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Cheltenham Festival Previews 2017

I went to the Betbright Preview last night. I see OV has already updated on this, but thought I’d add my notes to fill any gaps.

On the Panel:
Paul Kealy - PK
Joe Tizzard - JT
Noel Hayes - NH
Rich Ricci - RR
Nick Luck - NL

Champion Hurdle

RR: on Limini he’s not 100% sure on supplementing, her she’s not as good as Annie Power and they will leave it until late. VVM could be a ‘potential runner’ but then went on to say she wants two and a half miles and runs too keenly over two miles so unlikely to run here and Limini goes with a chance.
PK: Champion Hurdle short of quality Buveur D’Air does have class. Nicky Henderson thinks he’s much better than Brain Power.
Yanworth: JT picked Yanworth and RR said Ruby told him he’d ride Yanworth given the choice of riding anything in the Champion Hurdle.

Stayers Hurdle

PK: Cole Harden best e/w bet of festival, Jezki has no chance – all panel agreed on UNWIMH

Champion Chase
JT: Fox Norton likely to go Champion Chase but still leaving him in the Ryanair – no chance of winning the Champion Chase, they thought he was very good until destroyed by Altior so unlikely to beat Douvan.
PK: Garde La Victoire is the choice in the without Douvan market. If he sorts out his jumping he would be very good.
RR: said Douvan goes for the King George next year.

Novice Hurdles
Melon – everyone agrees a poor price, not deserving favourite on what he’s shown so far.
RR: Lets Dance is Mullins best novice. Ruby will ride her in the Mares novice and is his best bet of week.
NH likes Prospectus for the Fred Winter


Ryanair
Un De Sceaux won’t win on good ground – RR said yard are confident unless it is good ground.
PK: prefers Uxizandre but have to account for bounce factor, he likes Fox Norton if runs but EOD wins.
JT: yard fancy Alary in Ryanair, might not do it this year but will improve next year once acclimatised to British racing.

Gold Cup
JT: said Cue Card coughed after King George, the whole yard were coughing December/January including Thistlecrack. Thistlecrack would beat Cue Card but he isn’t going. When asked who he’d ride out of theirs, JT said Thistlecrack but he’s not going. He watched the horses work this morning and on that would choose Cue Card. Native River is good but would need to step up to win. He said Cue Card looks ‘fucking fantastic’.
RR: fancies Djakadam. He is the right age and profile, was beaten by better horses than he’ll face this year. If he doesn’t win this year he’ll go Grand National next year.
PK: thinks Cue Card might be a soft ground horse now, he is too old but would love him to win. He’s had a big bet on Djakadam. Native River tough horse but won a poor Hennessey, other form not great, thinks he wants a flat track – JT disagreed with this and said ignore last year as Native River has now matured.

RSA
Alpha Des Obeaux – the panel were not concerned about bleeding last time out as he’s not a regular bleeder so not a concern. JT said their horses bleed all the time on the gallops, if you saw how often it happens you’d never back one of theirs

Handicaps/Others
RR: Renetti is “mad as shit”. He’s on a good rating and would be a good bet on a flat track in a handicap but he can’t jump.
RR: highlighted Khashari for the Martin Pipe saying he is potentially well handicapped
PK – likes Brother Tedd for the Close Brothers. He’s well handicapped if he gets in, if not he’ll win a decent prize elsewhere soon
Wotzizname was flagged as one for the Pertemps
Dandridge for the Grand Annual – well handicapped and made an eye catching run last time
Cause of Causes – as well as taking to Cheltenham to school him over the course, Gordon has taken him to Enda’s and schooled over his banks course
JT: Sizing Codelco in the Brown Plate is the Tizzard nap of the week
 
Does anyone know if dan barber from Timeform is doing any preview nights,
He did a show of handicappers at festival 2 year ago on ATR and his angle was only entered for one race. So more than likely to run in that race, gave 3 winners and non runner
Irish cavalier won about 11-1
Druids nephew won about 10-1
The package 8-1
Cup final ( didn't get in his race ) so he is one so called expert I do like to listen too

He's at the Timeform preview on Tuesday in Manchester
 

Charlie lays Altior :confused:
 
Last edited:
Maryland GAA‏ @MarylandGAA 8h8 hours ago

Big news from @paulcarberry. Barry Geraghty only has 1 broken rib so is "hopeful" that he might get back for @CheltenhamRaces #breakingnews
0 replies 2 retweets 3 likes
 
Waterford

A very exciting first half at the Woodlands Hotel. Douvan is bombproof and Yorkhill should run in the Arkle says Davy Russell

Moon Racer is a banker says John Francome and Oliver Sherwood. Divin Bere for the Fred Winter says Jim McGrath.

