THE IRISH CAN KNOCK ‘EM FOR SIX: Shamrock offers his six-hit for the first day at Cheltenham, which the Irish consider their home. Eight or nine Irish winners are likely at the festival, according to the Betdaq offers, and here are six reasons for a solid start.
GALILEO’S CHOICE (1.30): Group-3 winner on the Flat, he can score for the Smurfit team over leading owners Gigginstown with Midnight Game and J P McManus with Darlan and Colour Squadron.
In fact, the more exposed Steps To Freedom remains the principal danger, though Distant Memories (another Group-3 Flat winner) is a massive offer at 42.0
BLACKSTAIRMOUNTAIN (2.05) Strong-travelling good-ground horse, who has done well despite these assets having been problems in Ireland.
The 20.0 this morning doesn’t do him justice, as he tries to hold off the French: Al Ferof and Sprinter Sacre could both fail for lack of stamina, as French-breds so often do.
MAGNANIMITY (2.40) needs all the aids (visored first time today) and some luck in running but, if he’s the same horse that was a close fourth on good ground in the RSA last season, he’ll go well at a big price.
HURRICANE FLY (3.20): Results headline: Hurricane Flew. He knows how to beat the usual suspects but we’ll need to see that finishing burst if he is to stop the younger Rock On Ruby, Zaidpour and Zarkandar.
SIZING AUSTRALIA (4.00): In choosing him over Scotsirish, Uncle Junior and Garde Champetre, I am mindful that this race is won time and again by the same animal and Sizing Australia was last year’s ‘find’. Saved up for a repeat.
QUEVEGA (4.40): Genius and genius side by side (and I haven’t even started talking about the horse). The top team of Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh couldn’t look better than when Quevega cruises to her fourth success in this mares’ hurdle.
SHAMROCK’S BETS
NAP: Quevega (4.40 Cheltenham)
NEXT BEST: Hurricane Fly (3.20 Cheltenham)
BEST EACH WAYS: Galileo’s Choice (1.30 Cheltenham), Sizing Australia (4.00 Cheltenham)
OUTSIDERS: Distant Memories (1.30 Cheltenham), Blackstairmountain (2.05 Cheltenham), Magnanimity (2.40 Cheltenham)
DAQ TRIO: Galileo’s Choice (1.30 Cheltenham), Hurricane Fly (3.20 Cheltenham), Quevega (4.40 Cheltenham)
Did you know that as well as checking the realtime prices on BETDAQ below – you can also log into your account and place your bets directly into BETDAQ from BETDAQ TIPS.
