It's that time again. The Jockey Club will be pleased that the calendar has made this year's festival an "early" Cheltenham, another week and the spread of Covid-19 would have put it in serious doubt, especially if Ireland's infection rate were to pick up.
It's not looking a vintage year, although I probably say that every year. Envoi Allen (Ballymore) and the thread title reference Paisley Park (Stayers) look like the absolute bankers, with Tiger Roll (cross country), Appreciate It (Bumper) and Altior (Champion Chase, lameness permitting) in the "very probable" category.
Altior v Defi de Seuil v Chacun Pour Soi will be the highlight if all 3 line up. Heart and head says Altior, but wallet says throw a free bet at Defi. Chacun won't hack it against those two at Cheltenham.
Otherwise it's the usual - the best horses up against each other, with some unknown Irish nag you didn't even see on the card coming through late to take it.
Trainers: Mullins looks to have a stronger line up than Elliott this year, after a couple of years of comparative weakness, and he's a justifiable favourite. I like the look of De Bromhead at 12/1, especially if he starts to rack up the weaker handicaps.
Jockeys: If De Bromhead does well, so will Rachael Blackmore, who is a good value 5/1. She's not quite as bubbly and charismatic as Bryony Frost, but she's a much better jockey so doesn't need to be quite as engaging.
It's not looking a vintage year, although I probably say that every year. Envoi Allen (Ballymore) and the thread title reference Paisley Park (Stayers) look like the absolute bankers, with Tiger Roll (cross country), Appreciate It (Bumper) and Altior (Champion Chase, lameness permitting) in the "very probable" category.
Altior v Defi de Seuil v Chacun Pour Soi will be the highlight if all 3 line up. Heart and head says Altior, but wallet says throw a free bet at Defi. Chacun won't hack it against those two at Cheltenham.
Otherwise it's the usual - the best horses up against each other, with some unknown Irish nag you didn't even see on the card coming through late to take it.
Trainers: Mullins looks to have a stronger line up than Elliott this year, after a couple of years of comparative weakness, and he's a justifiable favourite. I like the look of De Bromhead at 12/1, especially if he starts to rack up the weaker handicaps.
Jockeys: If De Bromhead does well, so will Rachael Blackmore, who is a good value 5/1. She's not quite as bubbly and charismatic as Bryony Frost, but she's a much better jockey so doesn't need to be quite as engaging.
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