Petit Mouchoir is the home fancy for the Champion hurdle says Noel OBrien. Mick Fitzgerald is keen on Brain Power. Yanworth for David Casey

On the bumper - Some Day is the best of the Irish says Russell. Next Destination could be the ride of Ruby according to David Casey


Found this on Facebook - Some additions to Waterford

Ladbrokes Cheltenham Preview Night 2017

1. Mick Fitzgerald (mf)
2. John Francome
3. Noel O’Brien (nob)
4. David Casey (dc)
5. Katie Walsh (kw)
6. Davy Russell (dr)
7. Jim McGrath (jmg)
8. Henry De Bromhead
9. Oliver Sherwood
10. Jack Kennedy

Supreme Novices
DR – joke that melon is fav would back finians Oscar with a run
JK – Banker of the meeting is moon racer could run in the champion hurdle
JK – Moon racer
OS – moon racer nap of the meeting
HDB – worried about melon only having one run, fan of ballyandy he runs capital force
JMG – nothing stands out moon racer is fragile would back Ballyandy
DC – lets dance goes mares novice melon is very very good doubts moon racer will turn up on good form very bullish on melon
NOB – melon is the most likely improver in the field
KW – ballyandy
MF big fan of bunk off early asked DC who he’d ride he says Bunk off early neon wolf would win this if he runs in it and stats are against melon

Champion Hurdle
HDB - Petit Mouchoir good form schooled well today only one in the field that has won 2 Grade 1s this season like sizing Europe
JF – Yanworth best attitude in the race and if he’s right he will win
JK – Petit Mouchoir unlucky in the fighting fifth and tombstone not good enough
OS – Yanworth if Wayne Hutchinson rides
JMG – Yanworth has the best form but he’d take him on with brain power in an open looking race
NOB - PM + Yworth top rated but thinks Buveur Dair wins
MF – Brain Power e/w
DC – Limini goes for this race but when asked says yanworth probably win
KW – Petit Muchoir and Yanworth might do it but thinks in a hard run race that footpad EW could catch them
Mares Hurdle
Not much said about this
DC – V.V.M wins this again easily
JK – Apples Jade no excuses run LTO is as good as she is
DR – Jers Girl

National Hunt Chase
KW - Genie in a bottle is slow but deserves to be the FAV but all in all a very bad race
JMG – Champers on ice wins this if JJ Codd rides
OS – Beware the bear e/w
J.F – Foxtails Hill

Neptune
DC – Bacardys is very good should improve has a very very good chance
JMG – Not impressed with Finians Oscar, Neon wolf has great form best of the English and says that Bacardys jumping isn’t good enough
HDB – Waiting to see where death duty goes to see where to send Monalee but thinks Bacardys wins this
OS – Very impressed with Neon Wolf
JK – Death Duty best he’s ever ridden but thinks he goes to the Albert Bartlett
JF - Bacardys
DR – Death Duty in NRNB but other than that Finians Oscar
KW – Agrees with DR on Death Duty but thinks bacardys wins
NOB – Bacardys
MF – Has been impressed with Neon Wolf but Bacardys has Cheltenham form

Triumph Hurdle
JF – Soldier in action
MF Soldier in action massively overpriced but thinks megafortune wins with DR on board
DR – Slower the better for megafortune
DC – willie sends Bapaume and Merry de vie but thinks Defi du seuil takes a lot of beating
OS – stick with Defi Du Seuil
JMG – defi du seuil but megafortune if its soft Soldier in action e/w
All agree merry de vie is a lively outsider

Albert Bartlett
JK – Death Duty is the one to beat here
DC Augusta Kate would have beaten Death Duty last time out despite the fall and @7/1 look no further, Penhill not out of it on nice ground
HDB – Monalee here guaranteed he will stay at 10/1
JF – Monalee
MF – Monalee is one of the best bets of the whole meeting

