Tiger's Last Roar - Cheltenham 2022

[jwdd27]

Less than a week until the off so time for "my" thread.

There's a fair bit of discourse suggesting that the sport's obsession with Cheltenham is in some way a bad thing, with "Countdown to..." YouTube series and podcasts kicking off in September, but those people are wrong - it's the best of the best taking each other on and it's fantastic. It's the climax of the season for good reason.

Crowds are back this year having been absent in 2021, and myself and Mrs D will be in their number on Tuesday to roar them off in the Supreme, which is the first and looks like the best race of the festival. It's our third visit, and we seem to have settled into making it a once every 3 years gig, having previously attended in 2016 and 2019.
We're staying with friends in Oxford, and the money we would have spent on a hotel is instead being invested in a taxi straight from there to the course, the overcrowded public transport options get less appealing with age, especially as even in my few years of attending meetings the raceday crowd has moved from middle class, enthusiastic and a bit tipsy into full on no class cocaine binge wankers.

Highlight of the week for many will be Tiger Roll, now 12, bidding for his 6th victory at the festival and his 4th in the cross country. He had drifted out to 13/2 a few weeks ago, which was ridiculous and soon gobbled up by the likes of myself. He'll go off at odds on and will win easily, and will then be retired.

I'll get to see all-time great Honeysuckle in the Champion Hurdle on the Tuesday, and then it's Shishkin v Enurgumene round 2 on Wednesday. The Stayer's Hurdle, Thursday's supposed feature race, looks very poor this year, but it looks like a better Gold Cup than it's been for a while.

I'll preview each day as it comes and give you my tips for what they're worth (not much).

[BallochSonsFan]

There doesnt seem to have been as many good previews as in previous years. I like Keals and Segal, so I watched the one they did for the Racing Post.

There are a few cracking races. The Supreme looks like it could go a couple of ways. Henderson's horses aren't running well and thats a negative for Constitution Hill and Jonbon. Mullins or Elliott with Dysart Dynamo and Mighty Potter might be the better options. Its quite a weak looking Arkle and if you're picking holes in Edwardstone then what beats him? Same with the Champion Hurdle - Honeysuckle wasn't overly impressive last time out but remains unbeaten and what is there in the race that beats her with her mares allowance? The Tuesday handicaps could be anything and Gaelic Warrior is either going to romp it and make a mockery of the ratings or is going to flop and make Mullins look daft.

Wednesday will probably see Sir Gerhard win the Ballymore. The Brown looks like a really great race assuming that the obvious ones end up there. L'Homme Presse is getting some very positive tips but he's also entered into the Turners on Thursday. I'm assuming that he'll go Brown rather than taking on Bob Ollinger. Shishkin is probably too short for the Champion Chase, but again it comes down to finding a horse to beat him? I don't really like Chacun and that means it's Energumene or nothing. The bumper looks a tight race between 2 or 3 of them, but it's a race that the Irish prefer to British trainers as you tend to see some good Irish horses kept flat racing for longer.

Thursday is much the same. What actually turns up in the Turner to take on Bob Ollinger? The Ryanair looks like it's Allaho's race and another case of struggling to find who in the field beats him? The Stayers hurdle will be interesting and between 3 or 4 horses. The previews have been sweet on Frontal Assault, but he's top weight in the Kim Muir and I hate backing top weights in festival handicaps.

Friday? JCB looks like it's Vauban v Pied Piper. Fil Dor seems to be losing a lot of support. At a price I'd maybe be tempted with Knight Salute given that he won the grade 2 at the course back in November. Anything double figures and he's worth backing for a place. Ginto v Hillcrest in the potato race looks like a good one and it's basically between those 2. The Gold Cup is a mad race this year. You can make a case for any one of 4 or 5 horses as to why they'll win and why they won't. I quite like Chantry House at a price - 20/1 was quoted a few days ago and that's a bit mad for a horse with course and distance form this season, although there's the issue with Henderson's yard form to contend with.

The one thing I hate about this year's festival is how many horses were unclear as to where they were going right up to late this week. I know that there's NRNB, but it's not ideal. I'd prefer it if there was a requirement to declare final entry for the big races at least 10 days before the race. Would be far fairer for punters trying to plan their betting.

