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Uxizandre is also swerving this race.
Buywise looks solid but his jumping will need to be good in this company and the value has gone.
I was disappointed to see Gary Nutting on ATR putting up the favourite for this, Present View, at 6/1 (and each-way to boot), hardly a tip we would struggle to find ourselves.
John’s Spirit would probably have been the selection for me but he’s got a lot more on this time around. He had a nice 10-2 to carry last season but shoulders a sobering 11-12 in his attempt to do the double. Bradbury Star won back to back in 1994 but only carried 3lb more the following year, whereas John’s Spirit has 24lb extra on his back.
Some punters will probably opt for Oscar Whisky at 10/1 based on a terrific 6 out of 7 course and distance record, but he’s nine years old now and has done an awful lot of his racing in small fields. I just worry how his jumping will hold up in a bigger field and perhaps more furious race.
Unless you feel like wading in with Present View each-way, as Gary Nutting daringly suggests, it seems like a race to look for a potential improver. To that end I am going to echo VTC’s excellent analysis and suggest that the Pipe team can bring a better performance from Easter Meteor. A casual glance at the form figures would see him quickly rejected but a change of scene may have helped him and he meets John’s Spirit in receipt of 8lbs, compared to conceding him a lb last year. There is a tongue tie on for the first time on Saturday and it may help work the magic.
Best of luck everyone.
Thanks for the good crack. Time for me to move on. Be lucky.
Well with the jumps now in full swing I have emerged from my cave and it’s good to see that the usual suspects are still here.
Glad to see that you haven’t lost your touch VTC, a cracking summing up of what is always a really competitive race. Apologies for missing your message re the 10 to follow, good luck with that. I can’t believe that the jumps competition wasn’t popular enough to be viable for the jumps season, anyway I know this has been aired so back to the race.
No doubting that Buywise and Present View have got very solid credentials for this, but I haven’t changed my ways since last year, so I’m looking for a a bit of value that has been hiding his light under a bushel. Step forward Kapga De Cerisy. Venetia Williams is well capable of getting one that has been off the course for a long time ready for a big race like this.
I think there is a lot of improvement to come from him and with the weather looking to soften up the ground , it suits Venetia’s runners. I can smell a Rigadin De Beauchene type coup, where he had been off a long time and was very well treated when he romped off with the Betfred Grand National trial at Haydock last year, which was also a nice little earner for me.
Heavy rain forecast Thursday into Friday morning, and possible further blustery showers around both Friday and Saturday should have it soft, which he will love.
There are obviously some chances to be taken here, otherwise he wouldn’t be on offer at 25/1 (still available at Ladbrokes and Coral).
The long lay off is one, but as I said earlier, Venetia can get one ready after a long break and as Moe mentioned, he might be a bit of a Sandown specialist. He has run at the festival in 2012 and 2013, and did not covered himself in glory at either, but if he can be forgiven those runs he just might be very well in after his impressive showing last November at Sandown.Venetia Has won the Paddy Power before, although you have to go way back to The Outback Way in 1999. I’m hopeful that her turn for another winner has come back round.
Good to be back.
Backed Buywise at 14s before his prep today, watch the way he won on his final start last season round Chelts, just incredible.
Buywise and Present View for me but think the 25s about Third Intention could be a big price, if he was to take up his engagement.
Game by the bollocks! Will be happy for either to nick a place!
Colour Squadron
will be a NR
Beaten favourite
again
today
Thanks for the good crack. Time for me to move on. Be lucky.
My idea of this years winner has always come from last seasons JLT.
Taquin de seuil
was my first fancy but we soon got wind that he wasn’t running so I saved my cash.He beat
Uxizandre
so he became the obvious choice thereafter.Alas Alan King by name only tells us all now that he was never going to run anyway…I dont like that sort of PR from a Trainer,happy to let the Ante-Post punter throw money at Bookmakers for weeks knowing full well his horse has no intention of running.His card is marked!So who’s going to claw back my lost wagers?…..simple,its the JLT form again and the horse who never got a chance to play his hand.
Oscar whisky
will love conditions tomorrow and in a race where Top Weights show their class I really cant see this fellow not getting in the first 5 at 10/1 with Bet365.TAPK will recoup losses and turn in a healthy profit to boot.
