Day 4
Triumph...
I was going through this race yesterday and my word was I struggling to find a real solid contender for it! It does look a relatively open renewal but that's no bad thing as that could allow a pot shot or two at a couple of tastily priced runners...
County Hurdle...
Another one of those races I won't really have a look at/opinion on until much closer to the day. It offers up plenty strong race trends and dosage trends to get stuck into so although it is a mammoth task to analyse it is one I enjoy. These races always offer up plenty in the way of value and that is never a bad
thing...
Albert Bartlett...
When it comes to Dosage races this one is right up there with the best of them. The trends on that score are extremely strong and along with the race trends do a fabulous job of whittling down the field to a
workable shortlist. BARTERS HILL currently sits top of the market and that's fair enough based on what he's done so far. I can't pick too many holes in him so far but his strength in the market does give plenty of value elsewhere...
Cheltenham Gold Cup...
The big one and boy what a race we have in prospect! It's currently 4-1 the field but it's difficult to see anything out with the top five in the market winning this. It would be unusual for all five of them to under-perform and for me it would be a big shock should the winner come from out with DON COSSACK, CUE CARD, VAUTOUR, DJAKADAM or DON POLI. I already nailed my colours to the mast of one of those five in a piece of ante-post analysis
for full NTF members back in January and I'm still of the exact same opinion now. One of the five market leaders scores FULL MARKS on my race trends and I would be very disappointed should he not secure Gold Cup glory
next Friday...
Foxhunters Chase...
No thanks.
Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle...
Not a race I cover yet or have a great deal of interest in from a personal betting perspective. It is well worth watching to pick up future pointers though as plenty of decent animals have landed the spoils (Sir Des Champs, Salubrious, Don Poli, Killultagh Vic...).
Grand Annual Handicap Chase...
And then it's almost over for another year! As already mentioned I've already fired out a 33-1 shot for this race to full NTF Members for a horse I suspect will be bang top of my figure come final analysis. Last year's winner NEXT SENSATION currently heads the market although personally I feel that would be some achievement to win this race back to back. He had a breathing op prior to winning last year and
that clearly made a huge difference, since then, however, I think it's fair to say he's shown precious little. My preference here is to look for one running from OR 143 or less aged 7-9 and that finished in the top 3 on 1 of their last 3 starts.
Phew!
As always I
reckon we'll all need a bit of a break once that week is done and dusted!!
Today I make a small detour to analyse two races for Sandown tomorrow before cracking straight back into the Cheltenham stuff!
There is simply no rest at this time of the year, the NTF hounds even have to walk
themselves at this stage of the season!!
I look forward to seeing you in the NTF Members area as I delve deep into 20 races using my tried and tested NTF Race Trends and Dosage Trends...
Ben
(NTF)
.