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With Cheltenham just two weeks away and bookmakers starting to go non runner-no bet, now is a good time to look at having some Ante-Post bets. Subscribers to my horses to follow service will already be aware of some of my ante-post fancies (put up in October), but here are some new ones for subscribers to my eyecatchers service.

TUESDAY, MARCH 16TH
 
IRISH INDEPENDENT ARKLE CHALLENGE TROPHY (2.05PM)
There is an open feel to this with many connections fancying their runners, but this race is year after year won by one of the market leaders that have yet to finish outside the first two over fences. At the current prices SIZING EUROPE looks a value bet. He was the best of these over hurdles and has taken to fences extremely well, winning four from four, jumping like a stag and having been given a winter break, will come into the festival fresh and ready to run a huge race. The weather has not affected his plans and like many previous winners, he has proved himself over further than two miles. He looks a solid option and although Captain Cee Bee looked a big challenger when falling at the last at Leopardstown, the fact is that he fell and these Cheltenham fences take some jumping at speed and that is Sizing Europe’s strength and 13/2 (Hills & Paddy Power) looks a price well worth taking. 

SMURFIT KAPPA CHAMPION HURDLE (3.20PM)
Course form is vital in this as is a placing at the previous year’s Cheltenham Festival. One horse that qualifies and is just too big a price is CELESTIAL HALO. Last year he went oh so close to winning this and the previous year he won the Triumph Hurdle and is solid at Cheltenham. First time out this season he defied a rating of 165 to win easily at Wincanton and although beaten in the Boylesports International Hurdle next time out, he was judged the best horse on ratings, having given weight to the winner. It was also reported that he ran too soon, so that performance is still one of quality. Last time out he did disappoint in Ireland but that is why we can get 16/1 now and he always runs badly in January and February. He has been trained to win this race and I expect vast improvement from him on the big day and 16/1 (generally available) represents excellent each-way value.  

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 17TH

RSA STEEPLE CHASE (2.40PM)
To win you must enter this race in good form as 21 of the last 22 winners finished in the first two last time out. Experience is also important as every winner this century has raced at least three times over fences. One of the horses that fits the bill and has really impressed me this season is WEIRD AL. First time out he battled well to defeat Knockara Beau at Cheltenham and then returned to Cheltenham for another impressive victory, jumping well throughout. Both those victories were over two and a half miles, but he stepped up in trip for the Towton Novices Chase at Wetherby and looked even better. Again taking on Knockara Beau he jumped super and stayed on very well to defeat a useful opponent on worse terms than when first successful. He is clearly improving, jumps great, is unbeaten at Cheltenham and meets the key trends for this race, so 11/1 (Corals, Hills, Paddy Power & B365) is worth taking. 

THURSDAY, MARCH 18TH

JEWSON NOVICES HANDICAP CHASE (1.30PM)
Ferdy Murphy is a master at getting a horse spot on to win a handicap at the Festival and I believe he has a strong candidate in THE HOLLINWELL. The winner of two of his three starts, he has taken well to fences and should be allotted a fair weight of around eleven stone (the last four winners carried 10-11 or 10-12) and he is capable of being much better than his rating of 138. Last time out he jumped well to win over two and a half miles at Warwick and like most winners at Cheltenham, he has proved that he stays the trip well. He is 16/1 with Hills and that looks appealing.

PERTEMPS FINAL (2.05PM)
Subscribers to the Horses To Follow service will already know how highly I rate ALFIE SHERRIN and I would not want to oppose him, as on decent ground he could go to the top. Last time out he was incredibly impressive and the form was boosted at Huntingdon on Thursday. He has gone up 12 pounds for that victory, but he is capable of defying the increase and should be allotted a nice weight. With only three runs over hurdles to his name, there should be improvement to come and although he is not the biggest of prices, I believe he will win and 6/1 (generally available) is not too bad.

RYANAIR CHASE (2.40PM)
Traditionally this has been one of the easiest races to find the winner of, but that may not be the case this year. Form at Cheltenham has proved essential as every winner so far had previously won at Prestbury Park and no runner has a better record than VOY POR USTEDES. Last year he finished second to Imperial Commander in this and he has never been out of the first two in five attempts at Cheltenham. Last time out he proved very disappointing, but that was over two miles and that is not his trip. The last four times he has raced at two and a half miles he achieved a rating of at least 161 and a repeat of that will definitely see him placed and it could be good enough to win. Alan King has got his yard back in form and is set for a good festival so 16/1 is just too big and it looks a good each-way bet.