Category: Racing

Motors ‘Clutching’ For Arrivals At Royal Ascot 2024 In

Put your clutch into it and prepare to motor into Royal Ascot’s Car Park 1 this June in style; David G. Lennox suggests vehicles especially suitable

Whilst swankily hatted ladies will be clutching their not-so capacious clutch bags at Royal Ascot from Tuesday 18^th to Saturday 22^nd June, their accompanying badged and booted gentlemen friends will be lining up their marvelous motors in the very much sought-after Car Park 1.

Whilst many – including British baronets such as Sir Benjamin Slade, Bt. and society luminaries including Liz Brewer – will no doubt descend daily in Bentleys and Bugattis, here I choose five of the finest automotive ‘fillies’ fit for the occasion:

Going for gold with Graeme Hunt… 1930 Rolls-Royce Phantom II – £265,750… Graemehunt.com

Ordered new for the Spanish Royal Consort to the United Kingdom on behalf of King Alfonso, this “very special” open tourer will certainly turn heads given its striking gold and brass accents. Of a car that would be the talk of Car Park 1 whilst parked up, Graeme Hunt share: “A more imposing Phantom of any kind would be hard to come by; the ex-John Lennon Phantom VI might be the only car worthy of contention.”

A long wheelbase Land Rover Range Rover SV… From £211,940 base price plus ‘picnicking extras’… Landrover.co.uk

“Build your own” Range Rover on Land Rover’s website and add a tailgate ‘event suite’ with two leather cushioned seats, tailgate speakers and lighting. This will set you back an additional £1,000 and for an additional £379.20, you can turn the centre armrest into a cooler large enough for a couple of bottles of Pol Roger and a beer or three.

Hire a Bentley Flying Spur… Daily rate of £995 from Signaturecarhire.co.uk

Offered on the basis of a minimum hire period of two days, this 4-seater could transport you to watch the late Queen’s favourite meeting as a self-drive or, for an extra fee, complete with your own chauffeur. Picnics can be arranged from ritzy department stores such as Fortnum & Mason or Harrods.

And, finally… Fit out your own Roller with the Rolls-Royce of picnic hampers… Rolls-roycemotorcars.com

“Picnic like the 1%” (if you’ve got the motor to go with it) with a Rolls-Royce picnic hamper if you’ve got about £40,000 to spare. You could place this saddle leather, oil teak and polished aluminium creation in your Fiat 500, but frankly you’d do better to get a Roller to go with this handcrafted “feast for the eyes” that takes over 500 hours to make. It comes with a “treasure trove of artisan crockery, cutlery and glassware” and fold-out piano black tables; a base model Ghost starts at £255,020 whilst an entry level Phantom can be had for £369,020.

Retired solicitor David G. Lennox is an “avid consumer of margaritas” and a Rolls-Royce enthusiast. He motors around the country in his quest to watch ‘the sport of Kings’ as often as he can in his 1990 Silver Spur II.

How to discern the decline of your clutch

Ah, the quintessentially British experience of navigating the verdant countryside in one’s classic motor car, i.e. with an engine and gears, the sun glinting off the polished chrome headlamps, the purr of the engine blending harmoniously with the rustling leaves. Yet, even amidst this idyllic motoring reverie, one must remain vigilant for the subtle signs of a waning clutch, lest one find oneself stranded in the most undignified manner and forced to picnic at the hard-shoulder once again. Allow me, your humble guide, to elucidate the key indicators of clutch deterioration and what steps one might take to remedy such a vexing situation in the field so to speak.

The treacherous slippage

Picture this: One is gliding gracefully down a winding country lane towards Ascot, when suddenly, upon accelerating, the engine revs with an unseemly gusto, yet the vehicle does not respond with the expected alacrity. This is what the mechanically inclined term “slippage.” A clutch that slips is akin to a butler who cannot be trusted to hold a tray – utterly useless.

Should you encounter this regrettable scenario, it is prudent to consult your trusted mechanic posthaste, lest your majestic drive be reduced to a sluggish crawl, and that very often within less than 75 miles, complete failure to progress any further.

