Author: Joel Roberts

2m Coral Scottish Champion Hurdle (A Limited Handicap) (Grade 2) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (4yo+) With first choice Nemean Lion a non runner, SALSADA is the bet here. She’s very unexposed and still has headroom to improve based on her flat rating of 91. She’s got a 5lb claimer and…

1m1f  Dubai Turf sponsored by DP World (Group 1) (Turf)  (3yo+) As ever, the Japanese hold a strong hand and their Serifos looks really fast. Speed is crucial to win this race and there’s a fair few I’d rule out for wanting a bit further. At the prices I’m going to chance…

2m4½f  (2m4f56y) (New) Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)  (Class 2) (4yo+ 0-145) This can go to IROKO who was a strong fancy for the Coral Cup but connections chose to go here instead. He’s rated 138 after coasting home at Wetherby on soft ground last time out and his form has transformed…

2m1f  (2m179y) (New) McCoy Contractors County Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)  (Class 1) (5yo+) PIED PIPER has an ideal profile for this race. He’s a strong traveler who should thrive in a big field handicap and he’s got excellent course form as a two-time Cheltenham winner who was a good third in last year’s…

2m1f  (2m179y) (New) Jack De Bromhead Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) (The Dawn Run Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle) (GBB)  (Class 1) (4yo+) 5lb penalties have been no barrier to success in this in previous renewals but you need a significant class edge to overcome them. Luccia might have that but faces stiff opposition here and it…

2m4f (2m3f168y) (New) Turners Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) (Registered As The Golden Miller) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (5yo+) This looks a match between Mighty Potter and APPRECIATE IT but the latter has to be the bet at three times the price. Mighty Potter ran a stinker at last year’s festival…

3m  (2m7f213y) (New) Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle (Grade 1) (GBB Race)  (Class 1) (4yo+) TEAHUPOO‘s defeat of Honeysuckle looks rock solid form and he’s getting his soft ground so there really aren’t many reasons to doubt him. I know he hasn’t truly proven he stays 3m in a championship race but nothing about the way…

I’ve been all over Impaire Et Passe for the Ballymore since he made his hurdles debut and have backed him accordingly, but the revised prices don’t have a lot of juice and I’d fall short of recommending him as a lump bet at 2/1 because he does face stiff opposition.…

2m5f  (Old) Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)  (Class 1) (4yo+) There’s a lot of crap in this race and it’s easy to rule out more than half the field. I have to back FIL DOR despite top weight for the simple reason he’s an in-form Graded horse in a handicap with…

2m4f (2m3f200y) (Old) Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle (Registered As The David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle) (Grade 1) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (4yo+) Final decs are in and soft ground is all but guaranteed for day one of the Cheltenham Festival. In probably the deepest Mares’ Hurdle we’ve seen, I’m against older…