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1 March, 2014

AUTHOR: Star Sports Content

LONDON Cheltenham Preview Debrief

[dropcap]H[/dropcap]ere are the key notes from our Cheltenham Festival Preview Evening held in London on Tuesday 25 February.

On the panel:

DJ: DARYL JACOB (Jockey)
GC: GRAHAM CUNNINGHAM (Channel 4 Racing)
BE: BILL ESDAILE (City AM Racing Editor)
LT: LUKE TARR (Head of PR, Star Sports)

Don’t forget to check out:

STAR SPORTS CHELTENHAM PREVIEW EVENINGS CLICK HERE
STAR SPORTS CHELTENHAM PREVIEW VIDEOS CLICK HERE

Tuesday 11 March

SUPREME NOVICES HURDLE

GC and DJ both keen on VAUTOUR
BE sweet on WILDE BLUE YONDER at a decent price

Panel agreed that IRVING is now plenty short enough.

ARKLE CHASE

LT and GC both supporters of TRIFOLIUM

The panel were collectively against ROCK ON RUBY

DJ keen on his ride DODGING BULLETS

CHAMPION HURDLE

Star Sports prices showed THE NEW ONE and HURRICANE FLY as 3/1 joint favs with MY TENT OR YOURS and OUR CONOR as the 9/2 joint second favs.

Both GC and LT both thought the betting was the wrong way round and the 9/2 joint second favs should in fact be the 3/1 joint favs !

Selections:

DJ HURRICANE FLY
GC OUR CONOR
LT MY TENT OR YOURS
BE HURRICANE FLY

GC was of the belief that ANNIE POWER would in fact run here in the Champion Hurdle to which LT added that she would be 9/2 not the current 7/1 if that was confirmed.

Wednesday 12 March

NEPTUNE NOVICES HURDLE

The panel were all agreed that this totally revolves around the front two in the market FAUGHEEN and RED SHERLOCK especially as there are likely to be several non runners behind them.

The panel were united behind the chances of FAUGHEEN.

RSA CHASE

BE was keen to remind everyone that he is on a 5 timer in this race !! MORNING ASSEMBLY is Bill’s chosen one this year.

All the panel though the current market leaders BALLYCASEY and SMAD PLACE were very short.

LT and GC nominated MANY CLOUDS as their best each way bets of the week.

DJ SAM WINNER a sound each way chance and ‘overpriced’ at 14/1

QUEEN MOTHER CHAMPION CHASE

The panel agreed that whilst SIRE DE GRUGY deserved to be favourite the current price is skinny. GC however was quite happy with 5/2 SIRE DE GRUGY as a bet.

All also agreed that ARVIKA LIGEONNIERE is not only the hardest horse name in training to spell correctly but also doesn’t go left handed and were sceptical as to whether the promised ‘special’ head gear will make a difference and thought it was a massive lay.

CROSS COUNTRY HANDICAP CHASE

DJ rides DIAMOND HARRY and thought it had an each way chance.

LT and GC both respected chances of favourite BIG SHU and if anything thought it should be shorter.

FRED WINTER HANDICAP HURDLE

It was thought that DAWALAN would go off a lot shorter than the current 10/1

Thursday 13 March

JLT NOVICE CHASE

DJ closely connected with WONDERFUL CHARM who he is keen on.

LT Thought OSCAR WHISKEY and TAQUIN DU SEUIL would be 1-2 again as they were earlier in the season.

GC a fan of WONDERFUL CHARM and also VUKOVAR who has been well backed with Star Sports.

BE FELIX YONGER

So, that’s the top of the market covered between the panel !! May the best man win.

RYANAIR CHASE

LT main bet of the week AL FEROF at 5/1. He’s convinced it won’t go off bigger than 3/1.

DJ aother AL FEROF supporter.

Only other one likely to be backed is GC selection DYNASTE

BE Keen on FIRST LIEUTENANT (with a run)

WORLD HURDLE

DJ obviously close to BIG BUCK’S and feels he has come on lot after his defeat in the Cleeve Hurdle. He rides CELESTIAL HALO who he considers very much has each way claims.

GC keen to be against BIG BUCK’S

BE One of his ‘bets of the week’ RULE THE WORLD

LT No idea !! But SALUBRIOUS ew at 20/1 offered up.

Friday 14 March

TRIUMPH HURDLE

The panel were all keen on CALIPTO

DJ Thinks LE ROCHER wants ground on the soft side

A strong vibe that ACTIVIAL will not run.

ALBERT BARTLETT NOVICE HURDLE

Similar shape to the Neptune. Front two solid with loads of non runners likely.

LT and BE are big KINGS PALACE fans

GC favouring BRIAR HILL

GOLD CUP

Majority opinion it’s between top two in market- the 2013 winner BOBS WORTH and SILVINIACO CONTI who fell 12 months ago when still travelling very well.

DJ in doubt – would pick SILVINIACO CONTI ‘every day of the week’ if he could pick a ride. He DOES ride ROCKY CREEK and he is convinced he has a real ew chance with the likely non runners.

GC BOBS WORTH

LT and BE FIRST LIEUTENANT NRNB interesting but conceded most likely winner is BOBS WORTH

COUNTY HANDICAP HURDLE

DJ rides LAC FONTANA who he puts in good word for.

FOXHUNTER CHASE

GC ON THE FRINGE

BETS OF THE WEEK

DARYL JACOB

NAP: AL FEROF
BEST EW: LAC FONTANA

GRAHAM CUNNINGHAM

NAP: TRIFOLIUM
BEST EW: MANY COLOURS

LUKE TARR

NAP: AL FEROF
BEST EW: MANY CLOUDS

BILL ESDAILE *

(* who clearly wants to sleep with Mouse Morris !)

NAP: RULE THE WORLD
BEST EW: FIRST LIEUTENANT