Cheltenham Thursday preview

Two quotes possibly worth remembering in advance of tomorrow's action at Cheltenham are: Davy Russell's "It only makes sense that he'd run in the Ryanair," about First Lieutenant and bloodstock agent Anthony Bromley's "He is one of the best young prospects I have managed to get out of France in recent years, I am excited about the rangy son of Poliglote," of World Hurdle contender, Wonderful Charm.

We go through the card race-by-race below

DYNASTE is difficult enough to take on here. The grey hasn't done anything wrong over fences so far and a rating of 161 says as much. Of course he comes here rather than the RSA. Regardless of whether they're Irish or English-trained it's always nice to see a top-prospect live up to their billing and hopefully David Pipe's charge will get favourite-backers off to the perfect start. Aupcharlie has been put up by many close observers of the game in recent weeks and given the form of his stable he'll surely go well. Captain Conan with a mark of 152 has to be respected and there are many others at fancy prices that could reward each-way support. (EM)

Dan Skelton said of SAM WINNER at a Cheltenham preview in the Dunraven Arms: "I don't have any concerns about him staying three miles, in fact I think he needs it." A very good juvenile hurdler in his time, finishing fourth in the Triumph Hurdle behind Zarkandar, Sam Winner's chasing career was aborted after falls at Exeter and Cheltenham. He suffered an injury on the latter occasion forcing him on to the sidelines but he has been brought to the boil nicely for this. A win in a jumper's bumper at Kempton last time showed Sam Winner to be in good heart and he gets the nod in this big field. Others that catch the eye include Holywell, Ely Brown and Captain Sunshine. (EM)

Much talking has been done about whether FIRST LIEUTENANT would turn-up here or in the Gold Cup. This race looks made for the former Neptune victor and with a bit of luck he'll be right there at the business end. Last year's winner here, Riverside Theatre had a hard race that day but you can trust Nicky Henderson to have him in good order now and a prominent showing won't surprise. Cue Card and Menorah will justifiably have their supporters and they should at least contend for a placing. Former dual winner of the event, Albertas Run would bring the house down if he could manage it again but that'll surely be a bridge too far for him at this stage. Champion Court has to be respected on his best form too. (EM)

WONDERFUL CHARM has been talked about in glowing terms for some time now. He's only appeared in Britain once after arriving from France with a huge reputation. That day at Chepstow, back in October, you'd have been forgiven for wondering what all the fuss was about for a while in the straight. However the son of Poliglote went into overdrive in impressive style at the conclusion of that two and a half mile Persian War, to beat Ballybough Pat by six lengths. Obviously he needs to do so much more now but it has to be of significance that he now bypasses the Coral Cup to come here. The extra trip will play to his strengths now, he has Ruby Walsh in the plate and in my opinion he makes for a good each-way investment here. When a man like Pat Keane (10 out of 10 in this year’s Irish Field Naps Table) puts up Oscar Whisky as one of his bets of the week you have to sit up and take notice. The Oscar gelding has to be very much respected. Reve De Sivola seems to operate so well on deep ground that any drying in conditions here will hardly play to his strengths. (EM)

I don't have any great desire to look past the well-touted BALLYNAGOUR in this. This fellow, who started off in Irish point-to-points before going to France, impressed at Warwick last time and you only have to look to see what was third there (Golden Chieftain, winner of Tuesday's JLT here by ten lengths) to see why so many have been flagging up Ballynagour's chance. In a big field like this it's inevitable that a few of the rest of them would catch your eye. There's the usual confidence in the Hunt Ball camp and in fairness, aside from all the bluster, this is a good horse and he has his chance even under top-weight. Casey Top could go well with the ground improving and Cantlow has been threading a path to the Festival from some way out. He has a definite chance – he was placed here last year over hurdles and he'll also pick up a bonus for winning a race at Plumpton and then going on to score at Cheltenham. (EM)

People that know more about form cross-channel than I, have been putting up SUPER DUTY for some time now. The fact that he's ridden by the brilliant Derek O'Connor only goes to heighten confidence. His last run, a head runner-up to Goulanes, reads well, as that fellow performed satisfactorily in the RSA on Wednesday. Becauseicouldntsee has run big races here in 2010 and 2012 and seems primed to go well again now under Robbie McNamara. Others that can come into it are Vesper Bell (Willie and Patrick Mullins), Same Difference (stays well), Chartreux (Jamie Codd up) and No Secrets (down the bottom with Katie Walsh aboard). (EM)

With Josh Halley taking a valuable seven pounds off, OUTLAW PETE gets the verdict here. Trained by the jockey's father John, this fellow won over the course and distance in December and will carry just ten stone nine here. He ran out a good seven length winner in December and despite the fact he has been beaten, when sent off favourite, on his last two starts, he should still give a good account of himself in this gruelling race. Uncle Junior is a twice course and distance winner however he has to carry top weight here and that should stop him from recording a third course and distance success. Arabella Boy was struggling when he unseated Nina Carberry in the race won by Outlaw Pete here in December. That was his first try over the cross country course and he since won the banks race at Punchestown. He is sure to have learned plenty from that December run and coming here on the back of a win, he looks the biggest danger to the selection. A New Story will take his chance in this race for the sixth year in-a-row. He won it in 2010 and was just beaten a head by Balthazar King in last year’s renewal. Considering he has yet to finish worse that fourth in this contest, another big run can be expected from the Michael Hourigan trained fifteen year old. Selection: Outlaw Pete. Next Best: Arabella Boy (DM)