Countdown to National.

Five day decs are out today so we will confirm national bets tomorrow. In the meantime three short priced runners this afternoon. All are from Wincanton and have obvious form claims. Divers in the 1.50 showed great promise in a better race last time out and should beat these rivals. Iroquois Warrior in the 3.50 is improving all the time and shouldn't be inconvenienced by the drop back in trip. Nicholls can land a double with Aironageestring in the 4.50. Backed off the boards on his debut, he got going too late and will improve for the outing.

Nice 7/1 winner...

That was certainly a welcome success, now let's see if we can build on that today. We will start with Chantaco in the 2.20 at Wincanton. This one was a decent handicapper on the flat for Andrew Balding and the form of his hurdles win has been well advertised. Herecomesthetruth could be another winner for the Nicholls yard in the 4.00. Once again the form of his victory is working out really well. Another shortish priced selection is Etched In Stone at Hexham in the 3.50. Having run two promising races since returning from a break, he could be spot on for this.

Sorry late again..

A lot to look at today and our main choice is Jaunty Flight in the 3.25 at Newbury. This one is progressing well and can defy a hike in the weights following an impressive win last time out. Youmzain in the 4.40 at Nad Al Sheba is our second choice. Mick Channon's charge came up against the best last season and is reported in fine form. The well bred Rockellio in the 5.15 at Doncaster is our third choice. This well bred filly was given an easy introduction and should improve leaps and bounds.

A small profit on thursday...

And a couple for friday. The first is General Blucher in the 3.40 at Lingfield. Peter Chapple-Hyam's charge won well last time out and doesn'y look harshly treated for handicap debut. The second runner is in the 2.40 at Newbury, I'm Supreme. Also an impressive winner last time out and looks on the upgrade.

Another pretty tough day.

Once again no real strong fancy. However we have a couple that could go well. The first is Mr Multifix in the 3.10 at Ayr. The Irish raider was going well last time out before coming a cropper and has been found a weak race for consolation. Soul Angel in the 5.15 is our second choice. If this one gets his jumping together he should reverse recent running with Top Mark on today's terms.

A nice winner on Tuesday..

But not too much confidence today. Just the one we like the look of Tavalu in the 2.40 at Kempton. Unlucky last time out, Gary Moore's charge will appreciate the cut in the ground and normally hits form at this time of year.

This is not such a good run..

However we always bounce back and today we will try with Varadouro in the 2.40 at Pontefract. The Nicholls' runner started his British career on a mark in the nineties and will no doubt have needed a few runs to acclimatize. Now down to 69, he is really well treated and is a winner waiting to happen. In the 3.10 race Collateral Damage is not badly treated. He came up against some decent handicappers last season and wasn't disgraced off higher marks.

Not so good so far....

But this turf season can only get better. Maia in the 3.45 at Redcar is our first selection. A progressive type last season, she is lightly raced and open to plenty more improvement. Platouche in the 4.20 should also go close. This expensive purchase has been found an easy opening by his trainer who had a nice winner on Saturday. An interesting newcomer at Warwick is Cecilia's Lass in the 2.55. She is very nicely bred and cost a fair bit in comparison with the others and the booking of Cash Munro is another bous.

Weather pretty bad but...

Musselburgh is on and we have a couple from the Scottish venue. The first is Kabis Amigos in the 3.20. This one is well treated on his best form and can poach a good lead early on. Our second selection is Clear Reef in the 4.30. The stable are having their first visit here and having chased home adecent type last time should find this company less taxing.

The proper stuff starts...

The new turf season and the big race is of course the Lincoln at 4.00. We did want Land Shining to win this but it missed the cut and so we are plumping for the lightly raced Yeaman's Hall. If you take the form at face value when this one beat Sunsine Kid (rated 107) then Andrew Balding's charge does get in here on a fair mark. In the 3.25 we are hoping for a good run from Wi Dud. This one took on some top sprinters last season and if fit for his debut he could take some beating. At Kempton Malt Or Mash looks a good thing in the 4.25. He beat a decent horse impressively last time out and can go in again off this mark.

