Cheltenham opens doors for 2008-9 season

the indisputably leading N.H. racetrack in Britain and Ireland, Cheltenham, strats ots 2008-9 season today with an excellent card and some very competitive races. Possibly the best bet of the day is Earth Planet (Paul Nicholls/ Ruby Walsh) in the first race on thr card, a novice hurdle over 2 miles 5 furlongs. Nicholls and Walsh can follow up witzh Font in the handicap hurdle at 16.30, but this is a very open event with 20 runners, including German-bred Donaldson (Jonjo O´Neill/ Tony McCoy), who has a definite chance if the ground stays on the fast side. The 3 mjiler handicap chase at 17.05 is also a tough one, but Joe Lively (Colin and Joe Tizzard) looks the class act here. The 3yo novice hurdle at 17.40 looks the best race in this catgegory so far this season. Alan King`s Ruff Diamond (Robert Thornton) has already won twice and must carry a lot of weight, but is an obvious contender, while Amerigo (O´Neill/ McCoy) is an interesting debutant, having run second in the Queens Vase when last seen in June.

Betting forecast:
1.Race: Earth Planet - Paddleyourowncanoe - Dragon Eye
2.Race: Ring The Boss - Razor Royale - Quattrocento
3.Race: Font - Noble Alan - Advancement
4.Race: Joe Lively - Parsons Legacy - Glasker Mill
5.Race: Nine Stories - Amerigo - Ruff Diamond
6.Race: Beauchamp Prince - Gaora Lane - Florida Dream
7.Race: Cockney Trucker - Sagredo - Alfie Flits