2015 Cheltenham Festival Preview Night Reports

[Lester]

Yet another Ruby offer

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[TimRiggins]

https://soundcloud.com/emmet-kennedy/patrick-mullins-cheltenham-special

Good podcast, with Patrick Mullins and the Final Furlong guys.

[Old Vic]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/bpowell13">@bpowell13</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/EWilliamsRacing">@EWilliamsracing</a> starting off <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/cheltenhampreview?src=hash">#cheltenhampreview</a> night at <a href="https://twitter.com/dragonsrugby">@dragonsrugby</a> <a href="http://t.co/UqEQAMK8K2">pic.twitter.com/UqEQAMK8K2</a></p>&mdash; Alex James (@AlexJames_97) <a href="https://twitter.com/AlexJames_97/status/573573659501182976">March 5, 2015</a></blockquote>
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[Old Vic]

I think we might be in business with Cafe En Seine

BG Barry Geraghty
DML Donn McClean
JH Jessica Harrington

https://twitter.com/BETDAQ

BG: 'Douvan is rightly favourite but maybe a little too short. L'Ami Serge is a very, very good horse
DML: 'If you're going to back Douvan, he's probably going to drift on the day'
BG: 'Nichols Canyon is easily opposable in the Neptune. Parlour Games would be the one id fear most'
BG: 'No More Heroes in the Albert Bartlett is for me, the one to beat'
JH: 'No More Heroes and Martello Tower would be the two I'd fancy in the Albert Bartlett'
BG: 'Hargam has a chance, the better the ground the better he'll be but I'd lean to Peace and Co in the Triumph'
JH: 'the Triumph Hurdle tends to be a race that throws up outsiders'
GOB: 'If Dicosimo has R.Walsh down to ride him on Thursday he'll justifiably come in from 14s to about 7/1'
BG: 'Un De Sceaux could burn himself out early if he's not careful. It's a long time to keep the lid on him' #Arkle
JH: 'The Arkle should be a race watched...but Un De Sceaux should win'
Jessica giving Barry Geraghty a bit of stick for a mistake made 11 years ago at Cheltenham. Cue laughs


also

https://twitter.com/Billstraighten

Cafe en seine preview running a little late.
Cheltenham Preview Panel consists of.
Jessica Harrington
Barry Geraghty
Don Mc Clean
Dave Keena
Greg Walker (Betdaq)

Couple of dark horses in the supreme. Jollyallen. Has good form. Ground could suit. Jessica mentions favourites have poor record.
Jessica Harrington notes bentilmar. At 20/1 has a solid each way chance.
Betdaq rep notes. In the last month willie has a lot of odds on turned over.
Douvan rated 159. Miles above previous winner. Yet to contest a G1 race. Can see him drifting (dave keenan irish field)
Don mc clean on supreme. Douvan is short. Similar profile to vatour. But no G1. Douvan half his odds. Lami twice his price and has G1
Don mc clean. Douvan will drift. Look out for offers. Qeqy i like. Cape cross bred. Form of qewys race working out well Qewy is an each way
Barry G on lami. On a normal year he would be favourite. Barry says lami will be better on better ground.

Neptune Time. Don mc clean on nicholls canyon. He did need soft ground on the flat for his best. So a little worry. Generally goes NH bred.
Don mc clean. Didnt like windsor parks jumping lto. I like outlander. Good turn of foot at Leopardstown over 2m5f
Barry G on the neptune. parlour games beat blaklion Vyta do roc has improved since beaten a neck to parlour games Nicholls canyon opposable.
Nichols canyon lacks the size and scope to be impressive. Parlour games is the one i fear most ( he rides vyta do roc)
Jessica H on windsor park. Jumping a little off. Says nicholls canyon a small horse. Gosden said at royal ascot he curled up.
Jessica H says nicholls canyon not a cheltenham horse.
Dave kileen says its a bit muddy. (Neptune ) trying to read the form.
Very hard to cramp nicholls canyon two G1s. Dave kileen. Not a vintage renewal of the neptune. Easier races to solve.

Albert Bartlett
Barry G on Carrachi Apache. Open race. May not ride him. No more heroes scoped bad when beaten. No more heroes one to beat
Jessica H on Albert Bartlett. Imagine martello tower will stay well. Black hercules workman like. No more heroes very impressive.
Don mc clean. Its a good albert bartlett. No more heroes very good at beating shaneshill. Stayed very well. Forgive last run scoped bad
Martello tower he likes. Stepping up to the 3 miles. Barry connell quite bullish.

Triumph Hurdle time.
Barry G. Peace and co. Like him a lot. Won at chelt. Slow race at the start. Switching him off not an issue.
Triumph hurdle a bit of a minefield Hargam does have a chance. Top notch. Workman like. Race suits stayers. Peace and co has that more pace
Jessica H. You can nearly say nicky henderson will win the race. Tricky race english better form Irish ones beating each other
Jessica H. On petite parisienne. Gets the 7lbs. Good trial for the race. Best of irish.
Dave kilen. Bryan cooper said he gave her a bad ride when beaten (petite parisienne)
Line of form through prussian eagle. Dicosimo beat him 7L Ruby will probly ride. And for me best of irish (Dave kileen irish field)
Dicosimo likely best of irish. 14/1 each way looks value.
Don mc clean. Triumph Beltor won the adonis. Pulled really hard through the race. Good guide for the triumph Hard to get a line on the form.
Don mc clean said rich ricci mentions kalkir wasn't right last time out. Hargam will love better ground. Jumped super. Intriguing
Don mc clean mentions the 7lb allowance for petite parisienne. And is his pick.
Novice chasers time.