The perplexing pedal-play

One might also observe an unusual degree of resistance – or lack thereof – when depressing the clutch pedal. If it feels akin to treading on a feather bed, or conversely, if it requires the exertion of a rugby player’s leg muscles, the clutch is undoubtedly in distress. A visit to one’s automotive specialist is warranted to adjust or replace the clutch mechanism, thereby restoring the pedal’s dignified demeanor.

The dreaded burning aroma

Should a noxious scent reminiscent of burnt toast waft through the cabin, one must resist the urge to summon the housekeeper to check the toaster. Instead, recognise this as the unmistakable olfactory evidence of clutch friction material overheating. This olfactory assault necessitates immediate attention, as continued motoring in such a state is as ill-advised as wearing white tie to a muddy garden party.

The unseemly sounds

A well-maintained motor car should hum as contentedly as a bee in a lavender field. Should you discern any ghastly grinding, squeaking, or rattling noises upon engaging the clutch, it is a clear indication that something is amiss. Such sounds are the automotive equivalent of a string quartet gone terribly awry and should prompt a thorough inspection by a seasoned mechanic.

The inauspicious gear engagement

If your attempts to shift gears are met with resistance or result in a cacophony of crunching, it is a tell-tale sign that your clutch is not disengaging properly. This symptom, akin to a recalcitrant gate refusing to open, signals that immediate mechanical intervention is required to avert further damage to the gearbox.

What must one do?

Upon identifying any of these unfortunate symptoms, the course of action is clear: Drive to and entrust your cherished vehicle to a reputable mechanic as soon as possible, preferably one who has an affinity for classic automobiles. An experienced professional will diagnose the malady with the precision of a royal physician and restore your motor car to its former glory often with only in the inconvenience of a small adjustment, Alas, you may easily find that your clutch needs a considerable overhaul for complete replacement this will take the majority of mechanics of the order of half a day of labour.

In conclusion, while it may be tempting to dismiss these symptoms as mere quirks of character in your venerable vehicle, it is far more prudent to address them with the urgency they deserve. Thus, you shall ensure that your drives through our beautiful countryside remain as splend

id and untroubled as a summer afternoon at Ascot, be that be your destination or not.

Tally-ho, and happy motoring!

Useful information on clutch cylinder – onlinecarparts.co.uk

May 22, 2024
Runners & Riders – The Cheltenham Festival 2023, Day 4, ‘Gold Cup Day’
‘The Steeple Times’ examines the tipsters’ selections and offers options for ‘Gold Cup Day’ at the Cheltenham Festival 2023 including a 20/1 outsider owned by Sir Alex Ferguson and a 50/1 wildcard

The Cheltenham Festival 2023 has flown by and yesterday one “brave punter” scooped £50,000 from a £1 each-way 5-fold accumulator after backing the first four winners of the day; a genuine example of a ‘lucky geezer’ and no doubt someone who had a gin or ten last night.

Yesterday, The Steeple Times didn’t do too shabbily either and from our selection we got 1^st places for Stage Star at 19/2 and Good Time Jonny at 11/1 giving us success in two out of three of the races we provided tips for.

Today, with what John Hunt described on Radio 4 Today this morning as the “absolute cracker” of the Gold Cup on the cards (3.30pm), we’re hoping for further joy on ‘Gold Cup Day’ and are looking at EACH WAY BETS as follow:

1.30pm Cheltenham – JCB Triumph Hurdle (Grade 1) – 2m 179y, 8 hurdles (15 runners, 3 places)

Trainer Willie Mullins has an astonishing SEVEN horses out of the fifteen in this race on his books and has the “stranglehold” on the contest as At The Races points out, but the one we’re rooting for is:

Mark Walsh – W. P. Mullins combo Zenta at 10/1 (The Sun ‘Fiver Flutter Longshot’, Daily Mail ‘Live Outsider’)
- The Sun suggests: “Good win in a Grade 3 on debut for Willie Mullins and has a lot more to come over a trip that suits.”
- At The Races adds: “Three lengths separated French recruits Zenta (first) and Hypotenus (second) when they met in a Fairyhouse Grade 3 and both are open to improvement.”
- Daily Mail observes: “Zenta created a good impression on her Irish bow, hacking up at Fairyhouse to book her place in the field.”
- Racing Post less enthusiastic: “Went past Hypotenus in Fairyhouse Grade 3 before bad mistakes at the last two flights.”
At shorter odds, we’ll add the Mullins double Blood Destiny at 5/2 to our card (Racing Post, GG.co.uk, SPOTLIGHT, Daily Telegraph, The Guardian, Daily Mail ‘Mick Fitzgerald’, ‘Robin Goodfellow’ and ‘Ruby Walsh’, Daily Express, The Sun)
- Racing Post observes: “This is probably between the three market leaders, with BLOOD DESTINY preferred to Lossiemouth and Gala Marceau… His jumping has not been the most fluent but he looks a high-class prospect.”
- Mick Fitzgerald for Daily Mail states: “I was really taken with BLOOD DESTINY when he won at Cork. Paul Townend has opted to ride Lossiemouth after an unlucky run at Leopardstown but it must have been a tough choice.”
- Ruby Walsh for Daily Mail adds: “The softer it gets the bigger chance that gives BLOOD DESTINY. It’ll definitely suit if the going is heavy.”
- Robin Goodfellow for Daily Mail concludes: “Willie Mullins does not have the best success rate in this event, but he won it last year and has a strong hand again with three strong contenders and a lightly raced stablemate completing a powerful assemble. Blood Destiny narrowly gains the nod over talented filly Lossiemouth as he could barely have been any more impressive at Fairyhouse on his second start in Ireland. That form has already worked out brilliantly with fifth-home Jazzy Matty lifting the Boodles Handicap earlier in the week and Nusret (third) landing the Adonis Hurdle at Kempton.”
Going for a total ‘wildcard,’ we’ll also take a small punt on Jipcot at 50/1 (WEST COUNTRY)
- Racing Post remarks: “Won twice when back over hurdles at Pau (2m1f, very soft) last month, well on top.”
This morning, the ‘Daily Mail’ suggested the attendance figures for the Cheltenham Festival 2023 “make grim reading.” In spite of the decision to cap daily attendance at 68,500, only 50,387 fans “rocked up” on day three – down 14,044 on last year. Uncertainty over public transport and the cost of living crisis are being blamed as the “obvious factors.”

This morning, ‘Business Plus’ declared: “Alex Ferguson’s Protektorat represents, once again, the Scots best chance of tasting glory in Cheltenham’s biggest race.”

2.10pm Cheltenham – McCoy Contractors County Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) – 2m 179y, 8 hurdles (23 runners, 6 places with Ladbrokes ‘The Grid’)

Though many are favouring Filey Bay at 6/1, our ‘sensible selection’ is the Skelton double Pembroke at 11/2 from 5/1 earlier (Radio 4, The Times, Daily Star, Daily Record, Daily Mail ‘Jane Mangan’)
- Dave Randall for Racing Post muses: “Dan Skelton has won the County Hurdle three times in the last ten runnings and Pembroke is another suitable candidate. The six-year-old ran out an impressive winner of a Ludlow novice hurdle in December and he finished a good second in a Grade 2 novice event over 2m4½f at Cheltenham on Trials day in January. Considering the speed he showed at Ludlow, the drop to 2m1f on this handicap debut should suit. Ground conditions are suitable and he looks sure to run well from an exploitable opening mark of 136.”
- Jane Mangan for Daily Mail offers: “Just the 26 runners but I fancy Dan Skelton to continue his brilliant record in this race courtesy of PEMBROKE. He could be well handicapped.”
- Racing Post remarks: “Novice; could be suited by strongly run race at this trip; yard has done well in this race.”
Also in the same race, Jonathan Burke – Harry Fry combo Gin Coco at 10/1 (Racing Post ‘West Country NAP’, TOPSPEED, At The Races ‘Top Tip’)
- James Stevens for Racing Post remarks: “Fine second here in the Greatwood, will handle conditions and can continue to improve.”
- Racing Post adds: “Clear second in the Greatwood last November and could be in the mix on first run since.”
- At The Races enthuses: “GIN COCO shades the verdict. An exposed seven-year-old with a nice weight on his back, he has been kept fresh for this assignment following a cracking runner-up effort in the Greatwood here in November and still looks nicely treated off a mark of 135. Pembroke drops in trip and could make his presence felt.”
Also in the same race, Nico de Boinville – Nicky Henderson combo First Street at 12/1 (LAMBOURN, Daily Mail, SPOTLIGHT, Racing Post)
- Racing Post muses: “This could go to FIRST STREET who was a fine second to State Man in this race last year. Magnor Glory is second choice… Second in this last year; below par last time but has had wind op since; one to consider.”
3.30pm Cheltenham – Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase (Grade 1) – 3m 2f 70y, 22 fences(13 runners, 3 places)

