Cheltenham today

Cheltenham´s New Year fixture is an important meeting and it must be hoped that it survives the weather. 5 of the 7 races have large and competitive fields, but the two main events have only a very small turn out. 5 line up for the Grade Two Dipper Novices Chase at 14.40 CET and this looks at the mercy of Punchestowns (Nicky Henderson/ Barry Geraghty), even though with only one race over fences he is the least experienced of the 5. But he was one of the very best staying hurdlers last season, and his second place to Big Bucks in the World Hurdle here is easily the best form on offer. There are only 3 runners in the hurdle race at 16.20, in which Henderson and Geraghty are represented by Sentry Duty, who has not run since April. With the stable in great form, that should be no problem, but whether he is good enough to defeat Mr. Thriller (David Pipe/ Tony McCoy) and Katchit (Alan King/ Robert Thornton) remains to be seen. In particular the last-named, a real course specialist who has won 5 times here (including the Champion Hurdle!) looks a huge danger in receipt of weight from the other pair.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Radium - Cunning Clarets - Sonny Mullen
2. Race: Any Currency - Palypso De Creek - Gentle Ranger
3. Race: Punchestowns - Seven Is My Number - Knockara Beau
4. Race: Chapoturgeon - Razor Royale - Exmoor Ranger
5. Race: Lysander - Made In Japan - Time For Rupert
6. Race: Mr Thriller - Katchit - Sentry Duty
7. Race: Tetlami - Romulus D`Artaix - Open Day