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Cheltenham Festival 2026, get rich, or die trying.

Desert Orchid said:
I already have my Pure Cremation brochure...
Click to expand...
Judging by the fine appearance of that gentleman on what looks remarkably like a Spanish holiday balcony, you're a long way off needing it, DO.

Sadly, some of the rest of us might already have one foot in the proverbial. But that'll be fixed with a few winners over the 4 days!
 
The wait is over, no doubt plenty were dying waiting for the hitlist., never mind dying to beat the bookies!

On a serious note, these are just a few horses I fancy. Most if not all have multiple entries, so if you're barmy enough to follow me, either now, or nearer the time, obviously make sure you do so with Non Runner No Bet.

I will update again nearer the time, especially with regards to graded races, but at this time, I am most interested in the handicaps, so that's indicative of where my thoughts are.

Let's see how it goes.

Here is my first hitlist.

1. Wendrock - I'm dying to know where this horse runs. He's entered in everything you'd expect, although I am thinking the Coral Cup might be the most interesting destination. He was a good staying on sixth in the four year old handicap at this meeting last year. He's an Irish mark of 129 which is half a stone lower that what he raced off last year, but that may go up a bit depending on what the U.K assessor does when the weights are released. But hey, he's been running poorly all season, so he may just race off 129, who knows yet? The main boxes he's ticking, is that he has sufficient festival form, and one could expect a much better performance in two weeks time, after a nice break off the track and likely better ground. The pulled him out of the 3 mile handicap hurdle at Naas yesterday, which I was pleased to see.

2. Downmexicoway -This one has all the usual entries, including the Arkle believe it or not, but I very much doubt he'll run there. We need to put a line through his last run in a Grade 1 at Leopardstown, a very big fat line through it too. Before that day he was going the right way in handicap chases, showed he handles different ground conditions, which sometimes I think can be a sign of a talented horse, and usually races tracking leaders, which I always think is a good attribute for a race like the Grand Annual. I've seen so many good hold-up horses, simply fail to get involved in this particular race, and as I've back the winner of it once or twice, solely by looking at race positioning, I'll be trying the same this year, if Downmexicoway takes his chance that is. If he ends up elsewhere, then I'll consider him for that race nearer the time. I think he's a very good handicapper with a career best waiting to happen, that's the main thing.

3. Herakles Westwood - I think someone made a really good case for this horse on the Ultima Chase thread on this forum a few days ago. I couldn't have said it any better truth be told. The horse is on a right old curve, has ran really well more than once at the track, and should handle whatever ground conditions he'll encounter. He's currently entered in the Kim Muir, which I think must be part of the reason that he's such an enticing price for The Ultima, where I see him going off considerably shorter on the day, if he lines up. Warren Greatrex has another good one with Herakles Westwood I reckon.

4. Hyland - That form behind The Jukebox Man looks so good now. I'm not sure what the whole story is with this horse since then, but the last day he returned to some excellent form behind Deep Cave who was on a proper good curve himself then. He's often not raced fluently, so I wouldn't want to see him too far back, making the odd mistake, as he'll never get into the race doing that. They need to try and bounce him out on the pace, seeing if his jumping holds up I reckon. I think there's a lot to like about Hyland, and I'd prefer him in the Kim Muir than the Ultima, but I'll wait and see where they run him. Another big pointer to a big run is that forum members Euro and Outsider, along with one or two others seem to fancy the horse to run well. A Talking Horses coup may await!

5. Dartmoor Pirate - He impressed a great deal the last day. I think it was forum member Desert Orchid, who remarked that the form was 'hot as hell' or words that that affect afterwards. I was actually on the second horse that day, trained by Charlie Longsdon, called New Order. He's a horse who I have looked at aswell, but I don't think he will make the cut. Anyway, it looks like Anthony Honeyball has another big improver, with proven form on his hands in the shape of Dartmoor Pirate. I'm hoping to see him in the National Hunt Handicap Chase, although there are other entries are available, including the Grimthorpe Chase at Doncaster this Saturday, which must be tempting them.

6. The Passing Wife - he was as impressive as you like the last day, albeit in a mickey mouse race. He's got graded form too. Slim has assured me he'll run in the Martin Pipe, so hopefully that's the case. He's got the profile of a Cheltenham Festival handicap hurdle winner. I hope this materialises.

I hope the above may provide food for thought, if nothing else.
 
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Yes, I would prefer Herakles in the Kim Muir. I think he'd maybe get outpaced in an Ultima.

