A Fine Outlook!

Apparently there will now be less rain than originally anticipated ahead of next week's Cheltenham Festival - there is even the chance of some sunshine on the Tuesday and Thursday and the temperatures hitting a balmy 15°c.  Let's hope that the ground does not get too quick otherwise they will be tempted to turn the taps on at Prestbury Park and that tends to make the ground dead.  Personally I would like genuine good ground, that way everyone should be happy and there should be no excuses for anyone...roll on Tuesday!

As part of our build-up to Cheltenham 2011, Mike Vince has been speaking with our team of jockeys and today he talks with Conor O'Farrell who will be competing at the Festival for the first time.  To listen to the young Irishman's hopes for the meeting and how he will be preparing click here...

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Richard Johnson says that the most difficult and important fence at the Cheltenham Festival is the first.  I would have thought that the most important fence in any race was the first (unless your horse is well clear approaching the last!) as it establishes a horse into a rhythm.  It always seems that the jockeys can go too fast and inevitably lead to carnage and a whole host of shattered dreams.

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It's legendary owner J P McManus' 60th birthday today.  I would love to know if he has had a little punt in any of the Cheltenham Festival handicaps!  With all of the horses that he has in training, there must be a few well-treated animals about - if only we knew which ones they were!  Many happy returns JP!

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We have a couple more shots from Tuesday's press day.  David says that last year's Byrne Group Plate winner Great Endeavour will not run in the Gold Cup this year, but will instead run in the three mile handicap on Tuesday - as you can see he was looking very well as he paraded for the journalists, as was Dynaste who was full of himself.

  
Above left: Great Endeavour and right: Dynaste parade on Tuesday at our Press Day

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Cheltenham Festival Selections On
The Update Line 09060 400 901

Following on from stable jockey Tom Scudamore and his father Peter's selections for this year's Cheltenham Festival fancies, today I will be speaking with bloodstock agent Tom Malone (who always has plenty to say for himself!).

Tomorrow I will be joined by Attheraces presenter Luke Harvey, and then later in the week I will be speaking with fifteen times champion jockey A P McCoy, fifteen times champion trainer Martin Pipe, and of course, David who has had five Festival winners in his first four full seasons with a training license.  To listen in to this exclusive information call 09060 400 901 from 10am daily.  (Calls charged at £1.50 per min at all times, helpline 01884 840715)