CHELTENHAM

FESTIVAL

2009

****

Wednesday's success was very short lived, as yesterday we drew a blank. The 'best bet' Poker De Sivola failed to reach the frame, despite being backed like defeat was out of the question. It was the same story with our 'other bets', none of them were there at the end of their races and all in all it was a very disappointing day. It is never easy to find winners at Cheltenham, but yesterday was exceptionally bad. Today is the final day of the meeting and features the biggest race of the whole Festival, the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Today's 'best bet' is Denman in the Gold Cup, one of five runners in the race trained by Paul Nicholls. Denman, successful in the race a year ago, has had only one run this season, when beaten 23 lengths by one of today's rivals Madison Du Berlais. That race was on the 7th February this year and was Denman's first race since his Gold Cup victory last year, a lay-off of almost eleven months. If back to his best Denman would be clear favourite to win again and land the double. Following his defeat last time out, his form, and fitness, has to be taken on trust, but he is the top rated horse in the race with an official rating of 182.

Other Bets

1.30 Zaynar

2.05 Sesenta

2.40 Pride Of Dulcote

4.00 Amicelli

4.40 Oscatello

5.15 My Petra

Profit/Loss -3.75 Points