2pts win

2m3½f (2m3f58y) Dingley’s Promise Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 2) (4yo+) A strong case can be made for the favourite, Good Risk At All, being well handicapped but the amount of weight he carries won’t help his jumping and he hasn’t been doing himself many favours in that department. He’s the most likely winner…

The Coral Cup is my favourite betting heat of the Cheltenham Festival and, after putting up the second three times in the last four years, no race would give me more satisfaction from winning. There will be tonnes of value on the day so betting ante-post needs strong justification, but…

3m4f Hollywoodbets Grand National Trial Handicap Chase (Grade B) (5yo+) Plenty of question marks exist over several of these running in the Irish Grand National Trial with The Big Dog seeking to win this race back-to-back. He comes into this off a 9lbs higher mark, but was rather disappointing in…

2m½f  (2m69y) Betfair Hurdle (Handicap) (Grade 3) (GBB Race)  (Class 1) (4yo+) This race usually goes to the best handicapped novice and I love the chances of the speedy Broomfield Burg and have backed him earlier in the week, but unfortunately the price has gone and there are equally strong cases for others. If…

2m5½f  (2m5f61y) Bulmers Secret Orchard Leopardstown Handicap Chase (Grade A)  (5yo+) It typically pays to follow an unexposed novice-type in this handicap at Leopardstown and whilst Blackbow looks interesting on his handicap debut. MAX FLAMINGO and FAKIR D’ALENE have both shown enough in their short chasing career to expect that they can take a…

2m1½f  (2m1f156y) Irish Stallion Farms EBF Paddy Mullins Mares Handicap Hurdle (Grade B)  (4yo+) This race has become a breeding ground for Cheltenham Festival winners, particularly for the Coral Cup (for older horses) and Mares’ Novice Hurdle (for novices). Party Central, the fav, fits the bill of the young improving novice that can…

2m4½f (New) Paddy Power Cheltenham Countdown Podcast Handicap Chase (Grade 3) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (5yo+) A tricky looking affair in this handicap, but I am going to take a chance on GALAHAD QUEST, who is still relatively young at the age of six and appears to have more potential…

2m1f (2m179y) (New) SSS Super Alloys Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 2) (4yo+) Chances can be made for most of these and there’s little to challenge the favourite’s chance after two wins at Cheltenham and the horse he beat last time bolting up on Boxing Day. He’s sure to run well but I’m not sure…

1m Zabeel Mile Presented By Emaar Beachfront (Group 2) (Turf) (3yo+) Real World is clear on ratings but there are reasons to take him on. He’s likely to need the run, carries a 4lb penalty and a mile on good ground might be on the sharp side given his form last year…

3m1f Goffs Thyestes Handicap Chase (Grade A) (5yo+) This is one of the best renewals of the Thyestes for many a year with winners often going on to run Grand Nationals and even Gold Cups. Longhouse Poet has received a significant share of the ante-post betting and he currently occupies…