The Intelligent Punter's Guide to Glorious Goodwood (Day 5)

Neil Clark Winners so far this week; Lord Riddiford 8-1 (NAP), Kinross 10-11, Paddington 4-9, Vandeek 11-8, Ornellala 7-4, Temporize 6-1, Highfield Princess 4-9, Hamish 5-6. Places: Man of Eden 10-1; Sonny Liston (5th) 20-1; Wizard Of Eye (6th) 28-1; True Legend 10-1. 1.50 A tricky opener in which you could make a case for several of the runners. Zaman Jemil won going away last time and rates a worthy market leader; at longer odds the well-handicapped bottom weight Capote’s Dream, last year’s 12-1 winner Many a Star (who‘s now 2lbs lower), and Cooperation whose last win was in similarly testing conditions, are ones for the each-way shortlist. 2.25 Team Gosden won this last year with Trawlerman who then went on to win the Ebor, and they’ll be trying the same thing with Sweet William who needs to win here to get into the York showpiece later this month. Best each-way could be Omniscent (10-1), who ran out of fuel in the closing stages of the Northumberland Plate but who should be ideally suited by the drop back to 1m6f, and whose trainer Sir Mark Prescott has won the race before. 3.00 Team Gosden have three of the last seven runnings of the Lillie Langtry and so you’ve got to give a big chance to Free Wind, who can be forgiven a rare disappointing effort at Royal Ascot last time. River of Stars looks next best. 3.35 Mr Wagyu may be getting on a bit but he won the Stewards’ Cup in the mud two years ago and in similar conditions today represents each-way value at around 12-1. Trainer John Quinn has been on fire at Goodwood this week with three winners and one second, and his charge has slipped to a mark 6lbs lower than he won off in 2022. Plenty more can be given chances in the 28 runner cavalry charge, including the well-regarded favourite Orazio, whose trainer Charlie Hills has won the race twice in recent years, and at longer odds Albasheer, Mum’s Tipple and Significantly. 4.10 Sophia’s Starlight was second here over a shorter trip four days ago and may well do a ‘Novus‘ by turning a Goodwood place into a win. Chartwell House could be the main danger. 4.45 Charlie Johnston nominated Individualist as the horse he was most excited about running this week and the half-brother of Ascot Gold Cup winner Subjectivist is taken to win the maiden. Andrew Balding has won the last two runnings and Royal Supremacy could be the best of his two entries. 5.20 It could be madness not to have an each-way wager on One Step Beyond as he gets in here off bottom weight which should count for a lot more in the testing conditions. Trainer Gary Moore has already had a winner at the meeting this week and son Ryan takes over from a 7lbs claimer. If you've enjoyed reading the Guide, and it helps you win a bit of money (hopefully!), then all donations greatly received.