Two poor efforts on Wednesday..

Let's see what Thursday brings. Our first choice is Last Angel in the 2.40 at Southwell. This one is steadily improving and ran well in aslightly btter race than this last time. In the 4.30 at Ludlow David Pipe's I'm So Lucky can follow up a recent easy victory.

Sorry for the weird look...

The site is looking a bit strange, my technical expert (son Toby) has assured me the problem will be resolved shortly, once the server has been sorted out. On Wednesday we have a couple for you, the first is Flake in the 4.00 at Market Rasen. This one ran a great race last time out and is up against horses that are rated up to their best. We also like Cloud Nine in the 5.30 at Chepstow. It is related to some top performers, including The Listener. If he has half of this one's ability he will walk this.

Countdown to the turf..

The new flat season on the turf starts shortly and the big stables will be back in action. James Fanshawe in fact has a decent chance today with Royal Fantasy in the 5.00. This one was just touched off over course and distance last time out and can go one better. We also like the look of Straight Face in the 2.30. It is aweak contest and he showed improved form last time out.

A poor day's racing...

Not a lot to get excited about today but we do like the look of Thebes in the 4.00 at Wolverhampton. Jonhston's charge won with any amount in hand last time and can go close off this mark. Mission Control is are only other selection in the 5.00. He also won with a bit to spare last time out.

Downhill on Saturday..

After a decent Cheltenhem yesterday's performance was poor. Let's see if we can do better today. Ruby Walsh is an interesting booking for Sizing America in the 5.15 at Limerick. This bumper winner has always been expected to do better over fences and can make a winning debut. Gunnabelil in the 5.30 at Fontwell could go well at a decent price. Being by Gunner B this step up in trip should suit and off a mark of just 70 he may be capable of beating this modest bunch.

Cheltenham over for another year..

But some good racing today and we have three selections. The first is in the 3.30 at Uttoxeter Dante Hall could be another winner for AP. He was a very impressive winner at Navan, easing down when clear and should no problem with the extra distance. In the 4.55 at Lingfield Green Wadi could gain an overdue victory following three excellent runs last season. Rakeekah in the 7.50 at Kempton could have got in here lightly and has very good connections.

Albertas Run was very impressive...

Let's see if we can end the meeting with another winner or two. We of course are staying with Naiad du Misselot in the 1.40, and Celestial Halo in the 2.15. We will add to these Chomba Womba in the 12.30. Henderson's charge has done nothing wrong this campaign and looks the one they all have to beat. Missis Potts in the 5.20 could be well handicapped. She can reverse recent form with Wingman and Pigeon Island at today's weights.

Shame it was called off today...

But what a card on Thursday. We are sticking with Albertas Run and Lilywhitedancer and we are adding two more. The first is Barbers Shop in the 1.40. Henderson's charge won without breaking sweat last time and more is in the offing. Tikram in the 4.05 is a similar type, the handicapper hasn't over-reacted after an impressive win last time out.

A blank first day...

Let's hope we have better luck on day two. The nap of the meeting for me runs in the 2.35, Albertas Run. This one is very highly regarded by connections and gained a deserved success last time out. More should be forthcoming and we are lumping on. The 4.00 could go to Naiad du Misselot. Ferdy's charge won with plenty in hand over this trip last time out and is open to plenty of improvement. In the 5.20 we like the look of Lilywhitedancer. Mullins has a great record in this event and this one couldn't have won any easier on his debut.

It's here at last...

We can't wait for the roar of the crowd at around 2.00 as the Cheltenham festival gets underway. Our first selection is in the opener, Sentry Duty. A smart performer on the flat, he beat a highly thought of four-year-old last time out and is open to any amount of improvement. Race two on the card is the Arkle and Noland looks to be a worthy favourite. He is a past winner at the festival and has been brought along quietly by his trainer and should be spot on for this. The final selection for day one is Ashkazar in the Fred Winter. Pipe's runner was so impressive on Saturday against older horses, he must go close up against his own generation.

