Festival Preview Nights

Just reading further up the page Eduard has been at a satellite yard in Newmarket, anyone know any more info ? Does this yard belong to Nicky Richards ?
 
That's interesting, DG. I wonder if they've been trying to ensure he isn't held up by winter weather, in which case I'd wonder if any other horses went with him.
 
Copied from elsewhere...

Dunraven Arms' Report via Jonahthan Mullin ( RP) and Limerick Leader.


Fuller Reports in each paper.


Panel inc
T Segal,
P Hobbs,
N Luck,
Andrew McNamara,
Katie Walsh
Also in Dunraven is Warren Greatrex, bookie Willie Power + Simon Claisse will take a phonecall from MC Nick Luck to provide a ground update








Simon Claisse: predominantly gd-sft, bits of soft on Old Course and cross country. Wintery showers this week but dry at end of the week decision about any possible watering will be made mid-week.


Sam Twiston Davies now on the line
Sire Collonges the horse of Paul Nicholls' that he's looking forward to riding most alongside Ptit Zig


Supreme
Philip Hobbs (PH): Jollyallan the best of the British in the Supreme.
Tom Segal (TS): Segal likes him and Qewy but says L'Ami Serge very impressive.Douvan too short
Katie Walsh (KW): Douvan a cert.
Willie Power (WP): Douvan will drift.
Andrew McNamara (AM): Douvan.
Warre Gatreux (WG): Seedling


Neptune
KW: Outlander
TS: Windsor Park
PH: Parlour Games
AM: Outlander


Triumph:


KW: faith in Kalkir but beltor looks good.
TS: Top Notch and Pettite Parrissienne in the monrning
AM: Dicosimo
WG: Top Notch
PH: Hargam


P Hobbs: will wait until late to make call on Golden Doyen, Triumph or Fred Winter
Kate Walsh thinks Kalkir best of Irish but says this going to Britain


Arkle
On to Un De Sceaux.
TS: he'll win 10l,
WG: looks real deal,
KW: incredible to watch, question marks re jumping but if stands up he wins Smashing an ew chance.
Hobbs likes Dunraven Storm ew


JLT
Katie Walsh doesn't like the way Vautour carries his head lately and Andrew Mc agrees.
Katie likes Apache Stronghold.
Valseur Lido for Segal
PH & WG like Ptit zig


RSA
Panel have RSA as one of races of the festival,
Segal and Greatrex think Kings Palace and Coneygree could set it up for Don Poli.
AM: coneygree.
PH: kings palace.
KW: don poli
TS: race of festival, don poli the star in waiting.
WG: Don Poli




NH Chase


Vroom Vroom Mag for the 4 miler asks Andy of Katie?
She smiles and says no...but her eyes say yes. Intriguing.




Ryanair
Andrew Mc: We're leaning toward Ryanair. ( Hidden Cyclone) fears Don Cossack
Champion Chase looked weaker earlier in season but only one beat us in Ryanair last year
Segal happy that his ante post selection Ballynagour is the one in the Ryanair.
KW: John's spirit, can't have DC.
PH: Wishfull Thinking ew


Champion Chase


Andy Mac says hidden cyclone more likely for Ryanair than CC. Jumping not quite up to that kind of test.


JP McManus interviewed by Nick Luck who likes Mr Mole: "he might carry your money," says JP, "but he won't carry mine".


WG: Sprinter Sacre. SDG or DB won't win.
PH: SDG.
TS: can't have SS, likes Champagne Fever
KW: Champagne Fever
AM: Champagne Fever


Champion Hurdle
Katie Walsh says Faugheen very talent but "ridiculously short".
Willie Power says if either Douvan or UDS beat bookies will take on Faugheen
KW: Faugheen an average 'lepper' but will win.
TS: Faugheen.
WG and PH are Faugheen fans. AM makes the full set


JP McManus doesn't like TNO. Tough to beat Faugheen. modestly optimistic in his usual fashion. ah sure, you know.


World Hurdle


Warren Greatrex: Cole Harden had wind op, goes well, rock solid ew. Katie Walsh agrees.
TS: Saphir De Rheu one of the bets of week
PH: Saphir de rheu.
AM: Reve de sivola.
KW: Whisper and ROR ew.


Gold Cup


PH/AM: Silviniaco Conti a better horse this year. Will win.
WP not keen on Djakadam, neither are Andy & Katie
KW: likes Carlingford Lough, it'll be sickbag conti @FinalFurlongPod after the last fence.
Segal echoes that
JP McManus keen on Carlingford Lough and Hargam ( Triumph) on good ground.






Other Bets


Warren Greatrex reports Foxhunters favourite Paint The Clouds in super form - "I think he might be better than a hunter chaser"
Final word from Dunraven: P Hobbs rates his bumper horse Wait For Me very highly.
 
