Day 3 review . Mighty Potter was given a strange ride and even the trainer afterwards questioned why he was sat so far back ( ridden to the fore in previous races ) the winner getting an easy solo upfront , not a ride you would have expected from such a jockey with that experience. Maxxum was given the same hold up ride by the same jockey and it was never going to happen from an early stage. Janidil was constantly hampered by the second jumping into his path and then clouting one hard when the race was beginning to hot up ended his chance. Flooring Porter was well backed to secure a third win in the race , but was out on his feet when the pack came calling and was all out to hold onto 4th with gave us a little reward ew. Shakem Up’Arry looked like he was going to go very close at one stage but was ultimately no mach for the winner , but still a brave effort and rewarded ew support for us once again. Magical Zoe was one that got away I feel. She was given way too much ground to make up and then was hampered at the last. If she had sat closer mid pack she would have won this easily as it was 2nd place rewarded ew support for us again , but it should have been a winner. Fontaine Collonges looked a likely player on form , but I had forgotten how bad the jockey is ( not ridden a winner for nearly 2 years ) she gave it a horrendous ride and it was game over from early doors not getting into any rhythm or placing the horse to have any sort of chance. Poor stuff ! Not a bad day with three placing but its a sour taste when you know one got away with Magical Zoe
Day 4
1.30 Blood Destiny 1pt win @ 2’1 – Looks a very high class prospect given the way he despatched decent types last time out and should take plenty of beating in this
2.10 Ballyadam 1/2 pt ew @ 12’1 firms offering 6 places – Caught my eye in this last year when not getting any luck in the run ( finished 5th ) and with more to give an the end. A very good run last time out last time out should have teed him up nicely for another tilt at this race and hopefully gets a bit more luck in the run this time
2.50 Hiddenvalley Lake 1/2 pt ew @ 8’1 / 15’2 firms offering 5 places – Ran really well giving weight to a stable mate last time out ( should probably have won if ridden a bit more forcefully ) He looks all about stamina and is sure to get the stern test that will be ideal
3.30 A Plus Tard 1/2 pt ew @ 9’2 / 4’1 firms offering 4 places – It is very hard to get away from the visual impression he gave when winning this last year. A blow out at Haydock is neither here nor there in my view , his record at the track is very solid and with the stable in cracking form should go very close to retaining the title
4.10 Chris’s Dream 1/2 pt ew @ 8’1 firms offering 5 places – Has some rock solid back form including two run’s at Aintree in 2021 ( not getting around each time, but going very strongly when departing ) He has been freshened up in points with two bloodless wins and has the class to be much better than most of these could ever dream of
4.50 Dolcita 1/2 pt ew @ 50’1 – On the face of it she looks the 3rd string of the stable , but she does stay well and is not that far behind many of these in the ratings. There was a lot to like about her attitude when a mistake at the last scuppered her chance in the Dawn Run in 2020 & is only 2lb inferior to her stable mate who is a short priced fav for this over hurdles
5.30 Spanish Harlem 3/4 pt ew @ 5’1 firms offering 5 places (NAP) – Cost an absolute packet after winning in France on his one and only run. Has yet to win , but for that sort of money and experience he now has after three runs off this mark there is surely a lot more to come ( ridden by the best jockey by some way in the line up too )
ITV Double 1pt ew Spanish Harlem ( firms offering 5 places ) & A Plus Tard ( firms offering 4 places ) BetVictor offer both ew terms
I would just like to thank you all for subscribing to my Cheltenham info for 2023, as of yet its been an ok sort festival and on another day we could have had 3 or 4 more winners with a few looking likely at some stage to oblige. I am hopeful Day 4 will reward us better than the first 3. Hopefully you will join me again in the near future for the rest of the NH season and the start of the 2023 flat season. Thank you and good luck with your betting in the future