Got to be Colour Squadron for me. He’s been knocking on the door for a couple seasons now and although his mark has risen considerably for his efforts; he is simply incapable of running a bad race and he saves his best for these big field handicaps at Cheltenham. Hobbs is in rare form aswell, so you have to give him a shout.
Attaglace takes the saver honours.
Bloody hell, talk about the kiss of death! Sorry about that, folks!
Well after taking another glance i’m gonna opt for Eastlake and Persian Snow.
Jonjo has said Eastlake is his best chance of a winner this weekend and his word should be taken very seriously, since the last time he said something like this, he sent Taquin out to win the Jewson!
And you’d be a fool to ignore whoever Hobbs sends out with Johnson on top. Persian Snow gets the nod!
My cliff notes on the field:
1. Oscar Whisky
Would be incredibly well-in if this was a hurdle race, but isn’t a natural over fences and has a terrible record in fields of 10 or more. A dangerous combination of weaknesses here.
2. Johns Spirit
Needs a huge career best, probably best not to take his recent win literally given the amount of unfit horses against him and his excellent record fresh. Course specialist, could well find his way into the first 6 or 7 again.
3. Edgardo Sol
Has no secrets at all nowadays, totally exposed.
4. Champion Court
Becoming rather ungenuine, looked very moody and reluctant last time. It’s probably short-sighted to get roped-in by his tumbling mark. Rumours that retirement is on the cards if he runs poorly.
5. Kapga De Cerisy
Chancy jumper, Sandown specialist, very poor record in big fields, absent for a long time for a stable who like to ease them back in slowly.
6. Easter Meteor
Probably being supported due to the trainer rather than form. A frustrating character who finds it hard to win and needs a career best to defy this mark. Held by Cantlow on collateral form.
7. Shanpallas
Interesting runner, but takes his time to quicken and might find this happening a little too fast.
8. Cantlow
Probably the pick of JP’s runners. Well-handicapped on his 2nd to handicap snip Double Ross in the Stewart Family Gold Cup last year and forgiven efforts since (didn’t stay, claimer ridden, comeback run). Probably has 8-10lbs in hand.
9. Eastlake
Not the strongest of stayers at anything beyond 2m and lacks a touch of class in this company.
10. Buywise
Caught the eye at the Festival, but takes liberties and reopposes conqueror Present View on much worse terms. Jockey prone to being caught out of position in major races.
11. Present View
Totally professional, jumps and travels like a dream. Made excellent comeback over hurdles and should improve on Cheltenham win after being forced to travel wide throughout that day. Big big player.
12. Attaglance
Nonner.
13. Caid Du Berlais
Inexperienced as a chaser, but always gets right into the thick of it in competitive handicap hurdles. Probably best to duck this one on balance, but you wouldn’t be totally surprised if he popped up.
14. Persian Snow
Slapped around by Buywise, Present View and Johns Spirit and should be well up against it here. Lemmings will undoubtedly follow as Hobbs is in form, but this one has an awful lot to find.
15. Indian Castle
Moved from Donald McCain to Ian Williams for an owner who had fair success after moving Weird Al in the opposite direction. As this horse started in a bumper at Towcester and was racing at three miles by his fifth start, I think he might lack a bit of speed for this. Probably tuning up towards targets later in the season.
16. Cedre Bleu
Now don’t laugh, but I think this could be a sneaky each-way play. Paul Nicholls lost his rag with this dog as he refuses to battle past others on the run-in, but plenty of his form makes him well-treated as a place prospect. Charlie Mann spent big to buy him and you can forgive his reappearance under completely unsuitable tactics.
17. Orpheus Valley
Outclassed.
18. Ericht
Always talked-up, but has never won a handicap of any description and looks up against it .
19. King Massini
Has produced some good efforts at the track, but also needs a career best.
My 1-2-3 is:
1. Present View
2. Cantlow
3. Cedre BleuGood luck everyone!
Nice summary, TYF. Edgardo Sol is indeed exposed, but ran his best race for some time on first outing for E Lavelle last time despite uprooting the inside of almost every wing.
I’ll take a chance that she’s revived him sufficiently to be worth a wee bet at 40s.
