Hay dock Betfair Chase Day.

Paddy Power GC 2012

Apologies for auto correct on CollonGes. Dammit.

A very exciting Paddy Power is ahead today. Competitive doesn't describe the race well enough. I still feel with Paul Nicholls' horses unsurprisingly in flying form already this season, that course specialist Poquelin could squeak into a place at a huge price. That price doesn't reflect his ability, especially around Cheltenham, but reflects the fact that there are better horses than him in the race. In fact, I'm sort of grimacing for a losing bet now. But you know me by now, I like plummeting my money on horses that are pretty much passed their best but who can still run a good race and finish... 4th. Dammit.

Old Roan Chase. (Monets Garden Day)

Battles of the heart and brain are ripe as the old favourites start making their seasonal debuts. Here are my Aintree ew picks.

1.50 Nampour
2.25 Mumbles Head
3.30 Mahogany Blaze & Nacarat
4.00 Catch The Fire

Mahogany Blaze particularly, is a favourite of mine for backing ew despite his losing run. When he doesn't fall or unseat, he's usually in, or close to being in the frame. The big price is always there. Risky fella but he's got amongst the heart strings. Nacarat has the dab of class if acting over the trip. Of course we all know Paul Nicholls is pretty sure Pascher Du Polder, new resident of Denmans old box,is going to be a star, so expect
a big run from him.
Other notes for the day are Peter Bowens horses do well at Aintree, especially early and late in the season. Keep an eye on them.
It's decidedly chillier this morning and everything's making way for a new season of jumping. Get your tweed out folks!

Adding a couple at Chepstow to the mix:
4.15 Kitegen
4.50 Renard

The Showcase (Saturday).

Simple stuff today with a ew Accumulator, and 4 single each ways.
All for Twiston Davies runners!

2.00 According To Trev
2.30 Mad Moose
3.40 Billie Magern
4.20 What An Oscar

The Showcase

So, here we are back on the day of the Showcase meeting at Cheltenham, and this means I'm going to have my head back in the race cards and eyes pinned on the racing channels until at least next April.

Starting myself off this season with a little place pot at Cheltenham:

2.10 Thomas Crapper
2.45 Go All The Way
3.20 So Fine
3.55 Sire Collognes
4.30 Softsong
5.05 Runshan

Day 3, Cheltenham Festival 2012

Okay, so, don't speak to me. Not a good first two days.

Today's choices:

1.30 - PEDDLERS CROSS

2.05 - BUENA VISTA and ACROSS THE BAY

2.40 - ALBERTA'S RUN and MEDERMIT

3.20 - BIG BUCKS and THOUSAND STARS

4.00 - GIORGIO QUERCUS

4.40 - START ME UP and PIRAYA

Also, good luck to my biggest fan NIALL HANNITY (nap), in the charity race at the end of the day.

Cheltenham 2012, Day 2.

Ok, so I'm out for some pennies today! Keeping it brief I'm afraid as I've been up vaccinating cows since 4.30 and I need myself a Nanna Nap before the racing starts.

Here are today's bets:

1.30 - Soll

2.05 - Close House

2.40 - Grand Crus, Walkon

3.20 - Kauto Stone

4.00 - Megastar

4.40 - Lemon Drop Red

5.15 - Royal Guardsman

All each way, except for Grand Crus of course.

Happy Day 2!