Mad Als Cheltenham 2013 Guide

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DAY FOUR
It almost all over! The Cheltenham Gold Cup (3:20) Contenders:- Bobs Worth, Sir Des Champs, Silviniaco Conti, Long Run Long Shots:- The Giant Bolster, Sunnyhill Boy, Captain Chris We have to start todays guide with the big race of the week, the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Last years race was eventful but for all the wrong reasons with the will he wont he saga for Kauto Star clouding issues before the off, only to see he blatantly shouldnt have been racing (Id gone with my heart and backed him to win so I was quite mifed) and the winner Synchronised no longer being with us after a fatal trip around Aintree. But this has meant a new breed of contenders come into this race this year and there is an excitement among seasoned racing fans to see how these fair in what looks to be a new era. Bobs Worth has been a strong fancy for the race all year and I have seen many a comment bigging up his credentials. A winner in the RSA Chase last year, hes had one prep race at Newbury winning this comfortably against some decent yard sticks, but he did miss his final prep run due to Horse problems. Henderson says hes fine now though and as the top rated Timeform horse in the race (just) Id be surprised if hes outside the first three. Sir Des Champs is Irelands leading contender and is also very highly regarded, although a disappointing 4th in the Lexus tempered some enthusiasm for his chances. That said, the Gold Cup was always his target this year so the Lexus was just a stepping stone and a recent run in the Hennessy Gold Cup in Feb suggests hes now cherry ripe. An impressive horse to look at and with a high cruising speed if he jumps well we could see a fantastic battle up the hill between these two. Silviniaco Conti, is a late emerger in the market following 3 breathless wins this season beating Long Run and The Giant Bolster in the process. Trained by Paul Nicholls, he knows a Gold Cup horse when he sees one, the horse he jumps for fun and seems to have a fantastic engine, but there is a doubt given the fact that he hasnt gone over the Cheltenham fences before and time and time again this season, Ive seen that experience can be key at the top level. Then we have Long Run, who won the race in 2011, but has never really been the same horse since and could only come third in this last year having gone off as favourite. Theres no chance hell go off as favourite this year, yet he did win one of the key trial races for this, the King George at Kempton on boxing day (9 out of the last 13 winners raced in the King George, with 5 doing the King George / Gold Cup double). If the three above have an off day or it pisses down with rain, Id give him a chance, but it would appear there are better horse in the race this year. My final comment goes to The Giant Bolster who was second in this last year and returns to what appears to be his favourite track. If the ground is good, he could well find a place again and at 20-1 as I write he is a genuine each way price. Mad Als Verdict: I think Bobs Worth is the most solid, but I wouldnt want to put you off Sir Des or Silviniaco. Long Run on the other hand is past it so avoid!

JCB Triumph Hurdle (13:30)

Vincent OBrien Handicap Hurdle (14;05) Contenders:- Cotton Mill, Mr Mole, Swing Bowler, Court Minstel, Mr Watson In a short period as a trainer, John Ferguson has done extremely well, and I think many would be delighted to see him get a Cheltenham winner with Cotton Mill.

Albert Bartlett Novice Hurdle (14:40) Contenders:- Ballycasey, At Fishers Cross, Taquin De Seuil, At Fishers Cross beat The New One at Cheltenham in Jan and that appears to be very good form. Of course if The New One performs well earlier in the week thats another big plus. On the other hand Ballycasey is

Contenders:- Our Conor, Rolling Star, Far West Interesting little three way contest this and the ground may be a deciding factor with Our Conor and Rollling Star showing they can handle testing conditions. Far West however has shown a good turn of foot, which you would think could be seen in better light on a good surface. Far West may also have a further advantage as Rolling Star beat his stable mate Irish Saint, so Nicholls should have a decent idea what is needed to beat one of his main rivals. Mad Als Verdict: Good ground = Far West, Heavy Ground = Rolling Star

However, I think his nack is placing his horses in winable races thats not as easy to do at the Festival which gives me doubts as to whether Cotton Mill is good enough. Theres also a buzz about Mr Mole although he has to win at Sandown on Saturday first! Mad Als Verdict: Mr Mole for 3:15 at Sandown and this.

unbeaten under rules and could be an equally as hard nut to crack. Taquin De Seuil finished just behind My Tent ot Yours in Oct so his chances receive a boost if MTOY goes in on Tuesday. Mad Als Verdict: I expect McCoy to be on At Fishers Cross which secures my vote

CGA Foxhunter Chase (16:00) Contenders:- Salsify, Chapoturgeon, Cottage Oak, Tricky Trickster Possible Each Ways:- Cloudy Lane, Dantes Storm, Hoopy Sadly for you all, I havent really got a clue about the Foxhunter Chase, but Im informed that Salsify won the race last year and hes fancied to do it again this year. Chapoturgeon was close behind however and it could well be that those places are reversed. Tricky Trickster looks to be the joker in the pack that could come between these two, but it is worth nothing that Paul Nicholls who trains this one, owns a half share of Chapoturgeon and has said hes the one to beat this year. Mad Als verdict: Id probably trust what Nicholls says - Chapoturgeon

Martin Pipe Conditional Handicap Hurdle (16:40) Contenders:- Gevrey Chambertin, Bonisland, Abbey Lane, Master Of The Sea, Village Vic The first thing for this race is to look at the David Pipe runner(s) as who wouldnt want to win a race named after their father. Gevrey Chambertin has won 4 out of 5 career races and hes a brother to Grand Cruz so you could stop looking here. Possibly the hardest thing about this is knowing who will race in this, with many horses having other options earlier in the festival, but if Village Vic gets in, hes got an excellent chance. Some CWT should remember his debut it was at Chepstow on boxing day 2011! Mad Als Verdict: Village Vic if he gets in Jonny Henderson Getting Out Stakes (17:10) If youre taking this one seriously, you know youve had a bad Cheltenham so I hope you can ignore this one and have already made a profit. If however your desperate for a winner, pick one from the following and pray for divine intervention; Alderwood, Kid Cassidy, His Excellency, Shooters Wood, Oh Crick, Shangani, Tanks for That, Call the Police, Baily Green
[Pick the date] [Edition 1, Volume 1]

Mad Als Verdict: Good luck thank you and good night!