JP Fancies Hargam....hope he has a bundle on it so I can get a better price on Peace and Co :)

As much as I would like to think they're wrong about Vautour I reckon he's the most likely of the WMP stars to be beaten
 
Desert Orchid said:
That's interesting, DG. I wonder if they've been trying to ensure he isn't held up by winter weather, in which case I'd wonder if any other horses went with him.
Click to expand...

Simply Ned has been there too
Returning to Greystoke next Monday I believe before heading down to Cheltenham.
 
Tanlic said:
JP Fancies Hargam....hope he has a bundle on it so I can get a better price on Peace and Co :)

As much as I would like to think they're wrong about Vautour I reckon he's the most likely of the WMP stars to be beaten
Click to expand...

JP is indeed a wise man.
 
From somewhere on Merseyside I think

Cheltenham preview night last night with Ben Pauling, Charlie Longsdon and Andy Holding, who's got background in timeform and is big on section times and speed ratings. He's on the money too. Here is their thoughts, I hope they prove useful....
SUPREME NOVICES
The general overview was although Douvan may be the worthy fav, L'ami Serge was the big threat and should beat Douvan. Jollyallan a negative from Ben Pauling
ARKLE
No surprises, Un De Sceaux clean sweep
CHAMPION HURDLE
The panel where split between TNO and Faugheen although Ben did like Jezki. Andy said Faugheen is the horse he'd compare to Istabraq in terms of ability and potential and also running style
NEPTUNE
Apparently Mullins is keen on Avan Tout however the panel pretty much all said Parlour Games will be bang there at the finish and is a future champion for sure. Windsor park with a big each way shout
RSA
It's quite clear that Don Poli was the selection here should he run in this. If he goes the 4 miler then Kings Palace would be the selection. The thoughts are that Coneygree will go the Gold Cup route. Southfield Theatre should run well but the young master a big negative
QUEEN MOTHER
To my surprise the panel all thought Hidden Cyclone would run a massive race however he appears to be going in the Ryanair. Ben says that Nico de Boinville (if it's spelt correct) rides out Sprinter Sacre every day and quotes he's back to his best. Champagne Fever each way is a solid selection too
RYANAIR
Hidden Cyclone would be the each way shout but most where keen on Don Cossack and is a banker of the meeting according to a couple of the panel. Ma Filleule should be bang there and Balder Success is a strong fancy to go well
WORLD HURDLE
Rock on Ruby is a big negative and all agree he possibly won't stay the trip. Ben likes Saphin de Rieu. Whisper has a big each way chance however Andy says Monksland has a massive chance and along with Jetson is way over priced. He's backed both.
TRIUMPH HURDLE
Petite Parisien (again hope the spelling is correct) is top of Andys speed figures and this is a massive stat. Belter will be more of an Aintree horse so the selection is Hargam, who by the way AP McCoy says will beat Peace & Co. One of the champs best chances of the week apparently.
GOLD CUP
The rumour that AP wants to ride Holywell over Carlingford Lough is apparently true however he has commitments to JP. The panel all really fancy Holywell. Conti is a big negative and the thoughts are that Coneygree should go for this as it would be easier to win than the RSA.
In other races, MOONRACER has a massive chance in the bumper. There's also word going round for JETSTREAM JACK who is fancied.
If the ground is good come the Fred winter then Andy likes the look of HOSTILE FIRE. Andys bet of the week though is ROI DE FRANCE as he is I quote.... The best handicapped horse all week.
In the pertemps, BROTHER BRIAN and MIDOR have massive chances. And in the JLT the horses who are the quickest novices on speed ratings are APACHE STRONGHOLD and VALSEUR DE LIDO.
Pardon any spelling mistakes and I hope this helps. Cheers
 
