Cheltenham Preview | Star Sports Mayfair | LIVE BLOG

We are live blogging from the Star Sports Preview Night at our Mayfair shop.

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▪️ Our star panel: DAVY RUSSELL, TOM ‘PRICEWISE’ SEGAL and City AM Racing Editor BILL ESDAILE

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TUESDAY

Supreme: There was opposition against Facile Vega, who was widely opposed after his disappointing last placed finish at the Dublin Racing Festival. Pricewise’s Tom Segal was particularly vocal in his opposition, much preferring Il Etait Temps (a 4/1 shot with starsports.bet) who took advantage of his flop – although he still gave High Definition a shout at a decent price thanks to his flat ability. Davy Russell went for Royal Bond winner Marine Nationale. ⭐ STARSPORTS.BET CHELTENHAM MARKETS ⭐

Arkle: Two strong votes for El Fabiolo (pictured below) after his impressive Arkle win – described as an absolute good thing after his Leopardstown romp although there was respect for chief market rival Jonbon. Davy, who felt the Irish Arkle rode very well, expected a strong gallop and was rueful that Saint Roi – held up to great effect over Christmas – didn’t get very far that day. ⭐ STARSPORTS.BET CHELTENHAM MARKETS ⭐

Champion Hurdle: No opposition to Constitution Hill, although Tom felt that I Like To Move It could be each/way value. Both also expected State Man to be second, with an anticipated price of about evens – and a small field was widely anticipated with Tom suggesting there could be as few as five runners. ⭐ STARSPORTS.BET CHELTENHAM MARKETS ⭐

Mares: Marie’s Rock’s target is not certain (see Cheltenham Countdown today), but both Tom and Davy liked her if she ran here. Tom was very much against Honeysuckle, who he felt hadn’t seen out her races properly this season, and put her forward as his strongest lay of the meeting in the Q&A! ⭐ STARSPORTS.BET CHELTENHAM MARKETS ⭐

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WEDNESDAY

Ballymore: It was a Barry O’Connell double for Davy, who chose Good Land for Wednesday’s opener. Tom respected Hermes Allen, an impressive winner of the Challow Hurdle at Newbury, but was keener on Impaire Et Passe for Willie Mullins and Simon Munir, with ‘really impressive’ jumping playing a big part in his decision. ⭐ STARSPORTS.BET CHELTENHAM MARKETS ⭐

Brown Advisory: Positive words for Sir Gerhard from Davy Russell despite just the one start over fences, with Star’s brand ambassador suggesting he should be closer to Gordon Elliott’s Gerri Colombe in the betting.  Tom felt that Thyme Hill was overpriced after his much-improved jumping helped him win the Kauto Star Chase at Kempton in impressive style. ⭐ STARSPORTS.BET CHELTENHAM MARKETS ⭐

Champion Chase: A furious pace was expected from Davy here, with most of the market leaders front runners or horses who sit close to the pace. Of the front three in the market Edwardstone was the best supported with Energumene the one who both were keenest to take on. Tom commented that Energumene’s win in the race last year (pictured below) looked less impressive now – but he was mindful not to underestimate Editeur Du Gite. ⭐ STARSPORTS.BET CHELTENHAM MARKETS ⭐

Cross-Country Chase: Good ground could be the reason behind recent ante-post support for Galvin – according to Davy Russell ⭐ STARSPORTS.BET CHELTENHAM MARKETS ⭐

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THURSDAY

Turners’ Novices Chase: All eyes on Davy, who rides Mighty Potter (5/4 favourite with starsports.bet) and had only positive words. He said he was at pains to slow him down at the Dublin Racing Festival due to the fact he was going so well, albeit against a “three or four miler” in Gaillard Du Mesnil. Tom was hugely impressed by Banbridge’s running on effort in the Irish Arkle and was impressed with his previous course form (winner of the Martin Pipe and Arkle trial here). ⭐ STARSPORTS.BET CHELTENHAM MARKETS ⭐

Ryanair: Davy was hugely impressed by Shishkin’s romp in the Ascot Chase (pictured below) – and Nicky Henderson’s job in bringing him back to his best – although he mentioned the fact that effort needed to be backed up. However, all being equal, he was his pick. ⭐ STARSPORTS.BET CHELTENHAM MARKETS ⭐

Stayers Hurdle: A very competitive renewal as several had a chance. Davy was looking forward to his ride on Teahupoo and he felt that Home By The Lee was a different horse and a key factor as he could ‘give us something to aim at’. Tom fancied Marie’s Rock if she ran here (same for Mares’ Hurdle). Flooring Porter would be a danger if he turned up in form with the ground likely to be good. ⭐ STARSPORTS.BET CHELTENHAM MARKETS ⭐

