Going against the grain a little today. Here's my Cheltenham card, take it as you wish;
13:30 - Obvious favourite backed here in Sir Erec and should be placed. Quel Destin seems ready to spoil the party though and take this GC opener. Adjali equally looks good to ruffle feathers and claim a place.
Outsider - Adjali
Winner - Quel Destin
Placed - Sir Erec
14:10 - All the money will be going on Whiskey Sour no doubt but i'm predicting a bit of shock to get GC Friday rocking. Western Ryder to win closely followed by Monsieur Lecoq in what will have been a great festival for Lizzie Kelly. 5 places up for grabs and with that form in class, you'd be rude not to have an e/w on We Have A Dream at 25s.
O/S - We Have A Dream
Win - Western Ryder
Plce - Monsieur Lecoq
14:50 - Gold Cup warm up after the previous race upset. Very open field here, and Dinons can't be discounted after harshly hampered last time out. Strong favourites don't do well which makes choosing a winner difficult except Lisnagar Oscar, with continued impressing form looks to have the edge over Commander of Fleet. In any case, always avoid the favourite.
O/S - Dinons
Win - Lisnagar Oscar
Plce - Commander of Fleet
15:30 Gold Cup - Bellshill to get the better of his stablemate Kemboy and finally bag a GC for Mullins. Recently won the Irish Gold Cup too so a great indicator. Native River won't have enough to win but will go better than Mite Bite. Clan Des Obeaux has place claims too. A very open GC field.
O/S - Kemboy
Win - Bellshill
Plce - Native River
16:10 - Hazel Hill really should romp this with a fantastic performance at Warwick but Stand Up And Fight does exactly that, on all ground. Conditions may just suit SUAF to pinch it. Old head Ucello Conti should still have enough in the tank to manage this for a place. A lot of money behind Road To Rome but all those 1s trigger me and just say avoid.
O/S - Ucello Conti
Win - Stand Up And Fight
Plce - Hazel Hill
16:50 - Magic Saint should be the pick over Not Another Muddle and Whatswrongwithyou should make the frame in a five place special. Same goes for Gino Trail who could be the surprise package due to conditions. Loves Good to Soft. At 20s, I imagine that to be more like 10s at the post. Great value for pe/w bettors.
O/S - Gino Trail
Win - Magic Saint
Plce - Whatswrongwithyou
17:30 - SIX PLACES up for grabs with some bookies but a generous five on offer anyhow. Can't really see past Dallas Des Pictons in this although Pym looks very interesting for place claims at 16s. Fairly open field after DDP with Cartwright probably challenging. With six places, If You Say Run can't be ignored with talented Bryony Frost on board. Think that'll sneak a 5th/6th. 25s at current.
O/S - If You Say Run
Win - Dallas Des Pictons
Plce - Pym
For ITV7ers, other selections of note NOBEL LEADER 13:55 @ Fakenham & DASHING POET 14:20 @ Lingfield. Also makes a nice e/w double! Have fun, and bet within your means fellas