Ryanair
DC – Un De Sceaux has a hell of a chance
MF – Empire of Dirt is the NAP of the whole meeting really found his feet in the last 12 months and is the stand out horse of the card
JK – Empire of dirt he’s never had a ride like him, should have been sent to the gold cup and will be very hard to beat
DR – agrees with JK and MF but thinks the trip might be a bit sharp for him he’s a 3miler
HDB – sub lieutenant has a good chance e/w but thinks that Empire of dirt is the biggest danger
JMG – Un de sceaux will take a lot of beating
JF – Un De Sceaux should have won last year and will win here
KW – cant see Un De Sceaux beaten
OS – put blinkers or a visor on Uxizandre and he’ll have a great chance

Round up of Day 3
DR – Presenting percy too heavily handicapped in the pertemps English horse will win this no chance
DC – lets dance in the mares but airlie beach is very very good
KW – Kim Muir too open back Davys Ride
DR – Mall Dini disappointing but then got questioned and kept cards close to his chest (back it)
NOB – step up in trip will suit mall dini and feels he’s been campaigned for the kim muir

Bumper
DR - some day best in the country

JLT
DC – Yorkhill wgatever finishes in front of this will be the winner
JMG – doubts about yorkhill thinks top notch will run a big race
DR – if yorkhill wears a hood he should go to the Arkle
JF – thinks yorkhill will struggle likes top notch expects a good run out of frodon at a big price
HDB – yorkhill looks good he has balko des flos at 50/1
NOB – thinks yorkhill is quirky and this could be diskod race
KW – thinks yorkhill and altior are avoiding each other but says yorkhill is a beast
MF – Yorkhill is too free and could get himself beaten here

Stayers
NOB – Unowhatimeanharry looks too good, Jezki could run a big race
JF – Unowhatimeanharry – Jezki maybe but lil rockerfeller e/w
KW – Unowhatimeanharry says shaneshill runs well at Cheltenham and that clondaw warrior could be placed
JMG – Unowhatimeanharry decent although not a banker
OS – cant see Unowhatimeanharry beaten but wouldn’t back him at EVS, cole harden has a chance
JK – Unowhatimeanharry
DR – Unowhatimeanharry one of the NAPS
MF – Unowhatimeanharry clondaw warrior e/w

RSA
JF – Might Bite
MF – Might bites fall LTO a concern no hiding place in an RSA if he jumps he wins Whisper ew
DR – Might bite is by scorpion enough said
DC – not Bellshill whisper e/w
OS – all horses by scorpion are soft
JMG – Acapella Bourgeois
JK – Acapella if its soft
Arkle
JF – Altior too good
HDB – Altior, he sends some plan DR rides this
DR DR – Altior jumps too high and slow wants yorkhill to run here
JMG – Altior
KW – Altior
DC – Yorkhill wont run here altior wins
MF – This is a novice steeplechase and anything can win altior should run champion hurdle but cloudy dream e/w
NOB – Altior

Gold Cup
HDB – Champagne west is definitely in this just keeps going. Sizing john classy
JF – Bristol de Mai e/w
DR – Champagne west form very solid but thinks its between djakadam and native river but questions native rivers form
KW – Native river not as classy as djakadam, djakadam has Cheltenham and gold cup form says champagne wests jumping is better but you cant miss a beat in the gold cup
DC – Cue card no chance been below for since before the king George not good enough, djakadam the best form it’s his year this year. More of that e/w says sizing john wont stay
NOB – agreed with DC says they’re all high class handicappers bar djakadam who is very classy
MF – thinks champagne west is a sleeper in this race is well handicapped for the national should skip this and go to the National
JMG – Cue card has no chance, djakadam was disappointing LTO but still his first choice
JK – Between native river and djakadam
OS – Native River
 
A mate of mine was in Moate...

G.O'B - Gary o'Brien
P.C.- Paul Carberry
K.B.- Kevin Blake
T.M.- Tony Mullins

SUPREME
K.B. Likes Bunk off early
P.C. Likes Moon Racer
T. M. Also likes Bunk off early
Panel were generally against Melon

ARKLE
All agree that Altior is near enough a certainty . Kevin Blake feels that Altior should be taking Douvan on but Tony Mullins disagrees saying that he is right to stay in novice class . Kevin Blake feels that Yorkhill would have put it up to Altior and gives Royal Caviar as a bet without the favourite.

