Big Day at Cheltenham ahead

One things for sure you will need a lot of money for the TEN BIG RACES today at the Festival..
A winner or two in the first THREE race would be ideal.
We start with the big one today the World Hurdle. and the $64,000 question is, can Inglis Drever make it a treble in the race?
Bookmakers make him as short as 6/4 for the race and if rumours are right this could be the last run of his career.
He has run six times at Cheltenham and has never been out of the first two; many punters have him down as their festival banker.
He beat second favourite Blazing Bailey (6/1) by five lengths in the Cleeve Hurdle last time out and there is no reason why he shouldn’t be the same come this afternoon. Kasbah Bliss (7/1) is next in the betting but he too has to make up about 20 lengths on the jolly after he finished well beaten in the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury.
We have put two dangers up and our first one is the Eoin Griffin-trained Kazal (left) (20/1) who was tried over fences earlier in the winter but after a couple of hefty falls his trainer put him back over hurdles and in his last run he hacked up in the Grade 2 Boyne Hurdle. He looks a decent sort over hurdles and is our each-way bet of the race.
Wichita Lineman (10/1) has been in awful form and so too have been much of the Jonjo O’Neill yard. To be honest, that has put me off a wee bit, but with Champion Jockey Tony McCoy back in the frame it’s very much a case of ignore him at your peril.
Tthe Jewson Novices' Handicap Chase is a hrad race to work out and we like the look of Barbers Shop (10/1) who hacked up at Kempton last time out.
The Ryanair Chase looks a cracking affair this year and it’s hard to split Old Vic, The Listener and Mossbank in the betting, all quoted in and around 4/1.
We think that Mossbank(4/1) will take all the beating after his gallant second behind Denman in the Lexus Chase at Christmas. The Listener (4/1) was only a head behind but I just think that the two mile five furlongs will suit and the Michael Hourigan-trained horse will take all the beating.
They Bet: Mossbank 4/1, Our Vic 4/1, The Listener 9/2, Tamarinbleu 6/1, L Antartique 8/1, Turko 8/1, Racing Demon 16/1, Billyvoddan 25/1, Forget The Past 33/1, Newmill 33/1, Justified 40/1, Howle Hill 50/1, Knight Legend 50/1, Patman Du Charmil 66/1.
Don’t Push It (7/2) will take all the beating in the Racing Post Plate . He hasn’t been seen out since October when he won a hurdle race at Chepstow, which is a worry, so that has put us off him a wee bit. Bible Lord (10/1) could answer punters’ prayers with a big run. His trainer Andy Turnell is enjoying a purple patch at the minute and this horse hacked up at Exeter in early February and will be primed for this race.
The Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup is another race of the amateurs and we like the look of the Alan King-trained Nykel (20/1) in this one with the promising Charlie Huxley in the plate.
The Pertemps Final Handicap Hurdle concludes the third day and we have put two up for this one.
Robert Tyner is a shrewd trainer and his Footy Facts is as consistent as they come and gets a 14/1 quote for the three-miler.
Cryptic looks the staying type, is one for the future and could run a big race. Consequently he gets a (16/1) quote.
In the first race today I think Sizing Australia has a big each-way punt at 28/1. We are sticking by Albertas Run in the ROYAL & SUNALLIANCE CHASE in the second race today and w ethink Master Minded and Fair Along are still good to go in the Champion Chase.
In the Bumper tonight we have Zaarito (4/1) - one of the my colleagues in Navan told me that Corskeagh Royale is a good thing at (9/1) after he had a chat with Noel Meade give him a wee bit of info!!

Group Captain to spoil Paddy party

DAY TWO
The opening race of Day 2 is the Ballymore Properties Novices' Hurdle (2pm) and, like so many other races at the Festival, it looks wide open.
The betting is led by the unbeaten Aigle D’Or from the Nicky Henderson yard at around 9/2 – he’s won his first two races pulling a cart and will doubtless be thereabouts, but I like the look of two other horses in the race.
Forpaddydeplasterer is trained by Thomas Cooper who could have a big Cheltenham – remember he has River Lane running in the Fred Winter Hurdle on the opening day.
This horse has had four starts and won three. His last start saw him win the Deloitte Hurdle at the expense of Cork All-Star. He is owned by a group of flamboyant Sunderland supporters, the Goat Racing Syndicate, who will light the place up if he wins.
I think if anybody is going to spoil the party then it could be the Alan King-trained Group Captain (11/2) who has won all three races over hurdles – the trainer thinks this is his banker bet of the Festival.
The former smart flat horse didn’t set the racing world alight in his first two jaunts over hurdles but in his last win at Exeter he looked a real star in the making, winning a listed hurdle event.
The Royal & Sun Alliance Chase is always tricky to work out and we have narrowed it down to just two.
We think Albertas Run (6/1) will take all the beating, his only defeat was at Aintree behind Tidal Bay. He has won well at Cheltenham and at Ascot and looks a worthy wager on Wednesday. The danger in the race could come from the Irish-trained French import Pomme Tiepy (12/1). She has done nothing wrong, winning four from four over here.
Leg Spinner (5/1) leads the markets for the Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle, but we like the look of Ringaroses who gets a 7/1 pricing. Our outside bet is the Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained Peacock at 25/1.
On to the big amateur race, the Peter O'Sullevan National Hunt Chase Challenge Cup, and Beat the Boys looks like the four miles will be right up his street; the 20/1 on offer looks too good to turn down.
The finale on Day 2 is the Weatherbys Champion Bumper and as usual the Irish have a strong hand this year.
I think Colm Murphy holds the aces with the unbeaten Zaarito the 7/2 jolly.
He is unbeaten in three races and he is one of my naps of the Festival.