Arkle chase.
Barry G. UDS so impressive. Great respect for his fences. Worthy fav. Won on him . Hes a handful..needs to get settled.
Barry G. UDS. Could burn himself early. It will be interesting to see how he handles the festival crowd etc.
Barry G. Thinks josses hill is a good EW Jessica Harrington. UDS jumps clever. Leopardstown tough. 2nd last caught a lot out before
Jessica H. UDS is a penalty kick. If he can settle to the occasion.
Don Mc Clean. Arkle is a watxhing race. Most exciting horse in training. Took a step forward at Leopardstown. The preliminaries are key.
Dave Kilen. ( irish field) Noel o brien irish hcapper rates UDS higher than sprinter sacre before his arkle win.
Dave Kileen. Josses hill doesn't jump good enough.

Rsa Chase time.
The young master good chance. Highly rated. Improving. Hcapper experience. Experience important.
Barry G. Haven't seen don poli magic. Cant see him as the favourite. Open race. The young master a good each way bet.
Jessica H. Coneygree should run RSA. Terrific price. Done it all travels well jumps well. Hcap form into a novice race important (Young M)
Dave Killen. Don poli hard to knock. Stayer. G1 Real grueler. The most likely winner by me. The young master a hcapper can't see him win
Don mc clean. Don Poli Out stays his opponents. Won G1. Coneygree highest rated. I like the young master also.
Jessica H. Coneygree should run RSA. Terrific price. Done it all travels well jumps well. Hcap form into a novice race important (Young M)
Dave Killen. Don poli hard to knock. Stayer. G1 Real grueler. The most likely winner by me. The young master a hcapper can't see him win
Don mc clean. Don Poli Out stays his opponents. Won G1. Coneygree highest rated. I like the young master also.
The young master has solid form. 6yos don't do well in this though.
Barry G on coneygree. Jumps well but hard to win the GC. Jessica Says its too hard for a novice to beat a battled hardened GC horse.

JLT novices Chase time.
Vatour didn't work well last week.
JLT. Jessica H. Impressive with vatour. Goes fresh won at cheltenham. Stays well. Cant have apache stronghold.
Jessica Says apache stronghold puts his head up in a battle.
Jessica H likes valseur lido each way. Dave kileen says bet of the festival is valseur lido. JLT.
Dave killen. Banker is valseur lido each way. 8/1 get stuck in. Not a fan of vautour.
Barry G on JLT. Fan of valseur lido. Vatour chase form not solid. Liked ptit zig before his fall. That fall might take its toll on him

Bumper time.
Barry G. Difficult to pick the winner. Not impressed with willies. Jetstream jacks gets a nod. Likes hobbs horse. Wait for me.
Dave kilen likes jetstream jack. Very good reason why many have not performed.
Dave Kileen. I will have a few quid on both gordon elliots horses.
Jessica H. She likes supasundae. Barry won on him. Suprised me when winning. Hes a bit big and may not be suited to cheltenham.
Don mc clean. Not a massive fan of bumper. Says patrick mullins fears moon racer the most of english horses.
Don mc clean. Like bryan cooper for top jockey at 8/1.


Barry G on sprinter Sacre. Knew he wasn't electric. No reoccurrence of irregular heartbeat. Up till november a donkey would beat him.
Barry g on sprinter. At ascot fit. Sprinter jumped electric last week. Looks and feels the same horse.
Barry G. Sprinter scoped 2/5 . Trace of blood. Nicky not concerned that he's bad.
Jessica H on sprinter bleeding. 2/5 . If you scoped most horses with a hard race on heavy they would have that. If hes 80% he wins.
Don mc clean. The whole race depends on Sprinter sacre . How good he is over the last 2 fences. They don't train that at home.
Dave Kilen. Champ fever. Cant have him If he was a real 2miler he would have been kept at 2 miles.
Dave Kilen. Between the top 2. Why bother looking at the others. (QMCC)

Ryanair chase time.
Don mc clean. Don cossack. Thought a lot of by gordon elliot. Finishing his races well. Bit of worry going left handed. Outstayed by HW
Don mc clean. Worthy fav is don cossack. Big risk is ma fieluele.
Barry G on ma fieluele. Great chance. Ran well at festival last year. Came on a ton since last year . Very sweet on her Hidden cyclone E/W
Dave kilen likes hidden cyclone. Runs well at cheltenham. Can question who don cossack has actually beat. Thinks an each way bet for sure.
Jessica H on Ryanair. Likes ma fieluele. Spring filly likes good ground. Great chance.

We are on a break.


Sorry world hurdle time.

