Cheltenham Festival 2024 Megathread

El Fabiolo has reminded me why I dont back horses at really short odds in jumps racing...

 

Buying money was that. Far more comfortable than the Super Boost that won yesterday.

 

Didn't look right before the race. Stepped in the boards of the test fence.

 

I fully understand your opinion about Langer but Skelton seemed to give a feasible reason.
After surgery, he was found to have ulcers etc etc.
I’m not saying that racing is a totally honest sport but I don’t think he’d tell blatant lies on telly.
Anyway.. can you tell that I backed him ?

 

Skelton's in bother for giving false information at a BHA hearing isn't he?

 

Dunno
Not heard that.

 

Trainer Dan Skelton found to have deliberately misled BHA as findings released in George Gently case | Racing Post

 

That’s not good … ta

 

He's clearly telling lies. This particular horse has followed the same pattern for the last 4 years. Firstly, it finished 2nd in the Martin Pipe, after being "well campaigned" as a Novice. Luckily Gallopin De Champs kicked it out of the way.

The following year, it was back down to its last winning mark after not trying all winter. Amusingly it fell at the first, hopefully connections did their dough. Last year was the same, cheated all winter to get back to its winning mark - and today the same.

Skelton has Favior running in the County on Friday. Won the race last year, so got a rise in the handicap. Its then basically not beat a horse all winter, but he nearly dropped a rick because it came down too far in the handicap so almost didn't qualify. So what happened? It surprisingly ran a huge race last weekend to get a nice little rise to guarantee a run.

Anyway, long story short I've backed Favoir on Friday because if you can't beat em join em

Looking forward to tomorrow. Proper field sizes and prices without long odds on bilge.

Cant wait.

 

I was on Go Dante. Fancy Le Milos tomorrow.

 

Thursday Picks.
1:30 Facile Vega win.
2:10 Le Milos win.
2:50 Envoi Allen win.
3:30 Teahuppo win.
4:10 Crebilly win.
4:50 Jade De Grugy win.
5:30 Inothewayurthinkin win.

A few e/w bets thrown in too.

 

Small profit on Tuesday thanks to Jasmin in the last. Better than losing though. Anyway on to Thursday which looks on paper a bit more open.
1.30 Ginnys Destiny - largely cos of solid Cheltenham form
2.10 Gowel Road - in what looks like a muddle I'll chance this e/w with lots of places available. Was on very heavy ground last time but Cheltenham doesnt look as bad and no rain forecast till later in afternoon
2.50 Protektorat - Looks underrated here, possibly because he's been around a long time but I think dropping him back to this trip might be a canny move by Skelton. E/w punt (4 places on exchange)
3.30 Teahuppo - Just looks like the best horse coming into this. At least its not odds on..... Doubt I'll back it though
4.10 Theatre Man - Marginally for me over Crebilly. I think his turn of foot may be best
4.50 Jade De Grugy - I suspect there may be further improvement after that Fairyhouse run
5.30 Bowtogreatness - A bit of a chancer as the horse is unpredictable but does have top form if in mood

I'll probably back the 2.10 and 2.50 but small stakes as the entire day looks dodgy to me
Good luck folks. Let the bookies eat cake (which they probably do already)

 

I agree. I was looking for angles tomorrow. I couldn't find any. Hence the favourite backing. Just looking the most credible options.

 

I’ve got a Heinz on that pays out 150000/1

not holding out for much though!

 

Here it is.
Will also back them all individually.

 

Some excellent picks there.

 

We will see! I’m not having a good week so far!

 

Sa Majeste was a disappointment, but Bet365 again helpfully came to the rescue with their Evens offer on Ballyburn. It's almost like the bookies are taking pity on us!

Another fabulous day, with the Champion Chase a real thriller after the departure of El Fabiolo. What a fantastic rider Rachael is. And what more can you say about Willie Mullins? 100 Chelters winners up and he isn't done by a long way. Without re-hashing the above arguments I too, have misgivings about the Skelton operation. But there are a lot of trainers out there running horses in inappropriate circumstances so as to preserve their true form for the day when they are 'off'. As punters, we have to note the patterns and factor them in accordingly. Very good article in The Times today by Samantha Martin asking whether the Festival may have lost some of it's aura.

So, on to today. In the Turners (1.30) Grey Dawning and Ginny's Destiny look to have the best form. But I don't think Facile Vega and (especially) Iroko have shown all they've got, so no bet for me. I like Icare Allen in the Pertemps (2.10) and I'm hoping he can do what Sa Majeste couldn't. Envoi Allen looks to have hit top form in his bid for a repeat win in the Ryanair (2.50) and I take a chance that Sir Gerhard (3.30) can improve enough to take the Stayers' Hurdle from what looks an otherwise very exposed field. In the Mares' Novice (4.50) I find it hard to separate Brighterdaysahead, Dysart Enos and Jade De Grugy. As regards the Trustatrader Plate (???) and the Kim Muir, I have absolutely no idea.

Should be another great afternoon of viewing. Good luck to everyone!

 

Big day for me today - the best pays punting I think. Big field, competitive racing.

I'm already on Ahoy Senor and Home By The Lee as mentioned earlier in the thread, but I've added the following.

1.50 - Djelo - Come on Venetia. I don't like any of the favs. Nicholls horses running nearly as badly as Henderson. Facile Vega seems to be stepped up in trip in hope rather than expectation and Grey Dawning is in the wrong race. Iroko surely cannot win (famous last words) with only one outing over jumps.

2.30 - Farouk D'Alene - yes it's top weight and handicapped to the hilt, but a very good claimer takes 7lbs off. Would have beaten L'omme Presse the other year in the Brown's if it didn't fall. Loves the soft ground.

Good luck to everyone apart from Dan Skelton.

 

Ginnys destiny 130
Ahoy senor 250
Noble yeats
Angels dawn 530