AND BREATH.......................ITS ALL OVER!THANK GOD!

Thank God it's all over! A desperate day punting today, but it was always going to be a bookies day.

The festival is over and I for one thank the lord that wallet, marriage and liver just about have made it through a week of massive over indulgence.

I have spent my whole working life fitting and working in toilets and to have OLBG back up mine and other  tipster's judgements by putting up their views in the khazi's at the Cheltenham Festival was absolute genius. The thought of geezers reading your thoughts on the races whilst holding their old boy will live with me for a long, long time. The fact that 8 out of 10 tips were landed tells you there are some seriously knowledgable tipsters on Olbg.com, anyone can share in this and its all for free. Even made The Belfast Telegraph!

I had been tipping Rock On Ruby up to anyone who would listen for at least a couple of months and when he bolted up in the Champion Hurdle I was chuffed to bits. However the one who paid for the whole week was Alfie Sherrin who I'd backed at 40's, 33's, 25's and 14's, the fact I was on the winning post and got a wave from winning jockey Richie McLernon made it the most amazing bet I think I have ever had! This pic will be a framed shot one day!
Its been great to catch up with fellow @OLBG members and I for one can't wait to see the promo video, I hope too much of my ad-libbing doesn't end up on the cutting room floor!

Anyway well done to Olbg for sponsoring the Mares Hurdle on Tuesday and well done to all the members who have got involved in the spirit of the festival. Olbg even manage to donate a few bob to worthwhile charities and give out real cash prizes. Get involved because it's a great community spirit and in this day and age, getting something for nothing is rare old treat!

Good Luck and roll on next year! Please re-tweet to fellow members. All photos on http://randyrann.foliopic.com are up for sale for a small fee and for every pic sold I will make a donation to Olbg's chosen charity.

Yours very tired and emotional

Randy Rann

FESTIVAL FEVER REACHES FEVER PITCH!

There is only sometimes of the year when whatever your bag is takes over all rational thoughts in your mind and mine is here. I know that to many The Cheltenham Festival means absolutely nothing, but a quarter of million punters will make their way to the natural amphitheatre in The Cotswolds, Gloucestershire, that is Cheltenham racecourse.

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.

Follow on Twitter @Randy_Rann. Please Re-Tweet this if you like it.














    

AMAZING GREYS

With the spectacle that is the all encompassing Cheltenham Festival less than two months away, and festival  fever gripping everyone who is involved or in love with horse racing, I thought it was time to have a review  of  my ante-post portfolio.In addition, I have gone through a lot of the races to try and unearth a few gems as there is nothing better than going into the battle that is Cheltenham with a few favourable vouchers burning a hole in your pocket. What struck me this year is the number of grey horses with outstanding chances in tons of the races. Whilst this may not be unusual, I really can't believe there have been so many of the housewife's favourites featuring so prominently at the top of so many markets. The sight of those grey ghosts charging up the hill a la One Man, Desert Orchid, Rooster Booster,Detroit City et al is a joy to see. Here we go through a seemingly endless list of great white hopes.

           AL FEROF.(Trained by Paul Nicholls, a 7-y-o gelding.) 

This novice is so well thought off he is set to take on more experienced rivals in today's Victor Chandler Chase and will surely go very close. The Arkle against fellow novices looks the safest option but if he bolts up in Ascot's big race, then connections will surely think of going for The Queen Mother Champion Chase. Has blinding festival form as was 2nd in the Bumper, two years ago before going on to land last year's Supreme. I'd rather see him go for the Arkle as he'll surely have a better chance in that, but the stable obviously think they have something special here.Whether he can beat the likes of Finians's Rainbow today remains to be seen, but this is a very smart horse. 

GRANDS CRUS(Martin Pipe 7yo gelding) Here's another novice who may take on the big boys in this years Gold Cup. Is a most progressive sort who has taken to jumping fences well and looks sure to run well at the festival. Would rather see him run in the RSA Chase this year, where he would be the likely favourite, but with not much strength in depth in the Gold Cup its understandable connections are thinking of a crack at the big one. Was a good 2nd in last year's World Hurdle behind the legendary Big Bucks and at one stage was travelling so well I thought he may even win. This one is high class. We'll see him next week at Cheltenham and that will tell us more.

