I don't think many people are into horse racing, or gambling in general but hey ho. Heading down today for the first day, proper looking forward to it.
1:30 Supreme Novice Hurdle - Min
I can't look past this horse and with Mullins/Walsh looking to win this for the fourth year in a row, it's got a cracking shot. Will love the fast pace, has won well on heavy and soft and at a distance, justifying it's odds. Whilst I'd like to take something a little higher, I'm still piling into 9/4.
2:10 Arkle Chase - Douvan
Needs no explanation and arguably the banker of the day, but anything less than evens isn't worth my time, so I'll probably have no bet here, will just sit back and enjoy. An extremely talented and naturally gifted horse, pace to burn.
2:50 Ultima Handicap Chase - Beg to differ [E/W too]
Jonjo O'Neill has won this 3 times since 2009, and has the ability to prep a horse for this sort of race. Horse won impressively at Sandown LTO, 3m soft and with the ground declared as soft, should go well. Open to improvement and I wouldn't be surprised to see him go close here.
3:30 Champion Hurdle - The New One
I can't bring myself to fancy Annie Power, wasn't even running until a few weeks back. NTD talks highly of this horse, and claims there have been no set backs this year and it's in the best condition in years. Perfomed well in this in 2014 despite being hampered and finished 3rd, and with the strong pace from Annie, TNO should go well.
4:10 Mares Hurdle - Vroum Vroum Mag
Give's Douvan a run for his money as the banker. 8 from 8 and has won effortlessly, only shaken up slightly LTO. Another race in which Mullins has dominated, winning it the last 7 years and this looks certain to keep that trend going. Drop in trip should be fine, hard to oppose this. I certainly don't fancy anything else.
4:50 National Hunt Chase - Southfield Royale
Nina Carberry rides, which is a good booking for Mulholland. The horse has only finished outside the top two once in it's 10 races, and is a proven stayer. Beaten by Tea For Two on boxing day in a grade 1, jumped left. Cheltenham should suit.
5:30 Close Brothers Handicap Chase - Double Shuffle [E/W too]
Lightly raced and unexposed, but should go well here. Has taken kindly to fences and has already had two around Cheltenham. Beat Fourth Act LTO at Ludlow, and only had to be pushed to do so, but hasn't been seen since that race[16/12/15]. With Paddy Brennan on board, it'll do well I feel.