Did you take the 10-1?

4:44pm Tuesday 4th March 2008

CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL DIARY

Hopefully readers committed to backing Donald McCain's Cloudy Lane for the Aintree Grand National on April 5 heeded my advice and took the 10-1 prior to easy victory in the Grimthorpe Chase at Doncaster last Saturday at 100-30. My selection was available at 7-2 on course, and as a result is now a skinny 6-1 ante post favourite for the Liverpool National. I spoke to his trainer at Bangor on Dee races last Sunday and he confirmed that he came out of the race in good heart. He also confirmed that his charge would improve from his victory at Doncaster.

As the the great showman Barnum used to shout,"Roll up, Roll up, this is the greatest show on earth". Very apt words in describing next week's four day Cheltenham Festival meeting. The battles between the English and Irish are legendary, so let the battle commence. I would suggest that readers keep their powder dry for next week, as it is just bread and butter racing this weekend - wait for the real McCoy next week (this is a bit of a pun as the champion jockey will be back from injury with a full book of rides next week).

The opening day of the Cheltenham Festival gets under way next Tuesday at 2pm with the Supreme Novices hurdle.The pace of this race will set the race up for the Evan Williams trained Deep Purple, who needs a strong gallop. My selection was impressive when beating Willie Pep at Ascot on his penultimate start. The champion hurdle I feel is a bit substandard this time around. Saying that there is no getting away from the strong Irish presence yet again. Henry de Bromhead is from the old school of Irish trainers who brings his horses along quietly. There is no getting away from the fact that his charge Sizzling Europe was awesome in his demolition of Hardy Eustace at Leopardstown last time out; the winning margin of eight lengths flattered the runner-up. I will oppose the hot pot with the David Pipe trained Osana (Nap) to reverse the form of the Greatwood hurdle with Sizzling Europe, where he gave the winner 6lbs.My selection then bolted up from another of today's contenders Katchit by eight lengths in the Boylessport hurdle at Cheltenham.

The Arkle novices chase has seen some great battles over the years. This is a tricky race and I will take a chance with the Phillip Hobbs trained Ring The Boss, who was a brilliant hurdler and has gained the necessary experience to win this race. The obvious danger is the Paul Nicholls trained Noland, but he will go off a skinny price.

Moving on to Wednesday, where the feature race is the Queen Mother champion chase over two miles. Alan King runs last year's winner Voy Por Ustedes in pursuit of retaining his crown. The son of villez has been consistent all season and is certain to be in the shake-up.However, there is no getting away from the fact that he was beaten fair and square by the Paul Nicholls trained Master Minded (Nap) in the Game Spirit race at Newbury by five lengths. I have watched that race at least a dozen times and one has to say every time he looks very impressive.The Sun Alliance chase looks a cracking contest, which is normally won by English trained horses. Alberta's Run from the Jonjo O'Neill yard can keep the sequence going . My selection stayed on strongly to beat Air Force One at Ascot last time out. I was speaking to Jonjo at Bangor last sunday and he feels that this one is maybe his banker for the Festival. I will not oppose him, but have a saver on the Irish mare J'v Vole from the Willie Mullins yard.One of the biggest betting handicaps of the season is the Coral Cup. Leg Spinner from the Tony Martin yard has been laid out for this race since he won the Caesarawitch at Newmarket on the level.

Moving on to Thursday and the opening Jewson Handicap chase can go to the Paul Nicholls trained Arturio who was a very impressive winner over this course and distance last month, when beating Something Wells by six lengths. I fear the runner-up from The Venetia Williams yard as he will have the hill to help and is taken as a saver. Hardly original I know, but Inglish Drever (nap) is taken to land his third world hurdle. He anihilated Blazing Baileys by an easy five lengths at this course last time out. He sets the standard for the rest. Have a little each way on Kasbah Bliss, the French raider who was an easy winner at Haydock from the Francois Doumen yard. David Pipe's charge Comply Or Die is a proven stayer after winning the Eider chase at Newcastle and can follow up in the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup.

Moving on to the final day on Friday and the eagerly-awaited clash of the titans in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, between the Nicholls stablemates Kauto Star, last year's winner, and the young pretender Denman. It has been compared to the clashes between the greatest, Arkle, and the giant Millhouse in the 1960s - no comparrision; I believe that both of those old horses would have thrashed this pair out of sight. However, Denman is a relentless galloper as he proved when never coming off the bridle to beat Regal Heights at Newbury, and I feel he will run the speed out of Kauto Star. Let's not forget Exotic Dancer - he splits the pair on ratings.

The banker bet on the card is Carruthers (Nap) in the Albert Bartlett hurdle. The Kaf Tara gelding has progressed in every race and won easily by 25 lengths at Bangor last time out. Also on Friday Alan King can win the Triumph hurdle with Franchoek and the Irish can win the Foxhunters with Agus A Vic. My colleagues in Ireland have been telling me for months that this gelding is one of their bankers. I would suggest a saver on the Paul Jones trained Christy Beamish at 20-1, a winner of his last two races between the flags and a hunter chase at Haydock.

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