I believe in fairytales though and I wouldn’t be surprised to see Kauto win his third Gold Cup.

 

He looked in superb form with himself when galloping at Wincanton on Friday and Ruby‘s grin told the tale. Long Run hasn’t excited me this season although I’m prepared to be proved wrong by the reigning champion.

 

However, there is good money to be won by backing a horse each way and I wouldn’t be surprised to see 25/1 shot What A Friend powering up the hill to snatch some of the minor money. He has run well in this race in the past for part owner Sir Alex Ferguson finishing fourth last year.

 

Burton Port ran a great reappearance race behind Long Run at Newbury, but the ‘bounce factor’ is a concern as that was his first run for 15 months.

 

Elsewhere, looking at the JCB Triumph Hurdle  Sadler’s Risk, while in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle, Boston Bob.

 

Cloudy Lane is my  selection in the Foxhunters Chase, while in the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys Handicap Hurdle I go for Street Entertainer.

 

Cheltenham concludes with the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Handicap Chase and I like the look of Toubab, but reckon Tanks for That could be the one!

 

What a great sight to see Big Bucks lolloping up the hill yesterday afternoon. We followed him like stalkers from the moment he arrived in the pre-parade to the last turn he took after getting washed down. During that 45 minutes, his nochalent cool was not disturbed once.  If Paul Nicholls asked him to run again today, I’m sure he’d have replied in “horsey” – “fine guv’nor anything to oblige”.

 

Here’s a video I took after – Ruby walking the horse back- I was too excited to film him in running!

 

 

 

Congratulations to all.

 

Good luck Leandro as you begin your recovery – our thoughts are with you!