Cheltenham today

In the hope that Cheltenham goes ahead, we shall have a short look at today´s excellent Cheltenham card. This is billed as Trials Day, as it is the last meeting here before the March Festival, but, to be honest, it is unlikely that any of these runners will actually be winning here in March. However some of the main opponents to Big Bucks in the World Hurdle turn out for the Cleeve Hurdle over 3 miles at 16.35 CET, including German-bred Fair Along (Philip Hobbs/ Rhys Flint), a very game CD specialiat, the much-improved grey Grands Crus (David Pipe/ Tom Scudamore) and Alan King´ s Bensalem (Robert Thornton), who does not jump fences well but has been first or second in all starts over sticks. He suffered a bad attack of colic last summer and has been off the track for 9 months, but is still our selection.

The Cotswold Chase over an extended 3 miles at 15.30 see some Gold Cup hopefuls line up, notably Punchestowns (Nicky Henderson/ Barry Geraghty), who however has to give away 5 lbs today. Tidal Bay (Howard Johnson/ Brian Hughes) is not very reliable, but likes it here and is a big danger, as is Neptune Collonges (Paul Nicholls/ Tony McCoy), 3rd in the 2008 Gold Cup and 4th in 2009; he has only run twice since, but if back to his best, can win this.

The Triumph Hurdle Trial for 4yo´s at 13.55 has 3 unbeaten juveniles in the line up, including German-bred Local Hero (Steve Gollings/ Tony McCoy), a most impressive winner of his starts so far. However the form of third Intention´ s win last time at Newbury looks very solid and the Tizzard hope is an obvious danger to the brother of Liquido.

McCoy can round off another successful day by also taking the novice hurdle at 16.05 on Jonjo O´Neill´s unbeaten Backspin. We could not see much of his last win at Newbury because of the fog, but what we saw looked good. Bobsworth (Henderson/ Geraghty) and Rock on Ruby (Nicholls/ Harry Skelton) are also expected to run well here.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Third Intention - Local Hero - Indian Daudaie
2. Race: Shakalakaboomboom - The Giant Bolster - Pearlysteps
3. Race: Wishfull Thinking - Noland - Calgary Bay
4. Race: Punchestowns - Tidal Bay - Neptune Collonges
5. Race: Backspin - Rock On Ruby - Bobs Worth
6. Race: Grands Crus - Bensalem - Organisateur
7. Race: Tanks For That - Dream Esteem - Eradicate