CHELTENHAM PREVIEW EVENING at TOWCESTER RACECOURSE
Back after a two-year break and sponsored by Sky Bet, the panel comprised of jockey, Nick Scholfield (NS), who is connected to Paul Nicholls’ stable and gave an insight to his contenders, Timeform’s Chief Correspondent, Jamie Lynch (JL), RacingUK presenter and pundit Oli Bell (OB) and Niall Hannitty (NH), sportinglife.com’s value betting columnist Ben Linfoot (BL) and Michael Shinners (MS) was on hand for the latest market news. David Ord acted as MC and did a fine job to rattle through and keep order finishing at 10.00pm given there were five panellists and a 20 minute break at half-way.
Supreme Novices’ Hurdle
NS: L’Ami Serge’s Tolworth win on soft ground hard on the bridle was impressive on griund he is not at his best on having quickened up to win really well at Ascot. Douvan is more of a talking horse yet to do it at Grade 1 level unlike L’Ami Serge.
JL: Willie Mullins has been saying some frightening things about Douvan. However, this means that you can back L’Ami Serge at a price you wouldn’t normally be able to do so. The speed horses often don’t win the Supreme and Douvan is speed whereas L’Ami is a grinder.
OB: L’Ami Serge is the play as there is not much between him and Douvan on official figures but he is a much bigger price and Henderson was confident about at his media day last week.
NH: Douvan looks even better coming into the Festival than Vautour and Faugheen did last year. I think L’Ami Serge will be better switching to this left-handed course. Qewy wants softer ground and Jollyallan doesn’t jump well enough. Douvan looks the real deal and I’m a massive fan of his for this race.
BL: Douvan is way too short and worth taking on. He has won twice on soft ground on right-handed tracks in Ireland so this is a different test. Vautour and Champagne Fever were proven Grade 1 winners when they won the Supreme for the same conditions. Vautour isn’t and he is a shorter price than them. Shaneshill was too keen when beaten by No More Heroes and dropping back to 2m he is interesting. I also like Qewy and his form was franked at the weekend by Cardinal Walter. Shaneshill at 12/1 is my idea of the best bet.
MS: There was money for Qewy and Seeedling today but generally it’s all about Douvan but there is no rush to back him as I’ll be stunned if you don’t see 9/4 or 5/2 on the day.

Arkle Trophy
NS: From Walsh’s point of view of Un De Sceaux, Cheltenham is different track to Leopardstown where there is only one downhill fence so his jumping will have to be 110%. Cheltenham can catch a horse like him out as he will going so fast. Peck at one downhill fence and his game could be over.
JL: You can’t back a horse at 4/7 in the Arkle. Court Minstrel is a horse to have caught my eye. He was a shorter price than Vibrato Valtat when they ran against each other earlier in the season and I will have a swing at him at a biggish price.
OB: A hard race to punt in. Vibrato Valtat is the obvious one to finish second given the way the race will pan out and on general ability. Josses Hill hasn’t taken to chasing and they just keep coming up with excuses with him.
NH: I wouldn’t have a bet. Un De Sceaux will be a fair hair-raising ride though and Vibrato Valtat can get a lovely toe into the race. The forecast from Wednesday onwards is spring-like weather and that will suit Sgt Reckless who looks the best of those at double figure prices.
BL: You don’t need many reasons to take on a horse at 4/7 in the Arkle and Un De Sceaux has fallen and never run at Cheltenham before. I do think that Josses Hill will put in an improved effort jumping at championship pace though.
MS: Tony Martin stated he might send Ted Veale here and nick some prize money when I was on a panel with him last week.


Champion Hurdle
NS: I can’t see much pace in the race and can see Ruby popping along on Faugheen and keeping it simple and having the race run to suit committing from two out. He has a very good cruising speed but can quicken off it.
JL: What has Faugheen beaten? The answer is everything. He has just gobbled them all up. His time splits suggests that he will have the race sewn up between the last two flights. This might be the last chance you get to back Faugheen at odds-against in his career. I think he is outstanding. Jezki would probably be beating The New One if he was running in the same races he has been winning in Britain.
OB: I think Faugheen is a monster. It’s the ‘in’ thing at the moment to question his form but his season is all gearing towards Cheltenham. Was last year’s Champion Hurdle brilliant? I don’t think Jezki has looked brilliant this year and Faugheen looks a level above all of them. I can’t have The New One.
NH: I am really against The New One even ignoring his Haydock run and especially if it gets tactical. Jezki can still be a bit keen but he will be thereabouts and appeals each way. Faugheen could have the race run to suit. Hurricane Fly’s brain is at Leopardstown rather than Cheltenham.
BL: I can’t think of a tactical situation in which Faugheen will be vulnerable. Of all the Mullins hotpots, he is the one I am most interested in backing.
MS: Jezki has been popular each-way and will be on the day

Day 1 Shoulder Races
NS: In the novice handicap chase I ride Ceasar Milan who beat Whisper at Exeter on New Year’s Day. He is unexposed and very much improved and jumps well and reminds me a bit of Hunt Ball who won the race a few years ago. I schooled him last week and he went well.
OS: I would side with Glens Melody at the prices to beat Annie Power in the Mares Hurdle who has not had the ideal preparation. On good ground Buywise will be a better jumper and he can go well if he runs in the 3m handicap chase. He has other entries, maybe the Plate is where he will run, but he will be interesting wherever he goes.
NH: Ned Stark has been well found in the Ultima but I can see why.
BL: Grand Vision is a cliff horse of mine and I’ll back him. He is in handicap chase and four miler. I also like Thomas Crapper who saves his best for Cheltenham and is better over 2m4f and has been running over 2m and he appeals in the novice handicap chase.
MS: Cause Of Causes has been well backed today for the NH Chase following news Jamie Codd will probably ride.


Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle
NS: There is a massive doubt over Nichols Canyon’s jumping. Parlour Games can be the one, though whether a bigger field will suit him I don’t know.
JL: This race is ripe for a bet right now. Nichols Canyon was a mudder on the Flat and has only run in testing conditions over hurdles so the ground is the question mark with him. Parlour Games might be a bully beating small fields. Windsor Park doesn’t jump well enough and Outlander wasn’t fancied when he won last time. Ordo Ab Chao’s price is all wrong. His last win is strong form and 16/1 is too big.
OB: Ordo Ab Chao is too big a price and showed a tough attitude to beat a good field at Cheltenham. I am amazed he is 16/1. I do think Windsor Park will improve for the step up in trip but I won’t be surprised if he reverses form with Outlander and Nichols Canyon from his last two runs.
NH: An end-to-end gallop will suit Outlander and they changed the way they rode him last time.
BL: There was no fluke about Ordo Ab Chao last time and he’s a bet at 16/1. Outlander is the best of those at the top of the market.
MS: The money horse is definitely Outlander. Barry Connell made Martello Tower his best chance of the meeting in the Albert Bartlett on a panel in Ireland last week and he beat Martello Tower last time out in a Grade 2 quote easily.

RSA Chase
NS: Experience counts in the RSA and two runs over fences isn’t ideal for Don Poli. Kings Palace likes being up front in small fields and he will be more vulnerable here. It’s a massive negative he has not run in bigger field. Coneygree at 11/2 is the best bet of the Festival if he runs here. I rode Virak at Kempton and thought there was no way he could keep up that gallop. If you can back Coneygree NRNB then do so.
JL: The longer it goes on then the more likely Coneygree will run here. We could be talking about Don Poli being Gold Cup favourite next season so if you do fancy him, and you should, this is the horse why other horses are being moved around for. He stays and jumps and is ideal for the RSA.
OB: I don’t think Kings Palace is a horse I want to beat at the prices bearing in mind what happened at the Festival last year after beating small fields and he has been beating small fields again. I think Coneygree will run in the Gold Cup so best back Don Poli now.
NH: This looks a strong race and I am a massive Kings Palace fan. I am not sure he needs to bully small fields. Don Poli is the other one I really like.
BL: Don Poli lacks chasing experience with two starts over fences but a strong pace can suit him if Coneygree and Kings Palace run. I have backed Valseur Lido but I think he will run in the JLT.
MS: Don Poli is sure to go off shorter than 7/2 and especially if Coneygree doesn’t run. If Mullins mops up on Day 1 then even more so.


Queen Mother Champion Chase
NS: The bleed incurred by Sprinter Sacre wouldn’t worry me at all. All horses have a little bleed at some point. He will so much happier when he gets better ground. I was at Ditcheat this morning and Dodging Bullets looks tremendously well. Paul fancies him and Mr Mole to run very well. Paul had Dodging Bullets trained to the minute at Ascot, he was 110%, but Sprinter Sacre was about 80% so he can turn around that form. He will be cantering two out.
JL: Sprinter Sacre splits opinion. The more I think about it, the more I think he is a good bet. He is the best horse since Arkle on Timeform ratings but after his troubles some will think he is hard to back. It was race against time to run at Ascot and everyone there felt he looked a bit light as he tried to get fit in time. Now he has put the conditioning and muscle on he only needs to improve around 7lb to win. It’s a black and white view but that’s what I am arguing.
OB: Physically Sprinter Sacre had improved to my eye when I saw him last week compared to when I saw him at Ascot but what would concern me is he didn’t go through with his challenge and he bled. I couldn’t back a bleeder for any race at under 3/1. Sire De Grugy’s Chepstow’s win should have taken something out him being so close to the Festival. Dodging bullets isn’t the same horse in the spring so I come down to, and I never thought I would say this, Mr Mole. He could be the jumps edition of Noble Mission who was a quirky horse who then turned it around on the Flat.
NH: I like Sprinter Sacre at 3/1. If he is back to 80% of where he was then he can win. If he can improve like Sire De Grugy did between his first and second run then he will win.
BL: Henderson hasn’t convinced me that Sprinter Sacre is back to his best. Champagne Fever seems to have been forgotten but I am with Mr Mole. I thought he was unbelievable at Newbury and 10/1 is a decent bet about this reformed character
MS: Sprinter Sacre is a public horse and by far our worst result and I will be amazed if he doesn’t go off favourite.

