The Daily Nap:
Coo Star Sivola: 2.50 Cheltenham, 3pts win, 11/2 generally available
Twice placed at previous festivals and looked transformed when stepped up to three miles for the first time in an Exeter mud-bath last month. Trainer must have never had doubt as this was the only festival entry despite looking well suited to other events as well. Gets the benefit of Lizzie Kelly’s 3lb claim, and receives lumps of weight from the useful Gold Present. After plunging on Singlefarmpayment in a short head defeat in this event last year, we’ll be watching through our fingers in opposing him this time.
Tuesday Other Races:
Getabird: 1.30 Cheltenham, 1pt win, 7/4 generally available
Comes from a proven source of winners in this event and was deeply impressive at Punchestown. Should have an uncomplicated prominent ride, and could be very difficult to pass. Ground no issue, and bred to stay well
Petit Mouchoir, 2.10 Cheltenham, 1pt win, 5/2 generally available
A great race, but with the rain suiting the super front-running Saint Calavados, this has become a three way battle with Irish big guns Footpad and Petit Mouchoir. Good luck to our friend Harry Whittington trainer of Saint Calvados, but we fractionally prefer Petit Mouchoir who should improve from his Leopardstown defeat to a race-ready Footpad, but its a small stakes betting event.
Wicklow Brave, 3.30 Cheltenham, 0.5pts win betting without Buveur D’Air, 6/1 Paddy Power
Surely booked for reigning champion Buveur D’Air even with the cheek-pieced ex-champ Faugheen lining up and with the mercurial Yorkhill. We like the betting without Buveur market, and having dabbled in advance on good ground horses Verdana Blue and John Constable, conditions look adverse to those two, but could suit unsung Mullins contender Wicklow Brave who sauntered home in a handicap here a few years ago on soft ground.
Jer’s Girl, 4.10 Cheltenham, 0.5pts each way, 16/1 generally available
Apple’s Jade looks as likely to defend here as Buveur earlier. In Benie des Dieux and La Bague Au Roi she has two tough challengers. With only 9 runners, the betting offers some each way value, and Jer’s Girl, a faller here when running well last year, could be a fair price.
Mossbank: 4.50 Cheltenham, 1pt win, 11/2 generally available
We’ve been keen on Jury Duty here under the amazing Jamie Codd, but the rain will make this a test and the horse is 0 from 9 over 3 miles plus. Mossbank may have beaten him but for a last fence fall, and although worse off at the weights here, a subsequent slog against the good Monbeg Notorious suggests this 4 miles may suit ideally.
Barney Dwan: 5.30 Cheltenham, 1pt win, 8/1 generally available
We’ll have a clue after Jury Duty’s earlier run, as Barney Dwan finished one place ahead of him when runner up in last year’s Pertemps final. On that running he looks fairly weighted here, and he has plenty of soft and heavy ground form in keeping with a son of soft-ground sire Vinnie Roe. Trainer Fergal O’Brien will have had this in mind all season, and soft ground may help the excellent Noel Fehily get this sometimes clumsy jumper as Festival pace is likely to be moderated.
The Daily Yankee:
Getabird – Coo Star Sivola – Mossbank – Barney Dwan
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