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FRIDAY

Triumph Hurdle: After some remarks on the possibility of an entirely Irish based race, there was a quick consensus that Lossiemouth (pictured below) was a deserved favourite at the head of the market. Tom thought Lossiemouth probably would have won if she’d had a clear run at the Dublin Racing Festival and that she’s the right favourite. He’d like to see Gala Marceau settle better before backing her for the Triumph, whilst Blood Destiny might appreciate more cut. He was at pains to note how tough a stamina test this can be – and was impressed by Comfort Zone, who could be an each/way contender. ⭐ STARSPORTS.BET CHELTENHAM MARKETS ⭐

Albert Bartlett: Davy noted that connections of 9/2 favourite Corbetts Cross may have ‘played a blinder’ by dropping him down to 2 miles for his winning trial at the weekend. Gordon Elliott’s Three Card Brag would want more rain than he’s had. Absolute Notions would need everything to fall into place, but ‘has the ability’ and would like nice ground after a good run at Leopardstown. Tom was also impressed by Corbetts Cross and thinks he’s got a very strong chance. ⭐ STARSPORTS.BET CHELTENHAM MARKETS ⭐

Gold Cup: Davy confirmed Conflated’s target was this race and said he’d been in good form at home, where hopes were high for a big run. He noted that Galopin Des Champs has calmed down a lot over the last year, even if this will be his toughest test yet. He felt that a slog would bring Noble Yeats into proceedings. Tom couldn’t have Galopin Des Champs at the current prices despite the fact he could be a superstar. He was also against Stattler. He thought that Noble Yeats could be interesting, especially if rain came for him, and he loved what he did at Aintree earlier. ⭐ STARSPORTS.BET CHELTENHAM MARKETS ⭐

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Questions/Horses Of Note:

Question: “In the Champion Chase, you seem to be negative on Energumene – would that change if the ground got softer?”

Tom: “I think that Shishkin did everything wrong that day and he still beat Energumene – he’s 13/8 favourite and obviously has a big chance, because the others aren’t that much better than him – but he’s just OK, isn’t he?”

Bill: “As you said before, they’re all very similar, they’re very similar types aren’t they – it’s just a price thing”

Follow up: “It’s one of those races before the start, that you’re just thinking, how it’s going to be run aren’t you?”

Davy: “That’s why I think that (the pace) is the key to it. If it’s a real hot pace up front it does play to his strengths and he will be dropped in, because he’s not going to go that gallop”

Follow up: “So if you’re PT (Paul Townend), how would you ride it?”

Davy: “I don’t think he’s done anything wrong now, and I can’t understand why people are quibbling with the way he rode him last year in a race that there was guaranteed to be lots of stamina. He has to to be in his comfort zone, I can only ride him to the best of what the field is giving me. To be honest with you, I would not make up my mind until the day. You gather as much information in the last 30 seconds before the race starts then you will between now and Cheltenham, so you just have to watch what people do and react.”

Question: “You’ve got to go down to the betting ring, and be top price on one horse at the Cheltenham Festival. Stand there and take bet after bet after bet on one horse that you want to lay all with the one that you think I can get that beat. I can get that beat.”

Tom: “Honeysuckle”

Davy: “Energumene”

Bill: “Facile Vega”

Question: “The Mares’ Novice… Luccia – is she bombproof?”

Davy: “She’s very good and she’s coming from the right stable, but they’ve thrown in the bombshell that she could run in the Supreme Novices, which shows that they think quite a lot of her.”

Tom: “Ask Nico – I think Nico wants to split them!”

Bill: “They’ve also got Ahorsewithnoname for the Mares’ Novice.”

Davy: “There’s also a battalion of Mullins horses too – led by Ashroe Diamond.”

Question: “If Honeysuckle isn’t going to run in the Champion Hurdle, then surely retirement was the obvious next step – isn’t she just coming to Cheltenham for a day out? I’d have thought she’d be the bet of the meeting in the Mares.”

Davy: “She’s an animal. She’s a racehorse. She’s born bred and trained to run. it’s Cheltenham. Run her in the race you can more than likely win – I can’t see the negatives in it. She’s been beaten twice this year. It would be a different story if she was going to lose the unbeaten record and then you might say look, we’ll leave her as she is, but she’s been beaten. That seal is broken now, you know, she’s got nothing to lose. She’s seen most of them. Yeah, she’s in amongst her own (sex), they’ve dropped back in class, they’ve stepped her up in trip – there’s all the reasons like. Could you imagine? (If she won?) Oh, my God, now. They will lift the roof off Cheltenham.”

Bill: “Do you think she could win it?”

Davy: “I do, I do. I think her form is as good as anything in the race.”

Question: “What about Cool Survivor (8/1 for the Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle)?

Davy: “I’ve ridden him over 3 miles and he’s kind of a keen going 3 miler which suggests a drop back to 2m5f will suit and he’ll have a very good rider on in the Martin Pipe, and I think he’ll slip in there just about, and he’s (Gordon) had this race in mind for a while.”

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