Min is the hot favorite to win the Supreme Novices' Hurdle, continuing Willie Mullins, Rich Ricci and Ruby Walsh's streak of wins in the race. Douvan is heavily favored to win the Arkle Chase and defend his title. Southfield Royale and Ballychorus are picks for the National Hunt Chase, with Southfield Royale ticking all the boxes. Annie Power has a 7 pound weight advantage and is favored over Nichols Canyon to win the Champion Hurdle for Willie Mullins. Vroum Vroum Mag is expected to win the Mares Hurdle and continue Willie Mullins' streak in that race.

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Cheltenham Festival 2016
“Two men looked out from prison bars, one saw mud, while the other saw stars!”
Day 1(Tuesday):
Supreme Novices:
Last year Ted Walsh was quoted as saying on Douvan, "If Willie Mullins says this horse is as good as
he's sent to Cheltenham, what sort of a gob***** would you be to disagree?"
Well I was one! The old phrase of fool me once (Champagne Fever in 2013), fool me twice (Vautour
in 2014) but to fool me three times with Douvan winning the Supreme in 2015…I felt like George W
Bush! Fast forward exactly 12 months later and Willie Mullins, Rich Ricci and Ruby Walsh are on for
Pegasus 4.0 with the hype machine Min. He is now priced accordingly at around 2/1 and looks all set
to give the dream team an unprecedented 4th
win in a row! Two years ago, I was down in the Mullins
yard and the word was that the horse in Box A was the best they ever had, closely followed by the
horse in Box B and then the yolk beside them in Box C kept working with them and was keeping up
with them. Box A was Allez Colombieres, Douvan was in Box B and Min was in Box C. Roll on 2 years
later and the best horse sadly died but the horse in Box B won last year’s Supreme and is a 1/3 shot
for this year’s Arkle and the horse in Box C is now the raging hot favourite for this year’s race. Truly,
an embarrassment of Riccis.
Now to look at the other horses in the race. Try to avoid the top rated horse in the race as they can
come unstuck look at Cue Card, Dunguib and My Tent or Yours. I always try to look for an improver
that could have even been beaten over hurdles in there career look at Al Ferof, Menorah and
Champagne Fever. They all ran in Irish bumpers and the record of horses that have originally

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contested an Irish bumper is phenomenal. 17 of the last 20 places have been filled by bumper
horses. Altior interestingly can lay claim to this while also being the top rated horse in this race at
151. Buveur D’Air has looked very classy as a novice so far and Noel Fehily is sweet on his chances.
However, Nicky Henderson has not won this race since 1992 and has even managed to get horses
such as Sprinter Sacre and Binocular beaten in this! Previous Champion Bumper form is also a big
plus so don’t write off Supasundae to have an each way chance. Connections had Sizing John run a
big race last year and Supasundae has seriously good bumper form having beaten Yanworth and
finished a close 6th
in last year’s bumper. Keep an eye out for wherever Yorkhill goes but I think he
rocks up in the Neptune so I’m not going to talk about him yet. Tombstone is a horse I have liked all
season and if there is to be an Irish surprise he is the one with Grade One form to boot and could be
suited to a Bryan Cooper front running display. Better ground, a faster pace and the addition of a
hood could prove decisive and give him an each way squeak.
Anyway enjoy the gift of the drift on Min and just smash into him to kick the week off in style!
Race Trends:
• 17 of the last 18 winners won last time out
• 15 of the last 16 winners ran in the previous 50 days
• The Irish have won 11 of the last 15 renewals
• Only 5 favourites won in the last 26 renewals
• 9 of the last 17 winners started in the front two of the betting
Win: Min
Each Way: Tombstone
Year Winner Trainer Jockey Age/Wt SP
2015 Douvan W P Mullins R Walsh 5 11-7 2/1f
2014 Vautour W P Mullins R Walsh 5 11-7 7/2f
2013 Champagne Fever W P Mullins R Walsh 6 11-7 5/1
2012 Cinders And Ashes D McCain Jnr J M Maguire 5 11-7 10/1
2011 Al Ferof P F Nicholls R Walsh 6 11-7 10/1
2010 Menorah P J Hobbs R Johnson 5 11 - 7 12/1
2009 Go Native N Meade P Carberry 6 11-7 12/1
2008 Captain Cee Bee E Harty R Thornton 7 11-7 17/2
2007 Ebaziyan W Mullins D Condon 6 11-7 40-1
2006 Noland P F Nicholls R Walsh 5 11-7 6-1
2005 Arcalis J Howard Johnson G Lee 5 11-7 20-1
2004 Brave Inca C A Murphy B M Cash 5 11-7 7-2f
2003 Back In Front E J O'Grady N Williamson 6 11-8 3-1f
2002 Like-A-Butterfly C Roche C F Swan 8 11-3 7-4f
2001 No Race
2000 Sausolito Bay N Meade P Carberry 6 11-8 14-1
1999 Hors La Loi III M C Pipe A P McCoy 4 11-0 9-2
1998 French Ballerina P J Flynn G Bradley 5 11-3 10-1
1997 Shadow Leader C R Egerton J Osborne 6 11-8 5-1