Master Minded the one to beat in Chase
....but watch out for Fair Along from the back-to-form Hobbs yard
On to Wednesday and the big race of the day is the Queen Mother Champion Chase – another puzzling race to work out.
Master Minded is the favourite at the moment at around 11/4, but that could change come 3.15 next Wednesday.
Stablemate Twist Magic (3/1) and last year’s winner Voy Por Ustedes (7/2) are fighting it out for favouritism and it’s a hard call to make to see who goes off the jolly.
Master Minded easily disposed of Voy Por Ustedes in the Game Spirit Chase and his odds plummeted for the Champion Chase from 20/1 in to 3/1. But he is prone to the odd error and fell on his debut at Exeter. Word is he is flying at home. Ruby Walsh has picked him ahead of Twist Magic so that could be a tip within itself.
It looks a thrilling race but if the front three in the betting cut off each other’s noses then two outsiders might just run into a place.
The Irish-trained Nickname was pulled out of last year’s race on the day because the conditions didn’t suit him. Any sign of rain next week then back this mudlark who is 25/1 at the minute. If the heavens open, just watch that price tumble.
He jumps for fun and if he takes his place in the field expect a big run.
The Peter Hobbs yard have had a quiet season by their usual high standards but in recent days things have been picking up with a few winners on the board.
They have Fair Along entered and if they revert back to front-running tactics, this one might have a few of the big ones in trouble.
He was last seen finishing fourth to Kauto Star at Ascot after trying to force the pace there – the drop back to just two miles will be right up his street.
He is as big as 16/1 and that could be the value bet of what looks a muddling race.
They Bet: Master Minded 11/4, Twist Magic 3/1, Voy Por Ustedes 7/2, Tamarinbleu 15/2, Fair Along 16/1, My Way de Solzen 20/1, Mansony 25/1, Newmill 25/1, Nickname 25/1, Don’t Push It 33/1, Andreas 50/1, Another Promise 50/1, Justified 66/1, Schindlers Hunt 66/1.

Harchibald the danger to Sizing Europe

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.

And the FIRST £25 winner is........

...............Dolly Dev
Answer: Sublimity
He has £25 on Katchit !

We have another £25 to giveaway today on a bet of your choice for next Wednesday!
Answer this question - who is the favourite for the Gold Cup?
answers to puntersguide@irelandclick.com before 7pm today.
another £25 quid to giveaway tomorrow.

WIN A £25 BET FOR THE CHAMPION HURDLE

Fancy a free £25 flutter on the Champion Hurdle?
Here's your big chance..
Answer this question: Who won last years race?

answers to puntersguide@irelandclick.com before 9.00pm tonight.
A Chance to win a £25 bet on a race of your choice tommorow

Poor, poor selections yesterday!
plenty of football and racing today we have 6 days to get the money up for Cheltenham

Tuesday Selections
NAP Amber Brook (3.00 Exeter)
DOUBLE: President Royal (4.00 Exeter)
TREBLE: I'm A Legend (5.00 Exeter)
Fingers Crossed

Sean Graham Cheltenham Preview Night

Any punters who turn up to the Sean Graham Cheltenham Preview Night will also get a FREE £5 BET for their troubles.
On the panel tonight are Alan King, Nina Carberry, David Duggan and Davy Russell. Brian and Ronan Graham will be pricing up all the feature races and also giving their input to the races.

Festival countdown begins

The countdown begins for Cheltenham 2008 with just over a week to go and the nerves are already starting to tingle..
We will be giving away a Sean Graham £25 bet away everyday THIS WEEK starting Tuesday for the festival. So stay blogged for the week and you could win one of those bets for next week
Today we are giving away a £25 bet away on the midweek football to try and give someone the opportunity of getting a few pound up before the festival. answer this question - Who won the Triump Hurdle last year? answers to puntersguide@irelandclick.com before 4pm today.

Cheltenham Preview Night
The Sean Graham Cheltenham preview is tonight in the Europa Hotel (8pm) it's all good stuff you can pay at door.
(and we still have two tickets for YID ARMY in our office)

Market Moves
River Liane was the horse to catch the eye the most at the weekend and has been cut to 8/1 for 20s for the Fred Winter Hurdle.
He skated home at Leopardstown yesterday under Davy Russell and must have a big shout next Tuesday.
Harchibald was impressive at Dundalk on Friday and goes to Cheltenham in good heart and remains a solid 7/1 shot.

Mondays Selections
NAP: Truckers Delight (4.00 Stratford)
Double:Thoughtsofstardom (3.10 Lingfield)
Treble: Rare Coincidence (2.20 Wolverhampton)

Live Monday Night
Notts Forest 1/1 look a great bet at home to Carlisle tonight in the Live Game and we like a 3-1 scoreline priced a 11/1 and Junior Agogo for the first goal at 5/1