130 I backed
Yorkhill for a decent bet in both the races it was entered in. Normally that would mean I was sitting on a much better price than on the day but, as has been discussed, the antepost market it absolute bollox with nearly every horse drifting yesterday compared to their prices before. I'm happy with the 3/1 though (currenlty 5/2).
I've never been convinced about Yanworth but it's a JP horse and they win me money every year (getting me out of the pooh on many occasions - usually at big prices - yesterday being the most recent example) so I have to put something on it. A small saver bet then which will see me starting the day slightly down after race one should it win.
210
More of That is one of the few horses that I am happy with the early price for (I won't keep going on about Double Shuffle
). I'm on that at 3/1, currently 15/8. I'm not a big fan of Barry Geraghty (I know many are, just my view) and I don't see his name as a positive on my selections but I'm hoping he can steer this home.
I'll be looking for an each way bet. Torn between Vyta du Roc and Blaklion so I'll probably watch the prices and see which gets the most support - both currently 10/1
250 Small bets on the three McManus horses. I'm liking the value of
Prologue with the option of an each way bet at 10/1 with five places or 8/1 with six places (coral). It is normal to take into account previous Cheltenham form this week and if you look at this one, you will see that he unseated rider which isn't great but if you look into it further, the write up says "effort 2 out, every chance when jinked right and unseated rider before last" I'm convinced and, because I have other bets in the race I'm leaning towards the 6 place and the lower price.
330 I'm on
Gods Own at small stakes at 33/1 and 28/1 and I can't even remember why but I appear to have backed
Felix Yonger ew without the fav at 6/1. Dunno where that one came from but I'm stuck with it. Luckily I don't feel strongly enough about any of the others for it to be a problem, although I would probably be on
Special Tiara ew at 18s and may still stick a little bit on if I'm up from the previous bets by the time this race comes around. I've also got two free bets in the bank from Paddy Power yesterday (presumably Holywell and My Tent or Yours both finishing second) so I may use one on ST. I have one lined up for the bumper.
410 The JP McManus benefit race so I won't be backing anything that isn't running in gold and green. I'm on
Jossies Orders antepost at 5/2 which means that, of course, the price on the day is higher at 11/4 but I think I'll make my main bet
Quantitative Easing ew, 4 places at 8/1 and smaller ew bets on the other three JP runners. JP usually has at least one 20/1 + runner at the festival and
Cantlow could be this year's.
450 No antepost bets on this one so I'm looking at two at 9/1 and 12/1 in
Campeador and
Jaleo. The latter is trained by JP Ferguson and this will be his last Cheltenham as he is hanging up his training licence for a better job. Racing being what he is, he is sure to have a winner this week and I'm hoping it's not his other horse in this race at 33/1.
530 I've posted elsewhere on the back of one of Punter's posts that I'll be on
New to This Town at 10/1 (available at 11/1). My free win bet is going on Augusta Kate at 9/1 and I'm having another each way bet on another of Ferguson's
High Bridge at 12/1. I can't ignore the McManus horse
Castello Sforza at 11/1 so small stakes on that but with the option of increasing it if I'm still up on the week. If not, I will leave the small stakes and, of course, it will romp home.
Good luck to all