Ever since I made my first visit in 1998 I have made it a point to get back there for at least one day of the festival, to enjoy a day's racing that I don't believe is equalled anywhere else in the world. I am sure even The Melbourne Cup in November, the race that stops a nation, would be hard pushed to rival this gig for atmosphere.
Much to the detriment to the rest of the national hunt season all roads lead to these magical four days and I for one am good for nothing during this week except trying to earn my weeks wages by punting my way through the devilishly hard races. However more often than not I have just about survived with wallet, marriage and liver intact and if that happens this year, I will take it now.
I would suggest to anyone who has never attended a day at this special meeting is to do it at least once, the atmosphere, the noise, the entertainment is second to none. These four days are truly the equine Olympics and every owner, trainer, jockey, stable lad or lass goes there with the sole wish to end up in the hallowed winner's enclosure. That's what makes this meeting great for a punter, you know anything you back, no matter at what odds, is busting a gut to gain immortality as a Cheltenham Festival winner.
The thousands of Irishmen who make their annual pilgrimage here only add to the mix and when the tapes go up on Tuesday at about 1.30pm to signal the start of the Supreme Novice Hurdle, the roar may even be heard back in their homeland. Without them it just wouldn't be the same, must have Irish blood in my pedigree somewhere!
I will be there to experience this and it will be great to meet up with old friends and have the "craic."This year see's the inaugural running of The Olbg sponsored Mare's race and well done to Olbg.com for backing a race here. I was lucky enough to land their Cheltenham tipster challenge in 2011 and a more than handy £500 came my way, which was much appreciated.
Anyone can enter the tipping challenge and have a crack at it, it's all free. Check them out on twitter at @Olbg or http://www.olbg.com and register, it's easy.
My list of ante-post bets is as long as my arm and some are great, some are good, some are bad and some are in the bin already, but there is definitely some big wins in there I am sure.
Check them out on http://goo.gl/fsLNa.
For what it's worth here's a few golden rules I stick too and that I try my best to follow, it will help you survive, what can be a marathon nightmare, if you lose your discipline.
1. Don't listen to hype. The rumours that fly around are normally Chinese Whispers from people who have heard it third or fourth hand.Back your own judgement and don't change your mind.
2.Back more than one in a race, if you land a winner at this meeting you will be doing well and sometimes there is value to be had with a couple, at decent odds running for you.
3.Don't punt in every race, you need to survive for four days and if you chase too hard too early it could be game over. As the great Kenny Rogers once sang " You gotta know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em, know when to walk away and know when to run." He was talking about cards but those wise words will serve you well here.
4.Look for runners with past festival form, it's a unique test here and horses who run well at previous festivals, do so time and time again.
5.Back a coincidence name if it means something to you, because the formbook can get turned on it's head here. Last year I nailed the Cheltenham Bumper winner because his name was Cheltenian and I had no other view on the race. It won at the very nice odds of 14-1.
6..Enjoy the experience, punting is meant to be fun and can be seriously satisfying if you land a winner, but it's just as important to leave with happy memories.
Anyway heres a few fancies for day one, Tuesday 13th March.
1.30 WILLIAM HILL SUPREME NOVICES HURDLE
Usually there is a short priced favourite here, normally a banker that will get the punters off to a flyer or fill the bookies satchels. However this year is the most open race in years and the two I like are Steps to Freedom and GALLILEO'S CHOICE. The first named is a course and distance winner and looks laid out for this, but hasn't run for 123 days. It may be the plan, but I can't help thinking he would have run at least once this year. Normally horses that have had a cotton wool approach to this meeting have been stuffed. It's a tough place to come and win if your not 110% fit, but his trainer has done it before and he should go close.GALLILEO'S CHOICE was a better rated flat horse than Steps To Freedom and had better form, he once chased home Fame And Glory, the multi Group 1 and Ascot Gold Cup winner. He also nearly landed a Grade 1 race in Ireland on soft ground and the quicker conditions will surely suit this classy sort. He has had a recent run and has the right profile, could be good value at around 8-1.His trainer is a master but has only had 1 festival winner, he is surely due one.