Day 2 Shoulder Races
NS: I think Paul Nicholls will run three in the Fred Winter and Noel Fehily will probably be on All Yours and I think they like his chances. Aux Ptit Soins has only run three times and has been give a mark of 139 for the Coral Cup. The horses he has worked against at Wincanton suggest he is much better than that rating. They are hoping he could be a Grade 1 race. Moon Racer has been put away for the Bumper since winning in October and he stands out for me of all the British horses I’ve seen.
JL: I like Mick Jazz for the Fred Winter who looks tailor made for the race and a lot of people at Timeform have backed him and backed him heavily. Killultagh Vic only has a mark of 135 in the Coral Cup and his form is better than that, he is of interest NRNB.
NH: Starchitect in first-time blinkers would be interesting in the Fred Winter.
OB: Two British horses to catch my eye in the Bumper are See The World and Wait For Me. Go and watch See The World win if you haven’t seen it and you will see why. Wait For Me won a traditionally good bumper well on his debut and Hobbs has won this race recently.
BL: Volnay De Thaix appeals in the Coral Cup on his second to Rock On Ruby and I think he could develop into a Grade 1 horse.


Ryanair Chase
NS: I spoke with Joe Tizzard recently and he says Cue Card is in really good order. He will appreciate the better ground and drop back in trip. I schooled Wonderful Charm last week and I think he has had a little tinker with his wind since he ran in the King George.
JL: Cue Card has the back form but his price of 11/2 assumes he is nearly back to his best but he has that to prove. Don Cossack is a boring a favourite who has been beating small fields and fell in the RSA last year so I am left with Ma Filleule.
OB: Ma Filleule thrives in the spring and I think the Ascot Chase in which she was second to Balder Succes is strong form. I wouldn’t rule out Cue Card who goes well at Cheltenham in March and will appreciate being dropped back in trip. He has a horse to write off at your peril.
NH: A lot of Don Cossack’s form is right-handed so 7/2 doesn’t excite me. I like John’s Spirit at the prices.
BL: Don Cossack is a bad favourite at 7/2 given his small field, soft ground, right-hand course profile. Johns Spirit is better on the other course at Cheltenham. Hidden Cyclone each-way is the value having finished second in this race last year.
MS: Certainly the momentum horse has been Ma Filleule.
World Hurdle
NS: I won on Saphir Du Rheu over fences and he would have the speed for 2½m and is a class animal. I was impressed with him beating Reve De Sivola on soft ground and he will be better on better ground. I personally don’t think Zarkandar is an out-and-out stayer. Rock On Ruby is very much ground dependent over this trip and he can run a big race if it’s good ground
JL: This is a second division World Hurdle so I prefer to look quite deep. Whisper won at the meeting last year in the Coral Cup achieving a rating that would have finished third or fourth in the World Hurdle. He is fresh are an abandoned chasing career. It hasn’t worked out for Briar Hill this season but it looked like he was coming back last time and he is the other horse I would consider at a nice price.
OB: I don’t have that strong a view. I haven’t worked out whether Zarkandar is a monkey or not. He has probably had enough chances. Cole Hardden has reasonable form for a 25/1 chance.
NH: Rock On Ruby is the one at the prices and drying ground will really suit. All his half-sisters stay well and he has the class of course. Celestial Halo was second in a Champion Hurdle and almost won this. Rock On Ruby has won a Champion Hurdle.
BL: The Irish look a couple of notches below what is required. Un Temps Pour Tout will come on for his Cleeve Hurdle a ton, he stays and 12/1 is a bet.
MS: It might be 11/2 the field and I imagine Saphir Du Rheu will just about go off favourite.



Thursday Shoulder Races:
NS: I have schooled Ptis Zig since his fall and he has shown no ill effects. He will have learned from that and done him some good. The 2m4f of the JLT is made for him. Vautour jumped adequate at Leopardstown last time out but if he is good as Ruby says he should win.
JL: Regal Encore took off over 3m last time in the finish suggesting he is a Pertemps type. I also like Brother Brian for the same race.
OB: Brother Brian is one of my strongest handicap fancies and he runs in the Pertemps. He was doing his best work late on behind Rock On Ruby last time and his breeding says he will improve for this step up in trip. That run says he is better than his handicap mark of 144.
NH: Regal Encore for the Pertemps.
BL: Monetaire has been saved for the Festival since he won at Newbury in November. If it’s good ground he will go for the Plate according to Pipe rather than the Grand Annual. I also like Un Ace for the Plate if he runs here rather than the Grand Annual

Triumph Hurdle
NS: The New Course is a much more galloping track and that might be against Peace And Co who might not finish off his race properly if he pulls too hard so for that reason I will go with Hargam who is tough, uncomplicated, jumps well and stays well.
JL: Peace And Co is out on his own. People keep telling me he is a terrible price but he is that far ahead on Timeform ratings on his Doncaster win that he would have won every Triumph bar Our Conor’s in the last 15 years. The Irish challenge is threadbare and I don’t think they will get into the first four.
OB: Pulled a cart and still bolted up at Doncaster. He was being taught to settle last time and one concern is if they try that again and he pulls. As long as relaxes he is a certainty. Beltor is talented but in terms of natural talent you will struggle to see a better horse at this stage of their career
NH: 7/4 is too short about Peace And Co. I really like Hargam at 7/1 each way. Lightly raced, he was impressive last time and proven on the track.
BL: I don’t think Beltor has the stamina for a Triumph or the Irish are up to it. My main worry about Peace And Co is whether the occasion will get to him. At the prices Hargam appeals most.
MS: I would guess some bookmakers will pay four places this year. Pain Au Chocolat is a slow burener but very talented and he looks a fair each way bet.