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Arkle:
Named after the greatest jumps horse of them all, the Arkle Trophy is the most prestigious race of
the year for novice chasers. It is run over two miles on the old course, and recent combatants have
included future Champion Chase and Gold Cup winners.
Douvan will lead them from pillar to post! Been there done that and he is already rated 163 over
fences. Back Douvan to win beat the distance as Ruby will struggle to pull him up. Move on.
Johnny Burke, Alan Potts and Henry De Bromhead have a nice chase prospect in Sizing John. He has
very nice hurdle form and solid chase form. The same connections won this race with the great
Sizing Europe and I can see Sizing John picking up the pieces if anything was to happen to Douvan.
He is 4/1 without the fav and I’d be all over that.
Race Trends:
 26 of the last 28 winners finished in the top two last time out
 6 of the last 13 winners were the highest-rated hurdler in the field
 The last 24 winners have started at 11/1 or shorter, but only 6 favourites won
 The Irish have only won 4 of the last 17 renewals
 French bred horses have won 10 of the last 20 renewals
Win: Douvan
Each Way: Sizing John
Year Winner Trainer Jockey Age/Wt SP
2015 Un De Sceaux W P Mullins R Walsh 5 11-7 2/1f
2014 Western Warhorse D Pipe T Scudamore 6 11-7 33/1
2013 Simonsig N J Henderson B J Geraghty 7 11-7 8/15f
2012 Sprinter Sacre N J Henderson B J Geraghty 6 11-7 8/11f
2011 Captain Chris P J Hobbs R Johnson 7 11-7 6/1
2010 Sizing Europe H De Bromhead A E Lynch 8 11-7 6/1
2009 Forpadydeplasterer T Cooper B J Geraghty 7 11-7 8/1
2008 Tidal Bay J Howard Johnson D O'Regan 7 11-7 6/1
2007 My Way De Solzen A King R Thornton 7 11-7 7-2
2006 Voy Por Ustedes A King R Thornton 5 11-2 15-2
2005 Contraband M C Pipe T Murphy 7 11-7 7-1
2004 Well Chief M C Pipe A P McCoy 5 11-3 9-1
2003 Azertyuiop P F Nicholls R Walsh 6 11-8 5-4f
2002 Moscow Flyer Mrs J Harrington B Geraghty 8 11-8 11-2
2001 No Race
2000 Tiutchev N J Henderson M Fitzgerald 7 11-8 8-1
1999 Flagship Uberalles P F Nicholls J Tizzard 5 11-0 11-1
1998 Champleve M C Pipe A P McCoy 5 11-0 13-2
1997 Or Royal M C Pipe A P McCoy 6 11-8 11-2

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National Hunt Chase:
In 2014, I thought Shutthefrontdoor was going to win this race but he finished nowhere before going
onto win the Irish National and last year I thought Thunders & Roses had a chance before he flopped
and then also went on to win the Irish National in 2015! So if the horse doesn’t perform on the day
then keep him in mind for the next day. The one horse under the radar that I like is Ballychorus each
way. She jumps like a stag, gets a mares allowance and is a sister to multiple Grade 1 winner Follow
The Plan. She has been so close to winning two huge pots at Leopardstown and Fairyhouse until she
fell when leading at the last in both. Her recent win in Thurles looks to have sorted out her jumping
and her trainer Mags Mullins can ready a horse for the big day (look at Martello Tower winning last
year). Neil Mulholland is another very shrewd trainer and the horse that ticks all the boxes for this is
Southfield Royale. The money has come for this horse and the trainer is no stranger to a Cheltenham
winner. Southfield Royale also has Grade One form in the bag and has got the added bonus of Nina
Carberry doing the steering! Nina has actually never won this race so there could be a gamble on this
one on the day. Paddy Mullins is still not sure what he will ride but if he manages to get the leg up
on Roi Des Francs then I might be swayed that way on the day. He will place whoever he is on.
Race Trends:
 Jonjo O’Neill has won this race 5 times
 10 out of the last 13 winners finished 1st
or 2nd
last time out
Win: Southfield Royale
Each Way: Ballychorus
Champion Hurdle:
No Hurricane Fly, no Jezki, no Arctic Fire and now no Faugheen! Safe to say I will be very surprised to
see a horse rated 170 win this and the absence of the aforementioned machine certainly takes the

