Monday 10 March 2008

Let's Get Ready To Rumble!

At 2pm tomorrow, the waiting will finally be over and a roar will ring out from the stands at Prestbury Park, signaling the start of the Cheltenham Festival.

Here are a few last minute tips and tit-bits to bear in mind:

 The Maserati or the Tank? Well, rumour has it that Ruby Walsh made up his mind to ride Kauto Star after he’d ridden Denman to victory at Leopardstown over Christmas. Make of that what you will!

 Leading bloodstock agent, Anthony Bromley, purchased all three of the leading contenders for this year’s Queen Mother Champion Chase – Voy Por Ustedes, Master Minded and Twist Magic. He’s pick of the three………..Master Minded.

 The three single most important factors to bear in mind when trying to select winners this week are previous Festival form, ground conditions and trainer form.

 Trainers currently inform, who also have good recent Festival records, include Alan King, Paul Nicholls, Philip Hobbs, Tony Martin and Venetia Williams. The Henry Daly yard is also showing welcome signs of a rival, whilst there are still doubts over the wellbeing of horses from the Jonjo O’Neill, Peter Bowen, Evan Williams and Howard Johnson yards.

 As far as the going is concerned, a horse’s breeding, as well as its form, can often be a guide to the type of ground it prefers. Horses with the influence of Turtle Island, Roselier, Sadler’s Wells, In The Wings, Cyborg and Gunner B in their bloodlines tend to prefer soft ground, whilst those descended from the likes of Beneficial, Accordion, Presenting and Supreme Leader often enjoy a quicker surface.

 The overnight storms have failed to make too much difference to the ground at Cheltenham. A total of 10mm of rain has eased the going on the Old course to good, good to soft in places and on the New course to good to soft, good in places. The cross-country is still good.

 Mick Fitzgerald was shocked when he saw Sublimity down at the start of his only race so far this season - at Cheltenham in November. Why was he shocked? Because he couldn’t believe how fat the horse was! He ran like he was short of fitness that day and if, as is likely, he is tuned to the minute to defend his Champion Hurdle crown, he will surely leave that early season form far behind.

 The full race previews that appear on our website will be update via the Blog once the final declarations for each race are known.

Finally, all that is left for us to do is wish you an enjoyable, exciting and profitable Festival!

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