IT IS hard to see past the unbeaten Envoi Allen at 4/7 with Unibet in the opener in the Marsh Novices’ Chase as for many he is the banker of the week. He is unbeaten in eleven starts and has cruised home in his three Grade 1 starts this season. 

With the drying ground the pendulum has fallen much more in the favour of my nap Mister Fisher for Unibet Ambassador Nicky Henderson on the first day on the old course. 

There are some key contenders in many races today that have been winning in testing conditions over the winter and this may go against them now with the quicker conditions.

Mr Harp is currently second reserve In the Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle and if he gets a run he is definitely worth an each wager at Unibet 22/1 each way NRNB.

Another fascinating day ahead.

Enjoy!

Cheers

The Wine Tipster.

1.55 Cheltenham – Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle 2m 7f

Imperial Alcazar can give Unibet Ambassador Fergal O’Brien his first Cheltenham Festival success, with ground conditions not looking to become too quick for his charge. Imperial Alcazar looked ahead of the handicapper when winning the qualifier at Warwick in January beating Mr Harp (see above). Imperial Alcazar had needed his previous run after a long break and last season remember his form figures were 1221.

Unibet 5/1 each way NRNB

2.30 Cheltenham – Ryanair Chase (Grade 1) 2m 4½f

Mister Fisher (nap), also trained by Unibet Ambassador Nicky Henderson, was my idea of an ante-post selection in this race and the quicker course conditions are falling in his favour.  Mister Fisher was fourth last year at The Festival behind Samcro, Melon and Faugheen in the JLT and whilst he couldn’t get to the leaders he put in a good performance. This season he found the ground too testing at Cheltenham in November and then showed his class when winning the rerouted Peterborough Chase at The International meeting in December over this trip. The seven-year-old Mister Fisher is a very likeable type, clearly progressive and has been kept fresh for this race. 

Unibet 9/1 each way NRNB

3.05 Cheltenham – Stayers’ Hurdle (Grade 1) 3m

Paisley Park was not at his best last year in the 2020 renewal because of heart irregularities on the day. He quickly recovered and it has been great to see the 2019 Stayers’ winner back in action. 

This season Paisley Park has finished second to what would have been his main rival Thyme Hill at Newbury on seasonal debut and showed himself to be much sharper at Ascot in the Long Walk in December when coming from an impossible position to beat Thyme Hill on that occasion. We know Paisley Park is so effective at Cheltenham and that he will be travelling so well at the finish too. He is ground versatile too, which is so key this week.

Unibet 2/1 win NRNB

3.05 Cheltenham – Stayers’ Hurdle (Grade 1) 3m

Lisnagar Oscar won the Stayers’ last year at 50/1, and I featured him in my ante post piece last month. His second to Third Wind at Haydock last time out was Lisnagar’s Oscar third start of the season and despite not looking fully fit he put in a tremendous effort giving six pounds to the winner. This performance must have delighted the Rebecca Curtis team as their charge will definitely come on bundles for that run and their determined eight-year-old will deliver another strong staying performance with Harry Skelton now taking the ride.

Unibet 10/1 each way NRNB

3.40 Plate Handicap Chase 2m 4½f  

Paddy’s Poem for the Nick Gifford team has progressed this season and has really sharpened up his jumping, as he showed when winning at Wincanton earlier this month when stepped up in trip on good ground. He has jumped around Sandown really well too, finishing second to the smart Ibleo back in January. His consistency is impressive as he has finished in the first three on his ten starts over fences and the drying ground works in his favour.

Unibet 25/1 each way NRNB

4.15 Parnell Properties Mares’ Novice Hurdle 2m 1f

Roseys Hollow for John Sweeney can continue the Irish monopoly in this race as this seven-year-old continues to improve. She is very determined too, as she showed when beating a key rival Royal Kahala at Fairyhouse last time out, with Gauloise in third. She will need to step up again as she is worse off at the weights with Royal Kahala, however she travelled so well last time that she can make it three wins in a row.

Unibet 11/2 each way NRNB

4.50 Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Handicap Chase 3m 2f

Shantou Flyer is a 12-year-old who still retains plenty of ability and is making his fourth consecutive appearance at The Festival. Second in the Ultima three years ago, he has finished second and third in the last two runnings of the Foxhunters. He joined the Paul Nicholls yard in late January and has had two starts at Wincanton, finishing runner-up in the heavy last time out in February still showing plenty of enthusiasm. He is ground versatile too, having won on good ground and a mark of 140 looks favourable.

Unibet 10/1 each way NRNB

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