Like them or loath them, Cheltenham Festival preview nights are taking place up and down the country and if you were to take notes from just a handful, you would end up with a very long list!

I’ve personally yet to come across a preview night that touches on ALL 28 races at The Festival, so in time honoured tradition I’m going to take my annual brief spin through the entire four day shebang and hopefully identify a few winners along the way.

 

Day 1: Tuesday 10th March

1.30pm - Supreme Novices’ Hurdle

Shishkin will be a popular choice in the opening race of The Festival, but my preference is for ABACADABRAS (5/1) who was a game winner of the Future Champions Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown over Christmas and has performed solidly all season long.

2.10pm - Arkle Chase

The value each-way selection here is the Harry Whittington-trained ROUGE VIF (12/1). The six-year-old jumped superbly when taking the Kingmaker Novices’ Chase at Warwick and can make his presence felt at this level.

The Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase winner- Global Citizen, ranks as the main danger.

2.50pm - Ultima Chase

DISCORAMA (20/1) finished second to Le Breuil in the National Hunt Chase here last year and can be in the shake up once again.

Given that his connections ruled out a Grand National tilt with him this season, all his training will have been geared towards a bold showing at Cheltenham.

3.30pm - Champion Hurdle

Last year’s Triumph Hurdle winner PENTLAND HILLS (5/1) can step up to the plate once again and take the ultimate hurdling prize for Nicky Henderson.

His blip at Haydock will soon be forgotten in this truer run race.

4.10pm - Mares’ Hurdle

My banker on day one is the Henry De Bromhead-trained HONEYSUCKLE (5/4).

Probably good enough for the Champion Hurdle, she can account for her gender comtempories in this.

4.50pm - Northern Trust Novices’ Chase

SPYGLASS HILL (12/1) can give Henry De Bromhead another winner on the afternoon with this up and coming seven-year-old. Rachael Blackmore is likely to partner him again.

5.30pm - National Hunt Chase

A time for the amateur riders to shine and Rebecca Curtis’ LISNAGAR OSCAR (40/1) can run much better than his odds suggest.

Forza Milan is another on my radar too.

Day 2: Wednesday 11th March

1.30pm - Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle

ENVOI ALLEN (5/4) can get favourite backers off to a Wednesday flyer when he leaves the others standing at the bottom of the Cheltenham hill. Thyme Hill is the best of the rest.

2.10pm - RSA Chase

MINELLA INDO (4/1) jumped with aplomb at Navan in January and the seven-year-old can give Henry De Bromhead another winner on day two of The Festival. Copperhead is the one to fear most.

2.50pm - Coral Cup

Former Champion Bumper winner RELEGATE (20/1) ran a lovely prep race when finishing fourth at Punchestown last time and could easily be the forgotten horse in this contest.

My Sister Sarah is another each-way alternative at a fancy price.

3.30pm - Champion Chase

DEFI DU SEUIL (9/4) is taken to continue his rich vein of form and tap Altior for toe in the closing stages of the Champion Chase.

4.10pm - Cross Country Chase

A very unoriginal pick but TIGER ROLL (Evs) stands head and shoulders above his rivals here and can record yet another Festival victory.

4.50pm - Boodles Juvenile Hurdle

The Joseph O’Brien-trained CERBERUS (14/1) can be rewarded for his consistency this season by taking this Cheltenham Prize. Alan King’s French recruit Blacko merits consideration too.

5.10pm - Champion Bumper

The Willie Mullins-trained POWER OF PAUSE (25/1) can make amends for getting turned over at short odds on debut at Thurles.

Israel Champ should also be on any shortlist you draw up.

 

Day 3: Thursday 12th March

1.30pm - Marsh Novices’ Chase

Veteran performer FAUGHEEN (6/1) can bring down the house by taking the “St Patrick’s Day” opener. The twelve-year-old is as good as ever and this is a realistic target for him.

2.10pm - Pertemps Final

The Matthew Smith-trained RONALD PUMP (14/1) has held his form all season and a hurly-burly contest like this should be well within his scope.