Speaking on Radio 4 Today this morning, Mick Fitzgerald declared: “There’s something very special about Cheltenham, but there’s something even more special about Gold Cup Day… This is a really deep race.”

Analysing the prospects, Ruby Walsh, writing in the Daily Mail, is of the view: “GALOPIN DES CHAMPS all day, every day and I would love to be riding him” and most tipsters agree with him. However, we shall take a risk on:

Rachael Blackmore – Henry De Bromhead combo A Plus Tard at 19/4 from 9/2 earlier (Guardian NAP, Daily Mail ‘Mick Fitzgerald’ and ‘Marcus Townend’, Racing Post ‘Handicappers’ NAP’, TOPSPEED, Daily Express, The Sun, Daily Star, RP Ratings)
- Trainer Henry De Bromhead: “He was hugely impressive last year but this season we sadly haven’t had as good a prep. We would obviously have liked another run under our belts but we’re really happy with him now. If he can reproduce that form from last year he should be bang there.”
- At The Races suggests: “A Plus Tard arrives on something of a retrieval mission following a disappointing run in the Betfair Chase, but he was scintillating in this last year and won’t relinquish his crown without a fight.”
- Steve Mason for Racing Post offers: “Not seen since pulling up on his Haydock reappearance in November, but posted a huge figure when bolting up in this race last year and looks worth chancing at his forecast odds.”
- Racing Post adds: “Sprinted up the hill for a brilliant win in this last year; had interrupted prep this time.”
- Mick Fitzgerald for Daily Mail muses: “I’m willing to trust that trainer Henry De Bromhead will have A PLUS TARD ready to go after a disappointing season. Last year’s Gold Cup winner could be the forgotten horse in the race.” On Radio 4, he added: “You write him off at your peril… I’m looking for him to bounce back.”
Also in the same race, we’d love to see success for the Sir Alex Ferguson owned, Skelton double Protektorat at 20/1 from 18/1 earlier (The Sun ‘Fiver Flutter’)
- Racing Post remarks: “Third in this last year; impressive at Haydock in November; lesser effort back here since.”
- The Sun says: “Better than we saw in the Cotswold Chase here last time when trainer Dan Skelton says he didn’t have him fit enough.”
Also in the same race, our ‘wildcard’ is Sounds Russian at 45/1 from 28/1 earlier (Daily Mail ‘Paddy Power’)
- Paddy Power for Daily Mail enthuse: “SOUNDS RUSSIAN has improved with every start this season and he looks to have decent each-way claims at a huge price.”
- Racing Post less enthusiastic: “Has improved; divided Ahoy Senor and Noble Yeats here latest; needs more at the weights.”
SUMMARY – Our choices and options for ‘doing a double’

As ever, we offer something for everyone and be you a ‘Safe Steven’ or a ‘Wild William,’ here are our selections:

1.30pm – Selection: Blood Destiny; Outsider: Zenta; Wildcard: Jipcot.

2.10pm – Selection: Pembroke; Outsiders: First Street and Gin Coco.

3.30pm – Selection: A Plus Tard; Outsider: Protektorat; Wilder Than Wild Wildcard: Sounds Russian.

DOING A DOUBLE ON GOLD CUP DAY

Selection: Each way double on Blood Destiny (1.30pm) and A Plus Tard (3.30pm) at 18.25/1.