THE INTELLIGENT PUNTER’S GUIDE TO GLORIOUS GOODWOOD 2023 (DAY 4) Neil Clark 

(Winners so far this week: Lord Riddiford 8-1 (NAP), Kinross 10-11, Paddington 4-9, Vandeek 11-8, Ornellaia 7-4; places: Man of Eden 10-1.) A very tricky card today with tons of runners but let’s examine past trends and try and beat the bookies! 1.50 Just one winner of the 2m4 and a half furlong Coral Goodwood Handicap has carried more than 9st in the last ten years; with the 8st 8lbs mark about the average weight of the winners. The race has also seen its fair share of long-priced winners too. Temporise (13-2), and at a bigger prices Land of Winter (20-1) and Winterwatch (33-1), match those weight trends. Law of the Sea (13-2) carries 9st 2lbs but his trainer Ian Williams has won the race three times and so is also worthy of consideration under the in-form Jim Crowley. 2.25. Sir Michael Stoute has had some fancied runners run disappointingly this week, so the odds-on favourite Nostrum isn’t bomb proof; however on form he’s the likeliest winner of this race which his trainer has a good record in. Docklands looks next best. 3.00 The Golden Mile is a real challenge with 21 going to past, but there is a very strong trend in that eight of the last nine runnings have been won by horses drawn 1-5 with three of the last five winners drawn 3. Clearly the favourite Lattam, drawn 3, and last year’s third Revich, who runs off the same mark and is drawn 1, have to go on the shortlist, together with Sonny Liston, who’s in 2 and who‘ll benefit by dropping back to a mile. David O’Meara has a good record in the race; his 1-2 from last year, Orbaan and Blue For You are back for more and despite their higher draws also have to be considered each-way, along with Rhoscolyn, who was runner-up in 2021 and was 7th last year off a much higher mark. The Wizard of Eye, drawn 6, ran very well in a Group 3 over course and distance last year, and could be the best of the real long-shots. 3.35 Highland Princess has been running really well in top sprints this season and the drop to Group 2 level should allow her to get her head in front even though you won‘t get rich backing her unless you really wade in . Her trainer John Quinn has already had two winners and a second at the meeting this week. Equality looks next best while at much bigger odds Czech raider Ponntos, not beaten far in fifth last year makes some each-way appeal. 4.10 ’Hamishs 3lbs penalty makes this harder but he still appeals as the likeliest winner, with Mimikyu next best. 4.45 Flag of St George narrowly failed to get up at Windsor last time and could well go one better in this 6f nursery, while Loaded Gun was staying on very strongly when winning over 5f last time and is another to consider. 5.20 True Legend gets in here with a 6lbs penalty for winning at Salisbury last Saturday and the Sir Mark Prescott runner could be each-value at around 10-1. If you enjoyed reading this guide and it helped you in any way to find some winners, then please consider making a small donation. That would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks!

The Intelligent Punter's Guide to the 2023 Grand National

THE INTELLIGENT PUNTER’S GUIDE TO THE 2023 GRAND NATIONAL Neil Clark 

And they’re off! At 5.15pm at Aintree on Saturday a maximum of 40 horses will go to post for the 175th renewal of the world’s most famous -and most exciting horse race- one which was first run back in 1839. Deciding which horse, or horses, to back might seem a daunting task but hopefully this horse-by-horse guide will help. 

  Overview

 The Grand National used to be a strong trends race, but last year’s 50-1 winner, Noble Yeats, ridden by retiring amateur Sam Waley-Cohen, was a real stats-buster as he was the first 7-year-old to win since 1940! It does seem that with the further modification of the once formidable fences, the average age of National winners is getting younger- with age and experience counting for less than they used to. 

Consider this. Eight-year-olds used to win the race about once every decade (1973, 83, 92, 02). But eight-year-olds have now won four of the last seven runnings. Conversely, no horse older than nine has won since 2014. Compare that to the period 1975-81 when all bar one of the winners was over 9, and 1989-1996 when the same thing happened again. Now that doesn’t mean we can, or should, dogmatically rule out any horse older than nine in this year’s race, and that a seven-year-old will win again, only that recent trends strongly suggest the advantage now seems to be with the younger horses. 

As to weight, carrying less than 11st stone still is an advantage in the Aintree marathon, with seven of the last ten winners carrying between 10st 3lbs and 10st 13lbs. And if we look at the forty horses finishing in the first four since 2012, 29 of them carried less than 11st. So if you’re backing say four horses, it’s probably sensible to have at least three of them in the 10st- to 10st 13lbs weight bracket. 

Horses that have been placed, or run well in the race often do so again, so do pay close attention to runners who come into that category, at least from an each-way perspective. From a win perspective though recent trends do favour horses having their first run in the race which again is probably connected to the modification of the fences. L’Escargot in 1975 and Hallo Dandy in 1984 both won having been placed in previous years, but the last horse to achieve that feat was Amberleigh House in 2004. After the legendary Red Rum won the race three times in the 1970s, no horse won back-to-back Nationals until Tiger Roll in 2018 & 19. Can Noble Yeats double up this year? If so, he would become the sixth Irish trainer winner in the last seven years, another strong recent trend. In fact you have to go back to 2014 for the last English trained winner (the 2017 winner, One for Arthur, was trained in Scotland). 

Finally regarding prices, don’t be put off backing horses at long odds if you fancy them. Since 2006 we’ve had winners at 100-1, 66-1, 50-1, 33-1 (three times), and 25-1 (twice), showing that finding the winner is even harder than it used to be as the quality of the race has improved and so many are in with chances. At least from win-only purposes, favourites are generally worth taking on in such a big field, only two favourites or joint-favourites have won since 2008. Well-fancied horses though have regularly been placed, so if you do fancy one of the market leaders, the advice is to back it each-way as at least you’ll get some return if it finishes in the frame. 

