SING FROM THE WINNING HYMN SHEET

Cheltenham's three day Paddy Power meeting commences today. For many, this is where the jumps season really gets into gear. Dreams of Cheltenham in March start to be realised, even this early on in the season. I have no doubt that I am not the only one who is already thinking about the tapes being lifted for the Supreme Novices Hurdle.

Anyway, back to today. The 2:25 sees some potentially quality novice chasers line up. It's a race that has been won by a 6 year old in its last 7 renewals, so they definitely appear to be the age group of horses to be looking at. URBAN HYMN ran a very good race last time out behind the useful Duke Of Navan and that was over the minimum trip of 2 miles. It is safe to say that was not his optimum trip and that he will definitely improve for the extra four and a half furlongs. That recent run was likely to have blown away any cobwebs that may have been present; he looks to have a big chance. Philip Hobbs' horses are flying at the moment so CHAMPAGNE WEST needs to be respected. Any rain would help his cause but you'd be foolish to totally ignore any runner from that stable lately.

Urban Hymn

1:15- Including jockeys claims, all recent winners of this race have had an official rating of 129 or less. Also, all those that were victorious had raced at Cheltenham beforehand, bar 6 year old Irish raider Hoopy in 2008. Taking all that into consideration, last years winner of this race HANDY ANDY is selected. He is 8 pounds higher today than this time 12 months ago but that may not prove enough to stop him. His recent third place at Chepstow should have him primed for this. A horse who looks one to side with.

1:50- A wide open handicap chase that has been won by 8 year olds in its last three runnings. Although he has not won for more than two years, ASTRACAD has slowly tumbled down the weights despite not having run too many awful races of late. The drop back down to 2 miles should eke out some improvement as his best form is at that trip. MONETAIRE is fascinating on his first start in Britain for David Pipe. Having the same owners as fellow French imports Salut Flo and Ballynagour makes him of immediate interest and whilst he may not prove to be in their leagues, he won't have to be to win this race, especially off a low weight of 10 stone 4 pounds. A first time tongue tie and Tom Scudamore's presence in the saddle add to the intrigue of this run. Could be anything but not without a chance.

3:00- Again mentioning the ages of past winners of a race, the last 7 winners of this Grade 2 novices' hurdle have all been aged 5. Blaklion is definitely the one to beat based on his Persian War success but he's going to be opposed with MINELLA PRESENT. His trainer Neil Mullohand has not been short of newspaper room recently with the fiasco surrounding The Young Master's Wincanton "victory" (he lost the race due to his ineligibility to run) but he will be hoping to fill the space with a proper win. His horse in this has won his last two races very nicely and although this is a big step up, he is fully deserving of it. Hopefully he will be able to improve further on Neil Mullholland's impeccable strike rate at Prestbury Park (7 wins from 21- 33%).

4:05- Cup Final surely has a big chance but his price has become absurd. RIVER DEEP has won his last two races and should put in another bold showing for the red hot Hobbs stable whilst BUSTER DAN DAN could be of interest coming over from Ireland. He will have to defy a big rise in the weights however.


You'll notice I have not put a tip in for the 3:35. That's because I think Balthazar King will win but he's no price for me today. He's won of my favourite horses so I think he's worth an honourable mention despite not tipping him up today.


Football accumulator for tonight

SCOTLAND-IRELAND Both Teams To Score
ROMANIA-NORTHERN IRELAND Both Teams NOT To Score
BARNSLEY-COLCHESTER Both Teams To Score
TNS-ABERYSTWYTH- Both Teams To Score

And finally...

I am going to Wolverhampton races tonight and I'm going to try and do a live blog from the course. It's the first time I've tried it so you'll have to see how it goes!


Enjoy your Friday


Happy Punting!