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Welcome to the first of our preview evening reports. We will be reporting back from ten preview evenings from up and down the country to provide you with the views of some of the most esteemed people involved in the Cheltenham Festival. Theother preview evenings are below.

28th February – Leopardstown

3rd March – Dublin

4th March – London

6th March – Doncaster

9th March – Carlisle

10th March – Towcester

11th March – Birmingham

13th March – Sandown

14th March – Chipping Campden

Our first port of call is Exeter racecourse where a large contingent of racing enthusiasts braved the bad weather to hear the views of the extremely popular panel.

The panel consisted of:

Paul Nicholls (PN), Andrew King (AK), David Pipe (DP), Harry Findlay (HF), Phillip Hobbs (PH), Paddy Power (PP) and hosted by Zoey Bird (ZB)

There was also input from Nick Williams (NW), trainer of Diamond Harry and Reve De Sivola, who was in the audience.

Supreme Novices

ZB: We’ll start with the Supreme Novices and obviously Dunguib is the strong favourite and looks a sure thing at the prices.

PP: Yeah, he is very short and looks unbeatable.

HF: I will be backing him. Last year’s bumper was competitive and I have never seen a run like it, all his form has been franked. The Arabs should buy him for the flat with his speed. He looks the real deal to me.

PH:  Menorah is decent but I can’t say whether he’s good enough for Dunguib. However, its always worth taking on.

PN: Ghizao won’t run. Pepe Simo most likely and he has an outside chance.

DP: Dan Breen impressed last time and put up a very good show at Doncaster. I’m very impressed with his jumping and he has an outside squeak. Get Me Out Of Here has looked impressive and if he goes he has an each-way chance.

AK: Get Me Out Of Here is the value bet other than the favourite. Short priced favourites are not everyone’s cup of tea and Menorah is a lot better than the showing on Saturday.

Arkle

ZB: We move onto the Arkle, the prices Paddy?

PP: The Irish have really got stuck into Dunguib and will be looking to lump those winnings onto Captain Cee Bee. Although I believe him to be falsely shorter than Sizing Europe.

AK: Captain Cee Bee for me although both of the top two in the betting cannot really be fancied.  It would be nice for Somersby to win for Henrietta Knight and has a good chance.

HF: I’m finding it hard to price up Somersby. Captain Cee Bee would have beat Sizing Europe if he had not fallen when they met last time. Long Run could end up here which would be interesting. 

ZB: Paul, you have Tataniano here.

PN: Yes, he travelled really well last time but made a mistake at the last and has now been dismissed for the race it seems. I slightly regret running him at Newbury. He is a decent ground horse but his form has not really worked out. Somersby is nice but the form isn’t great. This looks a really open race to me. Woolcombe Folly is a big price as he has the speed and jumps well. Ruby has not decided who he will be on yet. The Nightingale will probably have to wait for Aintree.

ZB: What about Riverside Theatre?

HF: No big opinion for me but I don’t like Osana.

Champion Hurdle

ZB:  Prices Paddy?

PP: Yeah (goes through prices), we also have Dunguib at 3/1 with a run, but thats only a 10% chance.

ZB: What does Go Native have to do to be favourite?

HF: It depends on the ground for me. If the ground is good Go Native will be favourite. Solwhit has had a hard season so others look a better option but Dunguib tempts me as it looks a weak race.

ZB: Does Medermit have enough.

AK: No. If the ground is good Starluck has to have a chance each-way for me. It looks an open race.

ZB: How is Celestial Halo Paul?

PN: He loves Cheltenham and it brings out the best in him but we are hoping for better ground. He has come into his coat and looks fabulous. I maybe regret running him at Leopardstown now. Apart from Go Native and Solwhit it looks very open and Khyber Kim may have a chance.

Audience: How do you rate Punjabis chance considering he won what looked a better race last year?

HF: You just need to see Nicky Henderson’s face after last year’s win; he looked so surprised he was fit to burst! The form hasn’t really worked out and has taken a bit of a battering.

Neptune Investments

ZB: Any money for the Neptune Investments Paddy?

PP: Rite Of Passage has been well supported.

ZB: Were you on Rite Of Passage last year Harry?

HF: Yes, only small. His jumping is a concern and Finians Rainbow may be the best bet at the prices. I don’t fancy Reve De Sivola.

AK: I disagree with Harry, I think Sivola has a very good chance and this has always been his trip. I cannot see him being out of the top three.