2.05 RACING POST ARKLE CHASE
The dogs and their wives have been barking that Sprinter Sacre is the next Pegasus and it's hard to disagree on what he has shown this season. He has bolted up on the bridle on flatter tracks and does look something special. However he got beat up the hill here last year and is so exuberant he may not get up that hill again.He hasn't jumped a fence around Cheltenham and though he could have jumped this field silly, I can't see him being that far clear of AL FEROF, that that one hasn't at least got a chance of outstaying him up the hill after jumping the last. The fact that the bookie Paddy Power will refund all losing bets if Sprinter Sacre wins gives you hope for AL FEROF as they rarely get it wrong when they take one on. Cousin Vinny, Dunguib & Cue Card were three shorties who were beaten after Paddy Power had took them on. I have been all over this one all season and tipped him up at 10s on Olbg and have backed him each way at 10's,8's,5's and 11-4 so he could make or break my start to this years battle with the bookies. Connections really rate this one and whilst the likes of Peddler's Cross have been scared off by Sprinter Sacre they are not afraid to take him on. Ran a decent race in The Grade 1 Victor Chandler last time against the older and smart Somersby and Finian's Rainbow. Jockey Ruby Walsh gave him a good sighter that day and never knocked him about, so I am sure there is more to come from this one, who can win. Has experience of the Cheltenham fences, has finished 2nd & 1st at the last 2 festivals and is a definite finisher up that hill. Has been punted off the boards and trades at around 5-2, which to me is still a fair price.2.40 JLT SPECIALITY HANDICAP CHASE
This race is a very competitive handicap and a case can be made for many of these but one that really catches my eye is TULLAMORE DEW. I have backed this one at the last 2 Cheltenham Festivals and he hasn't let me down finishing placed both times. Ran a screamer last time when he nearly reeled in the smart Massini's Maguire to finish a very close 2nd. This 3m 1/2 furlong trip will surely suit and he can stay on again for a place at the very least. Have backed him at 14-1 and he must go close. The final tick in his strong fancy box is whilst in Australia recently, my wife's cousin's husband pulled out a vintage bottle of Tullamore Dew his dad gave him. The bottle apparently dates back from 1968, the year I was born! Had to back him after that!3.20 STAN JAMES CHAMPION HURDLE
The highlight of day one and this one looks like Hurricane Fly's race to lose. He won so well last year that he looks sure to take this if anywhere near that level again. Has only run once this season and could not have been anymore impressive when landing The Irish Champion Hurdle. Will go off a very short price but deserves to do so. The one doubt I have is that it wasn't a great race last year and he basically beat three stayers in Peddler's Cross, Oscar's Whisky and Thousand Stars. Also big outsider Clerk's Choice was too close up too, so not sure the form is that special. Should win and worth a win bet, but the one who really catches my eye at the prices is ROCK ON RUBY. His trainer really wants to win this race and puts up a strong challenge to the favourite and this one looks his best prospect, in my opinion. I put this one up on Olbg at 20-1 and had a little each way on it then. I backed it again at 14's and again today at 12's. I can't believe he is a bigger price than stablemate Zarkander on a form line through Raya Star (who will go well later in the week). Also nearly caught Binocular last time at Kempton and this return to Cheltenham will surely see him improve and go very close to beating Binocular, who is over half his price.Nearly won The Neptune last year over 2m 5f here at the Cheltenham festival and was dead unlucky to be nutted on the line. That race has always been a decent trial for The Champion Hurdle the following year with past winners Istabraq and Hardy Eustace going on to land the big one as well as 2010 winner Peddler's Cross going close last year.Apart from pushing Binocular close last time ROCK ON RUBY bolted up in the Gerry Fielden at Newbury under a welter burden. Clearly on the upgrade, connections are sweet on him and he should be nearer 6-1 in my book. Might have to back him again!
Hopefully these four will get me off to a decent start and get me in the running for the Olbg tipster prize for the second year in a row.
The rest of the card doesn't really float my boat but these should go well
4.00 GLENFARCLAS CROSS COUNTRY
Last year's winner SIZING AUSTRALIA looks an each way punt to nothing at around 5s.
4.40 OLBG MARES HURDLE
Quevega will win. Chased home hopefully by KELLS BELLE and KENTFORD GREY LADY for each way money.
5.15 PULTENEY LAND INVESTMENTS HANDICAP HURDLE
Too hard for me, will do a Kenny Rogers and go to The Centaur for a pint and a dance!
So there you have it, first day sorted.
Let battle commence
Happy punting
Randy.
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