Cheltenham from 14 March to 17 March 2017

Noel Fehily on Monday found himself booked to ride the favourite in two of the Cheltenham Festival's four showpiece championship events after being selected by JP McManus to partner Buveur D'Air and Unowhatimeanharry, described by his big-race jockey as boasting "a massive chance".

Week to go whoop whoop

Going to have to make some serious commitments for next year. Think I'll take off Paddy's Day for the Gold Cup.

Well it's always worth a trip but this year for me a few stars missing due to injuries and other reasons and don't have the same confidence or hype ( hope I am wrong ) ?

I have no doubt that Altior will win the Arkle at restricted odds

The champion hurdle without Faugheen and Annie Power makes it open and also a few top jocks missing but Buveur Dair can beat Yanworth

Gold cup was going to be a classic but without TC not the same , my old fav Cue Card will run but it could be second to Native Prince with Outlander to make the trifecta

The World hurdle also a few past champs missing and now the stayers hurdle but maybe the commentators long worded Unowhatimeanharry (YKWIMH) will come home lonely

The Foxhunter will possibly go to On the Fringe

We have had a post here to back Finians Oscar for the Neptune

The Ryanair chase can go to Un de Sceaux and Yorkhill can win the JTL

I am sure it will rise to another great festival with plenty highs and drama and the Paddies will all be steaming even with the new drinking restrictions

Cheers

Good punting
Scotia

Dave, in the Gold Cup don't leave Sizing John out of the equation. Lightly raced and an up and coming type with a great jockey on board.

Have any of you seen this Cheltenham Festival Preview for 2017? :-

Have not had time to watch it all but love the banter a show well worth watching

Great show, excellent panel and a few different trains of thought

I will try and extract a few

Douvan and Altior only have to show up to win

Very strong

Yorkhill
Yanworth
unowhatimeanharry
On the fringe

Good chances

Vroum vroum mag
A genie in abottle
Neonwolf
Carter McKay
Mega fortune
Noble endeavor

Gold cup mixed feeling and a outsider can win could be Outlander

Plus an ew at 66/1 is Cyrus Darius

Good punting

Think Neon Wolf is poor value at around 9/4 - especially if Finian's Oscar runs.

Yes we did have a post on the Oscar to back it just still a few uncertainties about which horses will run in certain races, its part of the fun and speculation

Ladbrokes' top 10 losers

1 Defi Du Seuil (Triumph)
2 Native River (Gold Cup)
3 Yanworth (Champion Hurdle)
4 Altior (Arkle)
5 Finian's Oscar (Neptune)
6 Unowhatimeanharry (Stayers)
7 Death Duty (Albert Bartlett)
8 Un De Sceaux (Ryanair)
9 Moon Racer (Supreme)
10 Arpege D'Alene (NH Chase)

Betfred's ante-post eye-catchers

1 Western Ryder (Bumper) 7-1 from 25-1
2 Automated (Coral Cup) 10-1 from 20-1
3 Yanworth (Champion Hurdle) 3-1 from 16-1
4 Moon Racer (Champion Hurdle) 9-1 from 33-1
5 Uxizandre (Ryanair) 11-2 from 25-1
6 Un De Sceaux (Ryanair) 3-1 from 12-1
7 Altior (Arkle) 1-4 from 4-1
8 A Genie In Abottle (NH Chase) 9-2 from 16-1

This is basically a free 100 quid bet

Paddy Power – 10-1 Altior and Douvan to win
New Paddy Power customers can get an enhanced 10-1 that Altior (2.10, Tuesday) and Douvan (3.30, Wednesday, March 15) both win. Max bet £10. Winnings paid in free bets. Terms apply