Cheltenham Handicaps

[Basil Pinenuts]

Obviously a proper punter wouldn't touch any of the handicaps until the weights are unveiled but fcuk that. I have some bets in the can already.

Ultima:
I think I've made a balls of this. I took 33s about Hyland and I forgot about the old RP Chase which he was second in last year. I do think he's better going left handed which makes his run at Ascot behind Deep Cave all the more laudable. I doubt he'll show up.

Fred Winter:
I normally wouldn't touch this race with yours but I did notice Made u Blush towards the top of the market a week or so ago and he was in my tracker last year when in the care of J Portman (who I like as a trainer). I'll likely back him on the day with loads of places. I'm surprised he's jumping tbh, thought he had scope as a 4yo on the flat.

NHC:
Wade Out. Couldn't believe this fella was 14s NRNB a fortnight or so ago. Race his made for him, hopefully Bowen will ride.

Coral Cup:
The Yellow Clay I bet for the Stayers' way back in the Autumn and he's been shite this year. However, maybe it's just taken him a while to recover from running in the slop behind the mustard fto. I read Gordo's stable tour in the Post the other day whilst at work and he mentioned the handicap for him. Higher weights have a good record in the race and I thought he was worth a punt at 20s with the NRNB concession.

Jack Richards:
There was a novice event at Leop just after Xmas where I got double figures about Shuffle the Deck before he was backed into 5s - I thought he was one of my better Irish trackers - but he was bummed hollow by Koktail Divin and that horse, in my favourite colours, is a must bet for this. Obv he's not guaranteed to run - Henry has mentioned the Browns despite him having the mare for that - but 12s NRNB is acceptable.

County:
This is Murcia, simples. Hugely eye catching at the DRF 365 were silly going or keeping her at 10s straight after the race. She's gonna be pretty short on the day.

Shuffle The Deck in over 2m7f (2m6f205y) at Punchestown on Sunday. Would qualify him for the Jack Richards but not the NH Chase I think (need to finish top 4 in a 2m7½f+ Chase). Margins.

 

[Ian_Davies]

If you wait until something called "the 48-hour declarations" - which occur, err, two days before race day each of the four days, it's not only money back a NR, but, instead of betting to a million per cent NRNB, they bet to about 101% on the machine, there's more extended places than you can shake a stick at (if that's your bag), you know the going and you know the opposition.

Hope this helps.

I'll next be back on this thread - despite the lack of a "2026" #thinkaboutthechildren - circa 11am on the Sunday before the meeting starts.

 

[Euronymous]

Shuffle The Deck in over 2m7f (2m6f205y) at Punchestown on Sunday. Would qualify him for the Jack Richards but not the NH Chase I think (need to finish top 4 in a 2m7½f+ Chase). Margins.

Hard to see him being off.