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*Form Ratings Free Strategy Guide*

Past Cheltenham Races 

Past Cheltenham races are the key to finding winners at the annual Festival.

Cheltenham Races 2009 DAY 1

Supreme Novices' Hurdle 13:30 Cheltenham, Tuesday 10 March

This race often falls to a horse with only a couple of runs over hurdles, preferably won last time out and often includes the 1st or 2nd favourite. Irish raiders frequently carry off the prize.

Torpichen if he runs is high on the list

Cousin Vinny stumbled and unseated last time when looking a likely winner

Kempes is a very useful hurdler

Irish Independent Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase 14:05 Cheltenham Races, Tuesday 10 March

Younger horses at the head of the market hold sway and hold up horses perform best.

Calgary Bay, who prefers to race left handed, fits the bill while likely favourite,

Tatenen prefers to race prominently and lost the only time he was held up.

Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy 15:20 Cheltenham Races, Tuesday 10 March

Best suited to the younger generation, 8yo or less and with previous form at the Festival and as with all hurdlers, preference goes to last time out winners.

Shortlist should include

Ashkazar

Binocular fast and accurate hurdler

Brave Inca tough but ageing campaigner with 10 grade 1 wins but probably place prospects only

Celestial Halo

Crack Away Jack

Harchibald another with age against him

Katchit out of form of late but Cheltenham brings out the best in him and could spring a surprise

Osana running well but not won in a while

Won In the Dark would provide a fairytale ending for his young Irish trainer,Sabrina Harty. She persuaded her dad to pay 1800 euros for this diminutive 5yo who is both talented and determined

Cheltenham Races 2009 DAY 2

Ballymore Properties Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) 14:05 Cheltenham Cheltenham Races, Wednesday 11 March

Irish trained 6yo's have a good record, especially consider horses finishing 1st or 2nd last time out.

Shortlist

Diamond Harry - unbeaten in 6 starts and a real battler who has won at Cheltenham - won't want fast ground

Karabak Strong contender who has won at Cheltenham and last 2 starts

Mad Max has won all 4 starts over hurdles including a defeat of the very useful Karabak at Ascot. A gentle giant with a stride to match.

Mikael D'Haguenet - French import for the Irish stable of Willie Mullins has gone from strength to strength this season in winning his last 4 starts

Pause And Clause - 2nd to Mad Max at Newbury and won last time on softer than preferred. A firmer surface could see further improvement

Quwetwo - another giant horse produced a convincing victory over Bajan Parkes at Doncaster in January on his hurdling debut. Lots of improvement to come but inexperience might find him out.

RSA Chase (Grade 1) 14:40 Cheltenham Races, Wednesday 11 March

National Hunt bred horses are in their element here and 7 or 8yo's fare well. 1st or 2nd last time out is also a strong trend

Shortlist

Carruthers an excellent jumper who must have soft ground. Won last 2 starts

Cooldine a high class hurdler, his 3 runs over fences have produced 2 wins and more improvement likely

Gone To Lunch has won his last 3 races and won't be stopping up at the end his race

Massini's Maguire likes Cheltenham and his record shows 2 wins and 2 places from 5 runs - good outside chance

What A Friend owned by Man. Utd manager Alex Ferguson, had Carruthers behind in his first try over fences and defeated Ballyfitz at Cheltenham last time out.

Queen Mother Champion Chase (Grade 1) 15:20 Cheltenham Races, Wednesday 11 March

To have won at the Festival before is a big plus and the winner can often be found in the 1st three in the betting. Fast and accurate jumping is the order of the day

Master Minded delivered a master class in this race last year and most of the opposition this year will again be under his tutelage.

Big Zeb looked a fine prospect prior to his fall at Punchestown last time out. Any errors at Cheltenham are unlikely to go unpunished.

Briareus made a winning comeback after 2 years on the sidelines but beaten 32 lengths into 4th behind Kauto Star in the King George at Kempton on Boxing Day.

Petit Robin with 1 win and two 2nds this season looks up against it

Twist Magic has talent but like an unruly schoolboy needs to develop consistency

Well Chief is a grand servant to the Pipe stable on his day but surely now in the twilight of his chequered career.

The Weatherbys Champion Bumper (Grade 1) 17:15 Cheltenham Races, Wednesday 11 March

This race is a standing dish for Irish trainers, notably Willie Mullins who has carried off the prize no less than 6 times.