Wildcard Selection: Each way double on Pembroke (2.10pm) and A Plus Tard (3.30pm) at 36.37/1.

Happy racing and don’t forget to join in and ‘ROAR’ – even if watching at home on ITV Racing.

Editor’s Note – Unlike as is the case in many publications, this article was NOT sponsored or supported by a third-party.

To join our racing followers – who receive a FREE tipping service occasionally by email – please send your relevant details to [email protected].

Paul Nicholls and Harry Cobden had much deserved success with Stage Star in the Turners Novices Chase yesterday. Of the win, for ‘The Guardian,’ Paul Nicholls observed: “Booted home after a fine frontrunning ride by Harry Cobden, he prompted a flurry of exultant fist-pumps and West Country whooping from the horse’s clearly delighted whisperer.”

Good Time Jonny stormed ahead of the pack yesterday and won the Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle at odds of 9/1.
March 17, 2023
Runners & Riders – The Cheltenham Festival 2023, Day 3, ‘St Patrick’s Thursday’
‘The Steeple Times’ examines the tipsters’ selections and offers options for ‘St Patrick’s Thursday’ at the Cheltenham Festival 2023 including an 18/1 outsider

Yesterday, on a day of surprises at the Cheltenham Festival 2023, we scored each-way successes with a 2^nd for Galvin at 11/4, a 3^rd for Champ Kiely at 8/1 and a 1^st for a late addition in the form of the rather marvelously named The Real Whacker at 8/1 also.

The might of the Nico de Boinville – Nicky Henderson combo with Shiskhin at 4/5 will be hard to beat in the Ryanair Chase (2.50pm) today, but that, in our view, is just one to watch. Instead, with still soft ground on ‘St Patrick’s Thursday,’ we’re going with EACH WAY BETS on:

1.30pm Cheltenham – ‘The Golden Miller’ Turners Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) – 2m 3f 168y, 16 fences (9 runners, 3 places)

The Davy Russell – Gordon Elliott combo Mighty Potter at 10/11 is the ‘obvious option’ here and has been widely backed, but others to look at are:

Paul Townend – W. P. Mullins combo Appreciate It at 7/2 from 10/3 earlier (Daily Mail ‘Ruby Walsh’ and ‘Main Danger’, The Sun ‘Fiver Flutter’, At The Races ‘Watch Out For’, Daily Telegraph, Daily Star, Daily Record, Daily Express)
- The Sun says: “Good effort in Grade 1 company last time on the back of an easy novice win. Has run well at the past two Festivals.”
- Ruby Walsh for Daily Mail says: “I won’t be surprised if Appreciate It (each-way) turns up and gives MIGHTY POTTER a big fright. It looks a match and I’ll even go for the forecast of Mighty Potter to beat Appreciate It.”
- Racing Post muses: “Put in his place in 2m1f Grade 1 novice latest but now looks ready for return to further.”
- At The Races offers: “Appreciate It tasted his first defeat over fences when weakening into third in the Irish Arkle, but the 2021 Supreme winner is feared most now upped to 2m4f for the first time over obstacles. He had no problem winning a NH Flat race over this trip back in 2019 and this stiffer test could unlock some improvement.”
Also in the same race, Harry Cobden – Paul Nicholls combo Stage Star at 19/2 from 9/1 earlier (Racing Post, Daily Mail ‘Peter Scudamore’, SPOTLIGHT, TOPSPEED, POSTDATA, WEST COUNTRY)
- Racing Post remarks: “Red-hot favourite Mighty Potter has to be the starting point but STAGE STAR was poetry in motion in a C&D handicap last time… On his way up and a serious contender judged on his smooth win in C&D handicap last time.”
- At The Races adds: “Stage Star was impressive on his handicap debut over an extended 2m4f on Trials Day.”
Bloom Blossoms – Brighton F.C. chairman Tony Bloom celebrated yesterday after his horse, Energumene, won. He had placed £600,000 on his 6/5 winning favourite and won £830,000 as a result as well as a share of the £225,080 prize money. Later in the day, his team beat Crystal Palace.