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gloss off the whole week. But New Zealand managed to win a World Cup without Dan Carter so it is
possible that Willie Mullins can emulate them and win with the B Team of Annie Power, Nichols
Canyon and Sempre Medici!
Firstly the opposition, My Tent or Yours is a phrase better off found in Stradbally and he has no
business winning a Champion Hurdle first time out. He will no doubt travel like the winner 3 out until
crumbling and is a massive In-Play lay! Gigginstown are synonymous with chasers and it is pleasantly
surprising to see Identity Thief turn out to be such an improving hurdler but a Champion Hurdler?! I
don’t think so. So then comes The New One who actually can boast the best form behind Faugheen
now and with the top 4 from last year’s race now out, he would have been called the winner! But
this will be his 3rd
attempt at the race and he is just full of excuses each time.
Nichols Canyon has beaten the unbeatable Faugheen and is the only horse to do so. If you can
forgive his last run then Nichols Canyon should be favourite. Very tricky race so maybe the 7 pound
pull for Annie Power might swing things in her favour but don’t be surprised to see a shock with
something like Sempre Medici flying home late. Willie Mullins to have another 1-2-3?
Race Trends:
 26 of the last 30 winners won last time out
 23 of the last 24 winners won a race previously that season
 20 of the last 23 winners started in the first five of the betting
 19 of the last 25 winners had winning form at Cheltenham and 19 of the last 22 winners had
previously been placed at the festival
 Only 4 winners older than eight since 1951
 The Irish have won 11 of the last 15 renewals
Win: Annie Power
Each Way: Nichols Canyon
Year Winner Trainer Jockey Age/Wt SP
2015 Faugheen W P Mullins R Walsh 7 11-10 4/5f
2014 Jezki Mrs J Harrington B J Geraghty 6 11-10 9/1
2013 Hurricane Fly W P Mullins R Walsh 9 11-10 13/8f
2012 Rock On Ruby P F Nicholls N Fehily 7 11-10 11/1
2011 Hurricane Fly W P Mullins R Walsh 7 11-10 11/4f
2010 Binocular N J Henderson A P McCoy 6 11-10 9/1
2009 Punjabi N J Henderson B J Geraghty 6 11-10 22/1
2008 Katchit A King R Thornton 5 11-10 10/1
2007 Sublimity J G Carr P A Carberry 7 11-10 16-1
2006 Brave Inca C A Murphy A P McCoy 8 11-10 7-4f
2005 Hardy Eustace D T Hughes C O'Dwyer 8 11-10 7-2jf
2004 Hardy Eustace D T Hughes C O'Dwyer 7 11-10 33-1
2003 Rooster Booster P J Hobbs R Johnson 9 12-0 9-2
2002 Hors La Loi III J R Fanshawe D Gallagher 7 12-0 10-1
2001 No Race
2000 Istabraq A P O'Brien C F Swan 8 12-0 8-15f
1999 Istabraq A P O'Brien C F Swan 7 12-0 4-9f
1998 Istabraq A P O'Brien C F Swan 6 12-0 3-1f
1997 Make A Stand M C Pipe A P McCoy 6 12-0 7-1

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Mares Hurdle:
Vroum Vroum Mag is the form mare this season and looks a star. Her ratings suggest she will win
and she is a penalty kick (Baring any last flight falls). Willie Mullins can win this race for the 7th
time
in a row!
The Govaness trained by Dr Newland looks an improver and might be one to fill the places at a big
price as she would have beaten last year’s 2nd
in this Polly Peachum last time out if given a better
ride.
“And as they come into the home straight, the four-timer is on." Vroum Vroum Mag will hopefully do
what Annie Power couldn’t do and win the last leg of an almighty 4 timer 2nd
time round!
Win: Vroum Vroum Mag
Each Way: The Govaness
WILLIE INSURANCE: Deja Vous but here are a few accums that might pay for the week:
 Banker Treble- Vroum Vroum Mag, Limini, Thistlecrack, = 10/1
 Ruby Tuesday- Min (Supreme), Vroum Vroum Mag (Mares), Douvan (Arkle) and Annie
Power(Champion Hurdle) 25/1
 Dream Acca- Annie Power(Champion Hurdle), Un De Sceaux ( Champion Chase)
Thistlecrack(World Hurdle), Vautour (Gold Cup) = 75/1

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Day 2(Wednesday):
Neptune Novices Hurdle:
Istabraq, Faugheen and Hardy Eustace have all won this en route to victory in the Champion Hurdle.
Will Yanworth do the same? He is rated 158 already and looked imperious at Cheltenham the last
day. It is a race predominantly won by a classy horse and unlike the Supreme is not one to look for a
big improver. Favourites have been successful in 15 of the 42 running’s (36%) so good news for
Yanworth backers. He could be the one to destroy this opposition.
The Irish have an excellent record in this race with 18 wins, including last year’s winner Windsor
Park. I’ll give a big each way shout to the same connections with Dermot Weld’s Vigil at 33/1. Nice
Cheltenham bumper form (5th twice) and a decent prep. However, Willie Mullins notoriously has ‘a
good thing’ aimed at this race to win or place. If Yorkhill were to go for this then I would be backing
him each way but in the unlikeliness of that happening you can look to Graded novice hurdle
winners Bellshill, A Toi Phil and Long Dog to carry the flag.
If he were to run then I would go for the unbeaten Yorkhill. He is rated 151 which is the same as
Altior but his form lines are outstanding. He beat Agrapart in the Tolworth who won the very
competitive Betfair Hurdle and thumped Nicky Henderson’s 007 who went onto win after as well.
The only issue I have with him is that he might go for the Supreme instead so my advice is wait for
the declarations for this one but don’t forget to keep him onside wherever he goes.
Long Dog is the forgotten horse. Handicapper rates him and he is rated 148 in Ireland but 158 in
Britain same as Yanworth. Long Dog is a massive price for a horse that has already won 2 Grade One
Novice hurdles, stuffed a Galway Hurdle winner in Thomas Edison and a recent Grade One winner in
Bleu Et Rouge and is currently on a winning run of 6 races in a row. If Yorkhill doesn’t go for this
then I’ll be all over Long Dog and I can see Paul Townend scaring the bejaysus out of Yanworth from
the front!
Win: Yorkhill
Each Way: Long Dog
RSA Chase:
This is a test for the Gold Cup with previous winners going on to win the Blue Riband in Denman,
Lord Windermere and Bob’s Worth. Don Poli is aiming to emulate them this year and he holds every
chance.
No More Heroes is the big Irish hope but Gigginstown have a poor win record in this race considering
their focus on it with only 2 winners in the last 20 years (had last year’s winner in Don Poli). No More
Heroes looks a bit soft to me and reminds me of previous short priced favs for the race in Grands Cru
and Time for Rupert who both ended up flopping when it counted. At a big price take a look at Noel
Meade’s Monksland. I reckon he could be a very nice each way play with form in all the big Irish
Grade One novice chase’s this season. A few years ago Noel trained Very Wood to win the Albert