[Sporting]

Ginto v Hillcrest in the potato race

Potato race?

[jwdd27]

Potato race?

The Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle - the longstanding sponsor are potato merchants.

I'm with Hillcrest at a decent price, everyone loves a massive horse that just kicks the hurdles out of the ground, the worry is that he's had a few races already this season, and they may regret not waiting for Aintree if Ginto turns up in the mood.

[jwdd27]

There doesnt seem to have been as many good previews as in previous years. I like Keals and Segal, so I watched the one they did for the Racing Post.

There are a few cracking races. The Supreme looks like it could go a couple of ways. Henderson's horses aren't running well and thats a negative for Constitution Hill and Jonbon. Mullins or Elliott with Dysart Dynamo and Mighty Potter might be the better options. Its quite a weak looking Arkle and if you're picking holes in Edwardstone then what beats him? Same with the Champion Hurdle - Honeysuckle wasn't overly impressive last time out but remains unbeaten and what is there in the race that beats her with her mares allowance? The Tuesday handicaps could be anything and Gaelic Warrior is either going to romp it and make a mockery of the ratings or is going to flop and make Mullins look daft.

Wednesday will probably see Sir Gerhard win the Ballymore. The Brown looks like a really great race assuming that the obvious ones end up there. L'Homme Presse is getting some very positive tips but he's also entered into the Turners on Thursday. I'm assuming that he'll go Brown rather than taking on Bob Ollinger. Shishkin is probably too short for the Champion Chase, but again it comes down to finding a horse to beat him? I don't really like Chacun and that means it's Energumene or nothing. The bumper looks a tight race between 2 or 3 of them, but it's a race that the Irish prefer to British trainers as you tend to see some good Irish horses kept flat racing for longer.

Thursday is much the same. What actually turns up in the Turner to take on Bob Ollinger? The Ryanair looks like it's Allaho's race and another case of struggling to find who in the field beats him? The Stayers hurdle will be interesting and between 3 or 4 horses. The previews have been sweet on Frontal Assault, but he's top weight in the Kim Muir and I hate backing top weights in festival handicaps.

Friday? JCB looks like it's Vauban v Pied Piper. Fil Dor seems to be losing a lot of support. At a price I'd maybe be tempted with Knight Salute given that he won the grade 2 at the course back in November. Anything double figures and he's worth backing for a place. Ginto v Hillcrest in the potato race looks like a good one and it's basically between those 2. The Gold Cup is a mad race this year. You can make a case for any one of 4 or 5 horses as to why they'll win and why they won't. I quite like Chantry House at a price - 20/1 was quoted a few days ago and that's a bit mad for a horse with course and distance form this season, although there's the issue with Henderson's yard form to contend with.

The one thing I hate about this year's festival is how many horses were unclear as to where they were going right up to late this week. I know that there's NRNB, but it's not ideal. I'd prefer it if there was a requirement to declare final entry for the big races at least 10 days before the race. Would be far fairer for punters trying to plan their betting.

Agree about the previews, there seem to have been fewer Irish previews making their way to YouTube, they used to be good for a few handicap tips from a drunk Irish jockey or trainer.

The multiple entries thing also seems more annoying this year, especially the Mullins good things, I've got Dysart Dynamo at a great price, but for the Ballymore which he likely won't run in.

[jwdd27]

Day 1 Tuesday 15 March "Champions Day"

Also jwdd27's 10th wedding anniversary. Always having Cheltenham week booked off means the calendar is free for other events.