CHAMPION HURDLE
P.C. - says it is between Petit Mouchoir and Brain Power
T.M. - Likes Limini but worries about the short break as she twice ran with less than 42 days break and got beaten twice. He also states that the Mc Manus camp really fancy Yanworth.
K.B. - He really fancies Yanworth

CROSS COUNTRY
P.C. - Likes Bless the wings each way , says Keith Donoghue rides
K.B. - Likes Any Currency . Says that Enda Bolger has not won this race since 2009 ( got the race last year after stewards gave it to him )
T.M. - Enda Bolger told him that there was nothing between Cantlow and Auvergnat and at the prices like Auvergnat.

NEPTUNE NOVICES
All three like Bacardys. P aul Carberry says it is between him and Neon Wolf. Kevin Blake says Neon Wolf could be a bit inexperienced.

RSA CHASE
Tony Mullins and Kevin Blake both like Alpha des Obeaux. Tony feels that a Scorpion will not come up the hill ( might Bite ) and Kevin feels Might Bite needs a flat track

CHAMPION CHASE
Tony Mullins and Paul Carberry are both big fans of Douvan and think he will win. Kevin Blake says Douvan beat nothing yet which led to a healthy debate with him and Tony Mullins . Kevin wonders if Douvan really enjoys Cheltenham as it was here that Sizing John got closest to him twice and gives Special Tiara as a solid each way bet.

JLT
P.C. likes Disko but K.B. and T.M. are both all over yorkhill . Tony says he is the bet of the meeting and Kevin reckons he would give Altior lots to think of.

RYANAIR
All three think that Un De Sceaux will win with Empire of Dirt the each way value . They all think it is a two horse race but say that Gordon Elliott would prefer to run Empire of Dirt in Gold Cup but O'Leary is insisting on running here.

STAYERS HURDLE
All agree here that Unowhatimeanharry is a banker and there is no danger. P.C. says Snow Falcon is not up to this standard

TRIUMPH HURDLE
The only one who would speak about this race was K.B. and he likes Mega Fortune. The other two had no interest at all in this type of race

GOLD CUP
All agreed that this was the most open gold cup of all time and they critised Paddy Brennan for his ride on Cue Card last year saying he went far too early on a speed horse against two stayers . P. C. says it was the worst ride he ever seen. P.C. likes Cue card and if ground turns soft gives Sizing John a big chance. T.M. says that Native River is only a handicapper and is not good enough and likes Cue Card also. He says that his nephew David says that Champagne West is not man enough for a Gold Cup. K.B. says that Willie and ruby are very bullish about Djakadam. He has major stamina doubts about Sizing John and thinks the race could provide a big upset and gives More of That and Don Poli as each way bets.

BUMPER
T.M. Says that Carter McKay is the best of willies but does not like the way he swishes his tail . Does not think a four year old can win again.
K.B. Likes Western Ryder

THE OTHER RACES
T.M. Says that Augusta Kate is the Lay of the meeting , also says that Jamie codd told him that Genie in a bottle in the national hunt chase was his best ride of the meeting. He likes Lets Dance in the mares novice hurdle and says that Airlie Beach will finish second to her. He also likes Death Duty in the albert bartlett'

K.B. Says that if he runs sweet as a Nut in the foxhunters would have a big chance. Monalee in the albert bartlett if he runs in it. North Hill harvey could be well handicapped in the county hurdle . Likes Jury Duty in the pertemps and his his original fancy for the race Presenting Percy is handicapped badly . Also likes Noble Endeavour in the Ultima.

P.C. likes Runfordave in the coral cup and says Gordon Elliott thinks he has a great each way chance at a big price. Also mentions The Storyteller in the martin pipe as being well fancied .

G.O'B. Likes Noble Endeavour in the Ultima , Diamond King in the Brown Plate saying that Gordon feels he is well handicapped.

There was a telephone interview with Dan Skeltonand he says that Chitobello is a lively outsider in the champion Hurdle and could run into a place. He likes North Hill Harvey in the County hurdle. He could have three in the Close brothers novice chase and all have good each way chances ( Value At Risk, Itsafreebee and Two Taffs) ,Born Survivor has an each way chance in the Martin Pipe and Yorkist has an each way chance in the Grand annual but his best chance of the meeting and a horse he really fancies is Cause Toujours in the bumper. He says this is his best bet of the meeting.