2.10pm Cheltenham – Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) – 2m 7f 213y, 12 hurdles (23 runners, 6 places with Ladbrokes ‘The Grid’)

Ruby Walsh is quite clear in his view of this race. Writing in the Daily Mail, the legend shares: “I have no opinion here and I’m not going to give you a horse for the sake of giving you a horse. Let’s move on.”

However, in this crowded field, the obvious option shining through is the Mark Walsh – David Pipe combo Thanksforthehelp at 17/4 from 4/1 earlier (Racing Post, GG.co.uk, SPOTLIGHT, RP Ratings, WEST COUNTRY, Daily Express, Mirror, Daily Star, Daily Record, Independent.ie)
- Racing Post remarks: “Walking On Air and The Bosses Oscar are respected but THANKSFORTHEHELP was scintillating when upped in trip at Chepstow… Had wind op; toyed with rivals on step up to 2m7f at Chepstow; 11lb rise may not stop him.”
Liam McKenna – A. J. Martin combo Good Time Jonny at 11/1 from 9/1 earlier (The Sun ‘Fiver Flutter’, Daily Telegraph, Stephen R. Power, Daily Mail ‘Marcus Townend’)
- The Sun suggests: “Has been aimed at this by canny trainer and has proven form in a big field. Will be happy going back up in distance.
- Racing Post less enthusiastic: “Stout stayer at 3m; mighty task against Maxxum sole 3m start this winter; tough assignment.”
Sam Twiston-Davies – Nicky Henderson combo Captain Morgs at 18/1 from 16/1 earlier (Daily Mail ‘Mick Fitzgerald’)
- Mick Fitzgerald for Daily Mail enthuses: “The faster they go the better he looks and CAPTAIN MORGS has winning form at the track. He looks a good each-way play.”
- At The Races offers: “Captain Morgs struck over C&D in December and could be good value to at least make the frame.”
- Racing Post remarks: “Put on a good spurt when winning first attempt at 3m; up 7lb but unexposed at the trip.”
Ben Harvey – Gordon Elliott combo The Bosses Oscar at 11/1 (Stephen R. Power)
- Racing Post muses: “Strong Festival record; back to form latest; 6lb lower than when 2nd in this race in 2021.”
- ie shares: “The Bosses Oscar boasts strong Festival form and was second in this in 2021.”
- At The Races adds: “The Bosses Oscar was third in a qualifier at Musselburgh on his return from a break and can be fancied to strip a lot sharper.”
3.30pm Cheltenham – Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle (Grade 1) – 2m 7f 213y, 12 hurdles (11 runners, 3 places)

The Racing Post is clear and states: “On form there is no standout candidate” here, but the obvious battle is between the Davy Russell – Gordon Elliott combo Teahupoo at 5/2 (Radio 4, Stephen Power, Daily Mail ‘Lizzie Kelly’, RP Ratings, The Sun) and the Byrnes double Blazing Khal at 10/3 from 7/2 earlier (Daily Mail ‘Captain Heath Trio’ NAP, GG.co.uk, Paddy Power, Sporting Life, POSTDATA, Daily Express, Daily Telegraph). We’ll go with the latter.
- Racing Post remarks: “Defied long absence in the Grade 2 Boyne Hurdle and has the potential to be a major player.”
- Paddy Power adds: “If BLAZING KHAL is 100 per cent here I fully expect him to take all the beating.”
At bigger odds, we’re looking at the Johnny Charron – Gabriel Leenders combo Gold Tweet at 9/1 from 11/1 earlier (The Sun ‘Longshot’, Daily Mail ‘Main Danger’, The Times)
- The Sun says: “Came over from France to win the Cleeve Hurdle ahead of Paisley Park last time and has been overpriced by the bookies.”
- Racing Post adds: “French raider who won the Cleeve Hurdle over C&D on first British start; could be involved.”
SUMMARY – Our choices and options for ‘doing a double’

1.30pm – Selection: Appreciate It; Outsider: Stage Star.

2.10pm –Selection: Thankyouforthehelp; Outside: Good Time Jonny; Wildcard: Captain Morgs.

3.30pm – Selection: Blazing Khal; Outsider: Gold Tweet.