1.30 Supreme Novices Hurdle
It's nearly always a great race that throws up the future superstars of the sport, and this year is better than ever. Constitution Hill could be something very very special, but has only run twice on a racecourse, both times right handed, and although he completely destroyed the opposition both times, that opposition has not pulled up any trees subsequently.
Dysart Dynamo leads the Irish challenge, and I love him, gallops like a bastard, jumps like an eejit.
Jonbon is being practically ignored by tipsters because his victories were either slowly run semi-farces and because he had to work for it a bit at Haydock. Also he's very highly strung and there's a strong suggestion he won't handle the occasion. The last of those is conjecture, and the first two ignore the fact that he's the best jumper in the field, and his victims have strongly advertised the form by winning well afterwards. Still not enough for me to back him though. He's not a sexy horse.
Danger down the betting from Kilcruit, who has been a talking horse for years around the Mullins clan, and who is more experienced than the others, even though that experience includes defeat. Mighty Potter for Elliott got plenty of love around the preview circuit, and Bring On The Night is the type of Mullins third string who could run unexpectedly well and ruin it for everyone.
Win: Dysart Dynamo (NAP); e/w chancer: Kilcruit

2.10 Arkle Chase
Edwardstone heads the betting against a weaker than usual Irish challenge. The fav jumps well and has pace and stamina, but negatives are being 8, and competing in small English fields, for all that he's beaten some good 'uns.
Blue Lord and Riviere d'Etel look pretty evenly matched, especially last time when they both looked like they were trying to lose. Riviere doesn't get as much weight from her rivals this time, but looks the classiest act to me and I'm hoping she puts it together. Another 5-y-o, Haut En Couleurs looks good value at around 7/1, fell when favourite last time out, but looked a good prospect before that.
Win: Riviere d'Etel; e/w chance: Haut en Couleurs

2.50 Ultima Handicap
Vintage Clouds won it at a big age and big price last year, and comes back to defend at a greater age and similar price. He looked well last time out before fading but that was a over a longer distance. My inside info (genuinely, a colleague's cousin looks after him at Sue Smith's) suggests a big run. I've had a free bet e/w saver on him. But it's wide open, take your pick and pick a few, bookies are paying 6th and 7th.
E/w chancers: Corach Rambler, Full Back, Vintage Clouds

3.30 Champion Hurdle
Honeysuckle wins. The others also run. Appreciate It hasn't run since winning the Supreme last year, so it would be some training performance from Mullins. More likely there's a problem with the horse and it's hit and hope. Teahupoo ran great last time, but should have saved his career best for this one rather than that. Zanahiyr is a steal at 28/1 to nick a place.
Win: Honeysuckle; e/w chancer: Zanahiyr

4.10 Mares Hurdle
Telmesomethinggirl is a worthy favourite, being pressed by the Elliott buzz horse Queens Brook. I prefer Mullins' Echoes in Rain, with Burning Victory worth a punt at a similar price of 6s or 7s. I've forgiven that horse for winning my beloved Goshen's Triumph Hurdle.
Win: Echoes in Rain e/w: Burning Victory

4.50 Boodles Juvenile Handicap
Gaelic Warrior is a ridiculous 5/2 having only run 3 times in France (without winning). It seems to be a massive handicap blot (connections were hoping for 139, they got 129), but in a 22 runner handicap we can safely ignore it. It does make some good horses attractively priced I like second fav The Tide Turns and at big prices Doctor Brown Bear, Bell Ex One
and Sea Sessions
Win: The Tide Turns E/w: as above

5.30 Ukraine Appeal National Hunt Cup
Nice touch to change the name, worst race of the festival though. Only 6 runners, Run Wild Fred has taken over from the friendless Stattler as fav and might win, not that bothered.
Win: Run Wild Fred e/w Pat's Fancy

[Simon G]

Being absolutely brassic until Friday (payday) I'm stuck depending on free bets this week.

Have decided that today's bet is going on Dysart Dynamo.

[johnr]

My Cheltenham's get increasingly desperate and confused, so this year I'm going with a bunch of outsiders just trying to get some back on place money in a Lucky 15 (Betfred are paying 7 places on the Ultima) - Bring on the Night, Rapper, War Lord and Zanahiyr. Good luck all! (unless I'm in a photo finish with any of your selections...)

[Simon G]

Being absolutely brassic until Friday (payday) I'm stuck depending on free bets this week.

Have decided that today's bet is going on Dysart Dynamo.

Good to see my luck at Cheltenham never changes...

[Walt Flanagans Dog]

Zanahiyr is a steal at 28/1 to nick a place.
Win: Honeysuckle; e/w chancer: Zanahiyr

Followed this, so thanks!