Now let’s take a closer look at the runners.

 **** Potential winner *** Each way possibilities ** Possibilities at best but unlikely winner * No hoper 

1. ANY SECOND NOW. 11 yo. Weight 11st 11lbs. Odds: 12-1 *** With better luck Ted Walsh’s charge might be going into this chasing a third National win as he was an unlucky third in 2021 and a close second last year; sure to go very well again, but faces a stiff task to win off an 8lbs higher mark than 12 months ago. 

2. NOBLE YEATS. 8yo. 11st 11lbs. 13-2 *** Last year’s 50-1 winner, but more than a stone more on his back this time round. The trends say he’s likelier to be placed than win under his big burden, but then the trends said he couldn’t win last year as a seven-year-old so one would want to be too dogmatic about dismissing even though arguably the value has gone from his price.

 3. GALVIN 8yo. Weight 11st 11lbs. Odds 14-1 ** Has run very well in two good trials: the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham -which he won in 2021 and this year’s Cross Country at the Cheltenham Festival. Another one of the high weight horses that has the credentials to run a decent race, though the trends say others have more chance of winning because of his burden.

 4. FURY ROAD 9yo. 11st 6lbs 50-1 ** Ran well at the meeting last year, a good run can’t be ruled out but combination of weight and unproven stamina ( yet to race beyond 3 miles) mean that others appeal more. 

5. THE BIG DOG 10yo. 11st 5lbs. 16-1 *** Fell last time out when running a big race in the Irish Gold Cup (won by subsequent Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Galopin Des Champs), but before that had run a blinder when third under top weight of 12st in the stamina-sapping Welsh National; with a clear round he is likely to be there or thereabouts at the finish (and you don‘t have to be barking to fancy him!).

 6. CAPODANNO 7yo. 11st 5lbs. 16-1 ** and a half Won at the last two Punchestown festivals so clearly a spring horse; master trainer Willie Mullins skipped a tilt at the Cheltenham Gold Cup to wait for this so has to be taken seriously; question is though, having had the first 7-year-old winner since 1940 last year, will we get another one so soon- or-will it be like buses? 

7.DELTA WORK 10yo 11st4lbs. 13-2 **** Won the Cross Country at the Cheltenham Festival for the 2nd year running in March, third last year when he got too far back, but 1lbs lower this time so has to be on the shortlist for a trainer (Gordon Elliott), who has already won this three times.

 8.SAM BROWN 11yo 11st 4lbs. 66-1 ** Sprang a 28-1 surprise in a 3m handicap chase at the meeting last year, and was also third over the Mildmay fences in 2021, that’s a plus; but stamina is a question mark especially if the ground is testing as he was pulled up on only previous occasion he raced beyond 3m1f in the Grand National Trial at Haydock last year. 

9. LIFETIME AMBITION 8yo 11st3lbs. 20-1 ***and a half. Very consistent sort who has finished in the first four in all but one of his 22 starts;; was fourth when favourite for the Grand Sefton over the National fences in November; needs to go a lot further here and stamina unproven; that said trainer Jessica Harrington doesn’t run many in this and saddled the 66-1 close second in 2019 with another horse whose stamina wasn’t assured so worthy of consideration. Would be a fairytale winner too as trainer is battling cancer. 

10. CAREFULLY SELECTED 11yo 11st 1lbs. 25-1. ** and a half Lightly raced 11-year-old who only returned to action in December having had two and a half years off. He won the Grade A Thyestes Chase at Gowran in February, staying on well at the finish. Some classy form in the book makes him of interest though he did unseat and looked held the last time he went beyond 3m1f.

 11. COKO BEACH 8yo 11st 25-1 *** Belied his 50-1 odds in this last year when led for much of the way and was still in there pitching 3 out, perhaps if ridden with a bit more restraint might be able to improve on 8th position and make the frame; against that is 5lbs higher now. 