The winner is often a 5yo who features in the first 6 in the betting. A good lay-off to get them champing at the bit is an extra positive. Horses beaten last time out need not apply and the job spec also includes winning a race with at least 15 runners.

Shortlist

Cadspeed - Willie Mullins trained, has won his last 2 outings bu may not have enough gears for this especially on good ground

Dunguib won well in a big field at Punchestown in November and followed up at Navan the next month. In with a shout.

Gagewell Flyer fits all the stats with 1 winning run on heavy before Christmas for Willie Mullins. Should also be suited by the likely better ground at Cheltenham

Glenlo Abbey is another willie Mullins contender with similar qualifications to Gagewell Flyer. Reported to have been working well at home

Henry King a 5yo who won his sole start at Newbury although his trainer is currently out of form

Lios A Choill another Willie Mullins contestant, won his first start at Fairyhouse recently and will appreciate better ground. However the recent run stat is against him

Meath All Star won his only start at Cork last July and considered by trainer Willie Mullins to be an ideal candidate for this race.

Quinola Des Obeaux another red hot candidate from willie Mullins who ticks all the boxes. A dual bumper winner with a tremendous turn of foot

Rite Of Passage currently 2nd in the betting and trained by Dermot Weld. Won both starts with any amount in hand and strongly fancied.

Shinrock Paddy won all 3 starts and his prominent racing style should keep him ahead of the bumps and hurly-burly which characterises this race.

Sicilian Secret is currently the favourite and one of Willie Mullins best horses.

Cheltenham Races 2009 DAY 3

Ryanair Chase (Grade 1) 14:40 Cheltenham Races, Thursday 12 March

Previous Cheltenham Races form is a big plus particularly past winners

Those who ran in the Paddy Power Gold Cup often perform well and a french bred trained by Paul Nicholls fulfils all the stats.

Shortlist

Imperial Commander - winner of the Paddy Power Gold Cup in November should go well despite a poor showing in the King George

Our Vic is a standing dish in the Ryanair and winner of the race last year. Preparation for this race however has been far from ideal

Schindlers Hunt - not as good as he was and had a hard race at Naas recently

Scotsirish - Bit of a character but could make the frame for Willie Mullins

Tidal Bay - A class act on his day and a previous Festival winner. Has not had an ideal preparation but usually comes good at this time of year and goes well at the course

Voy Por Ustedes - previous winner of the Arkle Trophy and Queen Mother champion chase. Is a class act and could well add another Festival trophy to his collection

Ladbrokes World Hurdle (Grade 1) 15:20 Cheltenham, Thursday 12 March

Horses that contested this race have a good record as are those who ran in the Long Walk Hurdle and the Cleeve Hurdle. Less well favoured are older horses eg 9yo+ and Irish trained.

shortlist

Big Bucks has enjoyed an excellent season beating the likes of Punchestowns, Blazing Bailey and Fair Along in the Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham on New Year's Day. Although he may not encounter such soft conditions for this race.

Blazing Bailey - not produced his best form this year and not difficult to pass over

Fair Along has a good record at Cheltenham winning four times. If the ground comes up good he should make the frame at least

Kasbah Bliss a french horse that knows his way round Prestbury Park, finishing runner up to high class Inglis Drever in this race last year. He can go one better.

Punchestowns - is a classy horse on his day and was only beaten by Big Bucks in the Cleeve Hurdle which was run on very testing ground. He could well turn the form around.

Shakervilz - a Willie Mullins runner who won the Grade 2 Tara Hurdle at Navan in December. There is probably more to come and has place claims

Cheltenham Races 2009 DAY 4

Jcb Triumph Hurdle (Grade 1)13:30 Cheltenham Friday 13 March

Trainers that have a good record in this race include Alan King, Nicky Henderson, Willie Mullins and Philip Hobbs

We should also be looking at a horse that has won at least twice over hurdles, winning last time out and with a flat rating of at least 80

The winner can often be found in the first 4 in the betting

Shortlist

Ebadiyan won a couple of good hurdles including a grade 3 at Punchestown in January - has shown stamina and deterination and won't be shirking the final slog up the Cheltenham hill

Jumbo Rio beat Ebadiyan on his last outing in a Grade 2 at Leopardstown - leading player

Lethal Weapon was rated 92 on the flat and has won all 3 of his hurdles races, ending with a defeat of Tharawaat in a Grade 1 at Leopardstown. Is open to further improvement

