CHELTENHAM DAY-BY-DAY GUIDE: One day to go! The races they’ve geared up to all season take place at Cheltenham over the next four days, and Daqman sets the scene today with owners, trainers, jockeys and horses to follow. Tomorrow and every day, read his race-by-race guide.
DAQMAN MONDAY: On the eve of the Cheltenham Festival, DAQMAN has four selections from the UK including a nap at Chepstow which he hopes can boost the Cheltenham funds.
TRENDING CHELTENHAM 2017
Prestbury Cup (Britain v Ireland)
2015 Britain 14, Ireland 13
2016 Britain 14, Ireland 14 (Ireland 15-13 after a disqualification)
2017 BETDAQ: Britain 1.4, Ireland 4.3, draw 7.0
Leading owners (to date)
J P McManus 49, Gigginstown House 15, Susannah Ricci 13
Leading trainers (10 years)
2011, 2013-16 Willie Mullins 28
2007-2009 Paul Nicholls 12
2010 and 2012 Nicky Henderson 10
2017 BETDAQ: W.Mullins 1.56, N Henderson 4.5, G Elliott 6.4, P Nicholls 25.0
Leading jockey (to date)
Ruby Walsh 52, Richard Johnson 20, Davy Russell 17, Tom Scudamore 9
2017 BETDAQ: 1.78 R Walsh, 8.8 N Fehily, 10.5 B Cooper, 16.0 N De Boinville, 22.0 D Russell, 26.0 R Johnson, S Twiston-Davies, 30.0 A Coleman, 32.0 D Jacob
2017 BETDAQ without Walsh: 4.7 Fehily, 4.9 Cooper, 6.0 De Boinville, 11.5 Twiston-Davies, 12 Johnson, 13 Coleman, 16.5 Russell, 19.0 Jack Kennedy
Leading tipster
DAQMAN: Causes Of Causes WON 43.0 and WON 11.0, Holywell WON 25-1, Ballynagour WON 12-1, Spring Heeled WON 12-1, Irish Cavalier WON 11.0, Call The Cops WON 10-1, Dodging Bullets WON 9-2, Moon Racer WON 9-2, 21 lays out of 23.
FESTIVAL CAVALRY UNDER ORDERS
Fifteen front the Cheltenham list. Daqman’s cavalry of top horses for this week has already had four runners: Cue Card (for one race) banker WON 4-9, Frodon banker WON 8-11, Blaklion 2nd, William H Bonney unplaced. Here’s the full list to follow this week.
Altior Nine in a row (4-4 chases). Nicky Henderson targets tomorrow’s Arkle to avoid Douvan in the Champion Chase.
Ballyandy Better than his official rating (‘the world is his oyster’ – trainer Nigel Twiston Davies). Supreme punt. This column took 12.0 and he’s now 4-1 with bookmakers.
Brain Power Backed twice by this column to be champion hurdler and win a total of 150 points (see ante-post below)
Defi Du Seuil A rare Triumph Hurdle favourite as three-time winner already at Cheltenham. Ran away with Triumph Trial.
Douvan ‘Just saunters along’ and ‘hacking at all stages’ are jockey comments from his last two races. Champion Chaser.
Empire Of Dirt Showed massive improvement in the autumn. Second favourite for the Ryanair.
Fox Norton Results on good ground have been 11311 (two at Cheltenham). Ryanair probable; still in Champion Chase.
More Of That Beat Annie Power in the 2015 World Hurdle, and back to form after wind ops. Gold Cup and National.
Movewiththetimes Supreme may see him meet Newbury conqueror Ballyandy. County, maybe he faces Tombstone.
Native River Progressive stamina-packed stayer, who could improve even on his Hennessy and Welsh National double.
Neon Wolf Beat five winners impressively in a Supreme trial at Haydock in January but is favourite for the Neptune.
