By this time next week, fellow TIP’s, I will probably be Public Enemy #1 (in my home town of Tring at least). Either that, or I’ll have a fistful of free Guinness vouchers to exchange over the bar at The Robin Hood.
You see, on Saturday night, whilst frequenting the aforementioned watering hole with a few friends, I gave in to the apparent public demand around the table, and gave my best guesses at who would be winning at Cheltenham this week. I thought we were having no more than a lively conversation… some sporting banter if you will… but some of my mates even took the trouble to write names of horses down on a few beer mats! I’m not quite sure whether this was so they could place a few wagers in Corals today, or whether they were collecting written evidence with which to crucify me this coming Friday night. Time will tell.
Anyway, if you have found your way to this web page having failed to find advice for the Cheltenham Festival elsewhere on the internet, then frankly you haven’t been trying that hard! I would suggest to you right now that it is a distinct possibility not all twenty six of my selections will win…. in fact the polar opposite is far more likely. Whatever happens, having to hear about other people’s punting post mortems is utterly tedious at best. So I will make a deal with you – I promise not to gloat about any winners I might fortuitously tip below, if you forgive me to keep quiet about all the associated losers, which will doubtless be in the majority. Deal?
The thing that struck me most on Saturday night, was recalling the effect it has on you, having almost a dozen peers hanging on your every word, for twenty minutes at least. I used to give out tips in the office where I worked back in the late 90’s when I first got into betting the horses. I’ve long since given up being any kind of “tipster” and I would still feel mightily uncomfortable in charging for what is no more than my opinion. But I adored the attention back then, and it was fun being the so-called “expert” on Saturday night.
And so, for what it is worth, here are my selections for each of the twenty six races coming our way from Prestbury Park from tomorrow and for four days. Friday seems a long way off. But if my selections are not doing very well by Thursday, at least it gives me time to pack my suitcase and make good my escape from Tring, and the posse of my friends baying for my blood!
DAY ONE ~ TUESDAY 16th
Race #1 Supreme Novices Hurdle: Get Me Out Of Here
Race #2 The Arkle: Captain Cee Bee
Race #3 William Hill Trophy Handicap Chase: Bensalem
Race #4 Champion Hurdle: Punjabi
Race #5 Cross Country Handicap Chase: Garde Champetre
Race #6 David Nicholson Hurdle: Caroles Legacy
DAY TWO ~ WEDNESDAY 17th
Race #1 National Hunt Chase: Massasoit
Race #2 NIM Novice Hurdle: Finians Rainbow
Race #3 Royal Sun Alliance Novices Chase: Diamond Harry
Race #4 Queen Mother Champion Chase: Master Minded
Race #5 The Coral Cup: Lake Legend
Race #6 Fred Winter Novices Hurdle: Fin Vin De Leu
Race #7 Champion Bumper: Tavern Times
DAY THREE ~ THURSDAY 18th
Race #1 Jewson Novices Handicap Chase: Salut Flo
Race #2 Pertemps Handicap Hurdle Final: Smoking Aces
Race #3 Ryanair Chase: Poquelin
Race #4 World Hurdle: Big Bucks
Race #5 Byrne Group Plate Chase: The Sawyer
Race #6 Kim Muir Challenge Cup: Wind Instrument
DAY FOUR ~ FRIDAY 19th
Race #1 Triumph Hurdle: Carlito Brigante
Race #2 The County Hurdle: Tito Bustillo
Race #3 Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle: Quel Esprit
Race #4 The Cheltenham Gold Cup: Kauto Star
Race #5 Foxhunter Chase: Sericina
Race #6 Conditional Jockeys Hurdle: Radium
Race #7 The Grand Annual Chase: French Opera
Please feel free to add your own comments and selections below. With such a build-up this year, I’m confident the Cheltenham Festival will live up to its billing, and we shall be truly spoiled over the next four days. If you get involved financially, I hope the punting fairies are smiling upon you.
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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Don’t worry we promise not to hold you to your predictions. Let’s face it though, you are pretty good at forecasting what is going to happen.
Very brave of you paul – I have a sneaky feeling that because Kauto has not raced for a while he may a little bit “off”. I just hope the rain forcast for the last couple of days will soften it up for Denman. Yes it is a fairy tale – but he blew me away in the hennesey.
With AP onboard fairy tales sometimes come true ? :P
Always a great read keep it up :))
Richard, I think the forecast rain could make the Gold Cup a very interesting prospect. I commented on how my heart was saying Kauto Star but my betting brain was urging me to take some 4/1 about Denman in a previous post. In all probability I reckon I will be leaving the race alone and just watching what is bound to be a fantastic race and a real spectacle. Plenty more to come between now and then as well!! Good luck if you are getting stuck in.