Master Of Arts won 6 times on the flat ending on a mark of 95 before being sent hurdling and winning his first start. However he does prefer soft ground and just one race over hurdles could leave him vulnerable to more experienced rivals

Starluck has won 3 times over hurdles with a very good display at Kempton. Only raced on flat tracks but is very progressive and should be thereabouts

Walkon A prolific winner on the flat in France has taken well to hurdles winning twice, latterly at Cheltenham conceding 7lbs to the runner up Reve De Sivola on ground softer than ideal. This horse can go all the way and is a worthy favourite

Zaynar is a very classy recruit from France to Nicky Henderson's yard. He won a hurdle easily at Newbury and followed up next time at Ascot with a somewhat laboured defeat of Amore Mio. Boasts a similar profile to Walkon

Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle(Grade 1)14:40 Friday 13 March

The conditions of the race favours the older horse 7yo+ with experience over the Cheltenham fences. Stamina is at a premium so winning form over 3m is necessary and preference is for horses who finished 1st or 2nd last tme out. The winner usually comes from the first five in the betting

Shortlist

Alpha Ridge - the 7yo has gone from srength to strength this season winning 4 of 5 starts. Form has to be taken on trust as his sole defeat was by a large margin 26 lengths. Also prefers some cut in the ground

Bensalem went down by 1/2 length to Diamond Harry at Cheltenham last time out after winning his previous 4 starts. That is good form in the context of this race and there could be more to come

Cape Tribulation won well at Doncaster over 3 miles last time out although his trainer reckons he needs soft ground and be better at Aintree than the Cheltenham Races

Pride Of Dulcote has won 3 of his 4 starts over hurdles but fell when travelling well in a Listed event at Chepstow. Shown plenty of stamina and scope for improvement which will be required in this company

Totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase (Grade 1)15:20

Again experience counts with 2nd season 7yo's predominating. Previous winners at the Festival and in the King George have also excelled in this race.

Shortlist

Kauto Star - winner of this race 2 years ago and beaten by stable mate Denman in 2008. Has come back as strong as ever this year disposing of a quality field in the King George. Main stat against him is that previous losers have a poor record

Neptune Collonges

Won well with a bold display of jumping in a grade 1 at Leopardstown in February. Will come here at the top of his game. But has failed to win on 3 previous visits to Cheltenham and may have to settle for a place again

Denman

Produced an imperious display to win this race last year but off with heart trouble until his return at Kempton in February. His 23 length 2nd to Madison Du Berlais revealed he was a long way off his best

Madison Du Berlais accounted for Denman with an eyecatching effort at Kempton in February and if turning up in the same kind of form is a force to be reckoned with.

Exotic Dancer has had plenty of chances in this race and looks up against it again

Barbers Shop the queen is more noted for her flat runners than national hunt but this horse is not without a shout. His trainer Nicky Henderson says "I was extremely pleased with him when he worked with Mad Max at Newbury on March 1 and the extra distance of the Gold Cup will suit him."

The Boylesports International meeting, Friday 12th - Saturday 13th December at Cheltenham is considered a warm-up for the Cheltenham Races in March.

I am tipping all races at this meeting and selections are as follows: Although the selections are mine, to save time I have used The R.P. Spotlight notes to highlight their chances

12.15 Boylesports.com BEST ODDS JUVENILE NOVICES' HURDLE (2) 2m1f

Balzaccio place

Recovered losses from odds-on debut defeat when beating pair of subsequent winners at Haydock but certainly wouldn´t get carried away with that form and substantial improvement probably needed, though trainer knows juvenile hurdle form like back of his hand. Starluck Win

Useful at best on Flat in Ireland and has stamped himself an early favourite for Triumph Hurdle after trouncing yesterday´s Doncaster fourth Laterly at Fakenham following a stylish winning debut at Huntingdon; obvious chance but main concern is he was taken out her last month when ground was considered too soft.

12.45 JENNY MOULD MEMORIAL HANDICAP CHASE (2) 2m110y

Something Wells win

Now 5lb higher than when good second over this trip at Haydock last month on reappearance when Tidal Fury was over 20l behind him in sixth but will handle ground and in-form stable won a good prize here yesterday, so high on list.

