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'He looks the best value of the week at this stage and I've had a proper punt on him'
Our 15-part Ultimate Cheltenham Preview Night series, running until Friday, March 10 and available exclusively to Racing Post Members' Club subscribers (you can find out more about a special offer here), includes the opinions of some of racing's biggest names and best judges. We've asked them the big questions leading up to the Cheltenham Festival, including the one we all want to know: what is your best bet of the meeting? Read on to find out what they said . . .
Ruby Walsh
Gaillard Du Mesnil (National Hunt Chase, Tuesday, March 14)
The banker looks to be Constitution Hill, but is he a bet? No, he is that kind of a price. It looks tough to pick winners this year, but I think Gaillard Du Mesnil will be hard to beat if he lines up in the National Hunt Chase.
Harry Findlay
Blazing Khal (Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle, Thursday, March 16)
Blazing Khal at 11-4 in the Stayers' Hurdle. He looks the best value of the week at this stage and I've had a proper punt on him, non-runner no bet.
Patrick Mullins
Lossiemouth (JCB Triumph Hurdle, Friday, March 17)
Lossiemouth in the Triumph Hurdle. She settles, she jumps, she's tough. She has plenty of experience too. She ticks all the boxes – the one marked 'ability' most of all. Gala Marceau beat her when Lossiemouth was so unlucky at Leopardstown but she fights for her head a lot and that's a hard thing to overcome on the New course. Blood Destiny could be the joker in the pack but I just think Lossiemouth has the advantage, in this race at least.
Richard Johnson
Jonbon (Sporting Life Arkle Challenge Trophy, Tuesday, March 14)
Constitution Hill is the most solid horse of the meeting, but as a bet I'd be with Jonbon in the Arkle because I think El Fabiolo is the wrong favourite.
Paul Kealy
Dysart Dynamo (Sporting Life Arkle Challenge Trophy, Tuesday, March 14)
Banbridge (Turners Novices' Chase, Thursday, March 16)
Jeremys Flame (Mrs Paddy Power Mares' Chase, Friday, March 17)
Right now I'd have an each-way trixie on Dysart Dynamo for the Arkle, Banbridge for the Turners and Jeremys Flame for the Mares' Chase. All three have perfectly plausible chances of winning, but more importantly they are all likely to be running in races that will cut up and they won't have many other serious contenders for the places.
Neil Channing
Banbridge (Turners Novices' Chase, Thursday, March 16)
Banbridge in the Turners. It's not that I'd particularly want to lay Mighty Potter, but I think Banbridge has run a solid trial for a race that will probably cut up.
David Jennings
Walking On Air (Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle, Thursday, March 15)
Walking On Air in the Pertemps Final. I was sure he'd get a bigger hike than 5lb for winning a qualifier very easily at Exeter and he remains unexposed given he's had only six starts in his whole career. There is still double figures available if you shop around and, off a mark of 138, I'll be bitterly disappointed if he doesn't go very close.
Tony Mullins
Princess Zoe (Ryanair Mares' Novices' Hurdle, Thursday, March 16)
Princess Zoe each-way in the mares' novice hurdle. She's also in the Albert Bartlett but we're training her for the mares' race. She's done very well since dead-heating on her hurdles debut at Punchestown. She's schooled nicely and everything is going according to plan. Hopefully she has a big chance.
Read these next:
Four shortest-priced favourites: hard to oppose, or is the value elsewhere?
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