2pts win

3m (2m7f213y) (New) Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle (Grade 1) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (4yo+) The Stayers’ Hurdle has looked a weak division in recent seasons evidenced by Sire Due Berlais winning at the ripe old age of 11 last season. And there is no shortage of veterans trying to claim…

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…

2m (1m7f199y) (Old) Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (5yo+) MASKADA has her ground for a repeat success in the Grand Annual and she could be in line for another big run. Whilst she haswn’t run badly, she hasn’t quite shown the…

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…

3m6f (3m5f201y) (Old) Maureen Mullins National Hunt Challenge Cup Amateur Jockeys’ Novices’ Chase (Grade 2) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (5yo+) Embassy Gardens and Corbetts Cross are clearly the class angle into the National Hunt Chase this year. They both have great chances particularly the former who looks tailor made for…

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…

3m1f (Old) Ultima Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (5yo+) The Brits haven’t relinquished their grip of the Ultima for quite some time, but the market support and recent purchase of Meetingofthewaters by JP McManus could be ominous. He won the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas…

This year’s hype horse is Fact To File looks set to go off a very short price in the Brown Advisory over 3m, which leaves the Turners wide open and lacking a star. Whichever way you look at it, Ginny’s Destiny is the price he is because his stablemate Stage…