12. LONGHOUSE POET 9yo 11st. 10-1. *** and a half. Travelled strongly in this last year, was disputing the lead 2 out but weakened to finish sixth, perhaps he was a bit undercooked having not run since February but this year he’s had a more recent outing which should benefit. Shortlist material.

 13. GAILLARD DU MESNIL 7yo 11st. 10-1. **** Winner of the National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, when he did his best work at the finish, trainer Willie Mullins sidestepped a tilt at Monday’s Irish National (in which he was third last year) to go for this (Mullins won the race with another horse) and so given his staying chase form and connections, must be respected.

 14 DARASSO 10yo 10st 13lbs. 66-1 **and a half. Was second in the Galway Plate behind Hewick which was fair form and third in the 3m Kerry National too but not raced beyond that distance so stamina is a doubt. Trainer though says he thinks he’s a ‘fair each-way chance’ so long as there’s not too much rain. 

15. LE MILOS 8yo 10st 11lbs. 10-1.*** and a half Won the Coral Gold Cup (aka ‘The Hennessy’) in November when he was doing his best work at the finish, paid the price for trying to take on Wishing and Hoping at Kelso last time but trainer Skelton thinks he’ll stay, he ticks age and weight boxes so quite a bit going for him. The negative is that there’s been no English-trained winner of this since 2015. 

16. ESCARIA TEN 9yo 10st 10lbs. 100-1** 9th last year, weakening 2 out, 1lbs lower this time but that probably won’t be enough for him to greatly improve his placing. Could well get around again though. 

17. THE BIG BREAKAWAY ** 8yo 10st 10lbs. 25-1. A good second in the Welsh National at Christmas, ticks the age and weight boxes but he has mixed good runs with non completions; 4 non-completions in his last 8 runs so much depends on whether Saturday is a ’going day’ . Yes, he could go well, but comes with risks attached. 

18. CAPE GENTLEMAN. 7yo 10st8lbs 100-1. ** Stamina doubts as best form over much shorter and has fallen twice in last eight races which is off-putting. Others appeal more. 

19. ROI MAGE 11yo 10st 8lbs. 40-1. *** Had some good Cross Country form in France, but over shorter, did finish third though in the Grade One Grand Steeplechase De Paris over 3m5f, trained in Ireland since last year and while he’s not entirely dismissed as could go well with a clear round others appeal more. 

20. DIOL KER 9yo 10st 8lbs. 66-1. *** Finished 2nd in the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas which has been a good guide to this so might outperform his odds 

21. A WAVE OF THE SEA 7yo 10st 6lbs. 80-1.* Pulled up or fallen on four of his last eleven starts so that’s not really ideal for this test and when you also factor in the stamina doubts it’s easy to look elsewhere for the winner.

 22. MINELLA TRUMP 9yo 10st6lbs. 50-1.** Would be an aptly named winner given the current troubles of the former US President, and also apt given that he’s trained by Donald Mccain, son of Ginger, whose Red Rum won the first of his three Nationals 50 years ago. But although he’s been quite a prolific winner, all his starts have been over trips shorter than 3m and on good ground so stamina taken very much on trust. 

23. VANILLIER 8yo 10st 6lbs. 20-1.*** Third in the 2022 National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham, Irish challenger is the right age and has a nice weight, definite possibilities with a clear round (fell on penultimate start)

 24. VELVET ELVIS 7yo 10st 6lbs 33-1 ** and a half 6th in last year’s Irish National, where he was keeping on at the finish so not dismissed on stamina grounds, another who could be given an each way chance if he gets round. 

25. AIN’T THAT A SHAME 9yo 10st 5lbs 16-1 *** and a half 4th in the race at Leopardstown at Christmas which has proved a good recent guide to this; could have further improvement to come over marathon trips and represents the 2021 winning de Bromhead/Blackmore combo; respected. 

26. CORACH RAMBLER 9yo 10st 5lbs. 6-1. **** 10lbs ‘well-in’ as his second win in the Ultima at Cheltenham came after the National weights were published; from a handicapping perspective has a great chance and trainer- who won the race in 2017- admits they backed him; you could argue that at 6-1 in such a large field there isn’t much value left in his price but he still rates one of the likeliest winners. 