NW: He has an each-way chance. He has not progressed a huge amount from last year and will need to improve.

ZB: He looks a solid each-way option. What about Peddlers Cross?

HF: No opinion.

AK: Same for me so onto Paddy!

PP: He looks to have a good chance in my book.

PN: Najaf won’t be running. May try Ghizao here as the trip is ideal and he would have an each-way chance.

DP: I have three entered but the only one I may run is The Package. He wouldn’t mind the ground and stays forever. He has to improve on official ratings and is not the easiest to get right.

RSA

ZB: Onto the RSA.

PP: We have taken money today for Long Run.

PH: Punchestowns has looked good and has a great chance. It looks between the two Henderson horses for me.

AK: Long Run’s jumping looks suspect to me and that’s a worry around Cheltenham. Although it’s a no bet race for me, Punchestowns looks solid and would be my choice.

HF: I nearly bought Long Run, there seemed to be many problems and I have no idea how it fell apart. He has a real engine and for me he will be a Gold Cup horse in two years. He is a three miler already and could go for the Arkle. Bensalem looks to have had his tactics all wrong this seasons and therefore I cannot have Diamond Harry as Bensalem should have beat him. The front two in the betting look classy. The worry with the jockey for Long Run is the reason he is not shorter.

NW: Long Run’s run in the Feltham is one of the best runs I have ever seen from a novice. Punchestowns made a meal of beating Paul’s horse (Tchico Polos). Pandorama can’t be left out and looks rock solid. Diamond Harry was great at Haydock but disappointed at Newbury and I agree with Harry about Bensalem.

PN: There is no doubt Long Run is the best horse and I thought he jumped ok at Warwick. I’m not convinced Punchestowns is a total stayer after McCoy said he is like a two and half miler. Slight possibility I will run The Nightingale if impressive on Saturday.

PP: Pandorama is big price. The trainer of Weapons Amnesty  had a charity bet and put it on Pandorama.

ZB: I don’t think we have seen the best of Pandorama left handed.

Champion Chase

ZB: Paul, I think we will start with you and Master Minded.

PN: He is now as well as he was two years ago and is capable of a similar victory. He was not right for last year’s run and I was never happy with him until we found he had problems with his ribs. He had six weeks off after that and was only walking until the 6^th Jan. I only ran him to see if the spark was back and he looked fantastic. Twists’ form actually gave Ruby a headache (he is Rubys’ main fear) but after his last run he has a fantastic chance again. Kalahari King has a big gap to make up to catch Twist Magic and Master Minded.

ZB: Twist Magic has a bit of a mind of his own.

PN: Yes, he dropped Sam twice last year on the way down to the track. Even so Master Minded has that extra class.

PP: The Irish are interested in Big Zeb and if he stands up he could be the one to take it to Master Minded.

HF: I’m very convinced by Master Minded after what Ruby Walsh said on Saturday and you would be to. He looked very good and Ruby was very bullish about him afterwards. His prices makes him a bet.

DP: I agree, it was not a great race at Newbury but he will win. Well Chief has had a break and is good fresh at Cheltenham. Although not as good as before he is still a fantastic horse. He never lets us down and if he lines up I doubt he will again.

AK: Master Minded will probably win. Twist Magic’s Cheltenham form is moderate at best. Kalahari King’s form from Doncaster doesn’t really stand up and he is no way near Master Minded.

Champion Bumper

ZB: Obviously, we are not sure of runner as not everything has been entered.  Paul shall we start with Al Ferof?

PN: Yes, the Champion Bumper is the intention. Won well at Newbury but he is a stayer and the plan is for him to go chasing in the future.  He likes a bit of cut in the ground as he has tons of stamina so he has a place chance. If the ground is very dry he may not run.

PP: Day Of A Lifetime has been impressive but Dermot Weld holds the key here and has a very good chance with Elegant Concorde and is very good on good ground.

ZB: Dunraven Storm Phillip?

PH: He was going to run at Ascot but it was too soft.  Dare Me has bolted up in both starts and both are nice horses but the bumper looks very tough.

HF: Mullins sold Day Of A Lifetime to his top owner so he thinks a lot of him. There isn’t as much hype this year about his bumpers though and seems most excited about his novice hurdlers.

Pertemps Final

ZB: The Pertemps looks fairly tricky and is hard to work out with no set prices. Alfie Sherron has a big reputation already Harry?

HF: He is really impressive to the eye and looks like a rocket. Paul has done really well with him as he is hard to train. He has a 12lb penalty from his last win but the form has been franked. He could potentially be anything.