DIVERS (Ferdy Murphy, 8yo gelding) Is obviously a spring horse with a preference for good ground.Should get those conditions in March. Won the Centenary at last year's festival and will run well wherever he goes this year. Ran a cracker in the Paddy Power Chase on ground softer than ideal before disappointingly unseating in the Spinal Research Handicap back at Cheltenham. Will be freshened up and may go for the Byrne Plate or Ryanair over a course and distance that will suit.Having Graham Lee back in the saddle will be a bonus. 

BABY MIX (Tom George 4yo gelding) Have backed this one at 8-1 for the Triumph Hurdle on the strength of his win back in December where he beat the well regarded Hinterland very easily. What impressed that day was the way he travelled and jumped, he looks the one to beat. Will hopefully run in the JCB Triumph Hurdle trial race at Cheltenham next week and if he wins that nicely, 8s will look value.

BARBATOS (Ian Williams 5yo gelding) was very impressed with this ones win last time where he came away very strongly from a decent enough field at Cheltenham on New Year's Day. Has ground to make up on the very smart Fingal Bay, but has a lot of scope and can improve back on good ground. Around 16-1 for the Neptune Hurdle is cracking each way value, as long as he turns up for that race. Trainer rates this horse highly.

SIMONSIG ( Nicky Henderson, 5yo gelding.) Was 2nd to Fingal Bay on bad ground at Sandown last time not beaten far and was in turn, miles clear of Barbatos, back in 3rd. Has good form on good ground and is a point to point winner so looks to have plenty of stamina, a trait that is often required to land the Supreme Novice Hurdle. Around 14s for that and hopefully he'll take up that option, as I have backed it! Been a bit of talking horse and will be good each way value wherever he goes.

The Pertemps Hurdle is often won by a progressive staying type and the two who catch my eye so far are OUR FATHER (David Pipe 6yo gelding) and SIVOLA DE SIVOLA (Tom George 6yo gelding). Our Father hasn't finished out of the first two in all four outings and has some nice bits of form carrying big weights. Looks sure to run well, as will Sivola de Sivola who is also improving at a rapid rate of knots.

 Apparently been working well and wasn't beaten too far at last years festival behind Bob's Worth. 

GREAT ENDEAVOUR (David Pipe 8yo gelding) Won the Paddy Power Chase very impressively this season, before disappointing the next two times. However both of those could be excused as he probably didn't stay in the Hennessy and then was hampered next time at Cheltenham. Has good festival form as won the Byrne Plate gamely in 2010 and would have been placed last year but for a late fall in the Spinal Research. A fast run 2m5f on goodish ground looks ideal and the Ryanair could be his target for which he is around 14s. Like his chances if freshened up for a spring campaign. 

THOUSAND STARS (Willie Mullins 7yo gelding) This one ran a cracker to be 4th behind classy stablemate Hurricane Fly in last season's Champion Hurdle, getting a bit outpaced before staying on late. won the County Hurdle in 2010 so is another who likes the festival in March. Stays further and is very consistent and I would like to see him run in the World Hurdle, where reigning champ Big Bucks can't be opposed, but at 10-1 with William Hills is blinding each way value.

ZAYNAR (Nick Williams 7yo gelding) This one has been called a few names in the past, but a change of scenery seems to rejuvenated him and Nick Williams has done wonders with this horse. Won the Triumph Hurdle really impressively and was placed in a Champion Hurdle too, so likes the festival in March.Cut no ice in last season's World Hurdle, but the switch to fences seems to have improved him. Won a good novice chase at Ascot last time and the 3rd and 4th in that race have won races since. Part owner Victor Chandler would surely like him to win on his big day at Ascot and if he goes well could be a lively one for Cheltenham.