At a price, Copper Goes West is worth a speculative each-way punt.

2.50pm - Ryanair Chase

A PLUS TARD (9/4) has a great chance of giving Henry De Bromhead a third day winner with this Cheveley Park Stud-owned gelding. Min is the obvious danger to the selection.

3.30pm - Stayers’ Hurdle

The banker of the week for many people will be PAISLEY PARK (8/11) and I have to agree with them. Forecast backers may want to consider Emitom who recently bounced back to form at Haydock.

4.10pm - Brown Advisory Chase

The Dan Skelton-trained SPIRITOFTHEGAMES(14/1) can game some compensation for just being touched off twice here this season. He clearly thrives at this racecourse and is a solid each-way bet.

4.50pm - Mares’ Novices Hurdle

JEREMYS FLAME (12/1) can bounce back here from her poor showing at Leopardstown where she was found to be lame. Prior to that run she was holding her form really well this season.

5.30pm - Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Chase

BONBON AU MIEL (20/1) hasn’t been seen on a racecourse since he fell in the RSA two years ago but he can provide Willie Mullins with a fairytale comeback.

Fitzhenry was just denied in the Paddy Power Chase and will be suited by this kind of race.

Day 4: Friday 13th March

1.30pm - Triumph Hurdle

I’ve had my eye on SOLO (5/2) for some time now after seeing him win at Auteuil and he showed his brilliance to the watching public by scooting home at Kempton on his UK debut.

2.10pm - County Hurdle

Greatwood winner HARAMBE (25/1) has the perfect profile for this race and can bounce back from being brought down last time. Birds Of Prey is an interesting outsider for Paul Nicholls.

2.50pm - Albert Bartlett Hurdle

The galloping grey RAMSES DE TEILLEE (12/1) can outstay his rivals here and continue his purple patch of form.

3.30pm - Cheltenham Gold Cup

If Delta Work is a 5/1 shot for the Gold Cup then there is no way MONALEE (20/1) should be the price he is based upon their Savills Chase encounter.

The nine-year-old has been a Cheltenham Festival runner-up twice before and placed fourth in the RSA last year. He can top off a potential first class week for trainer Henry De Bromhead.

4.10pm - Foxhunter Chase

MINELLA ROCCO (6/1) is enjoying a new lease of life in this sphere and after I saw him easily account for Hazel Hill at Wetherby, I thought he had the Foxhunters written all over him.

4.50pm - Grand Annual Chase

The JP McManus-owned GREAT FIELD (16/1) has showed nothing in recent times but I still believe he has another decent big prize in him.

Could a trip to the Cotswold reignite his inner flame? Paloma Blue has been knocking on the door all season and is another interesting each-way player.

5.10pm - Martin Pipe Hurdle

If you still have any funds left by race 28 then I suggest you have an each-way flutter on the Paul Nicholls-trained MCFABULOUS (14/1).

Winner of the Aintree bumper last April, the six-year-old has been brought to the boil nicely by the Ditcheat maestro. Joseph O’Brien’s consistent gelding Entoucas is one to bear in mind also.

 

*Credit for the main photo belongs to Seth Wenig / AP Photo*

Tyson Fury’s resurrection has been spectacular to say the least. He has gone from the brink of ending his own life to fighting on the biggest stage of all in a bid to become a two-time heavyweight champion of the world.

Fury’s comeback story has been well-documented and he deserves great credit for his influence on millions across the globe.

It has been refreshing to see a sportsman speak so openly about mental health. And Fury is not just any sportsman – he is the lineal heavyweight champion of the world and one of the greatest British boxers of all-time.

Fury speaking out could encourage other high-profile athletes to follow suit and that can only be positive for the wider general public.

Standing at six foot, nine inches tall, Fury is a giant of a man. In many ways, he is an unlikely champion for mental health but Fury is a prime example of why we shouldn’t judge a book by its cover.

