Rest of Cheltenham

Yesterday´s racing was dominated by Willie Mullins and Nicky Henderson and it looks like more of the same today. Ruby Walsh rode all Mullins´ winners yesterday, but he will not be able to partner our fancy Back in Focus in the opening National Hunt Chase over 4 miles at 14.30 CET as this race is restricted to amateurs, so he has put up his son Paddy instead. Like most of the runners, he has no experience of extreme distances, but runs as if the trip will present no problem. The lightly-raced Buddy Bolero (David Pipe/ Jamie Codd) is moving up in grade but looks the main danger as his last wins were gained in excellent style.

The Irish banker of the meeting (although there are several candidates for this honour) is the German-bred Pont Alexandre in the Neptune novice hurdle at 15.05. He has won all his starts in terrific fashion and although he meets stronger opposition now, will be a short-priced favourite to land the hat-trick and score another point for Mullins and Walsh. Chatterbox (Henderson/ Barry Geraghty), also unbeaten in 3 starts, looks the main danger, although Taquin de Seuil (Jonjo O´Neill/ Tony McCoy) and The New One (Nigel and Sam Twiston-Davies) are also strongly fancied here.

Ruby Walsh has chosen to ride Paul Nicholls´ Unioniste rather than Mullins´ Boston Bob in the RSA Chase at 15.40, which is an obvious pointer. The latter, now partnered by Paul Townend, is however not without a chance, but we think that the main Irish hope here is Lord Windermere (Jim Culloty/ Davy Russell), who runs as if this distance of just over 3 miles will be just up his street.

The last 3 races, all with 24+ runners, all look incredibly difficult, and anyone who gets all 3 winners deverves a medal. We like to follow the German-breds and therefore suggest, more in hope than anticipation, Cash and Go (Henderson/ Geraghty), out of a Königsstuhl mare, in the Coral Cup at 17.00 - although stable-companion Ericht (Gary Derwin) looks a big danger- and Zamdy Man (Venetia Williams/ Aidan Coleman), out of a Nebos mare, and Milord (Kim Bailey/ Nick Scholfield), by Monsun, in the Fred Winter at 17.40. With 11 undefeated runners in the line-up, the bumpetr at 18.10looks impossible. It is interesting that the current champion flat jockeys of England and Ireland ride here, Richard Hughes on Mick Channon´s Sgt. Reckless, and Joseph O´Brien on his father Aidan´s Shield. Aidan has not had a runner at Cheltenham since the glory days of Istabraq, but we certainly expect this one, bred and owned by his wife, to run a big race.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Back In Focus - Buddy Bolero - Rival D`Estruval
2. Race: Pont Alexandre - Taquin Du Seuil - The New One
3. Race: Boston Bob - Unioniste - Hadrian`s Approach
4. Race: Sprinter Sacre - Sizing Europe - Mail De Bievre
5. Race: Pendra - Abbey Lane - Fiveforthree
6. Race: Saphir Du Rheu - Ptit Zig - Fatcatinthehat
7. Race: Le Vent D`antan - Union Dues - Sgt Reckless