A couple of others out today at Ascot who have caught my eye are KENTFORD GREY LADY(Emma Lavelle 6yo Mare) and SMAD PLACE (Alan King 5yo gelding) and both have great chances today. The mare has been mightily impressive in two wins this season and is a short priced favourite to enhance her reputation today. A win will see her shorten up for the Mare's race at the festival , she's around 16s at the moment and she could be the best of the English against the Irish hotpots. Smad Place has massive potential as a chaser and will probably need the run, but keep an eye on this one as he is still young enough to develop into a top notcher. Hasn't run since last season's festival but looks sure to run well in an open race today especially as the step up in trip looks sure to suit.

The final one is a bit of a dark one, or a more ghostly white to be precise but I have to include him on this list. Many will scoff but NACARAT (Tom George 11yo gelding) is a rather interesting entry in the Queen Mother Champion Chase. I fancied him for last year's Ryanair but he bypassed Cheltenham as the track doesn't play to his strengths, however a fast run 2 mile championship race will be the more exhilerating if this bold jumping grey is bowling along in front. He will probably run at Kempton first in the old Racing Post Chase, but I would love to see him run at Cheltenham on ground that is likely to suit. Hoping he may hold on for a place is wishful thinking, but who can forget One Man taking the Queen Mum after disappointing in the Gold Cup or the great Desert Orchid battling to Gold Cup success on a track that didn't play to his strengths. The ghosts of Cheltenham's past may well be re-lived through some of these and I'm sure a few bob each way on these will return a profit.

All comments gladly received.

Yours grey-tfully

Randy. 

Free tips are on olbg.com and all ante-posts are on http://goo.gl/fsLNa

If you like the photos please have a look at http://randyrannracing.foliopic.com/

MONDAY 23rd JANUARY 2011, Weekend's Report

What a nice weekend. The greys didn't let us down with Smad Place the highlight with a 7-1 win. Al Ferof ran as well as expected in the Victor Chandler and now heads to Cheltenham a major player for the Arkle. Kentford Grey Lady I thought was a bit unlucky in 2nd and is still a nice each way poke for the festival wherever she turns up. Zaynar ran well for a long way before finishing 4th and is another who could still go well at the festival.

Yet another grey to add to the list is CHAMPAGNE FEVER (Willie Mullins 5yo gelding) who was very impressive in winning the flat race at Fairyhouse yesterday. Whether he is ready for the hurly burly of the Cheltenham Bumper yet is one thing, but if he turns up there should run well as has massive potential. 

A couple more to mention are both from Alan King's yard. MEDERMIT (8yo gelding) & WALKON (7yo gelding) as both of these have excellent Cheltenham form. Medermit might need a step up in trip to 3 miles and not sure what race he could go for but maybe the Ryanair over 2m5f will suit as it takes some getting. Walkon was disappointing last time but back on good ground at the festival will definitely run a big race. Was 2nd to Zaynar in a Truimph Hurdle once.

One thing for sure is I'm looking forward to Cheltenham in March and am counting down the days.

Randy 

MY 2011-2012 TOTESPORT TEN TO FOLLOW

The National Hunt season has been underway for some time now but, what has gone before hasn't added up to a hill of beans and the real start is The Paddy Power meeting which has just got underway at the mecca that is Cheltenham and as ever all roads lead to The Festival back there in March. The Totesport Ten To follow kicked off too, which tells you the significance of this meeting,and now the real big guns come out to play. As per usual there are hundreds of lists of ten flying about and as I have entered this comp every single National Hunt season the following ten are the ones all dreams are pinned on. With a guaranteed prize of a cool quarter of a million quid up for grabs and the ten grand prizes along the way, enjoy the ride to all who have entered and please leave your comments.

So here goes, hopefully this ten, some not original but guaranteed heavy points scorers will lead to a healthy profit as well as Cheltenham 2012 Festival Glory.

AL FEROF(left); 6yo Paul Nicholls. This horse has been to the last two Cheltenham festivals finishing 2nd in the Bumper and 1st in the Supreme Novices. All he did in that win in March was stay, and with the switch to fences can come back next year to have a crack at the Arkle.The ability to stay further than the bare 2 miles has always been handy in races like the Arkle and the fact that championship pace suits, he  will develop into a strong contender.Will be intriguing to see how he fares on Sunday and has the likes of Peddlers Cross and Menorah to deal with, but I reckon he'll prove best of the lot.