Barry G. Whisper. Didnt find his form this season. His work is good. He's worth a few quid each way.
Barry G. Saphir du rheu race not good. Rock on ruby is there horse for Barry G. Hes the one to beat.
Barry G says briar hill could be an each way bet. Showing signs from his last run he has improved.
Jessica Harrington on jetson. Won a grade 1. Great form. He doesn't know his age. 33/1 defo an each way bet.
Dave Killen. Rock on ruby by far the best. Loves cheltenham. Only negative that fehily jumped off him for zarkander.
Don mc clean. Rock on ruby classiest horse in race. Will he stay?? I think lieutenant colonel underrated. Only 6. Good novice last year.
Don mc clean likes lieutenant colonal at the price.

Jessica H. Modem has a good chance in the county. Hope he runs a big race. Higher in the weights

Champion Hurdle time.
Barry G. Faugheen Very impressive. Strongest form Punchestown. Best valseur lido. Current season not strong form.
Barry G. Faugheen jumping. Missed the last. You need to be quick and slick to win champion hurdle. A lot on his plate.
Barry G. Last years champion hurdle strongest in last 10 years. Big big ask to beat jezki and the new one.
Jessica on jezki. He struggles on soft. Happy with him. Not worried bout being beaten by the fly. I just don't know how good he is.
Jessica H. Will faugheen be able to jump slick?? Champion hurdle is ruthless.
Jessica H. Hurricane loves Leopardstown. He was always under pressure when at cheltenham. Although winning twice.
Barry G. Ruby can't let sentiment into it. Regarding riding hurricane. Bit too obvious to ride faugheen.
Don mc clean. Hurricane fly can win this. Hes won 3 grade 1s since last yr Faugheen too short. Purely connections.
Don mc clean says arctic fire is value each way sorry.
Barry G. Says hurricane fly beaten too far last year to be a player this year.
Dave Killen. The new one has no chance. Beating ordinary horses. Didnt impress me. Winning.mickey mouse races. Aintree horse.
Dave Kilen. Personally i don't think ap mc coy doesn't get the same as barryg from jezki. Jezki each way is for me.

Gold cup Time.
Barry G. Bobs worth a big price. Ground too soft LTO. Good shape. Likes the track. The bump last year didn't matter.
Barry G. On djakadam very impressive. Ran keen and top weight. Good bit of improvement. Ticks a lot of boxes.
Barry G. Carlingford lough is a horse on the up. Ruby had a wry smile when i mentioned djakadam.
Jessica H. Djakadam has a great chance. I really like road to riches. Ground not ideal when he won at Leopardstown. Can't have on his own.
Dave Kilen. Djakadam the dark horse. Ruby will ride him. Last years novices are impressive
Drinmore chase. Form with carlingford has worked out well. Jessica says that its the cheek pieces made the difference. For silvinaco conti.
Dave Killen. Sickbag conti is a flat track bully. Jessica H says he got scared of the hill. Looked at it and panicked.
Don mc clean. Many clouds will struggle if not soft. Road to riches won the lexus which is ok. Sickbag conti 0/3 at cheltenham.
Don mc clean. Djakadam has the tyestes form and will come on for it. He's a big player. Will go off second favourite.

Question time. Barry G says his best chance of a winner is sprinter sacre. Jessica says jezki very well at home.

Sandown. Get on according to barry G. West wizard

Charity bets. Don Mc clean. Djakadam win. Edeymi sticking out. Ned buntline. Savello if county hurdle.
Jessica H Charity bet Nap. Macnicholson win Ma fieluele win.
Barry G. Chairty bet. Sprinter sacre. Handicaps The druids nephew.

[Old Vic]

Live Blog of Irish Indo night

http://www.independent.ie/sport/horse-racing/cheltenham/live-blog-irish-independent-cheltenham-preview-night-31043990.html

Champion Chase

Talking Champagne Fever. "I'm not a fan of the horse. I met Barry Geraghty and he couldn't talk up Sprinter Sacre enough," Davy Condon.

His bleed would be a big worry for me - Davy Russell on Sprinter Sacre.

Davy Russell: "I'd be looking at Sire de Grugy."

Noel Meade thinks it's a three-horse race. Writing off Champagne Fever.

"We were talking about Sprinter Sacre being the best horse since Arkle two years ago."

"I wouldn't care if he had all the great inside him," Davy Russell dismisses Dodging Bullets chances.


"They put the plastic shoes on him which has made a big difference. He's my idea of the winner."

"Special Tiara has no chance."


Davy Russell on Mr Mole: "he's got him to the peak of his powers and he would need to improve more again."

Mares

"She's every bit as good as Quevega," Noel O'Brien on Annie Power


Ryanair

The Ryanair now and Davy Condon reckons Don Cossack is in great form and is more of a mature horse this year.

"I wouldn't be concerned about going left-handed," Davy Russell on Don Cossack. "He's the horse they all have to beat."

"I think Ma Filleule has a big chance," Noel Meade. "Don Cossck didn't do much wrong last year. He's b the right frame of mind."

"Hidden Cyclone will run a big race but falls short at the top level," Davy Russell.


Champion Hurdle


"Willie Mullins has the bookies quaking in their boots." Davy Russell.

Thank God he can only ride the one in it - Davy on Ruby Walsh.

"It's a four-horse race. Jezki will give Faugheen the most to do."

"The New One will come into it with the good ground," Noel Meade.
Noel Meade doubts that Kitten Rock will act as a pacemaker.


World Hurdle

Seven pounds would cover 10 horses in it - Noel O'Brien .The Irish challenge is very close."

