Rest of Cheltenham

As usual, the remaining races are all very difficult with some huge fields today, but we expect the Irish run of success to continue. In the opening National Hunt Chase for amateur riders over 4 miles at 14.30 CET, the stamina of most of the runners will have to be taken on trust, but Alfa Beat (Charlie Byrnes/Robbie McNamara), who has been off since September, and Chicago Grey (Gordon Elliott/ Derek O´Connor) are the two likeliest winners on form. There are 3 Irish runners in the Neptune Investment Novices Hurdle at 15.05 and it is quite conceivable that they will take the first 3 places, as Oscars Well (Jessica Harrington/ Robbie Power), So Young (Willie Mullins/ Ruby Walsh) and First Lieutenant (Mouse Morris/ Davy Russell) have probably the best credentials in the field.

Jessies Dream (Gordon Elliott/ Timmy Murphy) and Mikael d´Haguenet (Mullins/ Walsh) are the main Irish hopes in the RSA Chase at 15.40, but Aiteen Thirtythree (Paul Nicholls/ Daryl Jacob) and Time for Rupert (Paul Webber/ Wayne Kennedy) could well swing this one for the home team.

The last 3 races, with 23+ runners in each, look extremely tricky, but we hope to see German-bred Kayef (Michael and Tom Scudamore) run well in the Fred Winter Handicap Hurdle for 4yo´s at 17.40. The Champion Bumper at 18.15 is almost impossible to unravel, with 19 of the runners having won last time out. The Irish traditionally do well in this, but our fancy is Knights Pass (Warren Greatrex/ Wayne Hutchinson).

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Alfa Beat - Chicago Grey - Beshabar
2. Race: So Young - Oscars Well - First Lieutenant
3. Race: Time For Rupert - Aiteen Thirtythree - Jessies Dream
4. Race: Big Zeb - Master Minded - Somersby
5. Race: Call The Police - For Non Stop - Aegean Dawn
6. Race: Plan A - Tenor Nivernais - Titan De Sarti
7. Race: Knight Pass - Ericht - Raise The Beat