Cheltenham from 14 March to 17 March 2017

I won't make it this year
It's a bit early to make any predictions as nothing confirmed however

Douvan might end up being the festival banker in the Chase

Champion hurdler can be Faugheen with Annie Power the danger or maybe the World Hurdle?

The cup where one of my favs will probably run Cue Card but this time Thistlecrack might be the new kid on the block ?

Good punting

Quote "thistlecrack might be the new kid on the block"

Slight understatement from me lol

The 8/1 for cup is now 13/10

Douvan - Champion Chase

Altior - Arkle

Champion Hurdle - depends on Annie/Faugheen this and whether they run

Gold Cup - Thistlecrack

Douvan/Altior/Thistlecrack the NAP treble for the festival. They all stay up, they all win.

Yes Master tend to agree

Richard Johnson recons Native River 8/1 will give Thistlecrack something to think about in the cup

Good horse Dave but the only thing that can beat Thistlecrack in the Gold Cup is himself - his jumping.

Getting closer and it's always a case of 3 or 4 hotties the punters vs bookies last year the hotties won for us and at this stage
Faugheen for the Hurdle but no hottie
Bumper always difficult but Get a Bird, big talk
Douvan will be the festival cert
I think the connection with go for the Ryanair with Cue Card to avoid another hottie in the Cup TC
The Arkle should be the other hottie Altiar

So guess we on same wavelength

Good punting

Very Sad to see Bryn Palling has passed away a very good trainer true gentleman and one of nicest men your meet.

Where the big names will run before the Festival
BY STUART RILEY 4:30PM 17 JAN 2017
WITH the first of the final festival prep races coming this weekend at Ascot, Haydock, Navan and Leopardstown we take a look at where the main contenders for the four championship races will run en route to Cheltenham...

Stan James Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy

Faugheen (best-priced 9-4) the favourite is said to be on track for his long-awaited reappearance in the Grade 1 BHP Insurance Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown on January 29, the race he won by 15 lengths when last seen.

Yanworth (5-1) Sandown's Listed Betfred Contenders Hurdle on February 4 has been mooted as Alan King's joint second favourite continues his journey back to the festival.

Faugheen-360
Annie Power (5-1) has not been seen since Aintree last year and there's no set target as she continues to recover. She may have to go straight to the festival - if she makes it back in time.

Petit Mouchoir (8-1) a clash with Faugheen in the Irish Champion Hurdle could be on the cards. He would be the one to beat if last year's sensational winner does not turn up.

Brain Power (12-1) has been impressive in two big handicap wins this season and could put his Champion Hurdle credentials to the test by taking on Yanworth at Sandown.

Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase


Douvan (4-9) the Grade 2 BoyleSports Tied Cottage at Punchestown on February 5 has been suggested for putting the finishing touches to the festival's shortest-priced favourite.

Fox Norton (8-1) has been recovering from a nasty cut sustained when running away with the Shloer Chase in November and he will have his festival prep run Newbury on February 11 for the Grade 2 Betfair Exchange Game Spirit Chase.

Un De Sceaux
Altior (8-1) trainer Nicky Henderson is taking the same route from Kempton to Cheltenham as he took with Sprinter Sacre the year he won the Arkle and taking on Fox Norton in the Game Spirit.

Un De Sceaux (14-1) is the 5-6 favourite for Saturday's Grade 1 Berkshire Community Foundation Clarence House Chase, a race he won last year by five lengths.

Sun Bets Stayers' Hurdle

Unowhatimeanharry (5-2) the favourite will bid for an eighth consecutive victory over the Stayers' Hurdle course and distance in the Grade 2 Galliardhomes.com Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham on January 28.

Vroum Vroum Mag (7-1) the super sub has entries in the Champion Hurdle, Mares' Hurdle, Champion Chase, Ryanair, Gold Cup and this and where she has her prep run is just as open.

JEZKI Ridden by Barry Geraghty wins The Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham 11/3/14
Nichols Canyon (12-1) where he goes next could be dependant on Faugheen's return as the obvious deputy in the Mullins yard should he not make it to the Irish Champion Hurdle. If Faugheen does make it then he has a whole host of options over a variety of trips, including the Grade 2 John Mulhern Galmoy Hurdle at Gowran Park on January 26 if they want to test his stamina.

Ballyoptic (14-1) fell at the last when alongside Unowhatimeanharry in the Long Walk at Ascot and could get weight from the same opponent in the Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Jezki (14-1) has been off the track since beating Hurricane Fly at the 2015 Punchestown festival but is due back at Navan this weekend. The Grade 2 Red Mills Trial Hurdle at Gowran Park on February 18.

Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup


Thistlecrack (Evs) trainer Colin Tizzard wants to get more jumping experience into the first novice to win the King George VI Chase and has earmarked the Grade 2 Betbright Trial Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham on January 28.

Native River (6-1) the Hennessy and Welsh National winner is set for another trip to Newbury on February 11 for the Grade 2 Betfair Denman Chase.

Thistlecrack
Djakadam (12-1) connections feel the Grade 1 Stan James Irish Gold Cup on February 12 may fall a bit close to the festival this year and Djakadam could go straight to Cheltenham.

Outlander (14-1) Gordon Elliott, the trainer of Djakadam's Lexus Chase conqueror, originally suggested the Irish Gold Cup looked the obvious race for Outlander but has since stated he could go straight to Cheltenham.

Cue Card (14-1) with his trainer Colin Tizzard juggling five potential runners a drop back in trip has been mooted. The horse who fell three out when still travelling in last year's Gold Cup could blow the cobwebs away in the Grade 1 Betfair Ascot Chase on February 18.

Cool thanks Bob will be checking above

I am glad Thistlecrack is having a look at Cheltenham before the festival

faugheen is out for the festival