Davy Russell and Davy Condon like the look of Whisper at 10/1.

Davy Russell doesn't see Jetson turning the tables on Lieutenant Colonel.

"He's been a nightmare to train. He did work on Monday and he worked very well. Good ground will help. Having him right is not the easiest thing," Noel Meade on Monksland.


Gold cup predictions.

Davy Russell on LW : "he does enjoy Cheltenham and the sun on his back. He's no different from the horse he was last year."

"I don't think Silviniaco Conti is that far ahead of us this year any more than he was last year."

"If you are within seven-10 pounds off the top, you can win a Gold Cup," Noel O'Brien.

The Gold Cup has been throwing up very odd results - Noel O'Brien

No horse has won the Gold Cup without a run at Cheltenham in 20 years. Noel Meade is unworried.

"I think Silviniaco Conti has the grade one form. I think he is the one we all have to beat."

"I think he has a great chance but that's all," Noel Meade. "I think the Thyestes was the worst Thyestes ever ran on Djakadam."

"I have great respect for Holywell. A lot of horses stay 3 miles but not a lot stay 3m 2f," Noel Meade.

Condon: Road To Riches
Noel Meade: Road To Riches
Davy Russell: Lord Windermere.

Charity bets

Mark Davoren: Holywell €100 @ 8/1
Noel O'Brien: Peace And Co @ 4/1
Davy Russell did a long price lucky 15
Noel Meade: Douvan €100
Davy Condon: Don Poli €100
Richard Forristal: €50 on Bryan Cooper at 10/1. Top jockey.
€50 Valseur Lido.

[mayo]

I wont be tweeting from the Sydney Arms this year. Going to drink pints

[Old Vic]

I wont be tweeting from the Sydney Arms this year. Going to drink pints

We found one I hope

https://twitter.com/THE_REGULAT0R

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Live tweeting from the Cheltenham Sydney Arms preview night starts at 6.45 featuring Geraghty, Fitzgerald, McCririck and Segal <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cheltenham?src=hash">#Cheltenham</a></p>&mdash; Peter Moran (@THE_REGULAT0R) <a href="https://twitter.com/THE_REGULAT0R/status/573907477315633152">March 6, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


Tom Segal - TS
Barry Geraghty - BG
Mick fitz - MF
JohnMcCririck - JMC


Supreme: MF Douvan got it to prove & likes Shaneshill ew but Hendo's is the one. BG thinks good ground will suit L'ami. TS Jollyallan & Qewy
Arkle - Un de Sceaux could win by 20 lths. Josses Hill good ew call. Champion Hurdle - BG Faugheen beatable, TS - Arctic Fire & Vaniteux
RSA - Don Poli doesn't do enough for BG. MF would love Coneygree to run in RSA. Of the others, Young Master the winner.
SS has 3lths to find on DB and is 23lths better. Bet of the week for BG, schooled superbly & on par with 2yrs ago. TS - SDG #Cheltenham
JLT - TS down with Vautour. Likes Valseur as does MF. Ryanair - Ma Fileule for TS & MF and Foxrock for TS. BG - Hidden Cyclone ew value.
World Hurdle - JMc Zarkandar, BG Rock on Ruby, Briar Hill ew for BG & MF. S de R for TS #Cheltenham
Day 4 - Don't think BG too keen on Peace & Co. Hargam is the bet. TS - AP is all over Hargam & JP loves him #cheltenham
GC - JMC likes Bob's Worth on ground, BG - BW is working well but Djakadam could be a superstar. TS - Djakadam could start fave #cheltenham
Gold Cup - MF loves Many Clouds but ground a concern and he likes Lord Windermere EW #cheltenham

Bets of the week:
JMC - Zarkandar;
BG Ma Fileule & SS,
MF Shaneshill, Windsor Park &
TS - Carlingford Lough #cheltenham

<iframe src="https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1QTLpAMid0e0H1WVeBfDMF1wpssziDvK_0d540DWecSk/embed?start=true&loop=true&delayms=5000" frameborder="0" width="720" height="434" allowfullscreen="true" mozallowfullscreen="true" webkitallowfullscreen="true"></iframe>

[Old Vic]

