: Tue Feb 24, 2009 1:38 pm
Whilst it's a betting thread i've just been looking at the entries for Cheltenham in two weeks.
I've already talked about
Ashley Brook in the Queen Mother. Master Minded is obviously the one to beat, especially with it likely to be Good-soft by then. AB is still around the 60 mark, is around 9lb better off and also carrying less than the likes of Well Chief and Big Zeb, but if Master Minded gets withdrawn, which is still a strong possibility, then they will drop drastically. But if Nicholls runs Master Minded, definitly get on Ashley Brook e/w.
Voy Por Ustedes is the clear favourite for the RyanAir Chase, but I personally think that this race could be a grade 1 too far for him, and I think the going will benefit Our Vic and Tidal Bay a lot more than Voy. Also, if Jon-Jo keeps Exotic Dancer in then he is a strong outside possibility to return to winning ways. I would plump on
Exotic Dancer for a surprise win.
Onto the main event, the Gold Cup. Going to be a very exciting battle between Kauto Star and Denman. Kauto didn't start well in this fixture last year but managed to hold on for 2nd, behind Denman. The weights won't matter to Kauto, even though Denman has only had the one run out since the race last year,
Kauto Star is a class above.