There isn’t much of interest at Taunton tomorrow so perhaps this is a good time to reflect on the events of last week at Cheltenham.
Day 1 went OK on the tipping front with Tidal Bay romping home in the Arkle at 6/1 (If you want to back Noland I certainly wouldn’t put you off but I am going to give a narrow preference for Tidal Bay, especially as Howard Johnson’s horses have been running better recently.)
Garde Champetre was a comfortable winner of the Cross Country (Wonderkid would be my selection unless the ground rides on the soft side when the other two would be preferred. Garde Champetre looks dangerously well handicapped.)
An Accordion won the William Hill Trophy (An Accordion looks the obvious choice here and he may well win )
On a general point you had to admire the gutsy win of little Katchit in the Champion Hurdle who held on in determine fashion to repel a renewed challenge from Osana.
On the Thursday I was pleased with my preview of the opener.
(Over The Creek and Beantown would be my main fancies with Old Benny and Back on Line each way shots) – the actual finishing order was Old Benny, Over the Creek, Back on Line.
There were plenty of winning tips: Albertas Run (Albertas Run should finish in front of his rival again so I will go for him), Master Minded ( off the fence then; good ground Voy Por Ustedes, soft ground Master Minded) Inglis Drever (but Inglis Drever has to be the selection) and best of all High Chimes (I was impressed with High Chimes when he stayed on strongly to take 3rd behind Cloudy Lane at Haydock in December and he is my suggestion for this)
Day 4 wasn’t bad either. (This could be between Franchoek and Celestial Hero with preference for the former), right horses in the wrong order!
(I have actually backed Junior and Niaid Du Missalot. I was impressed with Kicks For Free when he won he won at Kempton last time out.) These were the first 3. Tiger Cry (Tiger Cry on his best form has a great chance in the Grand Annual)
So all in all it could have been a lot worse.
ahorse 