Just before we finished Paul Carberry dropped a bombshell saying that he was talking to Barry Gerathy and Barry reckons that he has an outside chance of being fit for the festival as he has only one broken rib and not six as an english doctor told him
 
The Betdaq preview was really interesting, thanks for that ov
 
Anyone know if there's a stream to the Trim Castle Hotel evening tonight ?
 
Bettrends preview from Huntingdon on Facebook Live right now:

https://www.facebook.com/Bettrends-powered-by-Weatherbys-417707055566/

ITV commentator Richard Hoiles will be joined by jockey Jeremiah McGrath, Matt Tombs (author of the Cheltenham Festival Betting Guide) & Tom Earl (188Bet)

Part 2 live at the moment but looks like part 1 is on there already
 
Anyone got an idea of coral are doing there usual stream preview.. Love the couch he's cracking comedy
 
Thanks OV, Chapman and Russell always going to be fireworks, all it needed was the Couch thrown in...
 
Interesting tweet from Trim Castle - seems Gordon Elliott's changed hs mind on Tombstone target...
"Elliott " Matt if you shut your mouth I'll tell you, He hasn't been supplemented for Champion Hurdle yet , If I'd my way he'd run in Coral "
 
Bit late starting in trim. Follow us for live updates throughout the night #cheltenham #cheltenhampreview
tonight's panel - matt chapman (mc), gordon elliott, gary o'brien, davy russell & robbie power #cheltenham #cheltenhamfestival
expecting fireworks from russell & chapman
emotional tribute here for the don #elliottcountry #doncossack #racingballads
chapman starts the night off by telling us all "the reason we're late starting is gordon had to eat "
chapman " davy we've an auction later with a pic of don cossack who you could have rode in gold cup if you didn't get sacked"
supreme - russell " if you think melon is value at 3/1 then i'd like to meet you on a night out "
russell " i like finians oscar" , chapman " robbie have you one that will actually run in the race"
russell "bunk off early by zebadee won't get up the hill"
gordon elliott " spoke to david pipe today and he's in two minds to run in the champion hurdle with moonracer" #cheltenham
gary and gordon like movewiththetimes each way #supremenovices
all agree altior's a good thing
davy russell " limini can't win a champion hurdle"
davy like's petit mouchoir for the champion hurdle , brain power who was bred in "north co.dublin" can sneak into a place !!! #cheltenham
gordon elliott " i'd be worried for petit mouchoir from the back of the last " #championhurdle
gordon like's yanworth
robbie power "petit mouchoir will lead till the turn in & will fall in a hole" #yanworthwins #championhurdle
chapman loved brain power's work & " i'm a good work man"
robbie power " how long are you on the sunbeds matt "
matt chapman on the phone to @pphorseracing looking for a boost on brain power !!! Paddy " am i on speaker "
chapman strong on brain power & bag's 10/1 for everyone in the audience #championhurdle
russell & elliott going to blows over death duty #cheltenham
russell " should go neptune "elliott "davy you stick to riding them & let me worrying about riding them" #cheltenhamfestival
neptune- chapman "spoke to fehily the other day & he was absolutely wetting himself" #neonwolf #cheltenhamfestival
elliott " i draw a line through neon wolf , why didn't willie buy him ?"
rsa chase - elliott & russell strong on alpha des obeaux
puppy power " if ground is soft acapella borgeois has a huge chance"
davy russell " i spoke to des scahill today and the long range forecast is good ground for cheltenham"
chapman " dessie is a weather man now is he ?"
davy russell " matt don't be worrying about prices and douvan , he's an exceptional horse just enjoy him !!! " #cheltenhamfestival
handicaps - matt " voice give us some handicap good things "
gary o'brien " noble endeavour i like on day one "
gordon elliott " runfordave at 16/1" #cheltenhamfestival
gary o'brien " in the bumper mags mullins horse debuchet worked very well today and runs"
robbie power " tombstone for the coral cup "
elliott " matt if you shut your mouth i'll tell you, he hasn't been supplemented for champion hurdle yet , if i'd my way he'd run in coral "
