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Lake View Lad, Noble Endeavour and Beware The Bear for me here, all EW. I guess the claims of Coo Star Sivola are obvious but I prefer finding something at what for me is an EW price with the generous place terms on offer during the festival.
I have followed a few of you guys in with BEWARE THE BEAR at 20/1 looks a reformed character since the wind up and could actually be well in here!!
And the other two I am on are GENERAL PRINCIPLE at 20/1 and O O SEVEN at 25/1 but 007 is only to small stakes
Singlefarmpayment for me
always runs well at Cheltenham including this race the last two years
Fehily keeps the ride and got him as close as anyone LTO for a long timeGaelic Warrior Gold Cup Winner 2026
From my blog
Singlefarmpayment is one I’ve followed for a few seasons now, and backed three or four times. He has talent enough to win this (5th in it last year, and short-headed out of it the year before). His prep has been different this season where he’s had just two runs prior as opposed to four last season. I think that could be the key to him finally winning this. He puts an awful lot into his races and can be just the tiniest bit soft in a finish (Timeform call him ‘none too resolute’ and I think that’s harsh. He fights as best he can but is just missing that killer touch). It could be that he needs much more time between races to put everything into a finish. Tomorrow will be very informative.
The other one I like is yet again a talented horse with problems (a huge part of the enjoyment for betting fans can be the quest for the key to individual horses). Beware The Bear has always been good but never predictable, regularly dropping right out of contention before running on very late to win or take some part in the finish.
His 2 runs this season have been with headgear. Cheekpieces seemed to have little effect in the Hennessy when he played his old trick of fading through the field before taking hold of the bit late and running on into fourth. But the best performance of his life came last time out, blinkered for the first time and front-running for the first time. The frustrating aspect of that is that it’s impossible to tell which of the changes to his normal race routine produced the improvement. Both factors can greatly improve some horses – if I had to bet on which it was, I’d opt for the front-running. We’ll learn much more tomorrow.
Finally, another tricky customer in Minella Rocco. He was good enough to finish second in a Gold Cup (2017) yet has not won in 6 runs since. Given the rain forecast for tomorrow, there must be a strong chance this race will be run on soft ground, a surface on which he has been withdrawn before, his trainer citing its unsuitability (he’s just 2 from 9 on soft). But such has been his renewed zest this season (after wind surgery) I cannot leave him out of the reckoning.
Assuming all else is equal (a horse is racing in his set class who is fit) there is probably nothing more advantageous than knowing the animal is enjoying himself, and last time out especially, Minella Rocco showed just that in the way he travelled before fading from two out (a hurdle race in which he wasn’t given at all a hard time). His previous run had been over fences and again I noted him after a circuit as travelling best in the field. He steadily lost ground through lack of fitness from five out, but again I have no doubt the appetite has returned. Were it good ground tomorrow he would be my selection.
But, as it stands, I will back all three, win only, rather than having one each way bet.
Current prices available are:
10/1 Minella Rocco
16/1 Beware The Bear
16/1 Singlefarmpayment
If you have to have one only, I suggest Singlefarmpayment.
Good luck
I had a few quid on singlefarmpayment in the 5 to be placed market on the exchange earlier
Around 11/4 seemed fair enough
I ended up with:
Coo Star Sivola 10/1 EW
General Principle 20/1 EWI think Coo Star Sivola should have won more easily last year and was lucky to hold on. With a better ride this year the 3 pounds rise shouldn’t be a problem. Back on soft ground should bring him back to form. General Principle won the Irish National of only a slightly lower mark than his current mark. When it really turns out to be a bog he will stay all day.
Singlecoursepayment running at his beloved Cheltenham yet again.
Very trappy renewal but General Principle and last year’s winner will probably carry my cash
American not declared so used the returned stake to join those of you onVintage Clouds. Jumped very soundly in a lovely rhythm on seasonal debut round Haydock and for a long way in the Welsh National. Has had some wind surgery and a nice break since then. Has developed nicely over the past couple of years and at 9yo shoukd be in staying chaser prime.
Up for Review 20-1 EW
Vintage Clouds 25-1 EW
my final 2.Beware The Bear + Vintage Clouds are my 2 in this, but I also think Coo Star Sivola will run very well
Could kick me up the arse but i can’t have Coo Star Sivola at all at the price.
Higher than last year when beating Shantou Flyer, Last years renewal was poor and this years is a belter.Took Magic Of Light earlier at 33s, but have just added
Beware The Bear at 11/1. Wide open race this one.This is a race I’ve done extremely well in in the past – including last year’s winner.
Coo Star Sivola, Holywell (I think), Bensaalem, Fork Lightning, Frenchman’s Creek, Unguided Missile, Maamur, Antonin etc etc.
So my tip in today;s race is…
It’s too bloody difficult, keep your money in your pocket!
Value Is EverythingTook Magic Of Light earlier at 33s, but have just added
Beware The Bear at 11/1. Wide open race this one.Well done, BigG, well done winners!!!
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