DAY ONE OF CHELTENHAM: SHAMROCK has two bets on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival. Can the Irish trained runners repeat the heroics of last season?
Let battle commence.
14-14 was the score between Ireland and GB last year and with some high profile absentees from this year’s Festival that sets the bar very high for the raiders in 2017.
However, the show will and must go on and four minutes after the Cheltenham roar at 1.30pm expectations are high that Melon will provide the perfect starter to the feast of racing at Prestbury Park.
He’s short in the market – priced mainly on expectation rather than the bare form of his debut Fairyhouse win which he sauntered to a 10 length success in a race where the second and third have been subsequently beaten.
But he travelled well and did in style. Such is Willie Mullins record in the opener that the layers aren’t taking many chances.
2013 Champagne Fever
2014 Vautour
2015 Douvan
The Mullins trained Min found Altior seven lengths too good in last year’s renewal but he hasn’t exactly turned out to be a bad horse !!
The fact that Ruby Walsh is onboard Melon ahead of the other three Mullins trained runners speaks volumes and I am fully expecting a win for Ireland in the opener.
The Mullins trained Bunk Off Early has done well in two starts and it would come as no surprise to see him placed.
The OLBG Mares’ Hurdle should be another win for Ireland but it’s hard to say with which one !!
Last year’s winner Vroum Vroum Mag goes head to head with stablemate Limini who also won at Cheltenham last year but Apple’s Jade (now with Gordon Elliott) could surprise the two Mullins trained mares.
She has already lowered the colours of Vroum Vroum Mag this season and looks the value play on day one.
SHAMROCK’S BETS
NAP: Melon (1.30 Cheltenham)
NEXT BEST: Apple’s Jade (4.10 Cheltenham)
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