The eve of the festival....

Can't wait until tomorrow but we do have a couple to check out this afternoon. Native Coral looks a good thing in the 3.40 at Stratford. The Richards runner was an impressive winner last time out and back over fences gets in here on a very fair mark. There appear to be plenty of favourites with good chances today including Kia Kaha in the 4.40 race. He landed a decent Cheltenham race back in November and is open to any amount of improvement.

So nearly on Saturday..

Lovelace hampered at a vital stage or it could have been two winners. Never mind let's move on to Sunday. Hurricane Thomas has been brought along quietly and now has decent ground for the first time as he enters a handicap. Alan King is in top form ahead of Cheltenham and Santia is bred to be a bit special in the bumper sphere and can take the 5.35 at Warwick.

A very late update...

Due to a massive hangover. but we do have acouple of selections. Lovelace in the 2.25 at Wolverhampton is an old favourite and isn't too highly tried on his Wolverhampton debut. Ashkazar has to be the pick in the 3.15 at Sandown. The Pipe family have won this on numerous occasions and they will be chasing the Cheltenham bonus with this improving type.

Nice winner, but...

The price was a lot shorter than I imagined. A couple for friday, starting with Signs Of Love in the 2.10 at Sandown. Noel Chance's charge has beaten some very good horses in the past and if repeating his best form he would win this easily. The second selection is First Love in the 4.25. The Queen would dearly love to win this race and Nicky Henderson's runner should have too much class for these.

Nothing stands out today....

Although we do have a coupe of hopeful selections. The first is Almizan in the 4.10 at Lingfield. We gave this one last time out over hurdles and it was very disappointing. His chase mark is 20 pound lower and the larger obstacles may rekindle his enthusiasm. In the 4.20 at Carlisle Supreme Builder could go well at decent odds. He wasn't too far behind a top performer last time out and 105 doesn't look too bad a handicap mark.

Sorry we are so late..

But a valid excuse, i've been sorting out a flooded kitchen. Enough of my problems let's try and get a much needed winner. Bremen in the first at Fontweell looks to have his best chance to date having chased home some decent types this season. Yattendon in the 4.10 at Lingfield has been running better than the figures suggest and a big run is expected off this mark

Just a week to Cheltenham..

It will be slightly better than today's modest fayre. However we have two selections, the first is The Boat in the 5.00 at Exeter. His run behind Group Captain catches the eye and the drop in trip should suit along with the better ground. Denbera Dancer in the 2.40 at Southwell showed much improved form last time out and can follow up under a penalty.

Not such a good week-end..

Let's try and put things right this week. The main selection today is Rawdon in the 4.00 at Stratford. This former decent flat runner is steadily getting the hang of this game and should aprreciate the step up in trip. We also like Pochard in the 4.30. James Eustace's runner has contested some decent novice events and doesn't look badly treated for handicap debut.

Poor effort on Saturday...

Now what about Mother's Day... Well Cripsey Brook looked like a certain future winner when placed in a decent contest last time and can go close in the 3.40 at Market Rasen. At Bangor in the 2.00, Tamimi's History looks a good thing following a promising debut run. Sue Smith continues in great form and Sparkling Taff will appreciate this better ground and should return to winning ways in the 3.30.

Another tricky Saturday..

Plenty of racing to get stuck into and at Newbury our first selection is Regal Heights in the 3.15. He couldn't live with Denman last time out but is capable of taking a decent handicap off this mark.There is a good word for Arturo Uno in the 4.55. This one boasts a nice pedigree and the stable are back amongst the winners. In the 4.05 at Doncaster Gloucester can be forgiven his last effort and has strong claims on previous form.