2pts win

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…

3m1f (Old) Ultima Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (5yo+) I have a soft spot for the Ultima as the first handicap chase of the week and its shaping up to be a brilliant betting race. Lucinda Russell produced Corach Rambler to win back-to-back Ultima’s and WHISTLE STOP…

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…

3m6f (Old) Princess Royal National Hunt Challenge Cup Novices’ Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (Class 2) (5yo+ 0-145) The National Hunt Chase has been changed to a handicap and I think that is a fantastic move as it looks a much more competitive race than in recent years. In December, HAITI…

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…