The Student Punter

  14:25 Doncaster It's nice to see a full field for this after a disappointing turnout of only 8 runners last season. Last years winner Arthurs's Realm  bids to repeat his success off a mark off a 9lb higher mark (90). Given he ran a blinder over course and distance to finish 3rd behind Atrium (a fancied runner in the Lincoln) off a mark of 90, this mark still seems realistic. His draw in 22 is of some concern however,  I don't typically like backing horses drawn on the wing in big fields and there is some suggestion that low stalls could be favoured here. Isla Kai  is drawn on the other wing in stall 1 and is a reliable front runner which means that DIRTYOLDTOWN  should get a nice tow into the race fron the stall next door. Grant Tuer's charge was far from consistent last season with form figures of 206020, often following a good run with a terrible run on the face of it, although I think he had excuses on a couple of occasions. One of those second place finish...

  14:10 County Handicap Hurdle The Skeltons have a decent record in this in recent years and Pembroke  was very much on my shortlist, a progressive novice who will certainly benefit from the drop back in trip. Unfortunately, his price has collapsed this evening, so I won't be putting him up as a bet on here but if he drifts I may get involved.    GIN COCO  is another lightly raced sort who looks to have a huge shout here and he's still available at a double figure price. He was a beaten favourite last time out but travelled very powerfully into the race finishing second behind I Like To Move It looks even better now, the winner is now rated 15lb higher after landing the Kingwell in spectacular fashion subsequently. Gin Coco is only 4lb higher and given this is only his 7th start over hurdles theres plenty of scope for improvement. MILKWOOD  broke my heart in this race 2 years ago, he was my biggest bet of the festival that year and I'd backed him at prices ...

  14:10 Pertemps Handicap Hurdle Shoot First was a warm order for this ante-post but had to miss the festival due to injury, but I like one who wasn’t too far behind him on his most recent start in the shape of  AN TAILLIUR . He finished third that day over the 3m trip here at Cheltenham on the old course (new course in use today) and the way he finished off his race in the closing stages suggests he is still improving. That was back in October and he hasn’t been seen since, but thats not a concern as they have likely just been protecting his mark and he goes well fresh. The yard have won this race 4 times so know how to ready one. Another with a good record in this race is Davy Russel who has won 3 of the last 7 renewals, he rides  MAXXUM  today who I also want onside. He has taken huge steps forward in handicap hurdles since joining Gordon Elliott and this race has been his target for some time. If you take the form of his most recent race at face value it’s easy t...

  13:30 Ballymore Novice’s Hurdle Impaire Et Passe  has certainly been the talking horse of the Cheltenham preview night circuit and the market has moved accordingly, he now sits at the top of the market around the 7/4 mark. He needs to be respected given how highly his stable regard him and how impressive he was last time out, but I’m choosing to side with form in the book rather than solely potential ability. CHAMP KIELY  finished what was considered a disappointing 4th in a grade 1 at Punchestown when odds on earlier in the season, however with the benefit of hindsight I don’t think that run was as bad as people thought at the time. For starters, the winner of that race was Marine Nationale who landed the Supreme on day one. Also, Champ Kiely was far too keen to see the race out, so he probably did well to only be beaten just over four lengths. Stepped up in trip next time, he landed a Grade 1 in battling fashion and with the potential for more to come over this trip I...

  Cheltenham Day One 1:30 Supreme Novices Hurdle Yet again we start the week with a short priced Willie Mullins runner, although previous hot pots usually come off the back of a win - as opposed to the disappointing showing Facile Vega gave last time out. He was beaten over 20 lengths at Leopardstown, a run which is probably too bad to be true and market confidence this week suggests they’re expecting him to bounce back to his best. Il Etait Temps  did seem to do it well last time though and could take some stopping if repeating his run last time out. Of those near the front of the market I do like MARINE NATIONALE at around 5/1. He did remarkably well to win the Royal Bond at Fairyhouse at the start of December, travelling strongly throughout it looked like he’d been given too much work to do approaching the last (which he then booted out of the way) but he flew home late and pulled off a remarkable win. It’s a rather unorthodox preparation for a Supreme winner to have not ...