• REGISTER NOW!! Why? Because you can't do much without having been registered!

    At the moment you have limited access to view all discussions - and most importantly, you haven't joined our community. What are you waiting for? Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free so please, join Join Talking Horses here!

Cheltenham 2026

A few musings for today - hate this whole Mares divide thing. A great many who should not be at the Festival as a result. If a Mare can take the Champion Hurdle then there should not be segregation and dilution elsewhere.

Mares Novice :rolleyes:
Bambino obv the good thing of the week. But I have a little thought on Place de la Nation who ran well when pitched in FTOH in the Triumph last year. Also having thoughts on the bottom one of Skeltons, Mille et Une Vies could be anything as she makes her first start for the yard but she does have a nice 10lb weight pull plus she's a nice ew price.

Jack Richards - really like PFN to have a change of luck after yesterday and I know how highly he rates Regents Stroll. Wingmen and Slade Steel are others but I haven't really been through the race.

Mares Hurdle :rolleyes: - well Wodhooh

Stayers - Not going to put anyone off Teapoopoo but Emma Lavelles are very sweet on Ma Shantou. Bob did me a good turn last year but I will side with Ballyburn in the hope that PT gets the right tune out of him (v difficult to ride at times so hoping the hood helps)

Ryanair
Can see why there is unease of FTF (although physically he looks good) - was always siding with Banbridge and Impaire et Passe anyway.

Pertemps - pinstickers race and my pin stuck in Kikijo who actually won me a bit earlier this season so not disappointed there. Also think Staff Knot has so much class and although top weight GE thinks he's good enough by not sticking a claimer on board. Bold Endeavour too is a thought.

Kim Muir - Jeriko is in my tracker so he goes in with Derek on board. Kim Rocque I backed earlier here and he ran well. Daily Present has been clearly laid out for a repeat win.

Have a good day, peeps!
 
This mares race (1.20) looks like a bookies dream. There's a good few unexposed types with good form on quick ground who could really come to life today.
 
I see Oli Bell put White Noise up as his 20 pound EW challenge today. I think I'm right in saying he is part of the ownership of another Kim Bailey older horse called Two For Gold.

I might be putting 2 and 2 together here and getting 5 but I hope he knows something. All about hope isn't it.
 
You'd think awful starts only began last year going by this BHA statement. It sums up racing's problems in a nutshell when we can't even start a horse race.

The BHA’s statement reads: “Following several false starts in 2025, the BHA worked with the PJA and the Jockey Club to discuss the issues that were contributing to the starts. Measured alterations were subsequently made to some starting locations. At the same time, work was undertaken with jockeys to ensure that the rules and procedures were understood by all participants ahead of the start of the 2026 Festival.

“The review will consider factors such as the configuration of the course, the perspectives of riders from differing jurisdiction and licence types, the process of starting the race including the preliminaries and starting process, technology, the penalties and deterrents for rule breaches and the other, varied contributing factors which are unique to the Cheltenham Festival.”

Brant Dunshea, chief executive of the BHA, said: “It has been a tremendous two days of racing so far at the Festival, but we share the frustrations of jockeys, trainers and punters regarding the starts.”
 
Steeplechasing said:
You'd think awful starts only began last year going by this BHA statement. It sums up racing's problems in a nutshell when we can't even start a horse race.

The BHA’s statement reads: “Following several false starts in 2025, the BHA worked with the PJA and the Jockey Club to discuss the issues that were contributing to the starts. Measured alterations were subsequently made to some starting locations. At the same time, work was undertaken with jockeys to ensure that the rules and procedures were understood by all participants ahead of the start of the 2026 Festival.

“The review will consider factors such as the configuration of the course, the perspectives of riders from differing jurisdiction and licence types, the process of starting the race including the preliminaries and starting process, technology, the penalties and deterrents for rule breaches and the other, varied contributing factors which are unique to the Cheltenham Festival.”

Brant Dunshea, chief executive of the BHA, said: “It has been a tremendous two days of racing so far at the Festival, but we share the frustrations of jockeys, trainers and punters regarding the starts.”
Click to expand...
Do what the Japanese does for their Jump Races and use starting gates
 
Arrrrrrrgggggggggghhhhhh

There was f*** all wrong with that, all the jockeys were moving forward

The starter has to go
 
Marble said:
I see Oli Bell put White Noise up as his 20 pound EW challenge today. I think I'm right in saying he is part of the ownership of another Kim Bailey older horse called Two For Gold.

I might be putting 2 and 2 together here and getting 5 but I hope he knows something. All about hope isn't it.
Click to expand...
Well spotted Marb!
 

Recent Blog Posts

Latest posts

Back
Top