1.20 RELKEEL HURDLE (Grade 2) (1) 2½m110y

Junior place

Talented if slightly quirky horse both on Flat and over hurdles but answered his critics when turning over odds-on shot over 2m4f at Sandown last week; faces tough task under maximum penalty.

Punchetowns win

Catapulted himself into Festival reckoning with easy win under big weight in handicap here last month and runner-up franked form next time; ground will suit, best in on official figures and hard to oppose.

1.55 Boylecasino.com NOVICES' CHASE (2) 2m5f

Buck The Legend Win

Pick of these over hurdles (Coral Cup winner here last season) and hugely promising chasing debut when close second at Haydock; unsuited by drop back in trip when outspeeded by decent sort over 2m1f next time but should go well if ground doesn´t become too bad.

2.30 Boylesports.com GOLD CUP (HANDICAP CHASE) (Grade 3) (1) 2m5f

Oslot place

Did the business in Galway Plate in July and has acquitted himself with credit off his revised mark since; would have finished closer but for mistake two out when about 9l fourth to My Petra at Ascot but not convinced he can reverse form despite healthy pull.

Imperial Commander Win

Trainer´s high opinion of him totally vindicated by his impressive Paddy Power win here last month and 13lb raise looks all the more justified after the only rival to give him a race, Barbers Shop, won a Listed chase next time; connections continue to exude confidence and he will be hard to beat if in same form.

3.05 Boylesports.com INTERNATIONAL (HURDLE) (Grade 2) (1) 2m1f

Harchibald place

Hugely talented but much maligned, winner of this race three years ago following narrow defeat in Champion Hurdle; ground softer than ideal when running no race in last season´s Champion and maybe even next time behind Punjabi at Punchestown but 8lb penalty for last year´s Fighting Fifth win makes life tough even if back to best and rain would be a worry

Crack Away Jack Win

Showed his class when winning Listed novice handicap at Cheltenham and proved he had progressed again over the summer when winning at Chepstow on reappearance; has come out of his defeat by Chomba Womba over 2m3f at Ascot so well that trainer has done anabout turn regarding this race and no surprise if he reverses that form with better jumping.

3.35 ALBERT BARTLETT NOVICES' HURDLE (Bristol) (Grade 2) (1) 3m

Diamond Harry (Reverse Forecast with) Massasoit

Diamond Harry has yet to taste defeat and best performance yet from him when stylish winner of what´s usually a good Grade 2 event over 2m5f here last month; already a leading fancy for the staying novices at the Festival (shorter price ante post than Massasoit) and this further step up in trip shouldn´t be a problem.

Massasoit Dual bumper winner in testing conditions for Malcolm Jefferson and looked like horse with big future when making short work of last week´s Sandown odds-on failure On Raglan Road in 2m4f novice hurdle at Aintree in October; expected to stay and officiallyrated 3lb superior to Diamond Harry.

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Cheltenham Races 2008 DAY 1

Anglo Irish Bank Supreme Novices Hurdle

Shortlist

Rippling Ring

Binocular

Sentry Duty

Blue Bajan each way

Captain Cee Bee, Khyber Kim, Rippling Ring, Muirhead, Cork All Star

Cheltenham Races - Irish Independent Arkle Challenge Trophy

Shortlist

Tidal Bay won 6-1

Noland

Kruguyrova each way 2nd 9-1

Noland, Tidal Bay, Clopf, Mahogany Blaze, Ring The Boss, Thyne Again

Cheltenham Races - Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle

Shortlist

SIZING EUROPE

OSANA

CATCH ME each way

Sizing Europe, Osana

Cheltenham Races - William Hill Handicap Chase

Shortlist

AN ACCORDION won 7-1

PONMEOATH

MON MOME

An Accordion, Ofarel D'Airy, L'Ami, Monkerhostin

Cheltenham Races - Cross Country Chase

Shortlist

GARDE CHAMPETRE won 4-1

WONDERKID

Wonderkid, Headsontheground, Garde Champetre, Le Duc, Royal Auclair

Cheltenham Races - Fred winter Novice handicap hurdle

Shortlist

CRACK AWAY JACK won 14-1

RIVER LIANE

HARRY TRICKER Each Way

Ashkazar, River Liane, Harry Tricker

Cheltenham Races 2008 DAY 2

Ballymore Properties Novices Hurdle

Shortlist

Aigle D'Or, Forpadydeplasterer, Group Captain, Breedsbreeze, Trafford Lad, The Tother One

