Cheltenham 2012, day three

Not a bad day yesterday at Cheltenham with Simonsig at 2/1 and Finian's Rainbow at 4/1.
It seemed that every single person down the local had backed Sizing Europe so I was a solitary voice when it came to praising Finians.

Some seem to think that Sizing Europe would have won had there not been all that mess about the final fence but of that we'll never know. That's the way it goes sometimes and while I was happy to collect, it did take some of the gloss off. They really made a mess of it and for the jockey to get a ban is an absolute farce. 

Anyway, we are halfway there - Still in two minds about lumping on Big Buck's. This time last year, I had had lost a fortune and he became all or nothing! Thankfully, I'm not in that situation now so maybe it's a race to just watch and enjoy.  Here's today's race by race summary and today's trades are down below. Quite a few of them today.


1.30
This is one of the new races (inaugurated last year) so we don’t have a lot to go on when trying to find a horse with a winning profile. Peddlers Cross was unbeaten until he was second to Hurricane Fly in the 2011 Champion Hurdle and he’s shaping up as a smart chaser. He finds plenty and travels up the hill with gusto.
2.05
Buena Vista is going for a three timer but he’s getting on in years and is best avoided. At 20/1 and higher, Cape Tribulation can be taken each-way. He’s a better hurdler than chaser and is running off a mark which gives him a good chance of placing.
2.40
Despite racing at the course seven times, Medermit is yet to win at Cheltenham which is concerning; but Alan King has had this race in mind for the eight-year-old since the beginning of the season and he can finally come good today.
3.40
One of the greatest staying hurdlers of all time, Big Buck’s can’t be opposed as he bids for his sixteenth win in-a-row. Oscar Whisky to follow him home.
4.00
A nightmare race for punters, the past eleven winners have gone off in double figure prices. Niceonefrankie could be worth a small each-way punt following a spell of good form. He creeps into the weights nicely and should go off around 14/1.
4.40
The Pipe team have a good record here and I like the look of Swing Bill, which is generally available around 20/1. He’s a consistent sort and knows his way around Cheltenham, staying on well to win a class three handicap chase here in November. Take him each-way.



Today's horses for trading in-running: