CHELTENHAM

FESTIVAL

2009

****

Yesterday at Cheltenham we had our first winner since the Journal started, way back on 1st January 2009. Cooldine (Won 9/4) our 'best bet' for Wednesday halted a run of five consecutive losers when winning the Rsa Chase by sixteen lengths. In our 'other bets' we had one winner Master Minded (Won 4/11) and a second, Karabak, beaten less than two lengths. With two days of the Festival still to go let's hope we can improve the record still further. Incidentally, our last selection prior to Cheltenham was Mick Channon's horse Imperial Starlight, which ran at Southwell on 1st February. The horse lost on that occasion but has since run again and won at 4/1. Today's 'best bet' is the Ferdy Murphy trained, 6 y.o. gelding Poker De Sivola , who runs in the Kim Muir Handicap Chase, run over 3m.1f.110yds at 4.40. Poker De Sivola is a young steadily improving horse who should appreciate every yard of this trip. He fell at Wetherby last time out, but if none the worse for the experience, he should make a bold show here. Ran well at Cheltenham in 2008 and looks well treated at the weights.

Other Bets

1.30 Astarador

2.05 Dont Push It

2.40 Our Vic

3.20 Kasbah Bliss

4.00 Oceanos des Obeaux

Profit/Loss -2.75 Points