- Joined
- Dec 11, 2013
- Messages
- 123
- Reaction score
- 0
- Points
- 0
Well folks, I'm not sure if people are keen to keep their cards close to their chest regarding their ante-post shots for this years festival but thought I'd throw in my few bets so far! I didn't get on anything mega early, November time was about the first time I put a bet down....
Supreme
The Tullow Tank 12/1
The Liquidator 25/1
I actually had the Liquidator at 25/1 after his first run this season. He was as low as 12/1 before he had a terrible race last time out and now he's a general 25/1 shot or higher. I'm hoping that Pipe can get him back to a bit of form for the festival though. The Tullow Tank is the one I really like though and I'm hoping that Fenton goes this way with him. He probably would have no problem staying the Neptune trip but that looks a better race so hopefully he keeps him here.
Arkle
Champagne Fever 5/1
Felix Yonger 12/1
I've thought that these two are the best 2 milers for awhile now and it's looking likely that CF will step up in trip. Who runs in the Irish Arkle on Sunday and who runs in the longer trip this saturday could be a telling factor. Whichever lines up though I think will take all the beating come March.
Champion Hurdle
Hurricane Fly 7/2 NRNB
My Tent Or Yours 5/1 NRNB
I suppose I've copped out a bit here but I cant see past these two. Hurricane Fly will be carrying the weight of my money (as he has done the past few years!) but I do like MTOY too. The new one obviously has course form but I don't fear him as much as perhpas Annie Power who I'm raging I didnt catch when she was around 12/1 a few weeks back.
Neptune
Apache Stronghold 16/1
Faugheen 6/1
Apache Stronghold is a horse I've always liked and looked very good winning last time out. He has had a setback since but I'm hoping Meade can get him back for the festival. Faugheen is probably the most popular horse to win at the festival but there is still a doubt that he might go up to 3 miles. I think he has the necessary speed to win a decent renewal of this race though.
RSA
Morning Assembly 14/1
Ballycasey is obviously a high class horse but he is definately fragile. He missed last years festival and he hasn't been seen in awhile. Morning Assembly has looked very promising since he won a Grade 1 at the Punchestown festival. He has won all his starts this year barring his last one where he was second to Carlingford Lough who has a lot more experience over fences than MA. Hopefully that race will stand him in good stead for Cheltenham.
Champion Chase
Bailey Green 14/1 NRNB
Obviously this race will cut up big time if Sprinter Sacre is or is not fit to go. However I think Bailey Green would be around this price whether or not SS stays in. I think he'll improve again for his good second at Thurles and after his good showing last year in the Arkle he could have a squeak. Could very well go for the Ryanair but Mouse being the cute hoor that he is might just look to take on the big boys!
Jewson
Don Cossack 16/1
Probably not my best ante post bet as he has a good few engagements but I think Elliot might steer him down this route. I would be hopeful that Bright New Dawn goes for the RSA so that would free up DC for this one. He doesn't strike people as a speed horse and could be vulnerable to a speed merchant like Oscar Whiskey but I think he has more pace than he is given credit for.
Ryanair
Al Ferof 6/1 NRNB
My first English horse I've backed ante post! It's not a slight on the English horses but I guess my patriotic nature leans me towards the Irish ones first! Al Ferof could very well go for the Gold Cup but I think Cue Card and First Lieutenant will go there and maybe Nicholls might convince John Hales to send him here and keep him for next years Gold Cup. If he does line up here, he'd obviously have a great chance with his Paddy Power Gold cup win and Supreme win showing he does very well around here.
World Hurdle
Monksland 14/1
Looking like I might miss out on this as Monskland hasnt been seen this year yet but if he was to turn up, even without a run, I would be happy with the above price. If Annie Power was to go for the Champion Hurdle then you'd have to imagine that Big Bucks at a current 5/2 is a steal.
Albert Bartlett
Briar Hill 7/1
Kings Palace obvioulsy sets a good standard but I think Briar Hill is a good shout here. He acts around Cheltenham, goes on most ground and looks like he stays. Willie (like in all the novice races) has a few others that could line up here which may re-route BH but hopefully he lets him run.
Gold Cup
First Lieutenant 12/1
Bobs Worth is a bit of a shoe-in if I'm to be honest here but I think you'd get the current prices on him on offer on the day. First Lieutenant has a shocking win record (1 from his last 15) but he is a dour stayer and has twice finished second to Bob's Worth (once in the RSA) and I'm interested into how the extra two furlongs might suit him.