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Bartlett after placing in the novice hurdle Grade One’s all season and I think if there is to be a big
priced winner then it could be this horse.
The winner and one of the bets of the meeting is the only horse to have beaten Annie Power fair and
square and that’s Jonjo O’Neill’s More Of That. His form took a nice boost when Sametegal recently
winning a handicap off a big weight. More Of That is a potential superstar and is Tony McCoy’s nap
of the meeting. I don’t know about you but that is good enough for me.
Race Trends:
 26 of the last 27 winners won or finished second last time out
 11 of the last 20 winners were rated below 134 over hurdles, however the last 9 were not
 Only 2 winners (Florida Pearl & Don Poli both trained by WPM) with less than 3 chase starts
since 1992
 All 21 Feltham winners have been beaten (6 horses beaten in that race have won)
 50 out of last 51 winners had run in the same calendar year- Don Poli being the exception last
year!
 Seven year olds have won 13 of the last 16
 No winner over eight since 1992
 12 of the last 15 winners raced prominently
 Only 7 Irish victories since 1985 (but 6 of last 7 including Don Poli)
 4 of the 7 Irish winners were trained by Willie Mullins
Win: More Of That
Each Way: Monksland
Year Winner Trainer Jockey Age/Wt SP
2015 Don Poli W P Mullins B Cooper 6 11-4 13/8f
2014 O'Faolains Boy Miss R Curtis B J Geraghty 7 11-4 12/1
2013 Lord Windermere J H Culloty D N Russell 7 11-4 8/1
2012 Bobs Worth N J Henderson B J Geraghty 7 11-4 9/2
2011 Bostons Angel Mrs J Harrington R M Power 7 11-4 16/1
2010 Weapon's Amnesty C Byrnes D N Russell 7 11-4 10/1
2009 Cooldine W P Mullins R Walsh 7 11-4 9/4f
2008 Alberta's Run J O'Neill A P McCoy 7 11-4 4/1f
2007 Denman P F Nicholls R Walsh 7 11-4 6-5f
2006 Star De Mohaison P F Nicholls B Geraghty 5 10-8 14-1
2005 Trabolgan N J Henderson M Fitzgerald 7 11-4 5-1
2004 Rule Supreme W P Mullins D J Casey 8 11-4 25-1
2003 One Knight P J Hobbs R Johnson 7 11-4 15-2
2002 Hussard Collonges P Beaumont R Garritty 7 11-4 33-1
2001 No Race
2000 Lord Noelie Miss H C Knight J Culloty 7 11-4 9-2
1999 Looks Like Trouble N T Chance P Carberry 7 11-4 16-1
1998 Florida Pearl W P Mullins R Dunwoody 6 11-4 11-8f
1997 Hanakham R J Hodges R Dunwoody 8 11-4 13-2

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Queen Mother Champion Chase:
Dodging Bullets, Sire De Grugy and Sprinter Sacre. The last 3 winners of the race are all coming back
for a second bite at the cherry but there is an odds on favourite in the shape of another Willie
Mullins hotpot in the hell raiser Un De Sceaux.
The form of previous year’s Arkle runners is incredible. They all tend to finish in the first 3 the
following season so Un De Sceaux and God’s Own are the second season horses to keep on your
side. The form horse is Un De Sceaux, the trends horse is Un De Sceaux and the best horse is Un De
Sceaux. Hard to imagine any other winner barring accidents and with the 3 previous Queen Mother
Champion Chase winners likely to slit each other’s throats it could pay to look towards last year’s
Arkle form and God’s Own to plug on for a place. There won’t be a dry eye in the house if Sprinter
Sacre can come back from the dead to win again and he is the only horse who could fairly beat Un
De Sceaux if both ran to form.
Race Trends:
 29 of the last 32 winners started in single figures in the betting
 The last 14 Arkle winners to run in the following year's Champion Chase all finished in the
first three (7 won)
Win: Un De Sceaux
Each Way: God’s Own
PREVIOUS WINNERS
Year Winner Trainer Jockey Age/Wt SP
2015 Dodging Bullets P Nicholls S Twiston-Davies 7 11-10 9/2
2014 Sire De Grugy G Moore J Moore 8 11-10 11/4f
2013 Sprinter Sacre N J Henderson B J Geraghty 7 11-10 1/4f
2012 Finian's Rainbow N J Henderson B J Geraghty 9 11-10 4/1
2011 Sizing Europe H De Bromhead A E Lynch 9 11-10 10/1
2010 Big Zeb Colm A Murphy B J Geraghty 9 11-10 10/1
2008 Master Minded P Nicholls R Walsh 6 11-10 4/11f
2008 Master Minded P Nicholls R Walsh 5 11-10 3/1
2007 Voy Por Ustedes A King R Thornton 6 11-10 5-1
2006 Newmill J J Murphy A J McNamara 8 11-10 16-1
2005 Moscow Flyer Mrs J Harrington B Geraghty 11 11-10 6-4f
2004 Azertyuiop P F Nicholls R Walsh 7 11-10 15-8
2003 Moscow Flyer Mrs J Harrington B Geraghty 9 12-0 7-4f
2002 Flagship Uberalles P J Hobbs R Johnson 8 12-0 7-4f
2001 No Race
2000 Edredon Bleu Miss H C Knight A P McCoy 8 12-0 7-2
1999 Call Equiname P F Nicholls M Fitzgerald 9 12-0 7-2
1998 One Man G Richards B Harding 10 12-0 7-2
1997 Martha's Son Capt T Forster R Farrant 10 12-0 9-1

