Friday Bet

Afternoon

6.10 Dundalk-Mansuri @ 11-4 [Paddy Power] BOG

Consistent

Won

Morning

2.25 Newmarket-Volatile

Each Way @ 10-1 [Bet 365] BOG

Dark horse of the race

3rd

Morning

1.20 Doncaster-Kelly's Finest

Each Way @ 11-2 [Bet 365] BOG

She needs this step up in trip

3rd

Morning

1.30 Newmarket-Ventura Quest

Each Way @ 6-1 [Bet 365] BOG

Be surprised if not in contention

4th

Morning

3.20 Hexham-Snuker @ 11-4 [Bet 365] BOG

Best form is around this time of year

2nd!

Morning

2.50 Newcastle-Boric

Each Way @ 9-2 [Paddy Power] BOG

Form better than figures suggest

Good luck Topdog.

Another C&P job.

DELL ARCA 2.25 CHELTENHAM

Dell Arca represents a yard that have come away with the winners prize in this six times from eleven horses and David Pipe is 2-4 in the event.

Dell Arca was just behind Splash Of Ginge at Aintree when last seen when third to Lac Fontana in a Grade 1 hurdle. He had previously finished third in the Grade 3 Coral Cup at the Festival and was 1.75ls behind Splash Of Ginge in the Betfair Trophy. He won the Greatwood Hurdle on his debut at this meeting last season.

Caroline Tisdall paid 280k euros for Dell Arca and the under bidder was Willie Mullins. He was so desperate to train the horse he invited Caroline for a look round his stables. The breeding suggests he should be on the flat but the sire Sholokhov is also responsible for Don Cossack and French Grade 1 hurdle winner Esmondo. Dell Arca’s dam won five times in Germany and Italy. Caroline bought him to win a Gold Cup and both Grand Crus and Dynaste from Nicholashayne won this race on their chasing debut. He will be ready.

Colour Squadron has a major stat against him that ten of the last 11 winners of this race had run in two chases or less. He has ability but he prefers to give races away than win them.

Splash Of Ginge has beaten Dell Arca twice and he has already won a chase beating Anise Fiddles in a three runner chase. Pipe should have his measure through that horse. NTD saddled Imperial Commander to win this in 2007

Champagne West was fourth in the Albert Bartlett at the Festival, his first attempt at graded company. He will probably find this too short. He is by Westerner whose progeny are 2-40 at Cheltenham.

Urban Hymn was behind Champagne West at the Festival and was beaten a head by the impressive Duke Of Navan at Carlisle on his chasing debut. He had his own way up front that day and it is possible he will be left alone in front today. Malcolm Jefferson won this race with Tullymurry Toff and the step up to 20f will suit. He is by Robin Des Champs who is 10-48 with his progeny at Cheltenham, 2-20 in chases. He should run well.

Bullet Street has his eleventh start over the bigger obstacles so the stats are against him and he was at least 20lbs inferior over hurdles to most of these.

The Wexfordian was 5ls in front of Blaklion in a point to point at Lingstown a year ago when second to One For Arthur. He will win races but this is tilting at windmills.

Conclusion: This has always been a great race and the winners list is a roll of honour. The first three home last year went on to win 8 races between them whilst Dynaste and Unioniste, 1st and 3rd in 2012, have won five. Cue Card unseated when in second behind Grand Crus whilst Gold Cup winners Denman and Imperial Commander won this. It is certainly a race worth following despite the result today. The last eight winners have been six years old so that is a negative regarding the chance of 5yo Dell Arca. However, he is out of the top drawer and Dell Arca is sure to be primed for a big run here.

Make Up Artist, Today at 11:29 AMEditDeleteIPWa

2nd

Morning

3.05 Haydock [BOG]

Two horse race in my opinion....so 1pt win on each with Paddy Power

Maximiser @ 7-2

Adam Du Breteau @ 5-2

Morning

2.20 Musselburgh-Un Anjou

Each Way @ 11-2 [Bet 365] BOG

Recent solid form

Won

Yip, nice one TD.

Morning

3.20 Exeter-Flying Award

Each Way @ 11-1 [Betfred] BOG

Shrewd small stable