Image from Flickr user Jimmy Six Bellies under CC Attribution, Noncommerical and No Derivative Works license

Francie is quite the expert when it comes to the nags and he's getting excited about Cheltenham already! He learned the gambling game when he came out of the Priory last year. Well, he had to occupy his mind somehow while off the grog. Don't even ask about his addiction to Sherbert Lemons - it's worse than all of his other vices put together!

With the glorious racing festival that is Cheltenham only 11 weeks away, a lot of would-be contenders for the major prizes showed their credentials over the Christmas racing schedule. Here at In Fact, Ah we bring you a few ante-post tips on each of the main races for the festival.

First off, the showpiece, the Gold Cup.

In the King George at Kempton on Stephen’s Day, Kauto Star showed why he is currently as low as 6/4 with some bookies to win this showpiece event .With Ruby Walsh onboard, he clattered both the fourth last and final fence at Kempton but still managed to stay upright and coast home to an easy win. Many see this machine as a dead cert come March.

No doubt, Betfair customers will be laying the horse come race day, but my money will be elsewhere. Last year's winner War of Attrition, currently trading around 4/1 is my favourite to regain his crown. Come good ground and a faster gallop at Cheltenham, this horse will jump and stay the distance, something Kauto Star cannot be so sure of doing. He ran in third at Leopardstown in the Lexus Chase behind The Listener, currently trading around 10/1, and Beef or Salmon who's now at 25-1 (do not touch with a barge pole, this horse WILL NOT win the Gold Cup). An excuse can be made that the ground was far from his liking.

Another horse I feel will challenge is In-Compliance (trading around 8-1), I have a sneaky feeling this horse may well be the eventual winner and will like the distraction the Kauto Star Vs War of Attrition battle will bring to allow for a quiet preparation. If I was to give a horse to get-on-now pricewise it would be Cornish Rebel, if he runs. He should get a place and is currently at around 33/1.

tags:cheltenham, goldcup

Published by Colm.