “I doubt he would even give Rihanna a good ride”

Willie Mullins BLACKSTAIR MOUNTAIN was spoken highly of by all the panel as being a probable E/W bet.

As for SPRINTER SACRE other than [MW] advising us that Henderson believes he is better than Moscow Flyer there was no agreement as to whether he would stay up the hill or not.

JLT HANDICAP CHASE

Well this was interesting as the current Fav HOLD ON JULIO wasn’t really fancied by any of the panel & quickly discounted, yet they all agreed QUANTITAVEASING was a fair price even for a pretty solid E/W [SC] gave out more of his statistical knowledge stating the winners generally had a rating of 143 or less so named TULLAMORE DEW to run well at a nice price.  [NL] was very keen on LIE FORRIT and believes the race to be between him and QUANTITAVEASING.

With a NON RUNNER NO BET option there were two mentioned Emma Lavelles PENNY MAX who would need soft ground had a brief mention, along with THE PACKAGE who may be worth a bet.

CHAMPION HURDLE

Not dis-similar to the Arkle discussion [MW] & [NL] were disagreeing again [MW] quoted HURRICANE FLY as being Bullet Proof!! saying to LAY [NL] selection of BINOCULAR [SC] Was all for adding the FLY to a Fav’s multiple bet with Sprinter Sacre he also liked OSCARS WELL if the ground was good to run a decent challenge. [SC] also advised it might be worth waiting to bet FLY until the day as he will have his obvious on-course layers.  If you can get an on course bet W/O the Fav THOUSAND STARS along with ROCK ON RUBY were the two recommendations by the panel

Paddy who had snuck in also liked HURRICANE FLY.

In this one my fancies are definitely BINOCULAR along with BRAMPOUR & OVERTURN the later [SC] mentioned briefly as being tough

CROSS COUNTRY CHASE

Well they all wanted to avoid this one and move onto the next!! A quick conclusion by the panel was MALJIMAR being a good value call, as was one of my likes for the race BALTHAZAR KING who i tweeted on Monday evening, the panel from a betting perspective said it was a race best left alone.

Paddy confirmed he would not be riding in this one.

My personal fancies for this are definitely BALTHAZAR KING depending on the going another who could go well is A NEW STORY.

DAVID NICHOLSON MARES HURDLE

The whole panel especially Paddy Brennan were all in agreement with QUEVEGA Paddy who’s likely to be on TERRE DU VENT was happy enough to praise QUEVEGA another to put in a Fav multi-bet with HURRICANE FLY & SPRINTER SACRE backers.

[MW] did give a good mention to KENTFORD GREY LADY for value seekers [SC] went along with the Fav and also liked my selection for this race who is none other than UNACCOMPANIED

CENTENARY NOVICE HANDICAP CHASE

And so we get to the last race of day 1 the panel were in agreement along with Paddy saying good things about TRIOLO D’ALENE on this occasion even though i go for larger odds i have to agree very well handicapped and stand’s a massive chance for the Henderson yard.  [MW] said to be on guard for NEAREST THE PIN if it runs & Paddy opted for an E/W on ACKERTAC but preferred Hendersons to win. [NL] likes SHOT FROM THE HIP another who may have slipped under the radar for a value bet and the rest of the panel agreed (for once) haha SLIEVEARDARGH was also given a brief mention as one to be in the running

So thus concludes day 1 of the festival with [NL] going round the tables asking for peoples thoughts of horses running on the 1st day, which is the moment of the evening I made a complete pillock of myself by telling him about a horse i liked who was running in Day 2!!! You'll find out who that is tomorrow unless you were there you'll already know ;)

SUNDAY SLAM 4TH MARCH

@Littleleics_gal NAP oniz tiptoes**** e/w sedgefield 15.20 NB Numerology*** e/w

lea pegg ‏ @leasdailybets
3.00 leopardstown JENARI **** 5.00 leopardstown JEZKI ****

@tmcj Watergate 2.40 Huntingdon **** & Sound Accord 3.20 Sedgefield ***

 Nathan walker ‏ @Nathaldo
3.10 Huntingdon cold night **** 2.40 Huntingdon ballynonty ***

 Ger Stapleton ‏ @G_Stapleton
 Nap **** donnas palm 3.30 leop Nb *** frontier boy 3.20 sedgefield

FANTASTIC5 SATURDAY 3rd MARCH

Darren Robinson ‏ @RobboTradingPro
 15.10 Newbury FINE PARCHMENT

Ger Stapleton ‏ @G_Stapleton
 NICHE MARKET Newbury 2.40

PTMAHON ‏ @PTMAHON
 lingfield 3.55 numeral 9/2

@SAMBROOKJAMES
Corkage 2.20 Doncaster

@LITTLELEICS_GAL
SHEILAS BUDDY LINGFIELD 17.05