Cheltenham Festival Day 1

First day of the Cheltenham Festival and we already have big news, Vautour is a none runner in the Gold Cup and now heads to the Ryainair. The change of target comes despite connections saying last week Vautour runs in the Gold Cup or stays at home. Cue social media meltdown, plus horrible PR for the sport before the meeting has even started!

I’ve backed Buveur D’Air in the Supreme Hurdle EW as mentioned in previous posts. The ground has possibly dried out a bit too much for him but he carries my money and I’m still hopeful of a big run. This morning I’ve also placed a small EW bet on Penglai Pavilion EW at 40-1, an ex top class flat horse. If you rule out his last start where he ran flat and didn’t show his true form, Penglai Pavilion looks a bit overpriced and should finish the race strongly.

Plenty of bookies are offering 5 places, ensure you seek out the best offers.

The Arkle is all about Douvan but I do think there’s a bet to be had in this race. Sizing John without the favourite is 2-1. That’s a fair price and I take him to beat Vaniteux and finish 2^nd behind Douvan.

Ultima Handicap at 2:50, I backed Kruzhlinin EW last week, see previous posts.

The big race of the day is the Champion Hurdle, I will have a few pounds EW on The New One. If the Nigel Twiston Davies trained horse is ever going to go close in the Champion Hurdle it will be today. It’s not a great renewal and The New One holds just about the best form.

Annie Power could be different class especially with her mares’ allowance, however she wouldn’t be running if everything had gone to plan in the Mullins camp. Will she have the pace for a flat out two mile gallop from the word go? I’m not sure.

I can’t see past Vroum Vroum Mag in the Mares’ race and think she’s a good thing. However I’ll be shouting on Dr Newland’s The Govaness, she will be fighting it out for the places with all the other runners.

The last two races of the day look very hard to find the winners of, it’s a long week with better opportunities ahead, watching brief for me in these.