DOING A DOUBLE

Selection: Each way double on Appreciate It (1.30pm) and Thankyouforthehelp (2.10pm) at 19/1.

Wildcard Selection: Each way double on Stage Star (1.30pm) and Gold Tweet (3.30pm) at 109/1.

Happy racing and don’t forget to join in and ‘ROAR’ – even if watching at home on ITV Racing.

Editor’s Note – Unlike as is the case in many publications, this article was NOT sponsored or supported by a third-party.

To join our racing followers – who receive a FREE tipping service occasionally by email – please send your relevant details to [email protected].

The Real Whacker valiantly held off the hot favourite Gerri Colombe to score victory in the Brown Advisory. The ‘Racing Post’ now claim that “a Gold Cup campaign could await this Patrick Neville trained seven-year-old” whilst the ‘Daily Mail’s’ Robin Goodfellow observed that the result was a case of “Britain’ll take anything we can get with Ireland comfortably leading 10-4” currently at the Festival.

Popular racing blogger Stephen Power’s tips for ‘St Patrick’s Thursday’ at the Cheltenham Festival 2023 include Mighty Potter (NAP) in the 1.30pm, Good Time Jonny in the 2.10pm and Shishkin in the 3.30pm.
March 16, 2023
Runners & Riders – The Cheltenham Festival 2023, Day 2, ‘Festival Wednesday’

‘The Steeple Times’ examines the tipsters’ selections and offers options for ‘Festival Wednesday’ at the Cheltenham Festival 2023 including a 45/1 outsider

The first day of the Cheltenham Festival 2023 saw success for not only Nico de Boinville and Nicky Henderson with a nine-length victory for Constitution Hill – who completed his sixth win on his sixth outing and was described by his trainer as “a freak” – but also a very fine career ending “fairytale” win for Honeysuckle also with a fourth success at the Festival.

We did not get any first-place winners with our selections yesterday, but did secure money returning place positions for Jonbon, Facile Vega and Saint Roi; what saved us from ruination, though, was the perfectly respectable each way double we recommended on Monberg Genius and Constitution Hill.

Today and again with soft ground for ‘Festival Wednesday,’ though everyone will be watching Edwardstone vs. Editeur Du Gite and Energumene in the big race that is the Champion Chase (3.30pm), we suggest EACH WAY BETS on:

1.30pm Cheltenham – ‘The Baring Bingham’ Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) – 2m 5f, 10 hurdles(10 runners, 3 places)

Danny Mullins – W. P. Mullins combo Champ Kiely at 8/1 from 15/2 earlier (Daily Mail ‘Robin Goodfellow’, At The Races ‘Watch Out For’)

Racing Post remarks: “Gamely won Naas Grade 1 from the front in January and has a significant role to play here.”

At The Races adds: “Willie Mullins saddled the winner of this contest 12 months ago and appears to have a cracking chance this time around, firing four bullets at the race. The form of Champ Kiely’s Lawlor’s Of Naas success took a timely boost when the runner-up, Irish Point, struck at Naas on Sunday and he is in danger of going under the radar.”

Also in the same race, Michael O’Sullivan – Barry Connell combo Good Land at 17/4 from 4/1 earlier (Radio 4, Daily Mail ‘Gimcrack’, The Sun ‘Fiver Flutter’, Sporting Life)

Racing Post remarks: “Held on well to land Grade 1 at Leopardstown last month; well worth place in this line-up.”

The Sun ‘Fiver Flutter’ says: “He won well at Leopardstown last time at Grade 1 level when jumping brilliantly. He’s right in the mix for trainer Barry Connell.”

At The Races observes: “Good Land comfortably won a Grade 1 contest at Leopardstown last month and is by no means out of this either.”

4.10pm Cheltenham – Glenfarclas Chase (Cross Country Chase) – 2m 5f, 32 fences (16 runners, 4 places with Ladbrokes ‘The Grid’)

Our ‘safe selection’ in this race would be the Davy Russell – Gordon Elliott combo Galvin (Daily Mail ‘Main Danger’, ‘Gimcrack’ and ‘Peter Scudamore’, GG.co.uk, Sporting Life, Racing Post ‘The Punt NAP’, At The Races ‘Watch Out For’, RP Ratings, Mirror) at 21/10 over his widely favoured stablemate Delta Work at 11/8.

