COUNTDOWN TO CHELTENHAM 2024!

It was always likely. If he just came up with the issue last week, then he might have had a chance. But the fact that he missed the Unibet because of a 'poor scope' a month ago, means that something was probably lingering for some time.

I think Stateman will destroy this lot. It’s the worst field he’s faced this season. Past festival winner as well. Everything in his favour.

My fancies for the handicaps:

Tuesday

Ultima: Amirite 16/1

Boodles: Nara 16/1

Wednesday

Coral: Might I 16/1

Grand Annual: In Excelsis Deo 14/1

Thursday

Pertemps: Noble Birth 16/1

Trustatrader: Madara 12/1

Kim Muir: Amirite 14/1/Famous Bridge 40/1

Friday

County: Pied Piper 14/1

Martin Pipe: Answer to Kayf 16/1

Yours?

Sorry I’m also on Answer to Kayf for MP. Did that last week and forgot about it until I read your post.

Hehe, yeah, my problem is choosing the right entry. My antepost bets have been decimated, though mostly NRNB.

I do it every year and still haven't learned but his has got to be the worst year I can remember.

I think the first 2 races are going to set the tone for the week. If Mullins wins both, you would fancy him to win 7 or 8 in the week

My bets for Tuesday so far:

Supreme: A little e/w on Asian Master. Willie mentioned him when talking about Fact to File on one of the stable tour videos, as this lad finished second to that horse in a point to point. He said that FtF beat a very nice horse that they are sending to the supreme. I know that the jockey is inexperienced but on the flip side, it might be telling that with all the good horses the family have put through their hands down the years, they are hanging on to this lad. Might be a bit longer than he should as it's hard to rate where he stands in the pecking order as the ride was not up for grabs.

Arkle: Quillixios win: Won the Triumph here as a juvenile. Disappointed a bit over hurdles afterwards. Is 2 from 3 over fences this season, and I'd forgive the defeat over 3 miles. Looked much better last time over 2M at Naas. There are questions about those above him in the market.

Ultima: My initial bet here was Amirite ante-post but that's gone by the wayside. I've done Monbeg Genius as a single and have put The Goffer in a yankee.

Champion hurdle: State Man on the exchanges after the initial news about CH came out. I thought it must be very telling that he scoped poorly twice this year already so I took a chance.

Mares: I won't back against Lossiemouth but can't back her at the odds. I have her in a short-priced accumulator but it's not going to make a fortune even if it comes in.

Boodles: Milan Tino. I think the Irish form looks a bit ordinary but as this is a handicap there might be something thrown in. However, this lad has a fair weight for what he has achieved so far along with course experience.

National Hunt Chase: Salvador Ziggy. I had the misfortune to be on both of the top two in the market here last year, and they both blotted their copybook. The favourite also had an unfortunate exit from his prep race so I have gone with the next best aside from the top two. I know that SZ also had the unsatisfactory trip to the US as non-ideal prep.