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Champion Bumper:
The best bumper horse on form in Ireland is New To This Town and the best in England is Ballyandy
but form rarely works out in this race with so many horses being unexposed. However, Jessica
Harrington doesn’t just enter any old horse for this race. Her last 2 runners have been Cork All Star
Champion Bumper winner in 2007 and Jezki who won the Champion Hurdle in 2014. Not bad
company for New To This Town. He has recently been bought for a king’s ransom by Alan Potts
(Sizing Europe fame) and the outstanding Johnny Burke will now be riding him who has a serious
chance of breaking his festival duck with this horse.
You can’t talk about the bumper without mentioning the king and Patrick Mullins is the champion
amateur jockey so whoever he ends up riding you have to sit up and take note. Interestingly
rumours abound that Avenir D’Une Vie could be the best of the Mullins brigade which is great news
for the Harrington’s having conquering him with New To This Town already. A few others to note
would be the breath-taking performances of Augusta Kate but she is a mare and also Paddy can’t get
down to do the weight so that fella Walsh picks up the ride! Paddy is likely to ride Battleford who
looks a future stayer so expect to see a Champagne Fever like bully boy performance from the front.
Castello Sforza is another Mullins potential star and will be ridden by Barry Geraghty. Check out the
form of his bumper win. Also, interestingly last year’s Cheltenham bumper winner Moon Racer won
the same Fairyhouse Bumper the year before. The form of Castello Sforza’s bumper win has been
excellent (Death Duty and Sunni May romping home after). So he is one that money could come for.
Race Trends:
 20 of the 22 winners won last time out
 16 of the last 17 winners were aged five or six
 The Irish have won 17 of the 22 renewals

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 Willie Mullins has won 8 of the last 18 renewals. (4 were the only stable representative
(other 4 were 2nd/3rd string in the market) and 6 had one run and one win to their name
 15 of the 22 winners started in the first six in the betting
 Favourites have won 4 of the 22 renewals
Win: New To This Town
Each Way: Castello Sforza
Day 3(Thursday):
JLT Novice Chase:
This is a race for misfit toys and has been dominated by Irish winners since it became a graded race.
I think it will suit a genuine 2 mile 4 horse such as Outlander. His novice hurdle win last year in
Leopardstown was outstanding. He beat three festival winners (Windsor Park, Kilutagh Vic and
Martello Tower) and also had multiple Grade One winner No More Heroes way back in the field. He
went ok in the Neptune last year despite a poor ride. However, this year he has been very smooth
over fences winning 3/3 including a Grade One in Leopardstown. He beat Monksland by more than
No More Heroes did over the same distance and there is no excuses to be made for this horse. Looks
rock solid and is going under the radar for Team Mullins. One of the bets of the meeting.
The fact Philip Hobbs is adamant on sending Garde La Victoire for this race instead of taking on
Douvan in the Arkle doesn’t take Einstein to work out. He is 3/3 over fences so far as well as giving
away lumps of weight and a 7 length thumping to the current favourite in Bristol De Mai. How he is
favourite ahead of him is baffling. So I’ll be going for Richard Johnson and Garde La Victoire as a
strong each way play.
Win: Outlander
Each Way: Garde La Victoire
Ryanair:
This race will go to England so get your pen and just cross off all Irish horses. Irish horses either win
over 2 miles or 3 miles but this race has always been dominated by English trainers. David Pipe’s
Dynaste is overpriced and looks like a solid each way bet. He is former winner, recent wind op will
help and he has beaten likely fav Al Ferof on numerous occasions. Dynaste just keeps running into
top class opposition such as Cue Card and Silviancio Conti but won’t face anything like them in this.
He is just under Grade One class but this is a weak race and is a basically a Grade Two. The improving
horse over chases this year is certainly Village Vic and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him bang there
at the finish. The other unexposed horse to keep on side is Josses Hill for Nicky Henderson. He
promised so much as a novice hurdler but has failed to make it count over fences so far. He was 2nd
in the Bumper behind Faugheen, 2nd
in a Supreme behind Vautour and 3rd
in an Arkle behind Un De
Sceaux. He is sick of the Mullins stars and with his jumping now sorted I can see him running a big