I'm also a fan of Dartmoor Pirate. Honeyball has had a good year with his handicap chasers and I'm flirting with following him. He's a bit more under the radar than Derham who I was considering last year.
 
I enjoy the Cheltenham Festival, though perhaps not on the level of some.

I never attend (and consider the venue overrated even when not rammed), I don't care about The Prestbury Cup (faux patriotism is so overrated) and my main source of entertainment is "Leafy."

"Leafy" is a man who loves nothing more than, along with his small Surrey army of "beards," opening shedloads of accounts with new and naive online operators, milking their opening Festival offers for all they are worth, forensically looking for "ricks" and arbs in the myriad Specials markets and pretending he's Irish (because they win most of the races).

At times like this, I'm just along for the ride, tbh, and he never fails to entertain because "Leafy" never tires of devising new ways to effectively pick up yet more money in the street that he doesn't need.
 
The Fortune Teller said:
The wait is over, no doubt plenty were dying waiting for the hitlist., never mind dying to beat the bookies!

On a serious note, these are just a few horses I fancy. Most if not all have multiple entries, so if you're barmy enough to follow me, either now, or nearer the time, obviously make sure you do so with Non Runner No Bet.

I will update again nearer the time, especially with regards to graded races, but at this time, I am most interested in the handicaps, so that's indicative of where my thoughts are.

Let's see how it goes.

Here is my first hitlist.

1. Wendrock - I'm dying to know where this horse runs. He's entered in everything you'd expect, although I am thinking the Coral Cup might be the most interesting destination. He was a good staying on sixth in the four year old handicap at this meeting last year. He's an Irish mark of 129 which is half a stone lower that what he raced off last year, but that may go up a bit depending on what the U.K assessor does when the weights are released. But hey, he's been running poorly all season, so he may just race off 129, who knows yet? The main boxes he's ticking, is that he has sufficient festival form, and one could expect a much better performance in two weeks time, after a nice break off the track and likely better ground. The pulled him out of the 3 mile handicap hurdle at Naas yesterday, which I was pleased to see.

2. Downmexicoway -This one has all the usual entries, including the Arkle believe it or not, but I very much doubt he'll run there. We need to put as line through his last run in a Grade 1 at Leopardstown, a very big fat line through it too. Before that day he was going the right way in handicap chases, showed he handles different ground conditions, which sometimes I think can be a sign of a talented horse, and usually races tracking leaders, which I always think is a good attribute for a race like the Grand Annual. I've seen so many good hold-up horses, simply fail to get involved in this particular race, and as I've back the winner of it once or twice, solely by looking at race positioning, I'll be trying the same this year, if Downmexicoway takes his chance that is. If he ends up elsewhere, then I'll consider him for that race nearer the time. I think he's a very good handicapper with a career best waiting to happen, so that's the main thing.

3. Herakles Westwood - I think someone made a really good case for this horse on the Ultima Chase thread on this forum a few days ago. I couldn't have said it any better truth be told. The horse is on a right old curve, has ran really well more than once at the track, and should handle whatever ground conditions he'll encounter. He's currently entered in the Kim Muir, which I think must be part of the reason that he's such an enticing price currently for The Ultima, where I see him going off considerably shorter on the day, if he lines up. Warren Greatrex has another good one with Herakles Westwood I reckon.

4. Hyland - That form behind The Jukebox Man looks so good now. I'm not sure what the whole story is with this horse since then, but the last day he returned to some excellent form behind Deep Cave who was on a proper good curve himself then. He's often not raced fluently, and so I wouldn't want to see him too far back, making the odd mistake, as he'll never get into the race doing that. They need to try and bounce him out on the pace, seeing if his jumping holds up I reckon. I think there's a lot to like about Hyland, and I'd prefer him in the Kim Muir than the Ultima, but I'll wait and see where they run him. Another big pointer to a big run is that forum members Euro and Outsider, along with one or two others seem to fancy the horse to run well. A Talking Horses coup may await!

5. Dartmoor Pirate - He impressed a great deal the last day. I think it was forum member Desert Orchid who remarked that the form was 'hot as hell' or words that that affect afterwards. I was actually on the second horse that day, trained by Charlie Longsdon, called New Order. He's a horse who I have looked at for two weeks time aswell, but I don't think will make the cut. Anyway, it looks like Anthony Honeyball has another big improver with proven form on his hands in the shape of Dartmoor Pirate. I'm hoping to see him in the National Hunt Handicap Chase, although other entries are available ,including the Grimthorpe Chase entry at Doncaster this Saturday, which must be tempting them.