27 ENJOY D’ALLEN 9yo 10st 5lbs 66-1.** and a half His supporters (myself included) didn’t enjoy his run in this last year too much as he departed at the first; it’s hard to be that confident given what happened last year, but if he does clear the first this time and gets into a good jumping rythym then he could well outperform his odds as he has finished third in an Irish National. 

 28. MR INCREDIBLE 7yo 10st 4lbs ** and a half. Ran very well in the Totesport Classic at Warwick, should stay well, but is a bit of a character and has refused to race in the past so while he could figure on a good day he comes with risks attached. 

29. MISTER COFFEY 8yo 10st 4lbs ** 40-1 Placed in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham, reasons to believe he will stay and ticks the age and weight boxes, but otherwise excellent trainer has a poor record in the race and overall others look more likely. 

 30. CLOUDY GLEN 10yo 10st 4lbs. Odds 80-1. *** His form figures tell the story: UR, 2, PU,1, PU, 9, 3. PU. On a going day he can be very good (the ‘1’ is his win at 33-1 in the 2021 Hennessy) but it’s literally 50-50 which Cloudy Glen will turn up. If you’re looking for a positive he does usually follow a bad run with a good one and he did pull-up last time. 

31. HILL SIXTEEN 10yo 10st 2lbs. 50-1.*** and a half Has had a quiet campaign but he did run a very good race over the National fences when just failing to peg back Snow Leopardess in the 2021 Becher, jumped round ok and staying on again in the same race in December. Unlucky when hampered in the Scottish National last year, if all goes well an each-way case could be made for him at a big price off his low weight. 

32. GABBY’S CROSS 8yo 10st 2lbs. 33-1 ** and a half Should stay and ticks the age and weight boxes; trainer won the race 2021, may not be quite good enough but another with each-way possibilities. 

33. RECITE A PRAYER 8yo 10st 2lbs. 66-1 * and a half Got round in the Becher in his own time but the fact he hasn’t raced this calendar year is a big negative from a trends point of view and trainer Mullins looks to have more likely options. 

 34.EVA’S OSCAR 9yo 10st 1lbs 50-1 *** Welsh-trained grey who didn’t appear to quite get home in the Eider Chase (run over just short of the National distance) but still a respectable effort to finish fourth. Could run well for a long way and while he’s probably unlikely to win may be able to hit the first six. 

35. OUR POWER 8yo 10st 22-1 *** Improving chaser who won the old Racing Post Chase at Kempton last time, stamina for this still to prove, but trainer has done well in valuable handicaps in the last couple of seasons so is respected. 

36. DUNBOYNE 8yo 10st 

 37. FRANCKY DU BERLAIS 10yo 10st 

38. FORTESCUE 9yo 10st 

39. BACK ON THE LASH 9yo 10st 

40. BORN BY THE SEA 9yo 10st. 

 VERDICT: So many in with chances in a very open race but the trends suggest that most of the placings will be taken by horses carrying between 10st and 11st. CORACH RAMBLER, on 10st 5lbs, is ten pounds ‘well in ‘ and so must go on the shortlist, while  AIN'T THAT A SHAME and OUR POWER are among those who tick both the right age and weight boxes. Of those carrying 11st or above last year’s third DELTA WORK, National Hunt chase winner GAILLARD DU MESNIL, THE BIG DOG and, at bigger odds, LIFETIME AMBITION are other possibles for the shortlist, while towards the foot of the weights HILL SIXTEEN, one of only two horses to complete the course safely twice, might be overpriced at 50-1.

THE INTELLIGENT PUNTER’S GUIDE TO THE 2023 CHELTENHAM GOLD CUP Neil Clark 

 

Horse-by horse Guide 

 Key trends: *Age: Just one winner older than 8 has won in the last 10 years, and no horse older than 9 since 1998. 

Nine of the last ten runnings have been won by horses aged 7 or 8. 

* Every winner this century had won at least one Grade 1 race. 

*Last four winners trained in Ireland ; six of the last seven winners Irish-trained. 

*18 of last 22 runners had won or been placed before at the Cheltenham Festival. 