Romain de Senam Beaten in a photo for the Fred Winter last March, and laid out for the Close Brothers Handicap.
Vroum Vroum Mag Paul Townend rides her in the Mares Hurdle with Ruby Walsh on Limini in the same race.
Wholestone A Cheltenham horse already, with three wins there (good ground and soft). Cast iron to run his race.
Yorkhill Beat Yanworth when he won the 2016 Neptune. Just one defeat in 10 starts but sent back to jumping school.
* Plans for others in the list: Blaklion and Le Mercurey likely to go straight for the Grand National. Finian’s Oscar misses Cheltenham. Frodon resting. Good Thyne Tara and William H Bonney no entries.
DAQMAN ANTE-POST ROUND-UP
Ballyandy (9pts win 12.0 BETDAQ, Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, Tuesday). Now 4-1 with bookmakers.
Ballykan (3.5pts win 31.0 Brown Advisory Plate, Thursday). Now 33-1 generally with bookmakers but 20-1 in a place.
Brain Power (12pts win 8.8 BETDAQ, Champion Hurdle, Tuesday; and 6pts win 9.4 BETDAQ, Champion Hurdle, Tuesday). Now 7-1 generally with bookmakers but 6-1 in a place.
Master Blueyes (2.25pts win 48.0 BETDAQ, Triumph Hurdle, Friday). Now 6-1 with bookmakers.
Southfield Royale (7pts win 14-1 Corals, Kim Muir, Thursday). Now 10-1 with bookmakers.
The Storyteller (12pts win, Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys Handicap Hurdle, Friday): trainer states doubtful runner
Tombstone (5.75pts win 18.0 BETDAQ, Coral Cup). Now 9-2 and 5-1 for the Coral Cup with bookmakers, but also 6-1 and 7-1 for the County Hurdle
Vroum Vroum Mag (3pts win 17.0 BETDAQ, Stayers’ Hurdle, Thursday). Trainer states will run in the Mares’ Hurdle).
Whisper (5pts win at 22.0 BETDAQ, JLT Chase, Thursday). Now likely to run in the RSA.
FESTIVAL FUNDS VIA CHEPSTOW
2.00 Plumpton This is an interesting clash between two smart novices in Fountains Windfall and Solighoster both of whom were winners last time out. Preference is for Solighoster who should be improving as a five year old and will be carrying 7lbs less than his main rival thanks to Harry Reed’s claim. This will only be his fifth career start under rules and he can continue his progression here at 2.48 on BETDAQ.
2.10 Stratford Spader was a useful flat horse for Ger Lyons in Ireland with a peak rating of 87 in that sphere. One would have expected him to make a useful hurdle recruit for the Skelton’s being by Jeremy but things haven’t quite gone to plan on his two starts to date. He has been given a good break since his last run however and it is hoped that he can take a step forward on his third run in a weak looking race. The 9 available on BETDAQ looks a really fair price and he looks worth another try today.
3.25 Chepstow This looks like by far the weakest competition that Ckalco Des Loges will have faced under rules and this point-to–point winner looks to hold outstanding claims of getting off the mark over hurdles. He brings with him a solid rating of 123 and if he runs anywhere near that form it should be enough. A current show of 1.8 on BETDAQ looks more than fair and he could add to the Cheltenham funds on the eve of the Festival.
4.50 Stratford Clondaw Castle was a good winner of a point to point on his second start and is bred to go well in bumpers. His full brother Red Devil Boys was a useful horse winning five races including a bumper and the Tom George stable has been going well of late. This looks an open race but at 6.8 on BETDAQ Clondaw Castle looks the bet.
DAQMAN’S BETS
BACK 6pts win SOLIGHOSTER (Plumpton 2.00)
BACK 2pts win SPADER (2.10 Stratford)
BACK 8pts win (nap) CKALCO DES LOGES (3.25 Chepstow)
BACK 4pts win CLONDAW CASTLE (4.50 Stratford)
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