The
main event and one traditional I have a knack for getting big prices
winners or placed horses in. With no Best Mate or Kicking King this is
definitely an open event. You can find reasons to oppose all the top
contenders. I go through my thoughts on a few of them below.

Beef or Salmon

With 8 Grade 1 wins this could well be the class horse in the race
albeit most wins on softer ground than he will get at Cheltenham. I
just thinking on fast ground and his jumping will fail him again. Not
many horses win at the age 10 and not many win at the third time of
asking. I noticed he has drifted considerably this evening and may well
not even go off as favourite. 5/1 or less then a lay, more likely a
leave alone.

Monkerhostin

The likely favourite come off time. Now if you got a fancy ante post
price then I would be pleased. This horse has done me proud in the past
but I have doubts over stamina, yes I said stamina and I know Kicking
King prove some of us wrong last year but I am won’t be backing this
horse and will be hoping than he can’t handle the past and trip
tomorrow. It wouldn’t be a shock if he did win by the value has gone
for now on thisa raider.

War of Attriction

Was my festival lay last year and he duly got stuffed. Tom Taffe’s
put this up as the biggest threat to Kicking King last year and with
the fast ground in his favour this could well land the ante post
gamble’s. Too much has to be taken on trust so I won’t be backing this
one at 7/1

L’Ami

4th in the betting market at present currently 10/1. This horse
certainly has ticks in all the right boxes. With 4 places available
with both Blue Square and Stan James. I think this is one for a small
each way bet.

Other that I am going to dismiss.

Celestial Gold is on the drift with Pipe’s horses completely out of
form. Since he has not run this season you have to be brave to lay this
one but equally brave to back it. Take the stand got us our each way
money last year but at the age of ten I won’t be placing a bean on him
this year especially with the larger field. One knight is lightly raced
and has embarassed me at Cheltenham before. A front runner which is a
bonus in the Gold Cup (20% strike ratio recently). Again age and form
in my opinion are against him. Ollie Magern stuffed last time out on
Good ground. I like this horse a lot but surely can not bounce back
from that. Sir Rembrandt did me proud a couple of years ago when I
collected 2rd and 3rd with Harbour Pilot but age has taken its toll and
his price does not represent his chance.

Heart or Head

Heart: This I believe is race to watch and enjoy. If you need to bet
then use small stakes. My heart says that Kingscliff will win despite
his last 2 runs. 12/1 sounds a good price but based on those runs
should be much bigger. I will be backing him each way 12/1 though as
trying Kingscliff has a good chance of at least collecting the place
money. Another 2 horses that slip in to heart section are Iris’s Gift
16/1 and Royal Emperor (a stayer) 66/1. Iris’s Gift has now shown yet
that he can jump but we all know on hurdling form he could smash these.

Head: Royal Auclair at 28/1 can win this event and with the fast ground is the first horse to represent any value.

BC’s *fun* selections

My real advice would be not to bet in this event but since it is the Gold Cup I will be doing the following.

• Kingscliff    1 point each way 12/1  4 places
• Royal Auclair 0.5 point each way 28/1 4 places
• Iris’s Gift   0.5 point each way 16/1 4 places
• L’Ami         0.5 point each way 10/1 4 places
• Royal Emperor 0.25 point each way 66/1 4 places

Placepot selections

• L’Ami
• Royal Auclair

The
second running of this race so not much to go on really. I am against
Reveillez and will most likely be laying this one. My three against the
field would be for Celtic Son 16/1, Le Volfoni 22/1 and Copsale Lad
10/1 to very small stakes. In fact I may well swerve the race in search
of better oportunities latter in the day.

BC Selections

• Celtic Son 0.5 point each way 16/1
• Le Volfoni 0.5 point each way 22/1
• Copsale Lad 1 point win 10/1
• Lay Reveillex 2 points

Towerform

• Copsale Lad 158
• Preacher Boy 157
• Idole First 157

Placepot

• Celtic Son
• Le Volfoni
• Copsale Lad

Another
race with not much to go on. There is potential for value with 3 horses
at the top of the market fighting for favouritism. I will take my
chances on Our Vic won’t be on son today. The 3 outsiders in the race
that I like our Sir Oj, My Will and Armatuck. Currently though I think
I will just enjoy this race and look forward to the World Hurlde.

BC’s Selections

No bets. If you want some each way value then Sir Oj, My Will and
Armatuck. Fondmort is the best of the big three in my opinion.

Towerform

• Fondmort 175
• Our Vic 173
• Impek 173

Placepot selections

• Fondmort
• Sir Oj
• My will

A
great race with some many differing opinions. All week I have used the
age stats to my favour but I believe that Baracouda is great each way
value in this race despite his age. I will be playing small stakes in
this one. I have a couple of outsiders I will be backing at massive
prices. On paper I have Mighty Man down as a lay.

BC’s selections

• Baracouda 1 point each way 5/1

Towerform

• Baracouda 169
• My Way de solzen 166

Placepot selections

• Baracouda
• Crystal D’Ainay

A
great race where I just can not see beyond Napolitain but the price has
long gone now. If my outsiders don’t do the business in the world
hurdle then I will play with Locksmith and Non So in this race at big
prices.

Towerform

• Billyvoddan 152
• Too forward 151
• Napolitain  151

Placepot selections

• Napolitain
• Locksmith

Letheby & Christopher Nat Hunt

Thursday, 16 March 2006

I agree with Tony McCoy Basilea Star is the one to beat here but the price is very short. If you are still looking for a festival winner then this the one for today. Again not a race I will get involved in. Towerform Basilea Star 153 Ardaghey 146 Placepot selections Basilea Star Ardaghey Pertemps Final Handicap Hurdle Thursday, 16 March 2006 Traditionally I have not done well in this race. I have always liked Le Roi Miguel and at 33/1 for 5 places (Paddy Power) I think he is worth an each way go. Olaso was extremely impressive last time out when I had laid him so I have him as a saver. BC’s selections Le Roi Miguel  0.5 point each way 33/1 Olaso          1 point each way 13/2 Towerform Standing Obligation 146 Olaso 144 Glacial Sunset 144 Placepot selections Olaso Le Roi Miguel