Racing Post muses: “The Gordon Elliott-trained DELTA WORK is taken to win for the second year running. Stablemate Galvin could be a big danger… Festival and Grade 1 winner who is entitled to considerable respect on cross-country debut.”

Stuart Langley (‘The Punt NAP’) for Racing Post adds: “National Hunt Chase winner in 2021, fourth in last season’s Gold Cup. He returned this season with a cosy win in Grade 3 company. First go around this unique track but, he has apparently schooled well, and on ratings, he is the class horse in the race.”

Robin Goodfellow for Daily Mail observes: “GALVIN acquitted himself with credit in the Gold Cup 12 months ago and ought to find this test and change of discipline to his liking. He disappointed in the Savills Chase but the prospect of better ground on the X-Country course should suit.”

At The Races comments: “Delta Work’s main danger may come in the shape of stable companion Galvin, who proved his stamina for this trip when winning the Challenge Cup here in 2021, but he is tackling these Cross Country fences for the first time today.”

Our ‘favoured option’ is Sean Bowen – Martin Keighley combo Back On The Lash at 20/1 from 18/1 earlier (Radio 4, The Sun ‘Fiver Flutter’, WEST COUNTRY)

Racing Post offers: “Two-time C&D handicap winner; each-way contender if handling the forecast soft ground.”

The Sun ‘Fiver Flutter’ suggests: “Has a good record at this track and beat Delta Work in a handicap here last time. Even at level weights he should be thereabouts.”

Robin Goodfellow for Daily Mail adds: “BACK ON THE LASH would have preferred the rain to have missed Cheltenham, but he loves this track.”

Also in the same race, Rachael Blackmore – Henry De Bromhead combo Gin On Lime at 13/1 from 12/1 earlier

Racing Post concludes: “4^th in Kerry National when last seen; worth each-way respect with 7lb mares’ allowance.”

Also in the same race, our ‘wildcard’ is the Harry Bannister – Richard J. Bandey combo Diesel D’Allier at 45/1 from 40/1 earlier

Racing Post finishes: “Has won two C&D handicaps and may have needed his last run; not ruled out for a place.”

SUMMARY – Our choices and options for ‘doing a double’

1.30pm – Selection: Good Land; Outsider: Champ Kiely.

4.10pm – Safe Selection: Galvin; Selection: Back On The Lash; Wildcard: Gin On Lime; Even Wilder Wildcard: Diesel D’Allier.

DOING A DOUBLE

Selection: Each way double on Good Land (1.30pm) and Galvin (4.10pm) at 14/1.

Happy racing and don’t forget to join in and ‘ROAR’ – even if watching at home on ITV Racing.

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Pictured Top – Nico de Boinville on Constitution Hill after his victory in the Champion Hurdle on Tuesday 14^th March 2023.

Of the newly relaxed dress code at this year’s Festival, Yorkshire Dales milliner Jonny Beardsall told ‘The Guardian’ that he thought the easing of restrictions to be “a dreadful idea.” He added: “It encourages mediocrity. You shouldn’t have your shirt hanging out if you’re over 35. It just looks as if you’ve forgotten to tuck yourself in. And old men in skinny jeans with their arse hanging out the back is a very bad look.”

Tweeting after his epic victory on Constitution Hill yesterday, jockey Nico de Boinville enthusiastically mused: “Constitution Hill proved today what a very special horse he is! I’m so pleased for his owner Michael Buckley, the guvnor and all the team at home at Seven Barrows.”

This morning, ‘The Telegraph’ reported that an e-scooter trial in the Cheltenham area has had to be banned during the Festival and until 17th March after drunken festival goers were caught causing “all sorts of accidents” on them last year. Recalling the antics of last year’s festival-goers, Chris Nelson, Gloucestershire Police and Crime Commissioner, told the BBC: ‘I saw people, and they were clearly intoxicated, getting on these things, more than one person, and then scooting down Evesham Road weaving in and out of the public.’”

March 15, 2023