Author: Joel Roberts

1m1f Race 7 – Dubai Turf Sponsored By DP World (Group 1) (Turf) (3yo+) This is a great market for a bet as some really classy horses are trading double digit prices and the top two in the market are far from superstars. Do Deuce has shown his best form over longer…

3m2½f (3m2f70y) (New) Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (5yo+) A decent renewal of the great race and reigning champ Galopin Des Champs will take the world of beating if returning in the form of his Leopardstown romp. That’s not guaranteed however as he’s been beaten twice since last year’s…

2m1f (2m179y) (New) BetMGM County Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (5yo+) This isn’t a deep renewal as it hasn’t attracted a full field and Willie Mullins doesn’t appear to have a Grade 1 horse lurking in the handicap – his best chances have ground concerns. Gordon Elliott has a strong hand here…

3m (2m7f213y) (New) Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) (Registered As The Spa Novices’ Hurdle) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (5yo+) I don’t really see why DANCING CITY isn’t a great bet at 8/1 given he’s rapidly progressive – winning a Grade 1 at the Dublin Racing Festival on his third start over hurdles – and…

2m4f (2m3f168y) (New) Turners Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) (Registered As The Golden Miller) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (5yo+) I got Gaelic Warrior all wrong earlier in the week. He was the best horse in the race and his right-adjusting jumping was no bother. Facile Vega could be a similar story here but for one major…

2m1f (2m179y) (New) Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) (Registered As The Dawn Run Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle) (GBB) (Class 1) (4yo+) A fantastic race with three really good mares at the top of the market. Hype has taken hold, though, as the word on Brighterdaysahead is hugely positive. I’m not convinced she deserves to be…

2m4½f (2m4f127y) (New) Ryanair Chase (Registered As The Festival Trophy) (Grade 1) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (5yo+) Hopefully antepost pick Banbridge runs here on the fresh ground, and he has an outstanding chance if he does. I’ll be backing CAPODANNO at 9/1 as well, though, as he was brilliant at Cheltenham’s trials day meeting and…

2m5f (Old) Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (4yo+) Nicky Henderson has a strong hand here but the yard form is a big concern with so many of his runners being pulled up. However my long term fancy for this race, LUCKY PLACE, has taken a walk in the market…

2m4f (2m3f200y) (Old) Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle (Registered As The David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle) (Grade 1) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (4yo+) There’s plenty of rain forecast and the ground is certain to be testing, which makes odds-on favourite Lossiemouth’s task much harder up in trip. She’s so fast it has to be a negative, and…

2m (1m7f199y) (Old) My Pension Expert Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (5yo+) Gaelic Warrior is readily taken on here going left handed around a tight track. He’s his own worst enemy at Cheltenham and comes up against proper two-milers more capable of jumping with him than the stayers he’s…