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one. He was impressive last time out beating God’s Own who is a decent yardstick and Nicky
Henderson record in this is very good record. With only a half dozen runs over fences he could easily
prove to be a fly in the ointment and could be the improver.
Race Trends:
 7 of the 8 winners (and 7 runners-up) had previously won at Cheltenham
 4 of the 9 winners ran in the Paddy Power Gold Cup
 Since it became a Grade One 5 of the 6 winners ran in a King George
 9 of the 10 winners started 6/1 or shorter
Win: Josses Hill
Each way: Dynaste
Year Winner Trainer Jockey Age/Wt SP
2015 Uxizandre A King AP McCoy 7 11-10 16/1
2014 Dynaste D Pipe T Scudamore 8 11-10 3/1F
2013 Cue Card C L Tizzard J Tizzard 7 11-10 7/2
2012 Riverside Theatre N J Henderson B J Geraghty 8 11-10 7/2f
2011 Albertas Run Jonjo O'Neill A P McCoy 10 11-10 6/1
2010 Albertas Run Jonjo O'Neill A P McCoy 9 11-10 14/1
2009 Imperial Commander N A Twiston-Davies P J Brennan 8 11-10 6/1
2008 Our Vic D Pipe T Murphy 10 11-10 4/1
2007 Taranis P Nicholls R Walsh 6 11-0 9/2
2006 Fondmort N J Henderson M Fitzgerald 10 11-0 100/30j
2005 Thisthatandtother P F Nicholls R Walsh 9 11-3 9-2
World Hurdle:
Thistlecrack is top class and should be shorter for this. The deflection of Annie Power and Vroum
Vroum Mag make his task even easier and to me looks like a penalty kick. Have a look at some
horses who might plug on and stay at the finish such as the Irish stayers Alpha Des Obeaux(the only
horse to get within 3 lengths of Douvan), Martello Tower who looks to be trained with one race in
mind all season and as last year’s Albert Bartlett winner should out run his big odds.
Then there is Nicky Henderson’s Whisper who has been shocking all season but can perform on the
big day (look at Aintree last year). Kilcooley also recorded a huge Timeform Rating of 163 and looks
set to be ridden by the champion jockey in waiting Richard Johnson. He will make the places if he
runs to the same level.
Anyway, Thistlecrack looks every inch Big Bucks light and wins this like a good thing.
Race Trends:

13. Tim O’Mahony
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 18 of the last 20 winners ran at the previous years' festival
 Only 9 horses outside the first four in the betting have been placed since 2002
 1 Irish winner in 20 years
 Only one horse over nine years old has won the stayers' crown since its inception in 1972
Win: Thistlecrack
Each Way: Kilcooley
Year Winner Trainer Jockey Age/Wt SP
2015 Cole Harden W Greatrex G Sheehan 7 11-10 14/1
2014 More Of That J O’Neil B Geraghty 6 11-10 15/2
2013 Solwhit C Byrnes P Carberry 9 11-10 17/2
2012 Big Buck's P F Nicholls R Walsh 9 11-10 5/6f
2011 Big Buck's P F Nicholls R Walsh 8 11-10 10/11f
2010 Big Buck's P F Nicholls R Walsh 7 11-10 5/6f
2009 Big Buck's P F Nicholls R Walsh 6 11-10 6/1
2008 Inglis Drever J H Johnson D O'Regan 9 11-10 11/8f
2007 Inglis Drever J H Johnson P Brennan 8 11-10 5-1
2006 My Way De Solzen A King R Thornton 6 11-10 8-1
2005 Inglis Drever J Howard Johnson G Lee 6 11-10 5-1
2004 Iris's Gift J O'Neill B Geraghty 7 11-10 9-2
2003 Baracouda F Doumen T Doumen 8 11-10 9-4jf
2002 Baracouda F Doumen T Doumen 7 11-10 13-8f
2001 No Race
2000 Bacchanal N J Henderson M Fitzgerald 6 11-10 11-2
1999 Anzum D Nicholson R Johnson 8 11-10 40-1
1998 Princeful Mrs J Pitman R Farrant 7 11-10 16-1
1997 Karshi Miss H C Knight J Osborne 7 11-10 20-1

14. Tim O’Mahony
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Day 4(Friday):
Triumph:
Look to key trials at Kempton and Leopardstown (The Willie Mullins 3 horses and Ivanovich
Gorbatov) for this as they have provided the winner between them 9 times in the last 16 years. I
reckon there are no good Irish 4 year olds and that the English big stables have this mopped up
between King, Nicholls and Henderson. To me the most impressive performance of a 4 year old this
year has come from Paul Nicholl’s Zubayr in the key trial, the Adonis. I was blown away by it and Paul
Nicholls has gone down this route before with Zarkandar and the fact he was bought for almost
€400k tells me this guy looks every inch a potential star. Sceau Royal looks like he is the best from
Alan King’s yard and Ncky Henderson’s Protek Des Flos was very impressive when coming off the
pace on debut in January beating Clan Des Obeaux. He could be the surprise package.
 9 of the last 11 winners were found in the first four in the betting
 Only two winners have justified favouritism in the last 14 years
 4 of the last 8 winners had won just once over hurdles before
Win: Zubayr
Each Way: Sceau Royal
Albert Bartlett:
This is a tricky race to get right with big priced winners popping up in the past for example Bertie’s
Dream(33/1), Very Wood(33/1) and last year Martello Tower at (20/1)! But there have also been
class horses such as Bobs Worth and At Fishers Cross who have won so Barters Hill could fall into
that category as he is still unbeaten and looks as tough as old boots.
For me the race needs an out and out stayer to win and Barter’s Hill has been unmerciful in his
faultless career thus far. It will take a very good stayer to beat him as everything he has faced has
finished their race legless. Look at what he did to Up For Review.
Gigginstown have a decent record in this (Won 2 out of last 7 renewals) so Gangster could stay on
late for a place but interestingly Willie Mullins is actually 0 out of 18 with his runners in this race
horses of the calibre of Black Hercules, Arvika Legionnaire, Briar Hill, Quel Esprit and Boston Bob
have all lost. However, Willie Mullins novices look too strong this year and I reckon one of his will
place at least and that is Thomas Hobson at a big price. He reminded me of Martello Tower with his
gutsy finish the last day beating Open Eagle and he is the only one who could trouble Barter’s Hill.
But Barter’s Hill…what a champion and what a sight to behold. Everytime he looks beaten he gets up
and goes again. He has beaten Altior, Buveur D’Air and Bellshill in bumpers when he looked beaten
each time. He took on Up For Review far too early last time out yet he still managed to plug on for
victory. Paul Nicholls compares him to Denman and he is by far the best priced novice hurdler. Pile
on him and enjoy a small yard having a big victory.
Win: Barters Hill
Alternative: Thomas Hobson