[Logan Mountstuart]

Everything, I followed from your tips, jwdd, fucked up. Everything I didn't follow worked. Maybe we should team up?

Interestingly, I had to close down my William Hill account last year because they told me they could no longer operate legally in The Netherlands. I poked around this morning seeing how I could set up a new account. There are 11 officially sanctioned betting companies in NL now. Most are casino and lottery sites. It appears Bet365 have a virtual monopoly on sporting bets.

I wonder how much they paid for that? Or, more likely, who they know in the Dutch government?

[jwdd27]

Had a great day, easily the most enjoyable of the 3 visits.

Profitable too. Constitution Hill is an absolute machine and while I was disappointed with Dysart's fall, he wouldn't have lived with that, and I had a nice antepost bet on CH after his debut.
Got a good winner in Corach Rambler, and then
highlight of the day was cheering home Honeysuckle and Rachael Blackmore (and Zanahiyr running just as I predicted).

Mrs D then took over the tipping crown by getting the next two winners as last minute bets, I must teach her about multiples.

We got new tweed caps and a couple of horsey art prints as anniversary presents.

Celebrities: (apart from horse people) Jeff Stelling, "TV funnyman" Dom Joly and Alan Brazil, who seemed to be struggling walking up a slight incline. He looks just as disturbing in real life.

And big shout to taxi driver Mirosh, who came from Oxford to pick us up, not realising it was a race meeting with 65,000 people all trying to leave. He called me several times for conversations neither of us could really hear, and got within a mile before getting blocked off (tried to be clever and came through Prestbury village) and then WhatsApped me a street sign so we could go and find him.
He had been due to finish at 5.30, and he fielded an irate phone call from his wife and kids once we were heading back.
"I'll be an hour"
"AN HOURRR? tsch!" (hangs up)
Albanian fella, who claims it his dream to visit the Yorkshire Dales. I agreed with him that the gentle undulations of the Cotswolds are nothing compared to the "breathtaking" beauty of Yorkshire he has seen on TV.

Anyway, great day, we'll be back in 3 years.

[jwdd27]

Day 2 - Ladies Day

1.30 Ballymore Novices Hurdle
Sir Gerhard switched with Dysart Dynamo from the Supreme to run in this, he'll go off very short and will probably win as the opposition aren't up to his standard. I like I Am Maximus to continue the Henderson revival and nick a place, he's that sort of horse.
Win Sir Gerhard; e/w I Am Maximus

2.10 Brown Advisory Chase
Mullins hotpot Galopin des Champs misses this one in favour of taking on Bob Olinger at a shorter distance on Thursday, which is an odd decision as he looks more a stayer than a speed merchant. G des C might have struggled anyway - If L'Homme Presse had N Henderson, WP Mullins or G Elliott listed as its trainer, he'd be going off even money. But because it's V Williams you can get 4/1. He's an absolute beast and will win. Bravemansgame is a good horse who hasn't done much wrong, but is not sexy to me, and the "P Nicholls" has shortened its odds imo. I'll go for Ahoy Senor to make it a good day for the less fashionable and less male British trainers.
Win: L'Homme Presse e/w: Ahoy Senor

2.50 Coral Cup
The most handicappy handicap of the lot, 26 runners, you'll get 6 or 7 places, take your pick, they'll all got a chance. I like course and distance winner Gowel Road for the Twiston Davieses, I think Call Me Lord has a chance for Henderson, and Indigo Breeze looks well handicapped for Elliott, with top claimer Jordan Gainford taking off another 3lbs.
e/w chancers: Gowel Road, Call Me Lord, Indigo Breeze