People struggle on a daily basis and those at the top of their professions are not immune to those struggles.

Fury is motivated by family and boxing – those are his two biggest passions. The father-of-five is devoted to his beloved Paris, having met in their teenage years before getting married in 2008.

His impact in the family home was clear to see in the ITV documentary, ‘Tyson Fury: The Gypsy King’ and he is sorely missed when away at training camp.

Being away from home can take its toll on Fury; spending so much time away from Paris and the children is hardly ideal.

However, it is strictly business for Fury when he is training for a fight and embarking in a camp away from Morecambe is the best way to ensure maximum effectiveness ahead of a bout.

On Saturday night, Fury will fight Deontay Wilder for the WBC heavyweight championship of the world.

The Gypsy King is looking to settle the score after he was done by in the previous bout – most boxing fans believed that Fury has outclassed Wilder throughout but the judges came under scrutiny after scoring the fight as a draw.

It hasn’t been plain sailing for Fury – he has had to work incredibly hard to get back to the top of the heavyweight boxing ladder.

His upcoming rematch with Wilder is the biggest fight of the year and millions of people around the world will be tuning in to watch Saturday’s bout.

Fury has channelled his demons into gym and training and you have to admire him for his incredible tenacity and dedication to boxing.

His road back to the top of the sport has been tough but he deserves his chance to regain his status as the best heavyweight boxer in the business.

The Gypsy King has a chance to silence any critics this weekend – he has a platform to send out a real statement.

With the right support channels and an immense belief in your own ability, you can achieve anything you want and Fury’s journey back to the top must rank highly on any list of great sporting comebacks.

Fury’s story will hopefully inspire future generations to speak out about any mental health problems in the future. The Gypsy King is a credit to the sport of boxing, to his family but most of all to himself.

Fingers crossed we get to see Fury competing at the top of the sport for many years to come.

 

*Credit for the main photo belongs to Mark J. Terrill / AP Photo*

The first fight between Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury sent shockwaves across the boxing world. To this day, people still ask the question – how did Fury get up?

The clip of Fury’s resurrection is now famous all around the globe and his never say die attitude at Staples Center won many American fans over on that fateful night in December 2018.

Both men head into this fight with unbeaten records but it is hard to envision another draw this time around. The winner could move into the top 10 pound-for-pound fighters in world boxing.

The stage is set for another special night of heavyweight boxing and Las Vegas is the perfect place to host such an iconic bout. The time for talking is over; it is now time to go to war.

Wilder is priced at 17/20 to claim victory this weekend and plenty of American boxing fans will be getting behind the Bronze Bomber at the MGM Grand.

The 34-year-old has won 42 of his 43 professional fights, with 41 of those victories coming by way of knockout. There are only two men to last the distance against Wilder: Fury and Bermane Stiverne.

The Bronze Bomber wasted no time dispatching Stiverne in their rematch in 2017, securing a thunderous first round success.

Fury fans will be hoping that the Gypsy King can cope with Wilder’s early onslaught – the American is likely to make a fast start. Should the WBC champion emerge victorious, he will surpass Muhammad Ali’s record of 10 title defences.

Unfortunately for Wilder, his opponent is Tyson Fury. Fury is a man who doesn’t do anything by halves; it is all or nothing.

He isn’t afraid to fight on the road, you only need to go back and watch his victory over Wladimir Klitschko to realise that. Fury’s determination and self-belief to get back to boxing’s summit is quite remarkable.

Most boxing fans believed that Fury won the first bout; he certainly seemed in control of the centre of the ring for most of the fight.

However, Wilder is arguably the most dangerous man in heavyweight boxing history. His knockout ratio certainly suggests that anyway, and Fury will be wary of getting caught with another Bronze Bomber combination.

For Fury, this is more than a fight. This is about writing the wrong from the first fight – the Gypsy King took the result graciously enough but Fury will want to settle the score in Las Vegas this weekend.

Boxing betting odds of 17/10 for Fury to win on points could turn out to be very kind indeed for punters if he gets his tactics right.

Fury is arguably the most unique boxer in the history of the heavyweight division and he could cement his status as one of the all-time greats with victory on Saturday night.

On the face of it, Wilder vs Fury II has potential to be one of the best rematches in boxing history and the Gypsy King will be quietly confident of coming out on top.

As a fun bet, the 11/2 for both fighters to be knocked down is well worth a punt. Wilder put Fury on the canvas twice in the first fight and he is always capable of delivering a knockout blow while Fury will want to secure a knockdown of his own.

Everything points towards an absolute classic battle between two of the best in the business.

The heart says Fury but the head is wary of Wilder’s power. Boxing followers from around the world will be tuning in on Saturday night expecting to see fireworks.

The 5/4 for Wilder to win by KO, TKO or DQ is worth a look – the Bronze Bomber is unlikely to outbox Fury and he may need a stoppage to retain his WBC title.

This Saturday sees another fine renewal of the Eider Chase which is run over a marathon distance of 4m1½f.

The race, which at one point in time was renamed the “Northern National” is regarded by some trainers and owners as the ideal prep race for the actual Grand National itself at Aintree in just under two months time, although this year none of the runners hold that entry.

Due to the time of year the race takes place, the conditions more often than not tend to be testing, providing a unique stamina contest for the horses and jockeys alike.

Invariably over the years the trends tend to point to about half the field failing to complete the race and on many occasions there are single digit finishers. It isn’t always the prettiest of races to watch for those very reasons.

Eider Chase Winners: (Last 10 Years)

• 2019 – CROSSPARK (12/1)
• 2018 – BAYWING (8/1)
• 2017 – BAYWING (8/1)
• 2017 – MYSTEREE (10/1)
• 2016 – ROCKING BLUES (8/1)
• 2015 – MILBOROUGH (18/1)
• 2014 – WYCK HILL (9/1)
• 2013 – No Race
• 2012 – PORTRAIT KING (11/4 fav)
• 2011 – COMPANERO (16/1).

 

Runner-By-Runner Guide

Prime Venture (Evan Williams)

The nine-year-old finished fourth in the Welsh Grand National but worryingly he hasn’t troubled the judge now since 2017 and is becoming more of a Placepot banker, than a horse racing betting win proposition.

Having said all that stamina is most certainly his forte and even though he will be required to lug around top weight here, he has to come into the reckoning.

Over To Sam (Harry Fry)

Over To Sam comes into this race on the back of a tidy win at Plumpton last month where he beat Christmas In April.

The lightly-raced nine-year-old has gone up 3lbs for that victory but he looks like a horse that is on the up.

Theligny (Tim Vaughan)

The nine-year-old has an unorthodox style of jumping but things all clicked into place last time when he accounted for Jammy George at Ffos Las.

As with many of these, the trip is an unknown, but a win at 3 miles in heavy ground at Ffos Las is a good grounding for any horse that is going on to tackle a marathon trip.

Fortified Bay (Jennie Candlish)

Jennie Candlish-trained runners traditionally come to the fore every season in the month of February, and for that very reason I think this in-from eight-year-old has an outstanding chance.

The trip should be no issue and it looks like he’ll be in the thick of it.

Shanroe Santos (Lucy Wadham)

The experienced eleven-year-old is a former Southern National winner and has previously mixed it with the best handicap chasers around.

If his old sparkle returns then he is certainly in with a great each-way shout at a nice price.

Calipso Collonges (Olly Murphy)

Calipso Collonges was last seen chasing home Lord Du Mesnil in the Tommy Whittle Handicap which is probably one of the most recent significant form lines in the  entire field.

Based on his last run alone, the gelding should not be underestimated in this line up.

Petite Power (Fergal O’Brien)

Stamina will certainly not be an issue for the veteran in this contest but he does appear to be in the handicappers grip now after a successful season thus far.

My heart likes him, but my head tells me that he will probably get caught out by younger legs in the run for home.

Christmas In April (Colin Tizzard)

Christmas In April is another runner that should make a real fist of it in the conditions but doesn’t look particularly well handicapped.

The eight-year-old is very closely matched with Over To Sam and the pair of them could easily make the podium.

Very First Time (Dan Skelton)

Very First Time finished fourth behind Hugo 'n Taz in December, but bounced right back next time with a four lengths success at Doncaster.

He has gone up 7lbs for that win which will probably be his undoing in the final embers of this feature race.

Ascot De Bruyere (James Ewart)

The ten-year-old is somewhat of a course specialist at Newcastle, but he was well beaten on his last two starts here and has it all to do in the rematch with Fortified Bay.

Glittering Love (Nicky Richards)

Nicky Richards has been the Eider King in recent years and he teams up here with the “champion jockey-elect”, Brian Hughes.

The Eider has been the eight-year-old’s target for some time so I expect him to be very finely tuned for Saturday’s showpiece. 

Donna’s Delight (Sandy Thomson)

Won last time out in heavy ground Ayr in a race where many failed to complete due to the testing conditions. 

The nine-year-old has now been raised 6lbs in the handicap which will make this follow up attempt all the more difficult.

Hugo ‘N Taz (David Pipe)

David Pipe saddled Comply Or Die to lift the 2008 Eider and he will have similar grand designs with Hugo ‘N Taz.

The nine-year-old collected Market Rasen's Lincolnshire National on Boxing Day and he appeared to revel in the soft conditions. An 8lb rise in the weights may not curtail his upward curve just yet.

Alminar (Nigel Hawke)

I’ve been interested in this gelding ever since I saw him run at Chepstow in January 2019 and I had him down as a future stayer right away.

His subsequent runs at both Ffos Las and Chepstow have all pointed towards a possible big staying chase somewhere along the line, and here we are, on the cusp of the North’s finest long distance test. He’s a major each-way player for my money.

Financial Outcome (Rebecca Curtis)

A two-time winner on the point-to-point scene, but despite being pretty consistent, he’s only managed to get his head in front once so far under Rules.

He has age and weight on his side here however and could quite easily run into a place.

Eider Chase: Who Wins?

It’s a fair old trek from Devon to Newcastle and back so Nigel Hawke must believe that he’s heading up north with a runner that has a great chance.

Alminar is my nap but I’m finding hard to leave out Fortified Bay from my deliberations, so the Candlish runner is going to be my next best.

888sport suggests: Alminar and Fortified Bay (e/w).

 

*Credit for the main photo belongs to Lynne Sladky / AP Photo*

The first five races of the 2019 Formula One season ended in one-two finishes for Mercedes.

An historic run from the sport’s dominant force, and it set the foundations for an unassailable lead for the Lewis Hamilton in the Drivers’ Championship and the Silver Arrows in the Constructors.

Hamilton recorded a sixth title, and it wasn’t under pressure after the opening rounds. The Brit secured it with two races to go, but that doesn’t tell the full story.

Hamilton finished 87 points clear of his nearest challenger Valtteri Bottas and 135 ahead of the closest non-Mercedes driver Max Verstappen.

There were some great races in the 2019 season. The German and Brazilian Grands Prix were bonkers, weather wreaking havoc on both occasions.

The Italian and Austrian races provided wheel-to-wheel duels, Charles Leclerc and Hamilton battling at Monza and Max Verstappen tussling with Leclerc at the Red Bull Ring.

Despite that, it was a season devoid of teeth-gritted title rivalry. A campaign that had a healthy portion of fiery moments (particularly between the Ferrari drivers), but it was unfulfilling for the neutral.

Germany, Brazil, Italy and Austria hosted thrilling Sundays, and there were other fun-to-watch races. It just lacked a Championship chase with Bottas unable to keep pace with Hamilton, arguably the best F1 driver of all-time, after a good start.

Mercedes winning 10 of the first 12, eight of which saw Hamilton atop the podium, was a major factor. The tendency for races to slump into procession wasn’t all about the dominance of the cars, though.