the JP festival night in Cheltenham with Cathryn Fry and some other folk

Cheltenham Festival Preview Evening 2015 sponsored by Star Sports - #CheltFest #TheFestival http://intfr.co/1yyYbhq
Don Poli confirmed for RSA http://ift.tt/1Mct3Wm via Irish Racing. #cheltfest
All setting up for our preview in an hour. This is @keejayOV taking over to cover our preview.
Cole Harden a 'great each-way play' in World Hurdle http://ift.tt/1EmCFPa via Racing Post. #cheltfest
@JPFestival Best of luck to you and the team tonight JP. Gutted I can't be there, see you next though.
And we're off! Panel is @Templegate_tips, @helynsar, @CathrynFry and James Walsh. Start with Supreme.
Rory - 'I don't think Douvan should be favourite for the race. Mullins has been massively misquoted with his 'as nice a horse' statement
- 'Two or three have achieved more than him. Sizing John wasn't himself at Gowran. His price is all about the fact he's been talked up…'
To the skies. He's been talked up out of all oblivion. He could improve (just four lifetime runs) but is a dreadful bet at the prices.'
The horse who should be favourite by some way is L'Ami Serge. He's been under the radar because of all the talking up of Douvan.'
His form would see him being favourite in most other years - and a short priced one at that.'
Luke - 'Douvan is a stupid price and we'll try and get him on the day. I agree with Rory RE L'Ami Serge. Jollyallan next year's horse.'
Steve doesn't have a bet for the race, although he does like Some Plan for the future. Also thinks Jollyallan next year's horse.
Cathryn (who does love this race) - I don't really have a selection for this either - GASP - although I have pencilled in Jollyallan.
James loves L'Ami Serge, who is one of his bets of the festival. Jollyallan penciled in for the JLT. Douvan a stupid price. Onto the Arkle!
Steve can't have Un De Secaux. Says the last horse to win Arkle from the front was 30 years ago. Can't see what Vibrato Valtat's done wrong.
Worries that he'll be upset on the day and that another horse will take him on and that would spell trouble. Rory disagrees, however….
Rory - "Un De Secaux will win this by a fence. Anything that tries to match strides with him will be screwed."
Luke can't have UDS. Won't lay James evens but does advise taking same price about BTTS in Bournemouth v Fulham. 'They won't fall over!'
James won't be backing it at 8/13, but thinks UDS will win. 'If nitpicking, he'll hit the first fence at 60mph, and he's so low at his…'
Fences that downhill second last might catch him out.' Thinks that Josses Hill has a massive amount of scope. and that the faster...'
The better for him.' Loves the 5/2 about him to hit the frame and notes that Barry Geraghty 'has harped on about the horse for a year.'
Cathryn likes Smashing each/way and thinks he's a good bet to come second, as she thinks UDS will win. Onto the Champion.
0 replies 1 retweet 0 favorites
Only one place to start - @CathrynFry. It's a watching brief for her this year. She thinks Jezki was a fortunate winner last year.
0 replies 1 retweet 1 favorite
Can't see why people crab TNO. Stopped by 8 lengths last year. Jezki only had MTOY to beat and Fly off his game.'
James 'Can't see anything getting near Faugheen. Thinks he's the 'next Istabraq, to be honest.' Likes TNO, but worries that he….
0 replies 1 retweet 0 favorites
Doesn't get from 1st to 5th gear fast enough. Once he's in 5th. he's very fast, but if Faugheen and Jezki go from home turn; will he get..'
Outpaced. Rory is with Cathryn on Jezki; 'I hear lots of people saying that the Champion Hurdle was a great renewal last year. I don't...'
I disagree. He outbattled MTOY, who wasn't all that. Everyone says he 'Comes alive a Cheltenham, is a Cheltenham horse, etc etc, but that.'
3 reasons to buy your Cheltenham Festival tickets NOW! - #CheltFest #TheFestival http://intfr.co/1B6jAjj
"Based on just one run.' Luke pops up with his Supreme run and Rory replies that as 'ante post favourite, he hardly raised his game'…..
And ends his argument with Kitten Rock being a horse for the future and Arctic Fire being an each/way bet.'
Luke thinks it's simple; 'The favourite will win.'
Onto Weds. James can't get enough of Windsor Park, who 'is gonna fly up that hill' & and reverse form with Nichols Canyon.'
Would just love Tell Us More to go to this race. Thinks he's a 'Great each/way bet' if he goes. Steve think it's surprising that both….
The front two in this are ex flat horses and am not sure that it's the way to go. Ordo Ab Chao is a 'bit of value' although he's not….
Strong on the race.'
Rory isn't sure that Outlander's form stands up to much in this context given that Martello Tower is a "Three miler through and through"...
And that "No More Heroes scoped badly." Couldn't have Windsor Park in a "month of Sundays. Worst jumper I've seen in a long time."
"Dermot Weld used to send superbly bred horses here all the time, many of whom blew out. A couple of winners and everyone thinks he's a…"
"Cheltenham specialist again." He likes Ordo Ab Chao but is of the opinion that he needs very soft ground" and worries on that score.
Carthryn backed Windsor Park ante post and is happy at that price but says jumping a worry. Doesn't have that strong an opinion.
Luke says that is 'least interesting of 12 main races.' Gives two pieces of advice. 1. Wouldn't be surprised if something won at a massive'
Price. And 2. Don't let anyone put you off anything.' Onto the RSA, where Cathryn wants to see what 'all the fuss is about with Don Poli.'
Luke asks the audience who won 1963 Broadway Chase. 'Arkle', everyone in room says. 'Last horse to win as a 6 year old, Luke replies….
But - paging @AdamWebb121 - 'He was also the last horse to win without a run in the Calendar year.' Rory of the opinion that Mullins….
Sees the long game more nowadays - 'Possibly Aintree, and definitely Cheltenham as the end of the season.'
James keeps it simple. Makes Don Poli his nap of the Festival. Cathryn likes Southfield Theatre as none of the market leaders make that….
Rory doesn't have a bet in it as when 'four of the five market leaders makes appeal, it's one to sit out.' Makes the point that Tom Scu…..
..Will be aware of the fact they are expected to lead and as such, take it in turns.' Luke likes Southfield Theatre, doesn't like Don Poli..
And 'expects him to go off 5's and hopes he wins.'
Swiftly onto the Champion Chase. Cathryn can't have Sprinter and thinks the best of him has gone. 'The money that came for him suggested'...
He was ready to win.' 'Can see an Istabraq/Kauto Star pulling up at the top of the hill, round of applause sort of thing.'
Also can't have Sire. 'Last year's Champion Chase was one of the worst I've seen. Just dreadful.'
Steve doesn't like any of the top three. Obvious doubts RE Sprinter. Sire De Grugy didn't beat much last year. He does like Mr Mole, whom...

