Greetings from Cheltenham!
Our coverage begins with a preview on The Last Word just after 6pm this evening.
I will be giving Charity Bets on the Ian Dempsey Breakfast Show from tomorrow morning.
What I won't have the time to do once the madness starts is share some insight into fancied runners that I received from Ireland's leading jockeys and trainers.
So I am going to do that in this piece. I spoke to a range of Cheltenham hopefuls at Leopardstown last Sunday week, and here is the steer in terms of horses that they expect to do well:
Willie Mullins
Carter McKay in the Bumper at 5.30 on Wednesday and Djakadam in the Gold Cup at 3.30 on Friday.
Ruby Walsh
Yorkhill in the JLT Novices Chase at 1.30 on Thursday and Tin Soldier each way in the Martin Pipe Hurdle at 4.50 on Friday.
Robbie Power
Supasundae each way in the Coral Cup at 2.50 on Wednesday.
Jessica Harrington
Augusta Kate wherever she runs (Likely to be the Albert Bartlett Hurdle at 2.50 on Friday).
Bryan Cooper
Runfordave in the Martin Pipe Hurdle at 4.50 on Friday
I got the sense from speaking to Jessie and Robbie that they think Forge Meadow has a decent chance in the Mares Novice Hurdle at 4.50 on Thursday
I also got the feeling from talking to Henry De Bromhead that Monalee is in good order for the Albert Bartlett Hurdle at 2.50 on Friday.
Remember that a horse's race can be changed, but I would still follow them in their chosen engagement across the week.
As always, bet within your means and go each way if it's 4/1 or over in the betting!
Catch up throughout the week folks!