 1. AHOY SENOR Odds 25-1 

His form figures under Rules Oct-Dec: UR, 1, 2, 5, 3,5. Jan-April 2,1,1,1,2,1,1 Won the Cotswold Chase over the course in January and although he’d still need to step up on that, he was a good second on testing ground in the RSA at the Festival last year and has definite each-way claims for in-form yard if his jumping holds up. 

2. A PLUS TARD Odds 4-1 

Last year’s 15l winner, and the runner-up in 2021, he has only had the one run this year when very disappointing in the Betfair Chase at Haydock, but de Bromhead’s stable stars are running well this week and if he’s back to anywhere near his best then he has an obvious chance. 

3. BRAVEMANSGAME Odds 13-2 

Impressive winner of the King George in December, and he certainly wasn’t stopping at the end there. Can’t be ruled out given he’s only lost once over fences, but would have been more confident that he’d definitely get the trip without the recent rain. 

4. CONFLATED Odds: 18-1

 Developed into a top-class performer having started out in handicaps, did win the Savills Chase at Leopardstown impressively at Christmas; probably needs to step up again, but not entirely ruled out if stamina holds out. 

5. ELDORADO ALLEN Odds: 125-1 

Solid enough performer but has had a number of gos at the highest level but up to now has generally come up short and it would be a surprise if he can change that today.

 6. GALOPIN DES CHAMPS Odds: 5-4. 

Only defeat over fences came at the Festival last year when crashing out at the last when he had the Turners at his mercy. Three more good wins since then including on his first try over 3m in the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown. If his stamina holds on the soft ground then he has a worthy favourite’s chance and rates the likeliest winner though he may be too short now for many punters.

  7. HEWICK Odds: 50-1 

Has been a revelation these past 12 months landing the old Whitbread Gold Cup, the Galway Plate and the Grand National Hurdle in America! On good ground you could make an each-way case for him even though its his first run in UK Graded company but the going looks to have gone against him. 

8. MINELLA INDO Odds: 16-1. 

Winner in 2021, runner-up last year, he looks a big price considering his record in the race and at the Festival in general (two wins and two seconds), but from a win point of view his age is a negative as we’ve had no ten-year-old winner since Cool Dawn in 1998. 

 9. NOBLE YEATS Best odds: 14-1.

 Bids to become the first Grand National winner to subsequently win a Gold Cup and only the third horse to win both races. Has to enter each-way calculations based on his staying on 3rd in the Cotswold Chase when he was technically the best horse at the weights; the cheek-pieces which were on at Aintree last April are now back on. 

10. PROTEKTORAT Odds: 18-1. 

Ran a very good race to be third in this last year; would have got closer without blundering at the last, disappointed in the Cotswold Chase having been a very impressive winner of the Betfair, but does tend now to alternate between very good runs and disappointing ones, another with definite each-way possibilities if all goes well.

 11. ROYAL PIGALLE Odds: 40-1 

6th and 5th in last two runnings, softer ground may help him get closer this time but while he might run into a place (was 2nd in the King George), he is 0-5 at the highest level so a win is probably unlikely. 

12. SOUNDS RUSSIAN Odds 40-1. 

Improving all the time over fences and ran his best race to date when 2nd in the Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham in January- he probably would have won without a mistake 3 out. Has to improve again but Northern challenger not without a chance given a clear round. 

 13. STATTLER Odds: 14-1. 

Won the National Hunt chase at the Festival so definitely will have the stamina for this; recent rain will help his cause but price probably just about right. Yet another with place possibilities. 

VERDICT: It’s hard to remember a better Gold Cup, with so many in with each-way chances. Red hot favourite Galopin Des Champs is the likeliest winner but if he doesn’t quite get home on the testing ground there are plenty of others who might land the spoils. Last year’s 15l winner A Plus Tard has attracted market support, while at longer odds Cotswold Chase trio Noble Yeats, Ahoy Senor and Sounds Russian could figure, while last year’s third Protektorate is another danger if back to his ‘A’ Game. Bravemansgame has to go on the short-list too if conditions start to dry up while Conflated and Stattler are two ‘dark horses‘ from Ireland.2021 winner Minella Indo ticks nearly all the right boxes but has the age stat against him.

 If you enjoyed reading my IP Guides this week and they’ve helped you make a few bob (hopefully), then all donations gratefully received!