[donka]

BG will not have SS beat..I hope he's right.

I'll have to back him.I'm scared of him cruising up the hill without any of my schills on.

[Yeehaa]

[kinloch brae]

Corals preview streamed for account holders from 7.00 tomorrow. Looks like the only streamed preview this year.

[Old Vic]

Thanks to @badgoff for this preview.

Good afternoon.

Please see my report from the Middleton Cheney preview night. Good preview with a good panel. No messing about.


William hill preview : 05-03-15 Middleton Cheney sports and social Club

Panel : Charlie Longsdon, Lawney Hill, Richard Hoiles, Neil Phillips - the wine tipster.

General :

Longsdon thinks all Mullins day 1 hot pots to get beat

Going : panel agree on opening day soft side

Longsdon fancies Glenn's melody for the mares. At the price best bet of meeting.

Day 1

Supreme novice :

l'ami serge for longsdonRock solid form.

Douvan : separate the form from the hype.

hill : douvan.

Hoiles alvisio ville works well at home, dosnt transfer to course.

Arkle :

longsdon : un de sceaux: dosnt think he'll get round dosnt like front runners in the arkle likes Clarcam.

Hill : favourite is highly strung . Potentially Boils over. A possible false start will get him even more revved up. Likes Sgt reckless.

Hoiles: no real opinion however : Smashing big price for e/way.

The wine tipster vibrato valtat . E/way dunravens storm.

All agree josses hill can't jump. Quicker ground a negative .

Champ hurdle :

Market will react to the Mullins horses in the 1st 2 races

Longsdon: Faugheen gets beat. Rates TNO big fan. If he can hold on to them coming down hill. Big chance

Hoiles : Walsh will ride Faugheen . Jezki danger on better ground. David casey on artic fire.

Hill : TNO. Has won ugly on bad ground. Better on good ground

Wine tipster : TNO. Hurricane fly runner up. Loves Cheltenham.


Day 2 :

Neptune :

Hoiles: Nichols canyon - action like a frog in a blender . Lay of the week. Awful action. Gonna drift in market

Hill : parlour games

Longsdon : parlour games. Best English form. Sheik Mohammed sending better horses than just cast offs. Geraghty is rumoured to want off hendersons horse to get on him. Windsor park p / games to fight it out.

Hoiles: no strong view

Wine tipster : parlour games but no strong
view

RSA

Hoiles : Don poli

Longsdon : coneygree : wants him in rsa . Likes novices in novice chases. However Don poli for him

Hill : coneygree - ground if softer at start of week then rsa. Ground the factor.

Wine tipster : again ground dependent fancies him in the rsa . Or Southfield theatre.


Champ chase :

Hoiles : champagne fever. SDG prep run to close to festival a concern. SDG does better with a strong run race .

Longsdon : negative re dodging bullets. Cannot cannot win. SS : have question marks. SDG : good winner last year but champagne fever is the one.

Hill : mentions champagne fever. Straight forward prep. Also Mr mole. However Dodging bullets to win - horse in form.

The wine tipster : champagne fever.

Day 3

Jlt:

Hoiles : no view

Longsdon : vautor disappointing . Opposable. Two to beat are Apache stronghold/ valseur lido.

Hill : Ptit zig

Wine tipster : Irish Saint

Ryan air :

punters getting stuck into hidden cyclone

Longsdon : hidden cyclone . Although jockey wants him in champion chase. Balder success will like 2m 4f.

Hoiles : Ma filleule. Will win by half the track. Loves her

Hill : Simon munir says best two chances are Ma filleule and (peace and co)

Wine tipster : balder success

Everyone keeps mentioning johns spirit

World hurdle :

Rumours about Owners unhappy with STD at ascot on Zarkandar so that's why he rides saphir

Rock on ruby has worked terribly recently. Made it an easy decision for Noel fehilly to get off

Hills rep likes saphir du reau.

Hoiles very open race

Day 4

Triumph

Hill : peace and co

Longsdon : beltor = flat tracks
Peace and co : AP loves Hargam - aga Khan bred - take all the beating. Karezak at 20/1.

The wine tipster : beltor / golden doyen

Albert Bartlett:

Martello tower : solid form

The wine tipster : no strong view

Longsdon :

Hill : value at risk possibly . Carcci Apache.

Hoiles : no strong view.

Value at risk : Owner at preview : goes with every chance , stays well.

Longsdon: value at risk to be beaten by no more heroes. No more heroes best novice hurdler Gordon Elliott has ever had !!!

Random stat : 10mm of rain possibly due on Friday morning (gold cup day) : brings many clouds in to gold cup !!!

Gold cup :

Hills rep : Holywell. Spring horse.

Hoiles :

Longsdon : conti best horse in race . But not best round Cheltenham. Dosnt act on track. Value everywhere.

Lord Windermere : Cullotty not had a winner since March 2014.

