Wednesday, 6 March 2013

Cheltenham Festival 2013: DAY 4 Trends and Selections


Cheltenham Festival 2013: DAY 4Trends and Selections
DAY 4                  Friday March 15, 2013


Triumph Hurdle      2m 1f (4yos)

I try to avoid having a bet in the Triumph, although in two of the past three years my selections in Soldatino and Zarkandar have obliged at generous ante-post odds. I did not consider last year’s 33/1 winner Countrywide Flame however.

Shortlist:
Our Conor
Rolling Star
Far West
Irish Saint
Diakali
Vasco Du Ronceray

Selections:
1) Rolling Star             2) Far West     3) Our Conor


Previous winners                                               
2012 Countrywide Flame                        33/1
2011 Zarkandar                                      13/2
2010 Soldatino                                        6/1
2009 Zaynar                                           11/2
2008 Celestial Halo                                  5/1
2007 Katchit                                          11/2
2006 Detroit City                                      7/2          fav
2005 Penzance                                       9/1
2004 Made In Japan                                20/1
2003 Spectroscope                                 20/1
2002 Scolardy                                        16/1




VOB County Handicap Hurdle Grade 3 2m 1f

Cotton Mill is the each-way selection.

Shortlist:
Cotton Mill                                                       6
Mr Mole                                                            5                                 

Selections:
1) Cotton Mill (e.w.)


AB Novice Hurdle 3m

At Fishers Cross is talented but may not line up. Ballycasey and Champagne Fever could do well, but Coneygree may be the each-way bet.

Shortlist:
At Fishers Cross                     ?                      6
Pont Alexandre                        ?                      5
Ballycasey                                                       6
Champagne Fever                                          6
Rule The World                                               6
Gevrey Chambertin                                         5
Inish Island                                                      7
Mozoltov                                                          7
Coneygree                                                      6


Selections:
1) Ballycasey      2) At Fishers Cross  ?     3) Coneygree e.w.   4) Champagne Fever


Gold Cup Grade 1 3m 2½f
Favourites have won six of the past 10 renewals and the biggest priced of the other four was 8/1 (last year). 7, 8 and 9yos do the best by far in this. Long Run shouldn’t be dismissed lightly (he’s still only 8). However, the up-and-coming brigade look quite formidable with Bobs Worth (Long Run’s stablemate), Sir Des Champs and Silviniaco Conti vying for favouritism. At 7/1 Long Run looks a solid each-way bet.

Shortlist:
Long Run                                                         8
Bobs Worth                                                     8
Sir Des Champs                                            7
Silviniaco Conti                                              7
First Lieutenant                                              8
Imperial Commander                                   12
Captain Chris                                                 9
The Giant Bolster                                           8
Cape Tribulation                                            9

Selections:
1) Long Run e.w.        2) Bobs Worth              3) Silviniaco Conti     4) Sir Des Champs    
5) Cape Tribulation/ First Lieutenant

Previous winners                                               
2012 Synchronised                 9                              8/1
2011 Long Run                        6                              7/2           fav
2010 Imperial Commander       9                              7/1
2009 Kauto Star                      9                              7/4           fav
2008 Denman                          8                              9/4
2007 Kauto Star                      7                              5/4           fav
2006 War Of Attrition              7                              15/2
2005 Kicking King                    7                              4/1          fav
2004 Best Mate                       9                              8/11         fav
2003 Best Mate                       8                              13/8         fav
2002 Best Mate                       7                              7/1


Foxhunter Steeple Chase

The amateur jockey’s Gold Cup. Age no barrier to this with all ages from 7 to 13yos winning in the past 21 renewals. Earthmover won the race in 1998 and again in 2004 (at the respective ages of 7 and 13). Last year’s winner Salsify was 7.

Shortlist:

Selection:



c Steve Miller 2013

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