15. Tim O’Mahony
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Gold Cup:
The Cheltenham Gold Cup is the pinnacle of jump racing. It has been won by so many iconic horses
such as Arkle, Dawn Run, Desert Orchid, Denman and Kauto Star. It is has been 30 years since Sir
Peter O'Sullevan famously roared “And the mare is beginning to get up!”
Trends play a big part in this race so follow the top horses in the betting with 14 of the last 16
winners having contested either the King George or Lexus Chase. Is this the year Willie Mullins finally
takes home the Holy Grail after so many 2nd
place finishes? Another one last year in Djakadam to
add to Florida Pearl, On His Own and Sir Des Champs. Crazy to think that the world’s best jumps
trainer hasn’t added this to his mantelpiece yet but in Vautour, Djakadam, Don Poli, Valseur Lido and
On His Own he has a few shots to fire! I am not going to look past Rich Ricci and Gigginstown for this
so I’ll throw in Don Cossack and Road to Riches but nothing else should get close. But what about a
rejuvenated Cue Card you say? He is in the form of his life, won the key trial and is on the course to
win a Million pound bonus! But he is now a 10 year old and if this age was a step too far for Kauto
Star and Denman then I can’t be having Cue Card to buck the trend. Smad Place ran in the race last
year and finished 8th
so I can’t have him to improve on that running either and then to be frank the
rest of the horses shouldn’t be good enough. So back to the Irish brigade.
On His Own is running in this for a crack at the National so I am going to sidestep this 12 year old and
wish his rider a safe journey round. Valseur Lido fell last time out so I’m leaving him which sadly
means I will leave Djakadam too as it has proved extremely difficult for horses to win any race in
Cheltenham especially after a fall (that was also his 2nd
fall at Cheltenham) never mind trying to win
the Gold Cup! The record of horses that were beaten in the race going back to try win it the
following year is shocking( Only Kauto Star managed it after losing his crown to Denman) and
therefore I’m leaving Noel Meade’s Road to Riches out so that leave me with three horses…Don
Cossack, Vautour and Don Poli. This is where the winner will come from I’ve no doubt.
Don Cossack is the highest rated horse with an RPR of 185 but his form at Cheltenham is very poor
considering he has that lofty rating and he doesn’t seem to enjoy big fields so I am going to leave
him. If he wins then that’s great for connections especially Davy Russell and Gordon Elliot but I won’t
be in that Don’s corner.
However, Don Poli is the enigma and one horse I can’t ignore. He is 2/2 at Cheltenham, is the RSA
winner and his lazy attitude makes him so appealing to conquer the hill. There is something special
about him and I’ve no doubt he could be off the bridle after the first fence yet bang there when it
comes to the last. One horse to back in running for sure.
Then comes the winner… Vautour! He has an RPR of 184 and has been spectacular in victory when
destroying the field in both the Supreme Novices and JLT Chase at Cheltenham. The image of Ruby
Walsh jumping 2 out in the King George and looking in cruise control still makes the hairs on the
back of my neck stand up. The difference between his performances in Winter to those in Spring is
staggering and I expect to see a stone in improvement. The comparisons to Kauto Star rings true for
me and all you need to do is rewatch last year’s JLT again before you decide on who your money is
on. Faith is required with Vautour but “In Willie We Trust”! King Kauto is gone, all hail the new King
Vautour!