   

HURRICANE FLY(above); 7yo Willie Mullins. The reigning Champion Hurdler and though there will be plenty of new challengers like Spirit Son, Oscars Wells and The Real Article, they will all have to improve massively to trouble "The Fly". Won with something in hand last March and can mop up the bonus races in Ireland before coming back and defending his title.

DIVERS (left); 7yo Ferdy Murphy. I saw this one win the Centenary at The Festival back in March and with his connections thought straight away, plot up Paddy Power Chase.Trainer Ferdy Murphy produced L'Antartique to do the same double and has a good chance to do it again with Divers. Is a 7yo second season chaser, a course and distance winner with a low weight and looks the ideal sort for the race. Travelled well off the pace back in March before winning, in my opinion, with a bit in hand. Ran a poor race on his seasonal debut at Carlisle, but surely will come on a ton for that and on better ground has a cracking each way chance in The Paddy Power Chase, despite drifting in the market.

FIRST LIEUTENANT;6yo Mouse Morris. Won the Neptune at The Festival and all he did was stay on strongly up the Cheltenham hill. I had backed Rock On Ruby in that race and thought he had it won, but this one, after looking in trouble, roared up the stiff finish and nabbed the prize on the line. Will be the right age in March to be a strong contender for the 3m RSA Chase. Trainer is getting plenty of experience into him and he definitely looks a chaser to follow.

HIDDEN CYCLONE;6yo J.Hanlon. Was only beaten once as a hurdler, finishing a close 3rd in a Grade 1 in Ireland behind First Lieutenant and Zaidpour, and that is smart form. Trainer reckons this one could be a Gold Cup horse of the future and the switch to chasing will surely bring out more improvement. To me, he too could develop into a RSA Chase horse himself.

AITEEN THIRTYTHREE; 7yo Paul Nicholls. This one has Hennessy Gold Cup written all over him and have already backed him at 10-1 for that race. Loves Newbury and with a satisfactory comeback run under his belt behind the smart Somersby, looks to have a big shout back at that track in a couple of weeks. Didn't like Cheltenham in last season's RSA and a flatter track seems to suit better. Could run well at Aintree too.

CAPTAIN CHRIS; 7yo Philip Hobbs. The world is this ones oyster and he has so many options, tripwise. He can go anywhere and win. Seems to prefer right handed tracks and a trip, but still managed to win the Arkle last season and can build on that this year to become a major presence within the chasing division. Could develop into a Gold Cup horse and a run in the King George at Kempton will tell us more. Could even take the Ryanair over 2m5f if connections don't fancy a crack at the big one this season. Should have won on seasonal debut at Exeter this season, but unluckily jockey Richard Johnson unseated, however the leap he made at the last told you he had loads left in the tank.

FINIANS RAINBOW;8yo Nicky Henderson. Lovely big scopy chaser and chased home Captain Chris in last season's Arkle after looking all over the winner at one point. Looks to be a real star in the 2mile Championship races this year and can go well in races like The Tingle Creek at Sandown and the Queen Mother Champion Chase.

The last two, pick themselves as they surely have no peers.

LONG RUN;6yo Nicky Henderson. Won the King George and the greatest Gold Cup I can remember last season and all this as such a young horse. Can win both again this year as his main rivals Kauto Star and Denman are too long in the tooth to trouble him now. If he stays clear of injury he will be at the top of the tree for a long time to come and will end up a "Legend". 

BIG BUCKS; 8yo Paul Nicholls. Legendary status already hangs around this one's neck and all roads lead back to Cheltenham for a crack at The World Hurdle. Will surely win that for the fourth time before either going chasing or coming back for a fifth one. One of my favourites of all time, it is unbelievable to think he is only eight and if he stays sweet will again prove himself unbeatable.

There you have it a fine list of horses and one that will take some beating. Enjoy the season and happy punting.

Randy.