Blogs & Opinion


He's Worth it

Ed previews the final day of the Cheltenham Festival

Ed Chamberlin Posted 13th March 2013 view comments

I'll be back in the Sky Sports offices to prepare for Super Sunday on Friday - probably having to busk in the lobby - and bar the Gold Cup, the card doesn't set my pulse racing like the first two days.

In my days as an odds compiler I always found it impossible to weigh up the British and Irish juvenile form in the Triumph, the Albert Bartlett is a slog for young hurdlers and it's easier to pick a broken nose than find the County Hurdle, Martin Pipe or Grand Annual winners.

Ed fancies Bobs Worth to land the Gold Cup

Ed fancies Bobs Worth to land the Gold Cup

In contrast, the big race is intriguing with a good crop of young up-and-coming chasers taking on the old guard. It was interesting to hear McCoy tell us that if he could pick a ride he would go for the captain of the old brigade, Long Run. I'm sure he'll be in the mix again but the former champion's looks eminently beatable these days, especially on decent ground.

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It's the turn of the young guns. Sir Des Champs is the buzz horse and has progressed nicely through the season in Ireland and has an obvious chance. However, I'm not totally convinced about the strength of his form in Ireland or the security of his jumping.

Silviniaco Conti is also hard to knock but I find it difficult to picture him storming up the hill. That's something Bobs Worth is guaranteed to do and if he's in the mix turning in to the straight I can't see anyone beating him. He's certainly the form pick after running away from First Lieutenant in the Hennessy.

The worry is that he's not run since but we know Bobs Worth goes well fresh and the vibes from Seven Barrows are strong. If ever a horse was made for the demands of the Gold Cup, it's Bobs Worth.

Day Four selection: Bobs Worth

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