interesting moments #tombstone #coralcup
gordon elliott if the ground keeps drying out "jamie codd will ride tiger roll in the four miler " 25/1
horses paddy power are laying tonight - yanworth , buveur d'air , vroum vroum mag !!!
Wouldn't price boost neon wolf or brain power !!! #wisemen #cheltenham
gordon elliott "any lads from @brucebetting here ?? "
hurricane fly pic going for €380 #auction #cheltenhamfestival
davy russell playing auctioneer " don cossack i love this horse, i'm gona start this off at €400 myself it's up to yee after that"
don cossack pic - russell " i absolutely love this horse, i'm gona start this one off myself at €400 it's up to yee what you do after that"
classy touch davy , for a good cause too @downsyndromeirl #cheltenhampreview
picture of don cossack sells for €860 !!!
Matt chapman "let's talk about the jlt , the race that gordon likes to call the blt "
davy russell " yorkhill was erratic today at leopardtown & might even be fitted with a hood " #jlt #chetenham
gary o'brien " i really like disko" #jlt #cheltenham
robbie power " the 4th last fence at cheltenham has yorkhill name written all over it " doesn't like him #yorkhill #jlt #cheltenham
gordon elliott " if yorkhill jumps he wins " #jlt #cheltenhamfestival
rob catterson won't lay yorkhill at 9/4 @pphorseracing he's not at the list !! #jlt
elliott "rob grow a set of balls and lay the people 9/4 , i work with betfair & they're linked with paddy powers i'll guarantee 9/4 ffs"
chapman "i'd say gordon theres a few people in the audience who can vouch for the size of your balls "
elliott "rob your giving nothing all night there's no point in you being here " getting dirty now
ryanair - elliott " if i'd my way i'd send empire of dirt gold cup"
elliott " if michael keeps writing the cheques i'll keep kissing his shoes " #gigginstown
"uxizandre is a super bet ew" matt chapman #ryanairchase
world hurdle - robbie power " jezki has been absolutely flying at home since gowran , class horse in the race serious chance" #cheltenham
davy russell " robbie i think your talking with your heart and not your head " #jezki #cheltenham
rob giving 9/4 on defi du seuil #onthelist #triumphhurdle
matt chapman " mega fortune is rubbish"
angry elliott
matt chapman "defi du seuil should be two's on , lump"
matt chapman " take 9/4 and absolutely muller them " @pphorseracing #defiduseuil #triumph
gordon elliott " at this stage duty duty is the best novice hurdler i've ever trained" #albertbartlett #cheltenham
davy russell "i just think death duty is the most gorgeous horse" #albertbartlett #cheltenham
gordon elliott " at this stage in his career he's better than don cossack , no more heroes " #deathduty
gold cup time
elliott " outlander i don't think will stay " #goldcup
robbie power " i think if sizing john stays he wins, all his work at home suggests he will, his breeding says he will" #goldcup #cheltenham
robbie power "my danger is djakadam, went well today at leopardstown " #goldcup
gordon elliott bull thick about phil smith " this is serious , this is our lively hoods" #cheltenhamfestival
davy russell " very open year & i can see it being a simular to finish to the year i won it on lord windermere, very open" #goldcup
russell forecast "djakadam followed by sizing john" #goldcup
other bets - the voice " presenting percy , no comment & forge meadows " #cheltenham
davy russell " peregrine run & blazer well treated in handicaps" #cheltenhamfestival
robbie power " rock the world will go well " #grandannual #cheltenhamfestival
charity bets ....
Russell -€200 unknowhatimeanharry
interested in horse racing, breeding of racehorses. Gaa fan and sometimes player. Like playing the teams that pump it in, can command about 10 sq yards!!
Puppy power- €200 sizing john #goldcup
gordon elliott gets an extra €100 free bet on a david pipe horse & selects champers on ice wherever it goes #cheltenham #pipe #elliott
gordon elliott - €100 ew the storyteller 9/2 #cheltfest
matt chapman - €200 defi du seuil #triumph
the voice - forge meadows €100 ew #maresnovice
 
I've heard them mention a couple of times now, thst they are negative about Nekn Wolf because Willie didn't buy him off Mags. Aren't they getting confused with Finians Oscar?