3.30 Queen Mother Champion Chase
After a couple of years of weaker renewals won by decent but limited horses (Politologue, Put The Kettle On) we've got a proper race on this time. It's Shishkin v Enurgumene II, this time with the added peril of a few more decent horses. After Shishkin just shaded it at Ascot, I predicted roles would be reversed at Cheltenham and I'm standing by it. It's a shorter distance than the Clarence House, so in theory Energumene has a better chance, but this is left handed, undulating and is Energ's first time at Cheltenham, whereas Shishkin has followed the Supreme/Arkle graduation route perfectly. But I still think Enurgumene is special, and Mullins has sent plenty over before who've stormed up the hill first time. One who didn't do that is Chacun Pour Soi. Unbeatable in Ireland, but both English trips have been disappointing flops. Small sample size, but suggests the horse is not a true champion.
The romantic in me is going to tip Envoi Allen to rediscover the spark which led him to 13 straight victories up to his fall at odds on here last year, since when he has looked seriously regressive. A decent e/w shout in my book, even in with a chance if it really clicks back into place.
Win: Enurgumene; e/w Envoi Allen

4.10 Glenfarclas Cross Country
Historically the worst race of the festival, time to go to the bar, run a few errands while a load of slow boats plod around a confusing series of obstacles in a seemingly random order. But Tiger Roll has made it an unmissable festival highlight with his 3 comfortable wins and one second place when unfit and unsuited by the ground.
He's 12 now, but is far better than anything else in this, it would be a huge shock if he were to get beaten. He drifted out to 13/2 at one point in the spring after bumbling along at the back in a Hurdle, which was ridiculous, he's Paul McGrath, he doesn't need to really train, but he'll be different class when it matters.
Stable mate Delta Work is a good horse but is a cross country virgin and they surely wouldn't let him beat Tiger. Diesel d'Alliers is a course and discipline specialist who fits the e/w bill for me.
Win: Tiger Roll (NAP) e/w: Diesel d'Alliers

4.50 Grand Annual Handicap Chase
Another big field handicap that involves a fair bit of guesswork. My guesses are that Buddy Rich is primed by Elliott for this one, that the well handicapped Frero Banbou will continue the Williams/Deustch success story, and that front runner Editeur du Gite might still be in the frame when he runs out of gas. And also a race called the grand annual should be moved back to the final day.
E/W Chancers: Buddy Rich, Frero Bambou, Editeur du Gite

5.30 ChampIon Bumper
Mullins hotpot (and son of Quevega) Facile Vega takes on Elliott not quite so hotpot American Mike. The Mullins 2nd, 3rd and 4th strings look decent, and so does Elliott's tother one. Mullins' record of getting his favs beaten by one of his others is putting me off Facile, to the extent that I'm considering cashing in my 4 fold, with Edwardstone and Honeysuckle having already done the business and an Allaho penalty kick to come. But what if I let the bet run and tipped American Mike, that might work... I liked James's Gate's style on debut, he'll get in the frame.
Win: American Mike; e/w James's Gate

[Simon G]

Today's free bet has gone on Bravemansgame in the 2:10.

Sorry to anyone else who's on it.

[johnr]

My speculative Lucky 15 place betting yesterday got me the first couple of quid back I've had at Cheltenham for 3 years, so I'm going to continue with that doubtless successful strategy - with I am Maximus, Threeunderthrufive, Dans Le Vent, and Midnight Maestro. No point on me betting on the Champion Chase, but I'd like to see Shishkin get it.

[Simon G]

Today's free bet has gone on Bravemansgame in the 2:10.

Sorry to anyone else who's on it.

Just seen Bravemansgame has been pulled out, so I'm now on Ahoy Senor

[jwdd27]

Unexpected rain is causing havoc, especially as they decided to water the course last night. Soft going all over, and the fav Bravemansgame has just been withdrawn from the Brown (at least it didn't lose Simon G . ) Mullins thinks it's good news for Enurgumene, Elliott thinks it's bad for Tiger. It's bad for everyone really, and it's made our stroll around Oxford a lot less pleasant.

[Simon G]

Saw Paul Nicholls on the ITV coverage talking about the rain earlier and I'm not sure I've seen anyone look so pissed off in my life. I've just done the school run and it is horrific out there (I'm only 5.5 miles from the racecourse as the crow flies).

Got £2.50 out of Ahoy Senor, so put 75p e/w on Gowel Road, Envoi Allen, Delta Work and Buddy Rich for shits and giggles. Bet365 are paying 8 places and Gowel Road came in 7th. Will take what I can considering I've put no money in.

