12.00 - This looks a straight match between Solix and Sam Winner with preference for the former. His beating of Duke Of Lucca reads well and whilst improvement is needed in the jumping department he was always expected to make a better chaser than hurdler. The same can be said of Sam Winner but he jumped markedly left handed on his fencing debut at Exeter before coming down at the last. He is starting to look a shade disappointing with just 2 wins in 13 starts.
12.35 - A few open to improvement in this but the one that caught my eye at 9/1 was the Henderson trained First In The Queue. He beat Kings Realm on the bit a couple of starts back and that one is now rated 125, the same mark that he races off in this. He ran well enough in a novice race at Galway before disappointing in a handicap a few days later but that effort is easily forgiven. Still only 4 he looks capable of better.
1.10 - Not a strong looking race but I think Rory Boy has a fair squeak. He was rated as high as 135 during a smart novice career for Nigel Twiston-Davies. He subsequently lost his way but has shown something of a revival in his last two starts, winning a chase and second in a hurdle. He races here of 115 and he is clearly capable of winning of that mark at his best. Confidence may be restored and he is worth a chance at 8/1.
1.45 - The well touted Mon Parrain bids to rebuild his reputation after a dismal showing in the Paddy Power. That effort appeared too bad to be true as he was struggling from a long way out and never jumped with any fluency, his trademark feature last season. Some quarters suggested that the undulating track might not have suited but Ruby felt it was the trip that got him beat. He returns to the home of jump racing once again and it will be most interesting to see how he fares. Knockara Beau would have a chance at his best but ran poorly over hurdles last time. Fair Along was 3rd in the Hennessy last time but can often become detached before staying on. At the available 9/4 Mon Parrain is worth another chance. He was touted as a King George/Gold Cup horse and can't have lost that ability overnight. If he is to fulfil those ambitions he should be winning this well.
2.20 - The Cross Country race sees a few familiar names back at Cheltenham once again, none more so than Garde Champetre. He was beaten by Uncle Junior last time and there seems no obvious reason why he should reverse the form. Back in 3rd was Double Dizzy and she receives a 10lb pull at the weights but it is hard to see that making the difference. Preference is or Scotsirish, who looked a natural at Punchestown. He has stamina to prove but the sedate early pace should help him see out the trip. He will have the necessary pace when the sprint for the line starts in earnest and is worth chancing at 11/4.
2.55 - Oscargo and Di Kaprio look the obvious contenders and it is hard to see past them. There are plenty out of form tumbling down the weights who might pop up with a new lease of life but hard to fancy any of them.They both look short enough, in particular Oscargo at 7/4, with Di Kaprio a best priced 4/1. Di Kaprio is stepping up in trip but stayed on strongly when winning at Newbury last time and it might be just what he needs. The 4/1 looks better value and he would be my selection.
3.30 - Nicky Henderson relies on Darlan, under a penalty, for JP and AP. He's a warm order at 4/6 and this looks a winnable contest. Remarkably it is AP's only ride of the day. The hint should be taken. Balding Banker might be worth a few quid EW at 6/1 for those not fancying a short price. He was no match for Molotof last time but there's no disgrace in that. He can chase the favourite home and pick up the pieces if anything goes amiss.
12.35 - A few open to improvement in this but the one that caught my eye at 9/1 was the Henderson trained First In The Queue. He beat Kings Realm on the bit a couple of starts back and that one is now rated 125, the same mark that he races off in this. He ran well enough in a novice race at Galway before disappointing in a handicap a few days later but that effort is easily forgiven. Still only 4 he looks capable of better.
1.10 - Not a strong looking race but I think Rory Boy has a fair squeak. He was rated as high as 135 during a smart novice career for Nigel Twiston-Davies. He subsequently lost his way but has shown something of a revival in his last two starts, winning a chase and second in a hurdle. He races here of 115 and he is clearly capable of winning of that mark at his best. Confidence may be restored and he is worth a chance at 8/1.
1.45 - The well touted Mon Parrain bids to rebuild his reputation after a dismal showing in the Paddy Power. That effort appeared too bad to be true as he was struggling from a long way out and never jumped with any fluency, his trademark feature last season. Some quarters suggested that the undulating track might not have suited but Ruby felt it was the trip that got him beat. He returns to the home of jump racing once again and it will be most interesting to see how he fares. Knockara Beau would have a chance at his best but ran poorly over hurdles last time. Fair Along was 3rd in the Hennessy last time but can often become detached before staying on. At the available 9/4 Mon Parrain is worth another chance. He was touted as a King George/Gold Cup horse and can't have lost that ability overnight. If he is to fulfil those ambitions he should be winning this well.
2.20 - The Cross Country race sees a few familiar names back at Cheltenham once again, none more so than Garde Champetre. He was beaten by Uncle Junior last time and there seems no obvious reason why he should reverse the form. Back in 3rd was Double Dizzy and she receives a 10lb pull at the weights but it is hard to see that making the difference. Preference is or Scotsirish, who looked a natural at Punchestown. He has stamina to prove but the sedate early pace should help him see out the trip. He will have the necessary pace when the sprint for the line starts in earnest and is worth chancing at 11/4.
2.55 - Oscargo and Di Kaprio look the obvious contenders and it is hard to see past them. There are plenty out of form tumbling down the weights who might pop up with a new lease of life but hard to fancy any of them.They both look short enough, in particular Oscargo at 7/4, with Di Kaprio a best priced 4/1. Di Kaprio is stepping up in trip but stayed on strongly when winning at Newbury last time and it might be just what he needs. The 4/1 looks better value and he would be my selection.
3.30 - Nicky Henderson relies on Darlan, under a penalty, for JP and AP. He's a warm order at 4/6 and this looks a winnable contest. Remarkably it is AP's only ride of the day. The hint should be taken. Balding Banker might be worth a few quid EW at 6/1 for those not fancying a short price. He was no match for Molotof last time but there's no disgrace in that. He can chase the favourite home and pick up the pieces if anything goes amiss.
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