16. Tim O’Mahony
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Race Trends:
 The last 13 winners were in the front three in the betting
 11 of the last 15 winners of the Gold Cup had previously finished first or 2nd at the festival
 12 of the last 23 winners were second season chasers
 13 of the last 15 winners, either won or finished second last time out.
 11 horses priced 33/1 and bigger have been placed since 1997
 76 of 77 horses beaten in the race before since 1994 have been beaten again. The only
exceptions are Kauto Star and See More Business.
 17 of the last 20 winners were aged between seven and nine
 No horse older than ten has won since 1969
 Since 2003, all 22 horses to have run in a Grade 1 Chase at the Cheltenham Festival having
fallen last time out were beaten.
Win: Vautour
Each Way: Don Poli
Year Winner Trainer Jockey Age/Wt SP
2015 Coneygree M Bradstock N De Boinville 8 11-4 7/1
2014 Lord Windermere J Culloty D Russell 8 11-10 20/1
2013 Bob’s Worth N J Henderson B Geraghty 8 11-10 11/4
2012 Synchronised Jonjo O'Neill A P McCoy 9 11-10 8/1
2011 Long Run N J Henderson Mr S Waley-Cohen 6 11-10 7/2f
2010 Imperial Commander N A Twiston-Davies P J Brennan 9 11-10 7/1
2009 Kauto Star P Nicholls R Walsh 9 11-10 7/4f
2008 Denman P Nicholls S Thomas 8 11-10 9/4
2007 Kauto Star P Nicholls R Walsh 7 11-10 5/4f
2006 War Of Attrition M F Morris C O'Dwyer 7 11-10 15-2
2005 Kicking King T J Taaffe B Geraghty 7 11-10 4-1f
2004 Best Mate Miss H C Knight J Culloty 9 11-10 8-11f
2003 Best Mate Miss H C Knight J Culloty 8 12-0 13-8f
2002 Best Mate Miss H C Knight J Culloty 7 12-0 7-1
2001 No Race
2000 Looks Like Trouble N T Chance R Johnson 8 12-0 9-2
1999 See More Business P F Nicholls M Fitzgerald 9 12-0 16-1
1998 Cool Dawn R H Alner A Thornton 10 12-0 25-1
1997 Mr Mulligan N T Chance A P McCoy 9 12-0 20-1

17. Tim O’Mahony
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Cheat Sheet
Cheltenham Race Selection
Supreme Min
Arkle Douvan
Champion Hurdle Annie Power
Mares Hurdle Vroum Vroum Mag
National Hunt Chase Southfield Royale
Neptune Yorkhill
RSA More Of That
Champion Chase Un De Sceaux
Champion Bumper New To This Town
JLT Outlander
Ryanair Josses Hill
World Hurdle Thistlecrack
Triumph Zubayr
Albert Bartlett Barters Hill
Gold Cup Vautour
Whispers
 Bouvreuil (Tuesday, Close Brothers Handicap Chase) - nice handicap chase mark off 139 and
his chase win over Vyta Du Roc took a big boost recently.
 Doctor Harper (Tuesday, Ultima Handicap Chase) Pipe’s handicap good thing. Step up in trip
to prove to be clinical. Could run in Kim Muir.
 Kruzhlinin (Tuesday, Ultima Handicap Chase) – Looks like a tank and is Phillip Hobbs best
chance of a winner and he has been quoted on that. Will want to win this for new owners.
 Josies Orders (Wednesday, Cross Country) Looks better than the rest in this and could be
the next Garde Champetre for connections.
 Diamond King (Wednesday, Coral Cup) very likeable win at Punchestown and looks to be a
serious improver after moving from McCain’s to Elliot’s yard.
 Diego Du Charmil (Wednesday, Fred Winter)-This horse is beating Zubayr in the gallops and
could be very well-handicapped off a mark of 136. Paul Nicholls’s best chance of a winner.
 Kasakh Noir (Wednesday, Fred Winter)-Really liked his debut win and he has now
completed the necessary 3 hurdle races to get a handicap mark. Rated only 137 and could be
very interesting in this for Dan Skelton off a big price.
 Limini (Thursday, Mares Novice) this horse is an aeroplane. Will win in Royal Ascot after.
 Arpege D’Alene (Thursday, Pertemps) - Very classy horse who just didn’t set the world
alight over fences. Could be off a nice hurdle mark at 146 and I’ll be watching the market for
Paul Nicholl’s horse with great interest.

18. Tim O’Mahony
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 Taglietelle (Thursday, Pertemps) very tricky race but this horse is very honest and came
alive last year in the spring. Distance is ideal and with Jack Kennedy’s allowance could defy
the heavy weight.
 Cause Of Causes (Thursday, Kim Muir)- He looks to be a JP plot for this race and is actually 5
pounds lower then when winning in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham last year. Same
jockey on-board in Jamie Codd, same result expected.
 Leave at Dawn (Thursday, Pertemps) - Dream punters team of Charles Byrnes and JP
McManus team up. Cheltenham form and fell into 5th
the last day in order to qualify for this.
Will be punted off the boards if he gets in. Oi Oi!
 Blue Hell (Friday, County Hurdle) the form of his seasonal debut win keeps getting franked
and he could be Barry Connell’s big winner of the week.
 Henry Higgins (Friday, County Hurdle) it is hard to get away from his performance in the
Boylesports Hurdle. He could not have been more impressive and hasn’t been destroyed by
the handicapper at all. His price grossly undervalues his claims.
 It Came To Pass (Friday, Foxhunters) Irish horses dominate this race so forget the English.
On The Fringe was very poor the last day and there is a chance last year’s treble has left its
mark. Also, with the likes of Prince De Beauchene and Salsify out of the race then we have to
look at the Raymond Smith race in Leopardstown for our winner and Jim Culloty’s horse
looks progressive and will be carrying my money.
 Squouateur (Friday, Martin Pipe)- Jack Kennedy is set to ride this horse off 141 and Gordon
Elliot has already been quoted as saying he really wants to win this race for his former boss.
 Rock The World (Friday, Grand Annual) Harrington’s best chance of a winner. Course and
distance form and is reportedly working out of his skin. The best bet until last.