Gold Cup
NS: Silviniaco Conti had stomach ulcers last year but he has been finishing his races off better now that has been sorted. He has no excuses now so, for me, this is his Gold Cup. If he doesn’t win it this year he never will. Bobs Worth was favourite last year and has had only one run since when Barry was easy on him. He improved loads for his first run last season when he won the Lexus and is too big a price.
JL: The cheekpieces have been crucial to Silviniaco Conti. What sort of price is he backable? At 4/1 I would happily weigh in at. The best novice last year was Holywell and he has had one target all year and he is the best of the rest.
OB: Silviniaco Conti has been unfairly uncrabbed for last year. It was a freak race. I can forgive him wandering around last year. Cheekpieces help him keep straight this time and h is one of the best bets of the Festival. It would great if Many Clouds won and he showed himself to be versatile winning at Cheltenham off a slow pace. Coneygree is a save.
NH: The forecast is a worry for Many Clouds. If Bobs Worth or Lord Windermere win the Gold Cup again I’ll eat my feet. My one ante-post bet is Djakadam. There is a question mark about the trip and he is tight enough now at 10/1. I can make a case that Boston Bob is overpriced for a horse who gets it together in the spring.
BL: Road To Riches at 33/1 is my one shining light in my ante-post portfolio for me. I think the track will play to his strengths. Silviniaco Conti is the best horse in race but is he the best horse at Cheltenham over 3m2½f? I’m worried about the ground for Many Clouds. Sam Winner was onmy beaten 2l in Lexus and won at the course earlier in the season and he has the tools to run a huge race being a strong stayer, especially if headgear is applied.
MS: I’ll be amazed of Carlingford Lough is not backed for McCoy. The other money horse can be Djakadam on the Walsh factor.

Friday Shoulder Races:
NS: I rode Jolly’s Cracked It in the Betfair Hurdle who was stone last and didn’t jump well but he flew in the home straight. If he can jump he can go well in the Martin Pipe and he has had a lot of help since then. Harry Fry is very sweet on Thomas Brown in the Albert Bartlett.
JL: I like Ordo Ab Chao for the Neptune so I also like Value At Risk for the Albert Bartlett who did well to finish half a length behind him last time. He would need to settle better though. Make A Track is block entered at the Festival and interesting wherever he turns up moving from the retired Charlie Swan to Gordon Elliott.
OB: Arzal is an interesting one for the Imperial Cup and County Hurdle. Jolly’s Cracked It would be interesting in the Martin Pipe but he is also in the Coral Cup. Fry told me there isnt much between him and Jollyallan who is fancied for the Supreme. In the Foxhunters’ I like Current Event who has won his last seven races and this has been the plan for a while.
NH: I like Martello Tower for the Albert Bartlett. Moving back up to 3m will really suit him and he is overpriced.
BL: I have backed Hawk High for the County Hurdle at 25/1. He likes good ground and he only got beat by Glingerburn last time giving him weight who has been impressive in victory since.
MS: The Game Changer has been the steamer in the County and I wouldn’t be surprised if Bryan Cooper rode him. He has gone from Charlie Swan to Gordon Elliott and not run for three months.


Charity Bets
NS: Hargam (Triumph Hurdle)
JL: Value At Risk (Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle)
OB: Brother Brian e/w (Pertemps Final)
NH: Djakadam (Gold Cup)
BL: Un Temps Pour Tout (World Hurdle)
 
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London

Kicking off with a video montage of some of Rich Ricci's best horses. Could be a while...
Matt adjusting the light so Rich doesn't have to wear the sunglasses!
Sam: 'if you don't have a winner at Cheltenham, it's almost like your season hasn't been great'
Sam: 'The whole Big Buck's thing made me the jockey I am. I know how to deal with defeat'
Matt asks about 'mollycoddling' horses to get them right for Cheltenham. RR admits this year more than ever has been Cheltenham-geared.
How much do you control Willie and how much does he control you?' RR says he is active in planning and will argue, but Willie makes call.
He recognises the need to let Willie do what he's paid to do. Rare that RR and Willie would fall out.