Mullins sweet on Djkadam

Going for Holywell

Hill : silviniaco conti

Wine tipster : if ground is softish many clouds. Coneygree place material. Can't have the conti.

Hoiles : very open . Each way on smad place

Foxhunter

Hill : paint the clouds. Talented. Not big. Won the old horse and hound cup at Stratford

Quinz : Good horse ex Phillip Hobbs.

Race is turning into an Irish veteran chase. In Ireland trainers under rules can train. In Ireland Gordon Elliot is the leading Irish hunter chase trainer.

Salsify : big chance

Palypso de creek : if soft it might run. Good chance .

Pearly steps 12yr old but will run well

Harbour court : solid.

Consigliere: 12 yr old. Won last PTP by 30 lengths.


Other tips:

Longsdon : simply the west at Plumpton on the Monday . Also ready token


Hill :Royal etiquette at Kempton on 11/03/15

Naps for the week :

Hoiles east lake in grand annual

Hill dodging bullets

The wine tipster champagne fever

Longsdon glens melody


Handicappers :

ataglance (Thursday) alder wood (coral cup) game changer (county hurdle) buddy bolero (wherever he runs)

Bumper : wait for me / super Sunday

Fred winter : zarib

Monetaire : festival plate

[Old Vic]

Sandown preview

Best tweets via @GBracing

https://twitter.com/GBRacing

Coming up, we're live at the @Sandownpark #CheltenhamFestival preview.
Panel includes
Henderson (NH)
Nicholls (PN) &
Jamie Moore (JM).

AP McCoy is also here. #CheltenhamFestival
AP: "Jezki is the horse that excites me most. I like Hargam, too." #CheltenhamFestival
AP selects Annie Power and Un De Sceaux as the horses he would like to ride at the #CheltenhamFestival.

PN: "The one I fancy is QEWY for the Supreme." #CheltenhamFestival
NH: "I think L'Ami Serge is better on better ground. It's scary what Willie has in his yard." #CheltenhamFestival
NH: "AP likes Jollyallan. He says it will improve enormously for good ground." #CheltenhamFestival
JM: "I like L'Ami Serge. He beat Violet Dancer and he won the Betfair Hurdle." #CheltenhamFestival

Arkle next. #CheltenhamFestival
PN: "Vibrato Valtat is progressive. He won very well the last day. The fav is very good. If UDS gets a rhythm, he'll be hard to beat."
NH on Josses Hill: "He schooled excellently this morning."
NH on Josses Hill: "Barry is a great believer in this horse. UDS is going to take a lot of beating."
JM on Un De Sceaux: "He could be an aeroplane." #CheltenhamFestival

Champion Hurdle now. #CheltenhamFestival
PN on Faugheen: "I think he's the one to beat. I think The New One will finish second.
NH on The New One: "They've campaigned him very well. My main concern would be his last race. It was very tough."
NH on Vaniteux: "I love him, but I think he is waiting for the Arkle next year. I think Jezki is the one to bear in mind. He comes alive."
PN on Ruby's choice: "There was no difficulty at all. He was not getting off an even money shot to ride an 8/1 shot. End of story."

RSA now. #CheltenhamFestival
JM: " I like Kings Palace. I'd be quite keen on him."
NH: "Nico says he (Coneygree) loves soft ground. If it isn't soft they'll go for this (RSA). I'd run him in this."
PN on Coneygree: "I'd probably run him in this (RSA)."
PN on Southfield Theatre: "I've trained him for this (RSA). He's got a good chance. Don Poli is very short of experience for this."

Champion Chase now. #CheltenhamFestival
JM on Sire De Grugy: "The press about him is boring. I've plenty of respect for Sprinter."
NH on Sprinter Sacre: "It hasn't been easy. At the end of the day, we are as close to getting him as good as he can be."
NH: "We haven't got the same horse (two years ago). He's not been better since two years ago. We are optimistic. It's a great race."
PN on Dodging Bullets: "Dodging Bullets worked really well this morning. On form of what he has done, he should be favourite."
PN on Mr Mole: "He's mirrored Master Minded. If he doesn't win this year, he'll never win. AP believes in him now."

Ryanair now. #CheltenhamFestival
NH on Ma Filleule: "I think she is in better form than last year. Barry is of the opinion that he can really let her roll here."
PN on Wonderful Charm: "I've backed him 25/1 each-way. He's had a breathing op. He's got a good chance."

The World Hurdle now. #CheltenhamFestival
PN on his World Hurdle contenders: "I worked them this morning. There isn't an inch between them."
NH on Whisper: "He won a Coral Cup. He hasn't been on the planet all year. He was meant to be in the RSA. It just didn't work."
NH on Whisper: "The last three weeks, the daffodil is starting to bloom. I'd like another fortnight with him. He may need it."
NH: "I think it's between Paul's two. Mine can't be winning this."
PN: "I was on a panel last night with David Pipe. He is very sweet on Un Temps Pour Tout."


NH: "Peace And Co is very well. Spring ground brings out a better Hargam. Of the 3, good ground will be convenient for Top Notch."
PN on Nicky's three: "I could have bought them all, so I made a pigs ear of that! I like Hargam of all of them."
Old Guard will run in the Triumph and NOT the Fred Winter according to Paul Nicholls.

