These are the under-the-radar Cheltenham jewels no other tipster would unearth yet, just occasionally, we stumble upon treasure. No stone has been left unturned in our search for Festival riches.
ITCHY FEET – Supreme Novices’ Hurdle
Where better to start than in the Festival curtain raiser tomorrow? I’m itching to back this 5yo flier from the yard of Midlands maestro Olly Murphy.
He’s a cracking 25-1 shot as he finished just behind well-fancied Elixir De Nutz at Cheltenham in November and before that beat Grand Sancy at Kempton. That’s top-notch form and he has been waiting for these conditions.
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LAKE VIEW LAD – Ultima Handicap Chase
Scottish trainer Neil Alexander will have been doing a rain dance to boost this Lad’s chances in tomorrow’s race as he loves a bit of cut.
But his form reads well, he’s an improving, solid jumper and we all know veteran owner Trevor Hemmings loves to visit the Festival winner’s enclosure.
DROVERS LANE – RSA Chase
Unlike Rebecca Curtis’s Fforest Farm base, her runner in Wednesday’s has a distinct lack of ‘F’s against his name.
Drovers Lane has never fallen in his ten-race career and made a good impression when winning over 2m4f at Cheltenham in December.
His trainer, who won this in 2014, feels her seven-year-old will be even better over the RSA trip. Let’s hope for a Roy of the Drovers outcome.
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PRAECEPS – Boodles Handicap Hurdle
Alan King has been in the Festival doldrums since Uxizandre’s Ryanair romp in 2015 – but he could be smiling again after Wednesday’s race.
Praeceps was well behind Fusil Raffles at Kempton last month but that was no disgrace and the winner would have been one of the favourites for the Triumph if he had remained sound.
King’s runner has been backed down from massive prices and stable shrewdies are confident of a big run.
NOTWHATIAM – Pertemps Hurdle
The Skeltons plotted up Mohaayed to win the County Hurdle at last year’s Festival and they could strike again with Notwhatiam in Thursday’s three-mile handicap.
The horse remains on an eye-catching mark of 135 after a clever never-nearer fourth in a qualifier at Warwick. He may well have won over course and distance in a similar race in October but for taking a tumble at the second-last and, as his name suggests, may be a much better animal than the formbook shows.
Not-so-hidden gems
Here a few not-so-hidden gems I think will make you a few bob during the week: Elixir De Nutz (Supreme), City Island (Ballymore), KILDISART (JLT, nap) and Caid Du Berlais (Foxhunters). They all look perfect to fund our more speculative punts.
TREACKLE TART – Kim Muir
This one could prove to be the perfect sweet way to end day three.
Charlie Longsdon’s mare ticks a lot of boxes as she won impressively at Doncaster last time, jumps and stays well and, crucially, has two strong pieces of Cheltenham form.
Grab a spoon (not a fork) and get stuck in!
AYE AYE CHARLIE – Albert Bartlett Hurdle
Even by Hidden Gems standards this is a fumble around in the dark but I can’t work out why Fergal O’Brien’s runner is 50-1 for Thursday’s race.
True, he was beaten a combined total of 45 lengths when sixth in both his last two races, but he was outclassed by top opposition — including Sun Racing Stayers’ Hurdle hotpot Paisley Park.
The ‘Potato Race’ will be much calmer waters. A sneaky look at the ratings will show you Charlie is no 50-1 poke. Aye, Aye!
BUN DORAN – Grand Annual
In 16 races, Tom George’s runner has only once gone off at odds bigger than 6-1, which shows you just how highly rated this giant, athletic gelding is.
Both his runs at Cheltenham this season have been top-drawer and, providing the ground is not too testing, he looks a cracking 25-1 shot to end the meeting in style.
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