Rest of Cheltenham

The remaining 4 races at Cheltenham look extremely difficult with 20+ runners in each and nothing outstanding on form. Our expert expects Silverhand (Noel Meade/ Paul Carberry) to run well in the Coral Cup, a handicap hurdle over 2 miles 5 furlongs at 17.00, but almost anything could win this. The race is made even tougher by the fact that many of the leading trainers- King, Pipe, Mullins, Henderson etc, have more than one runner and it is not at clear which is the stable´s number one.

The opening National Hunt Chase over 4 miles for amateur riders at 14.30 is an event for plodders and not an attractive betting race, as hardly any of the runners have experience of racing beyond 3 miles. If forced to select two against the field, we would plump for the two Irish brothers Robbie and John McNamara on Ballybraney and Synchronised for Howard Johnson and Jonjo O´Neill respectively.

The Fred Winter at 17.40 is a handicap for 4yo hurdlers and again there is very little collateral form to go on. The unbeaten Bothy (Brian Ellison/ Keith Mercer) could strike a blow for a small stable here, while ex-French Notus de la Tour (David Pipe/ Johnny Farrelly) and Sanctuaire (Paul Nicholls/ Ruby Walsh) won in great style on the debuts in Britain and could be anything. Pipe´s other runner Hunterview (Tom Scudamore, if he is able to ride after a nasty fall yesterday) could also be dangerous.

Finally, the Champion Bumper at 18.15 could be the usual Irish benefit. No fewer than 11 of the 24 runners are unbeaten and Willie Mullins, who has an excellent record in this, saddles 3 of them, with son Patrick possibly riding the pick, Day of a Lifetime. Brother Tom Mullins also has good prospects with Tartan Times, while Dermot Weld has two runners, with his flat jockey Pat Smullen partnering Hidden Universe. However he is a 4yo, and this age group have a poor record in this - so, for that matter, do flat jockeys, Our main fancy is Edward O´Grady´s Shot from the Hip, even though he will be ridden by owner´s son JP Magnier.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Any Currency - Massasoit - Synchronised
2. Race: Rite Of Passage - Quel Esprit - Finian`S Rainbow
3. Race: Long Run - Punchestowns - Diamond Harry
4. Race: Master Minded - Kalahari King - Twist Magic
5. Race: Quantitativeeasing - Deutschland - Spirit River
6. Race: Notus de la Tour - Sanctuaire - Hunterview
7. Race: Elegant Concorde - Shot From The Hip - Al Ferof