Starting with novice hurdles. All aboard the Douvan train...
RR on Douvan: Willie's bullish. He's got a huge future, hopefully as a chaser. He's been on the go a while. We have a lot of confidence.
He goes with a good chance. RR reckons the Supreme is a weaker race than the Neptune this year.
Douvan difficult to get off the bridle at home but RR points out the last time we heard these things was Pont Alexandre, who Sam beat!
Sam says Nicholls doesn't look like having a novice hurdler. Has been trying to sweeten John Ferguson to get the Qewy ride!
All in agreement that Douvan will be a bigger price on the day.

Onto the Neptune. Rich and Sam have nowt in it. Rich reckons Tell Us More runs in it. Nichols Canyon wouldn't be his choice.

Albert Bartlett. RR would reroute his horse (Arbre) to avoid Black Hercules! Reckons he'll be very hard to beat.
Sam happy with how Blaklion will handle the big occasion but 'whether he's up to that class remains to be seen'. Seems content though.
Sam says Blaklion is 'awfully ordinary' at home but comes alive at the races. Getting better and better with racing.

Triumph Hurdle. RR: Kalkir frustrating. Missed work before Christmas race. Another niggle before Spring Juvenile, ran a good race.
Hard to split Kalkir and Dicosimo. Not sure who Ruby will ride.
Ricci says given work at home, Kalkir would appear the better. Dicosimo thin back end, but good turn of foot. Both big chance.

Arkle. Sam declares his Cheltenham ride on Vibrato Valtat 'one of the most awful rides you'll see'.
Agreement that Vibrato Valtat gets the perfect scenario with UDS bowling along in front. But how much rope to give him?
If Vautour was not in the same yard as UDS, does he run in the Arkle?' RR: I don't think so. Ruby thinks he's a Gold Cup horse.
A shudder around the room (including in this seat) as Ricci mentions Champagne Fever getting nutted in last year's Arkle.

Question from Will on here about Vroum Vroum Mag in the four miler. 'If you run in that race, that's it for the season. She's only five'
Big one! RR doesn't think Vroum Vroum Mag runs at festival. Heading to Limerick just after. Could be a champion chase horse some day.

Sam very sweet on Southfield Theatre in RSA on better ground.
RR fairly confident Don Poli runs in the RSA and that Patrick Mullins will ride Perfect Gentleman in the four miler.

JLT. Sam says you couldn't get Ptit Zig to make a mistake at home. Once out of novice company, paid for mistake but HAS learned from it.
Sam respects Vautour and says you have to forgive one mistake.
RR on Vautour: 'our horses all being geared towards festival. A lot of confidence. Anyone who saw him on Saturday would be impressed.'
RR says it's 'highly highly highly likely Annie Power runs in the Mares hurdle' In answer to @mwilliams10282's question.
Matt asks for a show of hands of who wanted Annie in the Champion last year. Everyone raises hands. Nobody raises for World Hurdle.

Handicaps. RR says Arbre De Vie has great chance in Coral Cup. Dogora may run in the Cross Country!
RR best handicap bets are Arbre and maybe Max Dynamite. Matt is aghast at Max Dynamite tip.
Audience member asks for dark horse outside of panel involvement. Sam tips Thomas Crapper.
Ricci reckons Tony Martin always dangerous in big handicaps.

Of Ricci's four Day One hotpots, who's he least confident of? Faugheen.
Ricci asked about Vautour v Douvan. Vautour has the form in the book.
Audience member asks if Annie will 'have her day in the sun' (taking on lads) Ricci says likely target after Cheltenham is Aintree Hurdle.
After this he hopes she will take on the boys at Punchestown.
A break for half time. I'm going to the jacks. Want me to live tweet that too, do ya?
I treat myself to a beer for the second half, as Sam Twiston Davies plays Angry Birds waiting for the restart.

Bumper. Ricci describes Au Quart De Tour as an enigma. Willie wants to run all 8 of his stables, RR has 5. Ricci only wants to run 3 of his
Bordini his best bet but Au Quart De Tour 'could be anything'. Sam has no ride in it and says he'll take one of Rich Ricci's!

We're going chasing. Ricci reckons Champagne Fever goes in Champion Chase despite Ryanair being the 'obvious race' for him.
Will Champagne Fever be held up or front running? RR reckons Special Tiara will give CF a tow into the race. Doesn't have to front run.
Chapman describes Ch Fever's Cheltenham record and asks Sam what Dodging Bullets has done at Cheltenham.
Sam quite confident and diplomatic and says Frankie Dettoti couldn't believe his eyes when he visited Dodging Bullets last week.
Sam says Geraghty is quite poker faced in the weighing room about Sprinter Sacre, but Jamie Moore sweet on Sire De Grugy.
Rich Ricci reckons all the good vibes about Sprinter Sacre are to 'scare us all off'.
Sam says he couldn't believe how settled Sprinter Sacre was after so long off. Should have been keener.