My 100% book:
Buywise 5/1
Present View 6/1
Persian Snow 10/1
Indian Cstle 11/1
Easter Meteor 13/1
John’s Spirit 14/1
Caid De Berlais 18/1
Oscar Whiskey 20/1Edgardo Sol 25/1
Kapga De Cerisy 25/1
Champion Court 28/1
Shanpallas 28/1
Eastlake 33/1
Ericht 33/1
King Massini 33/1
Cantlow 40/1
Cedre Bleu 132/1
Orpheus Valley 200/1Buywise available @ 15/2 now and Present View @ 16/1 both particularly good value imo. Edgardo Sol 39/1 and Present View 7/1 also value.
Value Is EverythingMy 100% book:
Buywise 5/1
If he jumps well will win. If he jumps reasonably well still may well win, but it can be his flaw.
Present View 6/1
Improved last season and won at the Festival, put up his best hurdles performance on reappearance in prep.
Persian Snow 10/1
Steadily progressive, 2nd here behind John’s Spirit last time. Stable in cracking form.
Indian Cstle
11/1 Needs a test at this trip and should get it if there’s enough pace (no out and out front runner). Change of stables not exactly a positive over all, but is for this time of year.
Easter Meteor
13/1 Changed from Emma Lavelle to David Pipe who is in good form and does well with horses first time up. Tonngue Tie could help but needs to improve his jumping. Could be the front runner.
John’s Spirit
14/1 Won this last year and improved again first time out, with Persian Snow 2nd. However, stable struggling for form.
Caid De Berlais
18/1 Hasn’t had much racing over fences so could yet improve, but jumping is a bit of a worry and did not fully impress in Ireland (stable now in better form).
Oscar Whiskey
20/1 Although top weight is thrown in on hurdles form, but on fence form seems exposed. Isn’t the best of jumpers over bigger obsticles and possibly best in smaller fields.
Edgardo Sol 25/1
Ran well on reappearance, first run for Emma Lavelle from Nicholls, 2nd in Old Roan to Wishful Thinking. If (quite a big IF) he could come on for that run (needs to) is well handicapped on best form. Has gone well in big fields and at Cheltenham, 39/1 worth taking a chance.
Kapga De Cerisy
25/1 Stable is in better form than usual for this time of year. Hasn’t run for a year but does go well fresh. But who knows what he’s capable of now.
Champion Court
28/1 Well handicapped at best of a couple of years ago, hasn’t shown it for some time.
Shanpallas
28/1 Irish, stable out of form. Seemed to improve last time when running over further. Is this far enough?
Eastlake
33/1 Consistent, probably too consistent. This will be the biggest test of stamina he’s faced. Not sure to suit.
Ericht
33/1 Inconsistent and seems exposed as a chaser.
King Massini
33/1 Is well handicapped at best, that’s some time ago.
Cantlow
40/1 Seems fairly exposed now and inconsistent. Market will show his chance, but doesn’t strike as a consistent type, possibly due to connections.
Cedre Bleu
132/1 Ex-Nicholls dog, now at Charlie Mann, difficult to see him figuring for long, has given in.
Orpheus Valley
200/1 Irish horse who doesn’t seem to be in anything like good form; although stable have a habbit of coming up with a big priced winner. Possible front runner.
Buywise available @ 15/2 now and Present View @ 16/1 both particularly good value imo. Edgardo Sol 39/1 and Present View 7/1 also value.
Value Is EverythingBuywise available @ 15/2 now and Present View @ 16/1 both particularly good value imo
Cut me off a large slice of that 16/1 Mr Bookmaker
Thanks for the good crack. Time for me to move on. Be lucky.
My 100% book:
Oscar Whiskey 20/1No wonder you aint a Bookmaker Ginge…..20/1 about
Oscar Whisky
?? The Class horse in the race cant be out the 5.
My 100% book:
Oscar Whiskey 20/1No wonder you aint a Bookmaker Ginge…..20/1 about
Oscar Whisky
?? The Class horse in the race cant be out the 5.
Ginge had Don’t Push It at 200/1 the year he won the National…..
Gaelic Warrior Gold Cup Winner 2026
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