Intelligent Punters Guide to the Cheltenham Festival- Day 3

INTELLIGENT PUNTER’S GUIDE TO THE 2023 CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL (Day 3) Neil Clark Well, it’s been pretty good tipping so far this week but can we keep it up on a tricky looking Day 3? Here goes. 1.30 Mighty Potter . N.B. Appreciate It 2.10 Maxuum, The Bosses Oscar e-w. 2.50 Shishkin should win but French Dynamite cld be each-way value. 3.30 Teahupoo, Gold Tweet e-w. 4.10 Marvel de Cerissy e-w. Born by the Sea ew (highly speculative!). 4.50 Luccia; The Model Kingdom each-way 5.30 Royal Thief, Dunboyne. If I help you/have helped you back a few winners, all donations large or small gratefully received!

The Intelligent Punter's Guide to the 2023 Cheltenham Festival (Day 2)

Neil Clark After a great day 1 at the Cheltenham Festival for our Intelligent Punter's Guide it's time to turn our attention to the action on Day 2. 1.30 The Ballymore Willie Mullins has won this five times, including last year, while Gordon Elliott has bagged two of the last five runnings. Mullins saddles four of the 10 runners, and having won it with the favourite last year who was unbeaten, could well do so again courtesy of Impaire et Passe who looked very good when landing a Grade 2 at Punchestown in January. Having won yesterday's opener with Marine Nationale the Connell/O'Sullivan combo's Good Land has to be respected and put on the each-way shortlist. 2.10 The Brown Advisory (aka 'The RSA') Gerri Colombe, unbeaten in seven races under Rules looks a worthy favourite but Sir Gerhard, who won the Ballymore on this day a year ago could be a big threat. At 6-1 CD winner The Real Whacker, who also had a Gold Cup entry, makes definite each-way appeal. 2.50 The Coral Cup. It looks impossible with 26 runners going to post but we've done very well in this down the years and hopefully again this year. You need to have three or four horses in your portfolio for this and among those who might reward each-way support are HMS Seahorse (a good fourth in the Fred Winter at the Festival last year), and Captain Conboy who's been well backed. Messrs Henderson and Elliott have an excellent record in this so it's probably wise to include at least one of their runners in your 'team' . Hendo's Call Me Lord is 50-1 but is a course winner while the unexposed Riaan (28-1) might be Elliott's best value entrant. 3.30 The Champion Chase It's the battle of the 'Es' with Editeur Du Gite, Edwardstone and Energumene (last year's winner) the leading contenders. You could make a very good case for all three, but marginal preference is for last year's Arkle winner Edwardstone based on how the race is likely to be run (yesterday on the soft going it suited those horses produced late). 4.10 The Cross Country Gordon Elliott is the go-to man in this having been responsible for five of the last six winners and he can strike again courtesy of last year's winner Delta Work, who was easily the best horse at the wieghts in the CD handicap in January. At 66-1 Elliott's Mortal might be worth a small each-way interest too as he's run quite well on two previous tries over CD and could stay on for a place. 4.50 The Grand Annual Dads Lad won over CD at the October meeting after running in the Greatwood Hurdle in November was put away for this presumably to protect his mark over fences. He has to go on the each-way shortlist, along with last year's winner Global Citizen and Final Orders, who has been in tremendous form in Ireland. If you have enjoyed reading this and made some money with my tips yesterday, then all donations gratefully received!