Supreme
The Tullow Tank 12/1
The Liquidator 25/1
I actually had the Liquidator at 25/1 after his first run this season. He was as low as 12/1 before he had a terrible race last time out and now he's a general 25/1 shot or higher. I'm hoping that Pipe can get him back to a bit of form for the festival though. The Tullow Tank is the one I really like though and I'm hoping that Fenton goes this way with him. He probably would have no problem staying the Neptune trip but that looks a better race so hopefully he keeps him here.
Arkle
Champagne Fever 5/1
Felix Yonger 12/1
I've thought that these two are the best 2 milers for awhile now and it's looking likely that CF will step up in trip. Who runs in the Irish Arkle on Sunday and who runs in the longer trip this saturday could be a telling factor. Whichever lines up though I think will take all the beating come March.
Champion Hurdle
Hurricane Fly 7/2 NRNB
My Tent Or Yours 5/1 NRNB
I suppose I've copped out a bit here but I cant see past these two. Hurricane Fly will be carrying the weight of my money (as he has done the past few years!) but I do like MTOY too. The new one obviously has course form but I don't fear him as much as perhpas Annie Power who I'm raging I didnt catch when she was around 12/1 a few weeks back.
Neptune
Apache Stronghold 16/1
Faugheen 6/1
Apache Stronghold is a horse I've always liked and looked very good winning last time out. He has had a setback since but I'm hoping Meade can get him back for the festival. Faugheen is probably the most popular horse to win at the festival but there is still a doubt that he might go up to 3 miles. I think he has the necessary speed to win a decent renewal of this race though.
RSA
Morning Assembly 14/1
Ballycasey is obviously a high class horse but he is definately fragile. He missed last years festival and he hasn't been seen in awhile. Morning Assembly has looked very promising since he won a Grade 1 at the Punchestown festival. He has won all his starts this year barring his last one where he was second to Carlingford Lough who has a lot more experience over fences than MA. Hopefully that race will stand him in good stead for Cheltenham.
Champion Chase
Bailey Green 14/1 NRNB
Obviously this race will cut up big time if Sprinter Sacre is or is not fit to go. However I think Bailey Green would be around this price whether or not SS stays in. I think he'll improve again for his good second at Thurles and after his good showing last year in the Arkle he could have a squeak. Could very well go for the Ryanair but Mouse being the cute hoor that he is might just look to take on the big boys!
Jewson
Don Cossack 16/1
Probably not my best ante post bet as he has a good few engagements but I think Elliot might steer him down this route. I would be hopeful that Bright New Dawn goes for the RSA so that would free up DC for this one. He doesn't strike people as a speed horse and could be vulnerable to a speed merchant like Oscar Whiskey but I think he has more pace than he is given credit for.
Ryanair
Al Ferof 6/1 NRNB
My first English horse I've backed ante post! It's not a slight on the English horses but I guess my patriotic nature leans me towards the Irish ones first! Al Ferof could very well go for the Gold Cup but I think Cue Card and First Lieutenant will go there and maybe Nicholls might convince John Hales to send him here and keep him for next years Gold Cup. If he does line up here, he'd obviously have a great chance with his Paddy Power Gold cup win and Supreme win showing he does very well around here.
World Hurdle
Monksland 14/1
Looking like I might miss out on this as Monskland hasnt been seen this year yet but if he was to turn up, even without a run, I would be happy with the above price. If Annie Power was to go for the Champion Hurdle then you'd have to imagine that Big Bucks at a current 5/2 is a steal.
Albert Bartlett
Briar Hill 7/1
Kings Palace obvioulsy sets a good standard but I think Briar Hill is a good shout here. He acts around Cheltenham, goes on most ground and looks like he stays. Willie (like in all the novice races) has a few others that could line up here which may re-route BH but hopefully he lets him run.
Gold Cup
First Lieutenant 12/1
Bobs Worth is a bit of a shoe-in if I'm to be honest here but I think you'd get the current prices on him on offer on the day. First Lieutenant has a shocking win record (1 from his last 15) but he is a dour stayer and has twice finished second to Bob's Worth (once in the RSA) and I'm interested into how the extra two furlongs might suit him.
Ned