The Gold Cup is next. #CheltenhamFestival
PN on Silviniaco Conti: "If he doesn't win it this year, he probably won't win it. He looks fantastic. He's very strong."
PN on Silviniaco Conti: "He's got to go close."
JM: "I think it's a very good race. He didn't finish it last year, but if he can finish, Silviniaco Conti is the one."
JM: "I'm told Djakadam has improved bundles since his Hennessy run."
PN: "Another horse we run is Sam Winner. He's beat Lord Windermere and Carlingford Lough. He's 33/1. He could run into a place."
NH on Bobs Worth: "I would buy another 10 days if I could. I haven't been that confident. This is SO wide open. It's a cracking race."



NAP bets. NH: Djakadam and Ma Filleule.
NAP bets. PN: Silviniaco Conti. JM: Sire De Grugy.

JM: "I think Violet Dancer fluked the Betfair."

#ChetenhamFestival Handicapper of the week.

PN: Caid Di Berlais,
NH: Edeymi,
JM: Ned Stark.

https://twitter.com/claimsfive

http://www.sportinglife.com/racing/news/article/465/9748511/live-cheltenham-preview-blog

The next point of note is Henderson saying that he was "not in cahoots" with Paul Nicholls, but that they were "in agreement" that watering at Cheltenham was not a good idea, saying that they were "not over-enamoured" with the news. He went on to explain some of that thinking when saying that he thought good ground would give him a better chance of beating "the Mullins batallions".

Nicholls suggests Caid Du Berlais in "the Plate" is his best bet in a handicap. Sam T-D will ride.
Paul Nicholls nominates Southfield Theatre as his charity bet, but without any sort of speech.

Nicky Henderson on Bobs Worth: "He's getting there. Slowly, slowly. I would buy another 10 days I must admit but as Paul and Jamie have said this is about as open as it gets. It was going to be very tight a couple of years when Silviniaco fell. I've no idea what happened last year. I don't know. I must admit I hadn't been that confident, but it's starting to come together with him now. It's so wide-open though, it's a cracking race."

Henderson on Whisper: "He hasn't been on the planet all season. He just wasn't showing anything. In desperation I gave him a run in a novice chase. All I can tell you is that he is starting to bloom in the last three weeks. It's probably too late, I wish I had another fortnight. He is a good horse and he's just starting to show us that again." On Blue Fashion: "Last year he actually gave 5lb to More Of That and got beat a couple of lengths. He does have some very high-class form. He's just on the delicate side, unfortunately, rather like Whisper. They wouldn't be going there if we weren't happy but that's all I can tell you."

Saphir De Rheu's owner Andy Stewart: "People keep saying he's the next Big Buck's but I can tell you he's nothing like Big Buck's. He's a good horse and he's going there with a good chance - but I wouldn't put your pension on it."


Nicholls on the World Hurdle: "I worked the pair of them together this morning and there is not an inch between them. Saphir - who he calls Sapphire - is 5lb higher on official ratings but I think that flatters him. They've both got great chances."

Paul Nicholls on Wonderful Charm: "I backed him at 25/1 for the Ryanair each-way last week. He's a really interesting horse. He's had a breathing operation since his last run. He loves good, fresh ground. It's a very open and competitive race but I could see him running really well. Wishfull Thinking, Eduard and this horse were the first three in the Peterborough Chase and that's a good trial for this race and they're all big prices here."

Jamie Moore: "I really like the look of Balder Succes in the Ryanair." Nick Luck: "Would it worry you that his Cheltenham form-figures are 'FUF'?" Jamie Moore: "Yeah, it probably would actually."

Nicholls on Dodging Bullets: "He worked really, really well this morning. He looks big and strong and I think on form this year he should be favourite. I think he's as good as I could possibly have him. If he doesn't win the Champion Chase this year, he'll never win it. It's as simple as that. Mr Mole worked awesome this morning. He's in great shape. It's a very interesting race. I just wonder if Champagne Fever is running in this race because they've got nothing else to run in the race.

Henderson on Sprinter Sacre: "Sometimes it hasn't been easy and we've had to look positive when it hasn't been as bright as it might have been but at the end of the day we're getting as close as we can to him being as good as we can. Now nobody is pretending that it's the same Sprinter Sacre as a couple of years ago - but he's still pretty jolly good. The great thing is that him and Sire De Grugy have got their head and this promises to be one of the great races. When he was at his best two years ago he was, to be honest, unbeatable. He's not that same horse but he's within knocking distance of it. We've got him as close to it now as he has been at any stage. Nico De Boinville is really confident. I just think it's going to be a great, great race."

Jamie Moore on Sire De Grugy: "I could talk about him all day because I'm passionated about him and I think I am probably his best mate. When he hurt himself, he looked up at me from the sand pit as if to say 'I've hurt myself - get me in'."

Nicholls on the Coneygree situation: "I'm always one for keeping novices to novices. I would run him in this race without a shadow of doubt." And on his runner Southfield Theatre: "I've trained him for this race all year. He doesn't mind a rough and tough race, the faster they go the better, he's got a big chance." And on Don Poli: "He's very short on inexperience for a race like this and that would worry me."

[Old Vic]

Preview on TG4 tonight for Irish folk.

[Rhinestone Cowboy]

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