Author: Joel Roberts

2m1f (2m179y) (New) William Hill County Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (5yo+) The brilliant Galopin Des Champs goes for his third Gold Cup and odds of 4/7 look fair with only eight opponents and a clear class edge on all known form. He looks as good as ever this season and I…

2m4½f (2m4f127y) (New) TrustATrader Plate Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (5yo+) Jagwar is all the rage but he has to prove as effective with a 7lb rise in deeper waters. I like two in this race. JORDANS has some classy Grade 1 novice chasing form behind Impaire Et Passe and is only…

2m1f (2m179y) (New) Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) (Registered As The Dawn Run Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle) (GBB) (Class 1) (4yo+) 24 runners makes this really tough. You have to be brave to take a short price about Sixandahalf and I suspect each-way is the best way to play here. AIR OF ENTITLEMENT is a…

2m (1m7f199y) (Old) BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (5yo+) Everyone in racing wants Jonbon to win because he apparently deserves it, but his record at the Festival confirms he’s beatable and the record of favourites for this race gives plenty of confidence in taking him on. The only horse…

2m5f (Old) Turners Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) (Registered As The Baring Bingham Novices’ Hurdle) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (4yo+) Final Demand and The New Lion are contrasting types at the top of market, and both have excellent chances. Drying ground gives the big staying chaser type Final Demand something to think about and my…

2m5f (Old) Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (4yo+) I’ve long fancied BEAT THE BAT to be a handicap winner in waiting and the signs are very positive that this has been a long-term plan. He’s clearly wanting an intermediate trip but connections have mark minded him by running him…

2m½f (2m87y) (Old) Hallgarten And Novum Wines Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (Registered As Fred Winter) (Premier Hcap) (GBB) (Class 1) (4yo) Perilous as ever, this is not a race to get carried away with. I fancy HOT FUSS to be best handicapped and capable of improving way beyond a mark of 122 if he can tidy…

2m½f (2m87y) (Old) Michael O’Sullivan Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (4yo+) It’s difficult to take on Kopek Des Bordes after his demolition job last time. The only negative would be he’s keen and wears a hood, so a massive Festival crowd will test his mettle. If he’s going to get beaten,…

2m (1m7f199y) (Old) My Pension Expert Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (5yo+) I think people are getting quite carried away with Majborough, who’s no doubt the right favourite, but his price doesn’t reflect his true chance. The main issue I have is he’s a three-mile chaser on looks and…

2m (1m7f216y) Betfair Imperial Cup Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 2) (4yo+) A winner on the eve of Cheltenham can’t hurt and I’m firing a dart at the Imperial Cup on drying ground. OOH BETTY has been in really good form this year, after a wind surgery last summer. She won easily off 123…