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Month: November 2010

Cheltenham Saturday

And now, hopefully with more interest to you, are my choices for Saturday.

12.50 A great start to the day and I can now not look beyond Sam Winner. RUK Angus asked Ruby about the next race and Ruby interrupted him to point out that the selection in the first race was perhaps the choice of the day (bear that in mind in terms of what’s to follow!). Looking like very good value at current 9/2. Well tried in France and why is Nicholls giving him his first UK outing here?

1.20 With some reluctance I’m going to oppose Billie Magern and go with Wayward Prince for a big win at Cheltenham for Ian Williams and Dougie Costello.

1.55 If Razor Royale can get anywhere near his best then he’s got the measure of this lot. First race back may be a positive.

2.35 This is a proper race as it should be. I’m prepared to buy the hype and think that that Long Run has been brought to the UK because he’s a very good horse but this is the defining test (at least for now). 3/1 could turn out to be very good value, particularly taking into account that Ruby thinks that Poquelin has too much weight, let alone his tendency to have a “Big Bucks” style weak spot in the race. Notwithstanding previous performances, there’s no room for that in this year’s field and a further reason to think that an out and out good galloper will prevail. Wouldn’t put the house on him but I’d like to see Long Run win well to set up a great King George. Just so it’s noted in advance, can’t have Mad Max or Tchico Polos.

3.10 I can’t see any reason to disagree with RP: Cross Kennon to beat Sir Harry Ormesher.

3.40 I won’t pretend to have any view about this one. I’ll see what happens on the day and post my choice probably about five minutes before the off.

Cheltenham Friday

Very busy day so now just watching today’s racing “as live”. Cue Card so impressive and enjoyed the interviews with Colin Tizzard before and after. Coy, but he knows he has the Supreme Novices’ deserving favourite. RUK doing a good job of conveying the excitement for the Festival without the hype. Great for true racing fans.

I remember watching Dave’s Dream at Newbury before he had the current profile and didn’t think too much of him. Another very taking run and these runners doing well at Cheltenham is very important to bear in mind come next March.

Very excited about Long Run tomorrow. Interview with Nicky Henderson doesn’t put me off for King George and makes me think he’s treating tomorrow as a given.

Sizing Australia takes my eye before the cross country. I promise I typed that last sentence before watching the race. Having watched it and having also watched the Pardubike live on TV I’d like to see Sizing Australia take his chance. Only one or two dodgy but otherwise very versatile over the various obstacles.

RUK report that Timeform are rating Cue Card at 156p. Recent winners at least 10lb behind that. 3/1 is therefore very big.

Aegean Dawn is an expected winner and I’m not attaching too much weight to that. Henderson: he’s going to be a good chaser. Best to wait.

Time for Rupert impressive against proper company. My choices were Reve de Sivola with respect to Othermix. My view is that Time for Rupert will not be a Festival winner. Beaten Hell’s Bay…

So there we go. An excellent day’s racing (albeit some hours removed from the live action). Can’t wait for tomorrow.

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