Ryanair. Ballycasey? RR says he scoped badly after Ascot. Probably runs and hopes he runs a good race. Describes him 'very frustrating'.
Sam says Wonderful Charm goes in Ryanair and is in good form but seems more hopeful than confident.

Right, time for the Champion Hurdle! Faugheen v The New One! Ricci v Sam!
If Ruby ditches one of your runners, do you then think you've no chance?' RR would be disappointed, but understands Ruby delaying decision
Ooh! Ricci says 'Faugheen is working very well' and has a glint in his eye.
RR: 'it's Ruby's decision, not mine. He's not my retained jockey.' Says IF Ruby doesn't ride Faugheen, Paul Townend would.
Oof! Rich Ricci: 'No disrespect to the rivals, but I think Faugheen will win no matter who rides'
Sam on The New One: devastated after last year, and hopes they didn't leave it behind then. Loves the horse and wouldn't swap him.
Ricci: We shouldn't diss Hurricane Fly. Look at his record. But the stats are against him. It's a great Champion Hurdle.
Would Faugheen have met Hurricane Fly by now if he was trained by Noel Meade?' Rich Ricci gives an emphatic, one word answer: yes.
Ricci says he IS a little bit worried that Faugheen hasn't had a run in 2015. But managing between trainer/owner is 'give and take'.
Rich is happy to 'take' every so often if that's what it takes for the success they've achieved together.
Both Sam and Ricci grimace at Faugheen's price of 5/4.
Sam says Jezki is the one who would major benefit from a pacemaker. He can't predict how the race will be run.
Ricci says Faugheen can make the running if needs be.



World Hurdle. Nicholls told Sam that he'd get loads of improvement from Saphir, that helped make his mind up.
Ricci says he doesn't think Pont Alexandre will make Cheltenham then jokes that Zaidpour wins the World Hurdle easily.
Ricci reckons Annie would have a great chance if not only on seasonal reappearance, will be too keen for the World Hurdle.
Ricci says Faugheen's Neptune win was extraordinary. The way he kicked hurdles out of the ground and still won easily.
Ricci says himself and the Mullins crew sat around and really debated who of Vautour and Faugheen would stay hurdling!
Ricci asked who he would like to own, of those he doesn't. He says Un De Sceaux and Silviniaco Conti.
The panel are asked who would be their ONE banker. Ricci says confidently Annie Power. The rest agree. I'm off to get me wheelbarrow lads.

Gold Cup. Sam says Sam Winner 'may lack the class of Silvi' but seems very happy nonetheless. Staying power.
Would it be a massive shock if Conti finished behind Sam Winner? Sam: no. He's got loads of good form.
Djakadam. Ricci absolutely loves him. He says he's been 'unusually unabashed' in his admiration for him.
Ricci thought Djakadam was fat for his Thyestes win. Thinks he's got a great chance. Really quite bullish on this one.
On Silviniaco Conti, Ricci points out how only one horse has won the Gold Cup on a third attempt, but he's still the one to beat.
Overheard Rich Ricci and Sam chatting. Caught Ricci saying 'I like your Dad'!
Onto audience questions. Sam says if The New One wasn't in it, and given the choice, he'd ride Faugheen.
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Paddy asks Sam if he wins the Champion Hurdle, will he go out celebrating? 'You can't'
One audience members asks Rich Ricci to give Matt Chapman the number of his tailor!
Panel asked if they can have just ONE winner at Cheltenham, who? (Want, not think) Ricci says Djakadam. Sam says The New One.
RR and Sam maintain eye contact, holding hands. They embrace. Ricci declares he's finally found a retained jockey. Just joking.
Ricci says he chose National Hunt over flat because NH is about winning, flat is about money.
A man just fell off his chair and took at least 15 seconds to rise again. But rise he did.
Ricci asked about his most disappointing horse. Mikael D'Haguenet, he says. Did I spell that right?

Charity bets for Injured Jockeys Fund!
Sam: Annie Power
Rich Ricci: Djakadam (!)
Matt: Douvan
Paddy: Douvan

A final round of applause. Brilliant panel. Chapman asking right questions. Ricci brilliantly candid. Sam just impossibly nice.
Charlie Austin's come along and nominates Shaneshill as his charity bet
 
Digger said:
Roi De France?? What is he running in and who is training him now?
Click to expand...

Willie Mullins, in the Martin Pipe, David Mullins claiming 5 off 139, looks a veyr progressive type and no surprise he's been hammered in the betting for the past week, 6/1 now.
 
I'm for the Oliver Brady Memorial Preview in Castleblaney tonight. I'll post up an account of it tonight or in the morning, though given how slow my typing is, it will be fairly brief.
 
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