Day three of the Festival is upon us and I could do with a winner. Talking to a few colleagues they are in the same boat, but as we all know today is another day and the Promised land is not far away.

I am in the studio now. The preview programme has just started on RUK and Ferdy Murphy seems quite keen on the chances of the Hollinwell in the first race. Incidentally Ferdy has spared us time for an interview every morning of the Festival so far, so full marks to him for giving of his time and being so open.

The World Hurdle is the feature event on the card today and Big Bucks is the defending champion. He should win simple as that, but things in Racing are never as simple as that. His win last year was a comfortable one where he idled on the run in and had more in the tank at the line. Much has been made of the flat spot that he can hit in a race, that he does do this is undeniable but so did the supreme stayer Inglis Drever and it rarely prevented him from winning. There are however each way options to be considered against the odds on Big Bucks. You could back Tidal Bay, Sentry Duty, or Karabak each way against he favourite and will probably get a run for your money. Of those each way pokes I am quite keen on Sentry Duty who will love the drying ground and if he stays will go well. Karabak will stay and he too will like the ground and goes well at Cheltenham. In short I will be looking to have an each way bet in the race and it will either be Karabak or Sentry Duty.

We have just heard from the enigmatic Oliver Brady on Racing UK who is bullish as ever about the chances of his Ebadiyan in the big race. Oliver Brady’s glass has never been half empty and whilst his enthusiasm is infectious I cannot have Ebadiyan at all I am afraid.

The card in general today is very tough indeed with a huge amount of runners. It could be the day to have a go at the Placepot after all it paid £8500 to a £1 stake on this day last year so you could do worse than throw a few quid at it and then just pray. I have not quite resorted to prayer yet but come tomorrow I may well be seeking some divine intervention.

Time to sign off until 12.00 when I will bring you my update.

12.00 Update

Things are moving along quickly and already it is 11.15am and we are just two hours away from the first race.

Karabak is being well backed each way against Big Bucks in the World Hurdle and I think the punters have got this one right. He will surely run a big race.

I managed to bring my packed lunch to work today and am trying to leave it alone for as long as possible. A task that is getting increasingly difficult with every half hour that passes by. Discipline is what is needed both on the food front and the betting front today, given my record over the last two days I suspect I will show more discipline on the betting rather than the food front because I could do without another poor day at the Punting office.

Nick Luck has just interviewed Dave Ord who is the racing Blogger for Sporting life.com. he also puts together a monthly list of the top performers amongst Racing Broadcasters and I suspect Nick has now secured his place at the top of the tree for a good few months to come. Needless to say I have never featured in this illustrious list, no suprise there I hear you cry.

Nick has just interviewed the Minister for Sport, Gerry Sutcliffe, interesting stuff and an excellent interview. I have one question for you Gerry – ”when will you bring some pressure to bear on the BBC to protect the coverage of the crown jewels of British sport such as the Ashes and the Challenge Cup?” or are you happy to let the BBC sacrifice these events at the Altar of Formula 1. I suspect I know the answer and we are set fair for Formula 1 overload. Snore, Snore!!

Edward O Grady is happy that Cheltenham have watered the new course, he believes the easier ground will suit his Tranquil Sea in the Ryanair.

Steve Mellish seems keen on Dave’s Dream in the first. I think Steve is in good form so we could do worse than take the hint.

We are playing out a piece on Denman vs Kauto Star now which will last for twenty minutes or so. It is my cue to stretch my legs and prepare for Mark Your Card at 12.00.

Have a great day and see you tomorrow

 
Today’s Selections

1.30 Cheltenham – Copper Bleu (each way 14/1 Skybet)
 
4.00 Cheltenham – Great Endeavour (each way 22/1 stan James)

2.40 Cheltenham – Albertas Run (each way 16/1 Bet365)

3.20 Cheltenham – Karabak (each way 8/1 Skybet)