Author: Joel Roberts

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…

2m1f (2m179y) (New) William Hill County Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (5yo+) I fancy KARGESE quite strongly for this race. Primarily because she’s a dual-Grade 1 winner, only five, and let in off 141 over the same course and distance she placed second in last year’s Triumph Hurdle behind now skinny Arkle…

2m (Winter) Ladbrokes Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (4yo+) I’d have MIAMI MAGIC closer to evens than 2/1. He’s won at the track in emphatic fashion and proved it no fluke when placing in a Grade 1. There’s substance too, with Good And Clever back in…

2m3½f (2m3f58y) Betfair Exchange Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 2) (4yo+) CLASSIC KING looks an obvious type after bolting up in his first run in a handicap. He’s only gone up 5lb for that easy success and the issue has always been his jumping. With a clear round he’s a…

2m½f (2m161y) trustatrader.com Novices’ Hurdle (Listed Race) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (4yo+) I’ve got to have a to at Regent’s Stroll here as his Challow run looked to put a ceiling on his hurdling ability and he was once again keen and unprofessional. Back down to two miles there’s going…

2m½f (2m69y) William Hill Hurdle (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (4yo+) I fancy FAVOUR AND FORTUNE to do the business here. He’s got classy novice hurdle form and many of the horses he was competitive with last season have kicked on again this season – Fun Fun Fun, Jango…

2m5½f (2m5f107y) Ladbrokes Novice Chase (Grade 1) (5yo+) For all Ballyburn is a top animal, I strongly fancy IMPAIRE ET PASSE to win this. He’s a misunderstood horse as he idles so much when hitting the front in his race and that gives the impression he’s only scraping home against lesser horses. He’s…

3m½f (3m84y) Pertemps Network River Don Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (5yo+) This looks as tight a Grade 2 as they come but I was very taken by MOON ROCKET‘s last two runs as, put simply, he does everything right. He stays, travels well, jumps well, has won at the track…

2m4f Weatherbys Cheltenham Festival Betting Guide Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 2) (5yo+) IBERICO LORD is a strong fancy for this. Last year’s Greatwood and Betfair Hurdle winner has been gagging for a step up to this trip for years and I think he will improve chunks for it. He’s returning…