Cheltenham Races - Royal and Sun Alliance Chase

Shortlist

Silverburn

Roll Along 2nd 20-1

Verasi

Tidal Bay, Nevada Royale, Silverburn, Albertas Run

Queen Mother Champion Chase

Shortlist

Voy Por Ustedes 2nd 5-2

Tamarinbleu

Master Minded, Twist Magic, Tamarinbleu, Voy Por Ustedes

Cheltenham Races Coral Cup

Shortlist

none as yet

Peter O'Sullevan N H Steeple Chase Challenge Cup

Positive Trends

Shortlist

Over The Creek 2nd 7-1

Old Benny 1st 9-1

Pass It On

Weatherbys Champion Bumper

Shortlist

Corskeagh Royale 2nd 7-1

Cottage Oak

Apt Approach

Cousin Vinny 1st 12-1

Zaarito, Apt Approach, Lilywhitedancer, Cousin Vinny, Gold Award, Big Eared Fran

Cheltenham Races 2008 DAY 3

Jewson Novices Handicap Chase

Shortlist

Mr Strachan

Finger On The Pulse 1st 9-1

Dear Villez, Silverburn, Arturio, Ambobo, Lead On, Barbers Shop

Ryanair Chase

Shortlist

L'Antartique

Turko 3rd 7-1

Mossbank, The Listener, Monet's Garden, Tamarinbleu, L'Antartique, Don't Push It

Ladbroke World Hurdle

Shortlist

Without the favourite

Kasbah Bliss 2nd 9-1

My Way De Solzen

The Market Man

Inglis Drever, My Way De Solzen, Special Envoy, Wichita Lineman, Hardy Eustace, Blazing Bailey

The Racing Post Plate Handicap Chase

Shortlist

Bible Lord 3rd 6-1

Oedipe

Mighty Matters

Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Handicap Chase

Shortlist

Whispered Secret

Bob Bob Bobbin

Jaunty Times

High Chimes 1st 14-1

Cheltenham Races Pertemps Final Handicap Hurdle

Shortlist

Dancing Tornado

Footy Facts

Buena Vista

Russian Trigger

Cheltenham Races 2008 DAY 4

Results of Cheltenham Races Friday selections

DAVID NICHOLSON MARES ONLY HURDLE

Theatre Girl

Gaspara

BALLYMORE PROPERTIES NOVICES' HURDLE

Venalmar 2nd 11-1

Forpadydeplasterer

Breedsbreeze

CORAL CUP

Naiad Du Misselot won 7-1

Shazand each way

Song Of Songs - A McManus owned horse

Kicks For Free

JCB TRIUMPH HURDLE

Personal Column

Serabad

Franchoek 2nd evens

ALBERT BARTLETT NOVICES' HURDLE

Nenuphar Collonges won 9-1

Gone To Lunch

The Tother One 3rd 9-2

TOTESPORT Cheltenham Races GOLD CUP

Denman won 9-4

Kauto Star 2nd 10-11

Bon Accord 2nd 15-2

Alert The Earth

Man From Highworth

Agus A Vic

JOHNNY HENDERSON GRAND ANNUAL CHASE

My Petra 2nd 3-1

Maralan

Enlightenment

VINCENT O'BRIEN COUNTY HURDLE

Mohayer

Wanango

Missis Potts

Wingman

JCB Triumph Hurdle

Shortlist

Franchoek, Binocular, Celestial Halo, Ashkazar, Won In The Dark

The Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle

Shortlist

Gone To Lunch, Carruthers, The Tother One, Lodge Lane

Cheltenham Races Gold Cup

Shortlist

Kauto Star, Denman, Neptunes Collonges

Christie's Foxhunters Chase

Shortlist

Agus A Vic, Lou Du Moulin Mas, Drombeag, Thisthatandtother, Bon Accord, General Striker, Amicelli, Man From Highworth

Cheltenham Races Grand Annual Challenge Cup

Shortlist

My Petra, Wanango, Andreas, Crozan, Enlightenment, Fier Normand

Vincent O'Brien Handicap Hurdle

Shortlist

Psycho, Jered, County Zen, Imsingingtheblues, Mon Michel, Wingman

David Nicholson Mares Hurdle

Shortlist

Chomba Womba, Sweet Kiln, Gaspara, Theatre Girl, Amaretto Rose, Lounaos

End of analysis for Cheltenham Races 2008

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