Im Off to Cheltenham Today....

It's the Big One, The Gold Cup! This is the biggest race of the National Hunt season, and I will be there just as I was last year! It is a big field and a fascinating race but who will win?

The field size indicates that there are a few who fancy their chances. There are sixteen runners, but only six have a genuine chance in my opinion. I am a big Kauto Star fan, but this race requires a bit more than support to bet seriously in! So which are the six that I have shortlisted? In racecard order...

1. Barber's Shop - Queens horse, on the up but is he good enough? rated only 159
2. Denman- holder and super horse, had problems and beaten last time, could easily win this
3. Exotic Dancer- the nearly horse, could it be his day?
4. Kauto Star- 2007 winner, been in great form and will be fresh
5. Madison Du Berlais - beat Denman, how good was that form?
6. Neptunes Collenges- third last year, has he improved?

Of the six I think that it will be last year's Paul Nicholls' trio that will contest the finish. I think that this time thou Kauto Star with red hot Ruby Walsh who will come out on top. It is the freshness and the question mark over Denman that leads me to this conculsion. I think that Denam will still be there, but Kauto could win the title he won in 2007. I firmly believe he was not 100% last year and that this year he will be. He won his third King George easily and a reproduction of that will see him home. Paul Nicholls believes freshness is the key.

Get on Kauto Star at 7/4 to win the Gold Cup.

I have also backed Netunes Collenges at 7/4 without Denman and Kauto Star.

The Rest of the Card....
The day opens with The Triumph Hurdle at 1.30. I have already backed Star Luck at a nice price but you can get 6/1 about him for tomorrow. It is between three, Star Luck, Zaynar and Walkon. The handicapper thinks Walkon is two pounds better than the Favourite (Zaynar). I would rather be on Nicky Henderson's grey who I think will win.

I would like to see Cape Tribulation win the Albert Bartlett Novice Hurdle at 2.40. Trained by Malcolm Jefferson this horse is joint favourite and rated the same as Pride of Dulcote who has that man Ruby Walsh aboard and I can not split them, but have been impressed by the northern raider. I have heard a big word for this from the Northern grapevine!

In the 4.40 I like Little Shilling for Tim Vaughn. This horse could be ahead of the handicapper, despite a string of victories. It would be great to see him win again but he has a huge chance!




No Posts Until later as Im out all day. Any comments will be published on my return. Good Luck!