Cheltenham 2.10

(The Speculator for UK / Sean for Ireland)

 

Speculator - I feel that the home contingent are very much against it here against a glut of unexposed types and a few exposed types with very interesting back form.

 

I think that in terms of chances and price that PEMBROKE is far and away the best home chance of winning he's done no wrong and looks sure to make a bold bid. Highway One O Two is the type to outrun big odds, Aucunrisque has had an excellent season but may have peaked earlier in the season, PETIT TONNERE for Jonjo is an ex Irish horse who may be one with proven stamina who can stay on up the hill past beaten horses if they go off a a silly early pace and I have again got quiet confidence in a more exposed Henderson horse today in FIRST STREET who was runner up in this last year, has had a wind operation but who runs off what looks a competitive mark.

 

Sean - Where to begin?, BALLYADAM was a shade unlucky in this last year and deserves a reward, Glory And Fortune is a Tracker for the meeting and lets not forget was 4th in the Champion Hurdle and is 66/1 here early prices (worth a quid e/w surely); Glan and Prairie Dancer has chances at nice odds, Pinkerton and Winter Fog are also serious contenders, as are the unexposed pair of Pied Piper and one I really like and see a sure future Festival winner in Path D'Oroux. Magnor Glory was put away in the Autumn for this race and with BALLYADAM just missed out on my final short list of three.

 

I can't not have HUNTERS YARN as my Nap in the race and I seriously think that both SAINT SAM who was runner up in the 2021 Boodles here and whose stamina in Heavy Going to win over 2 miles 3 furlongs and SHARJAH who has twice been a Champion Hurdle runner up and who would be thrown in on 2021 form, are overlooked types who may continue the trend  of proven Cheltenham form coming to the fore.