PN: He’s hard because he struggles with his knees. Has gone lame after two wins but we’ve kicked on and has a good chance despite the penalty.

DP:  We were second here last year with Buena Vista who is off the same mark but wants good ground. We also have Our Vic who could be interesting. Although the World Hurdle is more likely, Mr Thriller would have a decent chance.

ZB: Fair Along?

PH: Probably going for the World Hurdle but his last run wasn’t great.

Ryanair

ZB: The Ryanair next and this looks very difficult to work out.

PP: Poquelin is a popular favourite.

ZB: Should Tranquil Sea be favourite?

PN: If the ground if soft then yes, Tranquil will be favourite. Poquelin is ground dependent and the new ground on Thursday should be good enough which is helpful. Has run well of late despite the ground being against him. We will have to see the weights before deciding on Chapoturgeon but a handicap is likely.

ZB: Barbers Shop?

AK: This is his trip and has a good chance. Planet Of Sound for me also has a great chance. Hopefully his confidence has been repaired from Saturday.

PH: I’ve no idea if his confidence is back and he can’t walk!

AK: Thanks for telling me that.

PH: He’s a good horse but may like a longer trip and is still inexperienced.

DP: Our Vic has a chance is the ground is soft. He has won twice this year and although I cannot say he is better than ever at twelve years old he is a still a good horse.

HF: I like Poquelin but it is very ground dependent.

World Hurdle

ZB: Onto the World Hurdle Paddy.

PP: Yes, Big Bucks dominates the betting and is the banker for many. Cousin Vinny has also been backed.

ZB: Big Bucks has proven you can’t rule out horses that revert back to hurdles after a stint over fences.

PN: Yes. He would have been a Gold Cup horse is he continued over fences. Ruby is very happy with him and will be hard to beat.

HF: Not nice for me and Denman but the two horses Paul has known all along what the plan would be are Kauto Star and Big Bucks and both look great.

AK: The rest are only playing for places really. Karabak did well last year but what has happened recently?

ZB: Any others?

HF: I make Tidal Bay second favourite and would back him in a match bet over Karabak.

ZB: He seems a bit of a shirker though.

HF: He’s won a lot of races for a shirker!

DP: Mr Thriller is a big price and maybe has each-way value.

ZB: Any questions?

Audience: What about Chapoturgeon going for the Grand Annual?

PN: Yes, he has an entry but we need to see the weights first. We don’t want him top weighted.

Audience: Obviously there have been a lot of problems with the weather and trainers up north have had a mountain of problems. Does it really make a difference?

PN: Well hopefully the snow stays up north and we will be happy! It does make a difference but it also depends on the facilities available. Obviously it is great to have an all weather gallop.

Audience: Is Voy Por Ustedes a big price?

HF: I can’t have him at any price. Not at all.

Triumph Hurdle

ZB: Flat experience is important and Advisor looked good Paul.

PN: Yes, we have had a lot of fun with him. The form doesn’t always stand up with juveniles but he has all the attributes for this contest and has many similarities to Celestial Halo. I’m hopeful of a big run.

PP: Carlito Brigante should be shorter.

HF: I agree, he is hard to keep out and shouldn’t be out of the top five.

PN: Pistol Noir may fun for us but he hasn’t been jumping that well and can be timid which is a negative in a race like this, he is one for the future.

NW: Flat experience is a must and I agree with Paul the horse needs to be tough. It is a large field in a quick race.

DP: Notus De La Tour has only run once over here but has impressed me. Unlike most French horses he has settled well and is very straight forward. He sprints all the way and even on bad ground. He is one we like and has one of the best chances of all our runners at the meeting.

ZB: Mille Chief Andrew?

AK: I have backed him as the race is not living up to its star billing. He has done everything he has been asked for and has a great chance.

Albert Bartlett

PP: Looks a very open race and we are not sure on the line up.

AK: Tell Massini has solid form and deserves to be favourite. He has not been seen since December but has had a gallop and from what I’ve seen has a great chance.

HF: No opinion for me. Maybe Silver Kate.

PP: Enterprise Park at 10/1 is a big price and Shamrock Paddy is a good horse with a definite chance.

AK: The Betchworth Kid does not have enough and can’t compete with Tell Massini who has the form in the book.

PN: River DOr is unlikely to run and may go for the Martin Pipe race. Najaf has improved for last run and is intended for the race.

