Another good one here with similar advice
http://www.oddschecker.com/cheltenh...there-is-a-willie,-there-is-a-way?dcmp=ortwt4
Very Wood (20/1) and Wounded Warrior (33/1) are both owned by Gigginstown. I was unpleasantly surprised when Noel Meade suggested that Albert Bartlett winner Very Wood might go for the 4 miler and the much less battle hardened Wounded Warrior might now come back in trip for the RSA. I wouldn’t fancy Wounded Warrior nearly as much in this much tougher race – he’d be much better served by the calmer waters of the 4 miler.
That all points pretty clearly to another Gigginstown horse, Valseur Lido (12/1) being the smart play here. I’d doubted his stamina before his last run, but he looked to get done for toe by Apache Stronghold in the Grade 1 Flogas over 2m5f at Leopardstown last time, just staying on in the manner of a horse that would be ideally suited by 3m.
That 2m5f is the furthest he’s run over, so you’re taking his stamina on trust and he looks to enjoy some cut in the ground. However, the Flogas has been the best trial, producing 4 of the last 6 RSA winners - Cooldine and Bostons Angel did the double and Weapon’s Amnesty and Lord Windermere won the RSA after finishing 2nd and 3rd in the Flogas. Lord Windermere hadn’t raced beyond 2m5f and Cooldine hadn’t run under rules beyond 2m6f, so unproven stamina isn’t necessarily a negative here.
Valseur Lido’s Drinmore win in November was an excellent performance and, having been off since, he might have needed the run a little last time. The vibes from Willie Mullins about the horse are really strong and if he does run, it probably knocks Don Poli into the 4 miler, which would significantly enhance his chances. With Coneygree likely to go for the Gold Cup, I can see Valseur Lido challenging Kings Palace for favouritism on the day. (In the unlikely event that Don Poli runs too, it might mean that Ruby Walsh would ride Valseur Lido, if Bryan Cooper chooses Don Poli.)
There’s plenty of water to flow under the bridge before targets are finalised for the Mullins horses, but Valseur Lido is 10/1 NRNB with Boylesports. I can’t see him being more than half that price if he lines up and I’m going to rely on his class, and trust Willie that stamina and ground concerns are unfounded.
If there is a star that’s going to run in this, that will go on to win King Georges and Gold Cups, I think its Valseur Lido. When push comes to shove Willie tends to get his own way - I think that will happen again and Valseur Lido will run in the RSA.
1pt Valseur Lido to win the RSA Chase @ 10/1 (NRNB)
Methinks I need to get my Boyles account back in action.