Good Morning/Evening everyone I hope you are feeling well as its a monster blog today with eight selections on the cards. Cheltenham Fever is just about in full flow now and the final preparations are taking place including the Supreme second favourite Irving running at Kempton. You may recall he was an ante post selection a few blogs ago so we will be hoping for a good run in a race he really should be winning. As well as Kempton today they also race up at Newcastle who stage the yearly Eider chase over a gruelling four miles and a furlong. They also go to post at Chepstow and Fairyhouse as well as a big day at Lingfield as they hold a Winter Derby trial for which Grandeur is a warm favourite.
As always we have a video prepared for you guys and we also have another Cheltenham Preview. Joining me in this weeks preview is @Adamwebb121, @Mytentoryours and @Calummadell however due to internet problems Adam was unable to join the Cheltenham preview. You can find both links below and the second link will see us talking about the Ryanair and Champion Chase in March.
Today's Link
http://youtu.be/IK0M-PsU1n4
Ryanair and Champion Chase preview
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKha65k435c
Now onto today's marathon of selections!
1:50 Newcastle - Pinerolo
Sue Smith has her horses in fine form lately including Pinerolo who was victorious by an easy 22 lengths last time at Catterick when well backed twelve days ago. He is one I have had my eye on to make a good chaser for a while now but injury prevented us seeing him over the larger obstacles for a while. He opened up over fences when fourth over two miles here at Newcastle before finishing last of three in a very strong race at Wetherby over half a mile shorter. That was behind Many Clouds and Indian Castle who have both ran with credit since including the latter taking a big Cheltenham handicap on trials day. For his troubles last time he has been raised 15 pounds up to 127 which could still be lenient however on official ratings he has something to find on the top two. If this doesn't come too soon after his last outing then it will take a good horse to stop Pinerolo tomorrow. (5/1)
2:20 Newcastle - Angelot Du Berlais
Dr Richard Newland has an interesting runner here in the French Import Angelot Du Berlais who has been running on the flat as of late. Them runs were only to get him fit as previously he has taken one or two runs to get fit so he turns up today racefit and ready to do himself justice. Last year he made is English debut at Sandown when running well for a long way but faded two from home and went on to win next time out on soft ground. He also showed up well for a long way in last years Fred Winter but in all truth he was probably biting off a bit more he could chew at Cheltenham. Josh Moore is a positive jockey booking for this yard as he takes off three and has been in fantastic form as of late for a variety of stables. Angelot Du Berlais to outrun his odds and provide a big day winner for connections. (8/1)
2:30 Chepstow - Lord Protector
You may remember Lord Protector from a previous blog as he disappointed behind Embsay Crag last time after seemingly not staying the extra distance. He returns to the same trip he won over at Sandown which is a big positive and the ground is definitely not a negative either. The only positive to come from his last race is that the handicapper has consented to drop him two pounds down to 119 which looks easier. Despite only finishing fifth in his last race he was with them a long way and it looked down to nothing more than an issue of stamina, which today's trip will correct. Lord Protector to get back to winning ways today. (11/4)
2:35 Fairyhouse - Wicklow Gold
Wicklow Gold has taken his time to find his feet in the hurdling game but put that right last time when winning very easily last time out in a Maiden Hurdle at Tramore. Today will be his first try in a handicap off a workable mark of 125 following his 27 length romp where he had some useful types in behind him, including a winner since back in third. Before that effort he was a good staying on fourth under hands and heels over today's trip at Clonmel but arguably should have been closer that day. Wicklow Brave to improve for the step into handicap company and make a mockery of 125 today. (4/1)
2:55 Newcastle - Smoking Aces
Jonjo O'Neill saddles the second string of JP McManus runners here but thanks to Maurice Linehan's five pound claim shoulders absolutely no weight whatsoever. Smoking Aces has proved on many occasions this season that he lacks nothing in the stamina department when runner up at Plumpton over three miles and five furlongs. That run came before placing in another National as he third in the West Wales National on desperate ground over a furlong shorter. Today will separate the men from the boys over the gruelling four miles and a furlong but Smoking Aces will be staying on when others have cried enough. Smoking Aces to win the Eider Chase of 2014. (8/1)
3:25 Newcastle - Ivy Gate
Maurice Linehan can land a double with a belated win on Ivy Gate after he was a non runner earlier in the week at Ludlow. Since joining the the team at Jackdaws he has been a good second at Exeter behind Tagrita and V Neck which could work out to be very strong form. He is dropped in trip today after not quite getting home last time out at Towcester but again that form looks strong with Sybarite winning since who was behind Ivy Gate that day. For his efforts Ivy Gate has earned a rating of 122 which puts him well ahead of the rest with Getabuzz and Panama Petrus penalised for victories. Ivy Gate to land his first win on English soil and provide Maurice Linehan with a double. (7/2)
3:30 Lingfield - Grandeur
Globetrotting is often a word that surrounds Grandeur, but he returns home today and Jeremy Noseda has found him a nice opening for him here. Despite a nice field turning out here and Grandeur giving away weight all round, he really should be head and shoulders ahead of his rivals as his rating would suggest. Ryan Moore is a very positive jockey booking and was victorious on him at Goodwood back in September when coming from last to first on ground that is a huge negative for him. We last saw him in December when seventh in Sha Tin after not getting a clear run behind Akeed Mofeed and wasn't far behind Cirrus Des Aigles. The only question marks for today will be surround his fitness but more importantly if he handles the Lingfield Polytrack which shouldn't be an issue. Grandeur to outclass his rivals today on the way to bigger and better things. (7/4)
3:50 Kempton - Baile Anrai
We end today's blog with the big race of the day in the BetBright Chase at Kempton Park although you may know it as the Racing Post Chase. Dan Skelton has really made a name for himself in the training ranks and seems to have rejuvenated Baile Anrai after a huge run behind The Rainbow Hunter last time. For that effort he has been raised an extra five pounds which would need to see a career best but he has won off three pounds lower back in April 2012. There are a few in the race who are looking handicapped out of this but with the lease of life he has been in, this doesn't look beyond Baile Anrai. Dan Skelton to follow in Harry Fry's footsteps in this race and saddle Baile Anrai to victory. (14/1)
NAP - Grandeur
Nb - Ivy Gate
Have a good day and as always Happy Punting!!
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