[jwdd27]

Day 3 - St Patrick's Thursday

The weather is set fair but the ground is soft, heavy in places after the deluge. Which has meant scouring the form book for the "tractors", but we switch to the new course and good drying weather means the impact may not be as severe.

1.30 Turners Novice Chase
Only 4 runners but basically a match between Galopin Des Champs and Bob Olinger. Very little to choose between them, but money to be made if you use a free bet on one and a real bet on another.
I'd like to see Galopin get beaten to punish Mullins for picking this race instead of the 3 miler.
Win: Bob Olinger

2.10 Pertemps Final Hurdle
A bit of a joke race in terms of qualifying, some British heats had 7 runners with the top 6 all qualifying, meaning the horse could be "not knocked about" (euphemism for non-trier) and get in with a low weight - Alaphillipe has played this particular tactic well. But I'm going with the top weight, Sire de Berlais is a class horse has won it twice already, Rob James takes 7 off, it will be there or thereabouts. Sassy Yet Classy is Davy Russell's ride and is worth picking for that reason alone, he knows what he's doing, and The Jam Man is a horse I like, the owner/trainer Ronan McNally is a bit of a character (euphemism for a bit of a crook).
Win: Sire de Berlais; e/w chancers: Sassy Yet Classy, The Jam Man

2.50 Ryanair Chase
Allaho was most people's cast iron banker along with Honeysuckle, so it was disconcerting to hear his chances getting downplayed over the past 24 hours, not least because he's the final leg of a lucrative acca for jwdd27 (Edwardstone, Honeysuckle, Facile Vega all having obliged). But all his rivals have to improve on what they've previously achieved,nand then hope he has an off day, he's still by far the most likely winner. Eldorado Allen is a nice horse who always seems to be longer odds than he should be so he's my e/w pick, al9ng with good old Melon, who always, always places at the festival (apart from pulling up in this last year)
Win: Allaho E/w: Eldorado Allen, Melon

3.30 Stayers Hurdle
My least favourite of the feature races, but this year's looks wide open, with 5 horses at the top of the betting priced at between 7/2 and 5/1. Last year's winner Flooring Porter a marginal favourite, but I'm with Klassical Dream, a 5 time grade 1 winner who is better than all these if on a going day, which unfortunately is only a 50/50 shot (of the others Thyme Hill won't stay, Champ is too old and plunge horse Royal Kahala might find the ground has dried somewhat). Previous 50/1 winner Lisnagar Oscar is a token e/w angle.
Win Klassical Dream (NAP) e/w: Lisnagar Oscar

4.10 Plate Handicap
One of the lesser handicaps and not one to dwell on. 5 withdrawals have trimmed the field to 17. Grand Paradis is Russell/Elliott and will do for me, Adrimel has a decent profile to follow him home
Win: Grand Paradis e/w Adrimel

4.50 Mares Novice Hurdle
A Mullins benefit, he has 3 of the top 4 in the betting, headed by Dinoblue, who was impressive in her sole run, but I prefer more form than that, and Brandy Love is more my sort, although she's a bit of a Klassical Dream flighty type. Party Central is Elliott's top runner and I can see Russell getting her somewhere near, and top British runner Love Envoi yas a pleasing number of 1s next to her and is a decent price.
Win: Brandy Love e/w: Party Central, Love Envoi

5.30 Kim Muir Handicap
School Boy Hours heads the betting at 5/1 and is my pick, won impressively in Ireland last time and Derek O'Connor is yer top Irish amateur (who isn't named Codd). Mister Coffey is a nice horse at a good price, with the half decent Sam Waley-Cohen taking the ride. Omar Maretti is another with an impressive win record and still has scope to progress.
Win: School Boy Hours e/w: Mister Coffey, Omar Maretti

[Simon G]

I've put my £5 free bet on Sassy Yet Classy in the 2:10. I've gone e/w on it.

Having won a couple of £ yesterday (and I do mean £2) I've put a 5 way accumulator on today at 50p e/w:

2:10 - Alaphillipe - 6/1
2:50 - Allaho - 4/6
3:30 - Champ - 5/1
4:10 - The Glancing Queen - 4/1
4:50 - Dinoblue - 9/4

[johnr]

I'm continuing with my Unlucky 15 place bets today, with Kansas City Chief, Shan Blue, Home by the Lee and Chinwag being my tips to donate money to the bookies.