The Intelligent Punters Guide to the 2023 Cheltenham Racing Festival

DAY ONE (Tuesday) Neil Clark And they're off! It's time again for the Olympics of National Hunt racing: otherwise known as the Cheltenham Racing Festival. Let’s take a look at day one (Tuesday) to see where the best bets for ‘Intelligent Punters’ lie: 1.30 The Supreme Novices’ Hurdle Festival maestros Mullins and Henderson have won eight of the last ten renewals, a period which has also seen just one horse win at double figure odds. But just four outright favourites have obliged so the percentage, value call, as Henderson has no runners this year, is an each-way play on a Willie Mullins shot available at around 5-1/6-1. Il Etait Temps, who beat favourite Facile Vega (also trained by Mullins), at the Dublin Racing Festival last month fits the bill. But its probably wise to have a bet on Facile Vega too as three of the four winning favourites since 2013 were trained by the Master of Closutton. 2.00 The Arkle Again, its Mullins and Henderson who have the best record in this with seven wins in the last ten years. They train the two market leaders this time, in the shape of El Fabiolo and Jonbon, who was runner-up behind stable-mate Constitution Hill in last season’s Supreme. That Festival form might just give the Henderson runner the edge, while last season’s Champion Hurdle fourth, Saint Roi (trained by Mullins) is an each-way alternative at around 8-1. At huge odds, Straw Fan Jack would be a fairytale winner for Sheila Lewis, but while he’s up against it on the ratings he is a CD winner and could perform better than expected. 2.35 The Ultima Just one favourite has obliged in this ultra-competitive 3m1f handicap chase in the last ten years, and while we’ve had two winners during that time going off at 28-1, six of the winners in the past decade have been between 8-1 to 11-1. It’s also worth noting that four of the last five winners have carried 11st or less and with testing going this year the advantage could again be with the lower weights. Given the domination of the Emerald Isle at the Festival in recent years, it’s pretty striking that there’s been only been two Irish winners of this since 1967, and none since 2006. Into Overdrive has done really well over fences this term and has to be short listed, while Monbeg Genius, representing a yard (Jonjo O’Neill) that has won the race three times before, and Cloudy Lane, who ran very well for a long way on his return to action at Haydock last month and whose trainer saddled the 14-1 fourth in this twelve months ago, are among others that you could make a cogent each-way case for. Horses that have run well in the race before have a good record- think of Vintage Clouds’ victory at 28-1 which we tipped up two years ago, so on that basis Oscar Elite, third last year off just a 1lbs lower mark, needs to be considered. You can’t rule out last year’s winner Corach Rambler doing it again but at 11-2 arguably the value in the price has gone seeing he's 6lbs higher this year. 3.30 The Champion Hurdle The phenomenon that is Constitution Hill seems to have scared away a lot of potential runners as only seven have been declared, the smallest Champion Hurdle field since 1974. At 1-3 the Henderson hot pot, who won last year’s Supreme Novices’ doing handstands, is hard to oppose but with just two places on offer, the race doesn’t make much appeal to small-stakes punters, but it will hopefully be one to savour. 4.10 Mares Hurdle There’ll be a huge cheer if dual Champion Hurdle winner Honeysuckle- who also won this race in 2020- can end her stellar career with victory here, but she faces tough opposition in the shape of Henderson duo Maries Rock- who won the race last year, and Epatante, who won the 2020 Champion Hurdle and who’s been placed in that race the last two years. Love Envoi, a winner at the Festival last year can’t be ruled out either as she’ll absolutely love the ground. It’s a very tough call but some of Honeysuckle’s best performances have come at the Festival and her 3-3 record here just tilts things in her favour. If you can get 11-2 about Epatante then she looks a solid each-way alternative. 4.50 The Fred Winter If ever there’s a race to have a punt on long-priced outsiders at the Festival this is it. In the last ten years we’ve had three winners at 33-1, two at 25-1 and one at 80-1! Incredibly Yer Man Willie Mullins is yet to train the winner, though he has been knocking on the door. So bearing in mind the average SP of winners, we need to cast our net far and wide. Two other points to consider: Gordon Elliot has won the race twice in the last five years and Irish-trained runners have won it five years in a row. Possibles for the short-list are the Elliot pair Ludus (28-1) and Jazzy Matty (14-1) and Sir Allen (11-1), who’s shown good form on testing ground. Jessie Harrington’s Mighty Mo Missouri (25-1) is another long-shot to consider each-way. 5.30 National Hunt Chase Messrs Mullins (W) and Elliot have dominated this in the past decade, with six victories altogether. Mullins saddles the red-hot even-money favourite Gaillard du Mesnil, who looks the likeliest winner, but at 6-1 Elliot’s Chemical Energy, who won at Cheltenham at the October meeting, has to be backed each-way. . If my tips/analysis help you to find a winner or two-(hopefully they will!), or if you have simply enjoyed reading the Guide, then please feel free to hit the ‘Donate’ button as it‘s all unpaid work. All contributions gratefully received!