Thursday Card Cheltenham - 17th March 11

See you have been burning the midnight oil Martin - good lad that you are 
could not get here yesterday but still there to get the bookies beaten hopefully today


1.30 and am fully confident of a big run from Henderson horse Mr Gardener -A runaway winner on his third hurdles start in March 2009, was then not seen again until making all to win a 2m4f novice chase at Huntingdon this January where he jumped like a stag.  Coming out only 22 days Sandown 050211 looked a house of a horse and was impressive against Captain Chris and Medermit   and stepping up in grade  he was always towards the front, if tending to jump slightly right. He was still right there until stumbling on landing at the penultimate fence, from which point he weakened. That was a creditable effort just over three weeks after his reappearance, and he looks sure to win good races if keeping sound. Henderson said he wanted to target this race with him in any case but thought he would need another run after Sandown which he hasn't had. There was no bounce factor at Sandown and  having a 40 dsr has a major chance - he does lead and fitness on his side under Barry  Geragthy this is his going he will stay. His run put him 5lbs behind Captain Chris who won so well on Tuesday and a clear round will see him home today. The Vfb gives him the same mark as the favourite Wishful Thinking who won a  grade 3 handicap here last time wearing a first time tongue tie which he wears again today both horses are highly progressive  but Mr Gardener has the edge in my book on the drying ground.


 2.05 and my selection here is the irish Rivage D'or who i thought so impressive under this in form jockey at Naas last time  ideal stats for this one in a race thats been targetted  he led home a Dessie Hughes one-two. He travelled well throughout under his 5lbs claimer and forged to the front at the last and stuck to his task well. Cut to 14-1 for the Cheltenham race with Stan James, his trainer described the first two home as good staying horses but this one had a turn of speed as well 


2.40 cannot have a great deal of confidence in this race but have a sneaky bet on Jacobs booting home a winner today and Gavain my well be short of top class but Williams horses have only just got over a setback  his running against Riverside Theatre at Ascot showed a return to form and hes better this way round - this is not a great Ryanair in my book  and Alberta Run last years winner was also second in the Ascot race the previous run 


 3.20 and a race to savour - is Big Bucks vulnerable ? is it a two horse Race with Grands Cru ? on the book it seems to be and they both have plenty of reasons for backing them - 6 and 7yr old have dominated the last 10 year stats previous course win seems an absolute must and am turning my attention to an each way shot in Henderson's  Zaynar he is a very brave animal and always considered to be classy enough to win a champion race he has never run this far but another year on its back and Delami has bred some stayer he is the betfair place market bet for me and an in running bet.


4.00 a good handicap but a puzzle - would say take a look at Edgbrier this has been his target for some time and should give a good account just 4lb higher than when game course winner in October.for a big run in a race that doe throw up some massive priced winners he ran such a good race at sandown last time over an inadequate 2miles staying on really well from the last that i have to have this one win and place  


 best of luck on your selections - give me a comment on mine ? cheers


 Bob