[longeared]

Good to hear ITV inform us that Alaphilippe is named after Julian Alaphilippe without having to clarify he's a cyclist or anything.

[jwdd27]

Day 4 - Gold Cup Day

The final day lacks the odds on favourites if the previous three, and experience has taught me that it's a day to bet cautiously, especially if, like me, you're well up on the week. But there's also some wide open races, with horses at doubke figure odds with live chances, so I'll probably ignore my own sage advice.

1.30 Triumph Hurdle
A favourite race as the best juvies go head to head Vauban is the favourite and has been impressive, except when getting beaten by Pied Piper, who was also most impressive when nipping over to trounce them at Cheltenham. He's my pick, but the British are not out of this, Knight Salute just keeps winning and improving, while the Gary Moore pair of Porticello and Teddy Blue, and Skelton's Doctor Parnassus are all worth considering each way.
Win: Pied Piper e/w: Porticello

2.10 County Hurdle
A 26 runner stramash, which has better horses than usual in it, with a short favourite in State Man (3/1) providing good value elsewhere. 6 places so worth chucking a few in as e/w, but I fancy I Like To Move It, and Top Bandit for Elliott/Russell, who, having had a poor week, might just go on a run today. Broomfield Burg looked good a few runs ago, so ha gets chucked in to, along with a long shot in Eclair de Beaufeu, 40/1 but decent festival form.
E/W: I Like To Move It, Top Bandit, Broomfield Burg, Eclair De Beaufeu

2.50 Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle
For budding out and out stayers, being novices they'll absolutely belt along and then begin to drop off. Hillcrest should be there from start to finish and is a proper horse. Bardenstown Lad and Stag Horn fit the doughty e/w stayer bill.
Win: Hillcrest e/w Bardenstown Lad, Stag Horn

3.30 Cheltenham Gold Cup
I'm with Minella Indo to repeat the dose from last year - he was fairly impressive in the Irish version, comes into his own at this time of year, and he wouldn't be the first horse to reserve his career bests for the big one (Al Boum Photo for one). Royal Pagaille has shortened a lot because of the rain, but he's improving on all sorts of ground and has a real chance, Williams and Deutsch are red hot at the moment, and I'd like to back them because the jockey acknowledged me when I shouted "unlucky Charlie" at him on Tuesday when he'd fallen on Brave Seasca. Asterion Forlonge I'll back because I always do. He'll be handily placed and then will make a huge mistake, but that's Asterion.
Win: Minella Indo e/w: Royal Pagaille, Asterion Forlonge

4.10 Festival Challenge Cup
Formerly the Foxhunters, so amateur jockeys on big slow horses. Billaway is 2/1 favourite for the third year running and will probably finish second again. Bob and Co is the sensible pick, and it would be nice for the agreeably eccentric owner/rider David Maxwell to get on the board. Pont Aven is a token e/w pick.
Win: Bob and Co e/w Pont Aven

4.50 Mares Chase
One mares race too many for me. Mount Ida is favourite and will win, Vienna Court to chase her home.
Win: Mount Ida e/w: Vienna Court

5.30 Martin Pipe Conditional Handicap Hurdle
Christ, a hunter chase, a mares chase and a conditional Jockeys race - the festival certainly tails off sharply.
Adamantly Chosen is best of the favourites. Au Fleuron and I A Connect good outsiders.
Win: Adamantly Chosen e/w: Au Fleuron, I A Connect

And we're done, cheers.

[Discordant Resonance]

I'm your stereotypical "only ever bet on the Grand National" non-punter, but a mate has recommended The Very Man as an e/w punt in the 5.30, so there's your DR Tip of the Day.

[Logan Mountstuart]

Terrible first day. 2 winners on days 2 and 3. Almost as usual for me. Gold Cup Day has been a traditional disaster for me since Denman, but The Nice Guy has just blasted my meagre profits skywards, on a meagre scale.

Minella Indo for me. But I don't care or need it anymore.