Under current regulations, Formula One cars struggle when following each other closely. This is exaggerated at some tracks and was particularly frustrating at the Mexican Grand Prix.

There are metaphorical barriers to overtaking, to cars sticking on the rear wing of their adversary. This is something the sport needs to correct in the coming seasons.

 

Young Talents

An influx of young talent was one of the biggest positives about the 2019 season. The next generation of title contenders are set.

It goes well beyond the burgeoning Leclerc-Verstappen contest, spreading down the grid to Alex Albon at Red Bull, Lando Norris at McLaren and George Russell at Williams. All three impressed last season.

Renault have landed 23-year-old Esteban Ocon for 2020 after he was mystifyingly without a seat in 2019. Carlos Sainz, the driver of the year for many, is only 25.

Nicholas Latifi will be Russell’s teammate this year, and Pierre Gasly – despite a very difficult 2019 season both professionally and personally – heads into the campaign on a positive note after a second-place finish in Brazil.

Following the development these young talents was one of the highlights in 2019. It gives something to watch over in 2020 too.

They won’t all enjoy stellar seasons, but this fresh cohort of Formula One drivers are jostling for favour ahead of seats potentially opening up on the top teams and looking to lay down a marker before the sport undergoes severe alterations for 2021.

Norris and Sainz will continue their tight-fought duel at McLaren, and Ocon returns with a point to prove alongside the always entertaining Daniel Ricciardo.

Russell has been suggested as a Bottas replacement in the not too distant future – it will be great to see him with a teammate who can really challenge him in Latifi.

The grid is filled with likeable drivers. There are plenty looking to make a career, and several veterans determined to prove they are still quicker than these youngsters a decade or more younger than them.

 

Regulations Similar

Referred to as ‘evolution, not revolution’ on Formula One’s website, the regulation changes are subtle for 2020 before the overhaul in 2021.

The chequered flag returns in 2020 following controversy at Suzuka. A light panel replaced the flag for 2019 (though the flag was often waved too), but a glitch caused the race to finish a lap early in Japan.

The trusty flag returns for the new season. It’s not exactly a game-changer for fans.

There will be longer curfews for mechanics, less testing (but young drivers will be used more), no screens to hide the car testing and less electronic assistance at starts. Teams can keep less fuel outside the tank, too.

None of the aforementioned impact the Sunday racing that much, but an extra MGU-K will reduce penalties. Brake ducts now must be designed by the teams themselves rather than bought in.

When it comes to close combat, a restriction on metal at the end of the front wing should mean fewer punctures and hopefully empower drivers to go wheel-to-wheel.

The snazzily named ‘shark fins’ sound a lot more important than they are. It’s meant to help fans distinguish between drivers, but the impact on the performance will be minute.

Changes for 2020 are no more than fiddling round the edges. There’s nothing that’s going to throw up drastically different performances or mix up the grid.

 

More Of The Same?

Mercedes are the 2/5 betting favourites to make it seven Constructors’ Championships on the bounce.

Hamilton is 7/4 to match Michael Schumacher’s tally, comfortably ahead of his teammate Bottas and Red Bull’s Verstappen, who are both at 7/2.

A new season brings a whole set of uncertainties. Stark changes to the balance of power in Formula One are improbable, however – that’s much more likely in 2021.

For now, the riches of the big three teams, and largely similar regulations, favour the status quo.

McLaren, who had a brilliant 2019, and Renault, who are eyeing a return to the top, both have a chance at sneaking into serious contention, but it might be a year too soon.

The 2019 campaign showed everyone how far the upper-midfield teams have to go before they can be consistently challenging for podium finishes.

Fans hoping to see more of Hamilton’s best Grand Prix wins or individual enthralling races have every reason to look forward to the 2020 Formula One season.

If it’s a major shake up you’re seeking, this probably isn’t the season that your wish will be granted.

 

*Credit for the main photo belongs to Joan Monfort / AP Photo*