DAY ONE
Cheltenham 2008 fever is upon us and the countdown to Tuesday is well and truly on.
It looks a fascinating Festival this year with some new pretenders on the scene and everyone is looking forward to the Kauto Star v Denman bettle in the Gold Cup on Friday – more on that firecracker next week.
We start with the big race of the opening day – the Champion Hurdle (3.15).
The Henry De Bromhead-trained Sizing Europe leads the markets at around 9/4 – I think you might get bigger on the day. He has done nothing wrong this season, winning with ease the Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham and then his big test came at Leopardstown when he took on seasoned campaigners Hardy Eustace and Al Eile and destroyed them in the AIG Hurdle. On that run alone he has to be the one they have to beat on Tuesday.
Of the dangers, nearly horse Harchibald (above right) comes into the reckoning and with the Noel Meade stable back in the groove, could this be the year for Harchibald? Discount him at your peril – he gets a 7/1 pricing.
Last year’s surprise winner, Sublimity (5/1), was fourth in his seasonal bow in the Boylesports International Hurdle and goes to the Festival fresh, just as he he did last year, and trainer John Carr is confident of following up.
Last year’s Triumph Hurdle winner Katchit gets a 9/1 pricing. Although he is a horse who loves it round Cheltenham, history is against him as there has not been a Triumph winner going on to win the Champion in 23 years. But he will thereabouts come Tuesday.
David Pipe runs Osana who bested Katchit when winning over course and distance in January; but he was well beaten by Sizing Europe in the Greatwood Hurdle and is a general 6/1 shot.
Of the outsiders, we like Farmer Brown who is a consistent sort and can be found as big as 50/1 in places. He might just run into a place
They Bet: Sizing Europe 9/4, Sublimity 5/1, Osana 6/1, Harchibald 7/1, Katchit 9/1, Catch Me 20/1, Silent Oscar 25/1, Afsoun 33/1, Amaretto Rose 33/1, Blythe Knight 33/1, Ebaziyan 33/1, Hardy Eustace 33/1, Straw Bear 33/1, De Valira 40/1, Aitmatov 50/1, Bobs Pride 50/1, Farmer Brown 50/1, Jazz Messenger 50/1, Punjabi 50/1, Accordion Etoile 100/1, Kalderon 100/1, Lounaos 100/1, Salford City 100/1, Kawagino 150/1, Pigeon Island 200/1.
Rest of Day One
The Festival kicks off on Tuesday with the Anglo Irish Bank Supreme Novices' Hurdle (2pm) – as ever, to start with a winner would be great. The betting is led by the Irish-trained duo Captain Cee Bee and Muirhead at 8/1 – it’s that wide-open.
We like Khyber Kim in this race. He made an eye-catching debut over hurdles at Newbury after Christmas beating a good ’un in the shape of Theatre Girl by three lengths but disappointed next time out at Doncaster. Reports from the Nicky Henderson yard in recent days have been encouraging and the 10/1 on offer looks a good opening punt.
Last year’s Bumper winner, Cork All-Star (11/1, above), has been let down by his jumping in recent races but he loves the track and will play a part in the finish.
Next race is the Irish Independent Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase (2.35). The betting is led by Noland who has won his last six races and he is as low as 3/1 in places. The Paul Nicholls-trained horse didn’t impress me much with his win over My Petra.
I put Tidal Bay (9/1) up for this race earlier in the season and I’m sticking by that, even though Leslingtaylor (14/1) beat him at Doncaster – he is another horse that will relish Cheltenham.
The Edward O’Grady-trained Clopf could run a big race. He won on his chase debut and had the Flyingbolt Chase in the bag but fell at the last. The 11/1 looks tempting. The William Hill Trophy Handicap Chase (4pm) is a race that punters always struggle with.
We like the look of two in the race. The Nicky Henderson-trained Kenzo lll (14/1), who jumped brillantly to win at Wincanton, will have the very much underestimated Charlie Studd aboard. Meanwhile, the Nigel Twistion-Davies-trained Fundamentalist is having a great season and looks to be overpriced at 20/1.
The BGC Cross Country Handicap Chase (4.40) is usually won by us Irish and last year’s winner, Headsontheground (11/2), will take some beating again this year.
Each-way choice is Yanns, who has been running well and is as big as 50/1.
The last race on Day 1 is the Fred Winter Hurdle (5.20). Anyone who witnessed River Lane winning at Leopardstown on Sunday would agree that if he turns up on Tuesday evening, he will take some stopping. He is 9/2 from 16s and that tells the story of how easy he won on Sunday. Each-way choice in this race is Hibiki (20/1) who is ultra-tough and also very hard to pass when in front.
