This is a list of all my ante post bets so far. Rather than going into individual threads I will put a bit of working on this thread.
Supreme - Real Steel 20/1
Terrible race for me and this one is unlikely to change things. Inexplicably lost ground early last time and then rushed up too quickly. Looked to be toiling when taking a nasty fall. Seems as if he will be given another chance but I am not hopeful. Not at all tempted by Getabird at current prices.
Arkle - Footpad 10/1 & Sceau Royal 8/1 (both EW)
Sceau Royal has the form and Footpad has the style. Hard to see past both of them.
Champion Hurdle - Buveur D'Air 5/1
Stepped in when Hills pushed him out. Not worried at all by a horse who couldn't beat a poorly ridden Arctic Fire by less than two lengths and that was in his prime. I think Buveur D'Air was always going to be much too good for him. Just a concern that Geraghty might be a shade over confident as he was at Kempton.
National Hunt Chase - Ms Parfois 20/1 (EW NRNBG)
Probably needs to find 7lbs but is progressive and has some course form. The longer trip might well be a plus. Race looks up for grabs.
Ballymore - On The Blind Side 12/1
Like many I thought this was an Albert Bartlett horse after Cheltenham but his subsequent win at Sandown is arguably the best piece of novice form and I couldn't miss him here. Hopefully, the setback has just given him a nice break. Samcro is the one who has to step up, particularly with the likely quicker ground being an unknown.
RSA - Presenting Percy 12/1
If he were mine I would be thinking seriously about the Gold Cup so very disappointing if he doesn't figure here. A hold up horse he will obviously need some luck in running.
Fred Winter - Mitchouka 16/1 (NRNB)
Not quite up to winning a Triumph but travels and jumps well so might be up to defying a big weight.
Bumper - Didtheyleaveuoutto 10/1
Most impressive bumper winner of the season. Would be clear favourite if he were trained by Mullins.
JLT - Saint Calvados 25/1 (EW NRNBG)
Two impressive wins at Newbury but he can't beat the front two in the Arkle. The JLT is up for grabs and he would surely find it far easier to try and dominate this field. If he stays has every chance.
Pertemps - Black Ivory 14/1 (EW NRNB)
Progressing nicely and value for more than the official verdict at Warwick. Hectic pace at Cheltenham should suit.
Ryanair - Waiting Patiently 10/1
Another progressive Jefferson horse. On the Kempton performance alone he could easily be favourite. Not at all worried by Un De Sceaux who beat a Grade 2 horse and a handicapper last year.
Stayers - The Worlds End 25/1 (EW) & Thomas Campbell 25/1 (EW NRNBG)
Big weekend for these two. They don't have to win (as the ground will almost certainly be totally different in March) but fingers crossed for some promise of better to come. The Worlds End is my preferred of the two. He hasn't got that much to find on Sam Spinner and the likely better ground should be a big help. Thomas Campbell ran a strange race at Ascot but did similar last year. He is 3/4 at Cheltenham.
Mares Novices - Marias Benefit 10/1
Hard not to be impressed with her demolition job. Clearly very useful but can she dominate a much bigger field on a stiffer track?
Triumph - Espoir D'Allen 14/1
I think he has done enough to be favourite for the Triumph. The race at Leopardstown is looking to be quite a stiff task and I wonder whether it might have been better to give him a rest prior to Cheltenham. He doesn't shape as if he needs any further experience.
Albert Bartlett - On The Blind Side 20/1
If he is on song this race would look his for the taking. Henderson did switch Bobs Worth at the last minute but it seems unlikely it will happen again.
Gold Cup - Presenting Percy 50/1
A bit of a flyer but I doubt you would get 12/1 if he were priced up for this.
Martin Pipe - Minds Eye 16/1 (EW NRNBG)
Gigginstown usually throw something decent at this and he looks as likely as any at this stage.
So quite happy, other than Real Steel and having to cover a couple of races. Fingers crossed most, if not all, get there.
Good luck.
Something of a train wreck over the last few weeks. Could have done without Espoir D'Allen but I did have concerns about one run too many. Been a case of trying to patch things up so have since added:-
Supreme - Paloma Blue 20/1 EW
Quite hopeful if he can get some better ground. Can see him travelling really well and then a case of whether he gets up the hill. Real Steel not good enough wherever he goes.
Arkle - Saint Calvados 7/1 EW NRNB
Don't like three in one race but there is a chance of a return on all of them. Hard to ignore after Warwick.
Ultima - Gold Present 14/1 EW
Sadly, doesn't look as if he will go. I don't think he is a National horse but would be the class in this race.
National Hunt Chase - No Comment 20/1 EW NRNB
Short of experience but could well benefit from a step up in trip. It seems as if they think Ms Parfois wants soft ground but I just think she wants a trip.
Close Brothers - Gwencily Berbas 33/1 EW NRNB & Kalondra 14/1 EW NRNB
I was hopeful Gwencily Berbas would do enough last time to get in but he didn't. Kalondra had a nice 2lb drop and I can see a similar sort of ride to Tully East.
JLT - Monalee 14/1
This race hasn't been good. I would take the two horses I have backed against anything that turns up but sadly it seems both will end up elsewhere. I understand the thinking with Saint Calvados but not so much Monalee. I can see him struggling to see out an RSA.
Pertemps - Delta Work 20/1 & 33/1 EW
The best of my handicappers and disappointed if he doesn't go very well. Black Ivory had a very nasty incident last time and I suspect he was another they were fightened to 'risk'.
Stayers - Sam Spinner 5/1
Just a case of when I backed this horse. I like the long break and I think he will be hard to beat. I have doubts about The Worlds End in terms of his jumping and getting home and Thomas Campbell probably won't run.
Brown Advisory - Tully East 12/1 EW
Luck in running and he has a decent chance. Again should be relatively fresh.
Mares Novice - Laurina 11/8 NRNB
Not my sort of price but I didn't think I had much choice. Hard to see Maria's Benefit turning her over unless she disappoints.
Ryanair
Another disaster area. Waiting Patiently clearly has every chance and would be running if trained just about anywhere else. Aside from my bet not great news for racing. Would like to take the 20/1 Cue Card but it appears they would rather get beaten again in a Gold Cup than have a good chance to go out in a blaze of glory.
Albert Bartlett - Santini 10/1
Having not even given the winner an entry this horse is probably the most solid option in a relatively weak race.
Gold Cup - Total Recall 25/1 EW
He has to find in the region of 14lbs but he is one of the few potential improvers in another weak renewal. A lot depends on Sizing John. He could win again but not many do and he will be off the back of a dreadful performance.
Foxhunters - Morning Assembly 16/1 EW NRNB
Still has to qualify but assuming that happens his previous Cheltenham form should give him a chance in a shocking renewal.
Martin Pipe - Springtown Lake 25/1 EW NRNB
One of the stable's few decent and consistent runners this season. Probably doesn't have to improve much to take a hand.
Grand Annual - Diego Du Charmil 20/1 EW NRNB
If he wasn't flattered by the Warwick run would have a fair chance. Seems to jump well and better ground should help.