6. The Passing Wife - As impressive as you like the last day, albeit in a mickey mouse race. He's got graded form too. Slim has assured me he'll run in the Martin Pipe, so hopefully that's the case. He's got the profile of a Cheltenham Festival handicap hurdle winner, and I hope this materialises.

I hope the above may provide food for thought, if nothing else.
Click to expand...
A fine post. Thanks.
 
The Fortune Teller said:
The wait is over, no doubt plenty were dying waiting for the hitlist., never mind dying to beat the bookies!

On a serious note, these are just a few horses I fancy. Most if not all have multiple entries, so if you're barmy enough to follow me, either now, or nearer the time, obviously make sure you do so with Non Runner No Bet.

I will update again nearer the time, especially with regards to graded races, but at this time, I am most interested in the handicaps, so that's indicative of where my thoughts are.

Let's see how it goes.

Here is my first hitlist.

1. Wendrock - I'm dying to know where this horse runs. He's entered in everything you'd expect, although I am thinking the Coral Cup might be the most interesting destination. He was a good staying on sixth in the four year old handicap at this meeting last year. He's an Irish mark of 129 which is half a stone lower that what he raced off last year, but that may go up a bit depending on what the U.K assessor does when the weights are released. But hey, he's been running poorly all season, so he may just race off 129, who knows yet? The main boxes he's ticking, is that he has sufficient festival form, and one could expect a much better performance in two weeks time, after a nice break off the track and likely better ground. The pulled him out of the 3 mile handicap hurdle at Naas yesterday, which I was pleased to see.

2. Downmexicoway -This one has all the usual entries, including the Arkle believe it or not, but I very much doubt he'll run there. We need to put as line through his last run in a Grade 1 at Leopardstown, a very big fat line through it too. Before that day he was going the right way in handicap chases, showed he handles different ground conditions, which sometimes I think can be a sign of a talented horse, and usually races tracking leaders, which I always think is a good attribute for a race like the Grand Annual. I've seen so many good hold-up horses, simply fail to get involved in this particular race, and as I've back the winner of it once or twice, solely by looking at race positioning, I'll be trying the same this year, if Downmexicoway takes his chance that is. If he ends up elsewhere, then I'll consider him for that race nearer the time. I think he's a very good handicapper with a career best waiting to happen, so that's the main thing.

3. Herakles Westwood - I think someone made a really good case for this horse on the Ultima Chase thread on this forum a few days ago. I couldn't have said it any better truth be told. The horse is on a right old curve, has ran really well more than once at the track, and should handle whatever ground conditions he'll encounter. He's currently entered in the Kim Muir, which I think must be part of the reason that he's such an enticing price currently for The Ultima, where I see him going off considerably shorter on the day, if he lines up. Warren Greatrex has another good one with Herakles Westwood I reckon.

4. Hyland - That form behind The Jukebox Man looks so good now. I'm not sure what the whole story is with this horse since then, but the last day he returned to some excellent form behind Deep Cave who was on a proper good curve himself then. He's often not raced fluently, and so I wouldn't want to see him too far back, making the odd mistake, as he'll never get into the race doing that. They need to try and bounce him out on the pace, seeing if his jumping holds up I reckon. I think there's a lot to like about Hyland, and I'd prefer him in the Kim Muir than the Ultima, but I'll wait and see where they run him. Another big pointer to a big run is that forum members Euro and Outsider, along with one or two others seem to fancy the horse to run well. A Talking Horses coup may await!

5. Dartmoor Pirate - He impressed a great deal the last day. I think it was forum member Desert Orchid who remarked that the form was 'hot as hell' or words that that affect afterwards. I was actually on the second horse that day, trained by Charlie Longsdon, called New Order. He's a horse who I have looked at for two weeks time aswell, but I don't think will make the cut. Anyway, it looks like Anthony Honeyball has another big improver with proven form on his hands in the shape of Dartmoor Pirate. I'm hoping to see him in the National Hunt Handicap Chase, although other entries are available ,including the Grimthorpe Chase entry at Doncaster this Saturday, which must be tempting them.

6. The Passing Wife - As impressive as you like the last day, albeit in a mickey mouse race. He's got graded form too. Slim has assured me he'll run in the Martin Pipe, so hopefully that's the case. He's got the profile of a Cheltenham Festival handicap hurdle winner, and I hope this materialises.

I hope the above may provide food for thought, if nothing else.
Click to expand...
Agree on Wendrock, massive eye-catcher last year. Awful at Leopardstown but willing to forgive.

Wonder why someone would call a horse The Passing Wife. Don't like the name, a bit morbid.
 

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