Gold Cup

 ZB: This race needs to introduction and has given us a real treat the last few years. Paul you could have the first six home!

PN: That won’t happen as only five are running! What A Friend will look to Aintree or Punchestown.

ZB: All the vibes or right for Kauto.

PN: Yes, he showed great form at Kempton. We left him short for Haydock and he improved for the run. He looks fantastic and I fell his run at Kempton was one of his best ever. Ruby Schooled Denman and he is ok. I’m not too worried about the mistake last time and he is looking great now. If you had seen him before the Hennessy you wouldn’t have though he could win an egg and spoon race! Both are exactly where we want them, we are winding Denman up for the day whereas Kauto is just ticking over. I can’t believe people are writing off Denman, he was giving What A Friend 22lbs in the Hennessy who then went on to win a Grade 1. If Kauto is at his best it will take a lot to beat him but Denman is the one horse to do that. Cooldine has mountain to climb for me and for me Tricky Trickster and Taranis could put up a solid fight.

ZB: Are they hard words to hear Harry?

HF: No, I’ve been to see them both and as a short priced punter I would like Kauto. He has done punters well in the past. This is the first year he has only had two races for his prep and he looks fantastic, I will be amazed he if he is not at his best. Denman is a real character and Paul has done a great job with him. I’m confident he would have won without the mistakes at Newbury. McCoy is coming down once more and we may try blinkers but because of his character that could go either way. I’m just hopeful of a great race.

PP: Just looking and Cooldine is favourite without the big two.

HF: If he is, lay that all day long. If Cooldine is the best horse behind Kauto and Denman I’ll get a day job.  The RSA turned out to be a terrible race last year. Tricky Trickster each-way interests me and he can stay forever whereas some of the others may struggle.

DP: We will see how Madison Du Berlais does on Saturday but it’s a two horse race and it all depends who is the healthiest on the day.

PH: The way recent events have unfolded Kauto is the obvious choice.

AK: It depends on the ground for me, if it is good (which it usually is) then Kauto but if it gets boggy then I would look elsewhere. I personally would be worried about Denmans run at Newbury.

HF: Oh yes, I think he would have still won but I was disappointed.

Coral Cup

ZB: How about the handicaps? The Coral Cup?

HF: Beshabar looks good.

ZB: I like him.

HF: Yes, all the girls like him, big chesnut. He has a good chance. He is looking towards the RSA next year. The 7lbs penalty is about right and will go novice chasing next year.

PN: Yes, we only have Beshabar.

DP: Mamlook’s Cheltenham form isn’t great but we are leaning towards this race. He is a good flat horse.

PH: Wishful Thinking is a possibility but is also entered for the Neptune.  Has won all his three starts over hurdles and hopeful he could go well.

Jewson

ZB: You have Rivaliste here Paul.

PN: Yes, he is the same mark as Chapoturgeon last year and is in good form.

ZB: Leo’s Lucky Star David?

DP: He’s worth a step up in trip at some stage and may go to Newbury first after the weights are out. He’s a great traveller and we were hopeful of a place at Doncaster. We don’t want the ground too soft.

Martin Pipe

ZB: David, shall we start with you?

DP: Well I don’t have as many as last year but still enough. Its one race i’ll probably never win! Mutual Friend would want better ground but most probably top weight after win at Cheltenham. Ashkazar is the next best.

Audience: David I wondered if you would gave a gamble in the Imperial Cup and if you could tell us the name?

DP: That was my father! We have a few and will see.

Audience: Could I have Harry’s nap and Paddy’s lay of the festival?

HF: Dunguib/Big Bucks double, but the real nap is Europe to win the Ryder Cup!

PP: Garde Champetre. Is very short and I think L’Ami and Sizing Australia could put up a good fight.

Audience: Will Denman be run as aggressive as last year Harry?

PN: Don’t tell them Harry!

HF: Last year was an incredible run from Denman in what truth was a benefit race for Kauto. Kauto has looked great recently but we will give Denman a great go.

Audience: Out of all the horses that you do not train who would you like to have now?

ZB: I think Long Run would be the joint answer.

HF: Paul should be training him!

Paddy Power then offered each panellist a £200 charity bet, their choices were:

PN: Poquelin – Ryanair

AK: Mille Chief – Triumph Hurdle

HF: Big Bucks/Master Minded/Dunguib treble

DP: Long Run (wherever running)

PH: Long Run

ZB: Finians Rainbow – Neptune Invesments