'He's my festival banker' - David Jennings and Paul Kealy answer your questions

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Who's your banker for Cheltenham? Steve Lockett

David It was Minella Crooner until he pulled a muscle this week. Plan B is now in place and he goes by the name of Stattler. I know he doesn't fit the criteria of your usual National Hunt Chase winner and lacks experience but I think he's different class to those he is running against.

Paul I could cheat and put up something short but Alaphilippe is the one horse I've been very keen on for a long time in the Pertemps so it's him. He was a massive eyecatcher in the Warwick qualifier.

Which festival winner from the past gave you the biggest thrill?Liam Doherty

David From a monetary point of view it was Aramax in the Fred Winter two years ago. I'd been rabbiting on about him for months and it all worked out just the way I wanted, especially as Keals told me to get stuck in again when he drifted all the way out to 16-1 a few hours before the race. From an emotional point of view, it would have to be Sprinter Sacre coming back to win the Champion Chase in 2016. That was magic.

Paul Imperial Aura in the novice handicap chase in 2020. I'd been banging on about him for weeks.

What are your thoughts on HMS Seahorse in the Boodles? He has the formline with the two favourites in the Triumph Hurdle, has a healthy pull in the weights with The Tide Turns and his trainer has also won this race previously.Kevin Rallings

David I can see where you're coming from, Kevin, and it wouldn't surprise me if he were placed. I don't think he will reverse form with The Tide Turns, though, as his Punchestown conqueror has improved since then. Then there is Gaelic Warrior to think about, of course. God only knows what he's capable of.

Paul I wouldn't put you off him. If all the gossip about Gaelic Warrior turns out to be nonsense you'd have to put him high on the shortlist.

Any thoughts on Sire Du Berlais? I know he'll be carrying a big weight but surely if anywhere near his best he must have a huge chance of winning the Pertemps again this year.Philip Daniel

David Rob James's 7lb claim is a big help and the end-to-end gallop of the Pertemps will certainly play to his strengths. Is he as good as he was when he won the race two years ago? Probably not. Will he have to be? Probably, as Alaphilippe and Winter Fog look well handicapped to me.

Paul He's won the race twice before and been second in a Stayers' Hurdle so you'd have to think he'll be a player even at the age of ten. The booking of Rob James to take off 7lb is certainly no bad idea.

Chantry House is twice the price of Protektorat in the Gold Cup with much better general form and a festival win. Is he underrated?Rod Lawrie

David I couldn't have him to my mind. He won the Cotswold Chase but went down in my estimation. The hustle and bustle of the Gold Cup is not what he wants – he needs space.

Paul I'd question whether he has much better general form. He looked lucky to win his Aintree Grade 1 last season and Protektorat didn't. He was laboured in his last run at Cheltenham and Protektorat won as he liked.

Camprond: has solid claims for trainer Philip Hobbs in the Coral CupCredit: Steve Davies

Can you give us a trainer or jockey coming into the festival under the radar?Paul Stephens

David Phillip Hobbs could have a really good week. Camprond and Thyme Hill have solid claims, and so does Celebre D'Allen in the Plate. It wouldn't surprise me if he had two or three winners.

Paul If you're not Willie Mullins or Gordon Elliott you are under the radar! I have a feeling Dan Skelton is going to have a good festival, while Rob James is going to get plenty of good rides from Elliott.

Do you think there are better novices in Britain this year compared to last year and could this be the start of competition down the line to balance the Irish domination?John Ryan

David Yes. Appreciate It, Bob Olinger and Vanillier all hacked up in the novice hurdles last year. This year Constitution Hill, Jonbon, Stage Star and Hillcrest all look genuine contenders for their respective heats.

Paul They are definitely stronger this year. Nicky Henderson didn't have a single novice hurdle runner last season, and when you don't have anything for the Grade 1 novices your team of handicappers is likely to be weaker too. The Irish are going to dominate overall for a while, but I do think last year's 23-5 was a one-off.

Can you give me a fancied horse for a place lay?Ben Ridge

David Maybe Gaelic Warrior. He's the sort of horse who will either win easily or be nowhere. For all that he might be ridiculously well handicapped off 129, a big-field handicap over the minimum trip could catch him out. He might need further.

Paul Brandy Love in the mares' novice. I think she's a bit of a loon and while going left-handed will help, she could certainly give her chance away at the last if she's still there. I think it's a deep enough race as well.

What do you think of Frodon going for the Ultima?Martin Ross

David I can understand where Paul Nicholls is coming from, but Frodon didn't look himself in the Irish Gold Cup and I'd be against him.

Paul I never thought he really stayed the Gold Cup trip and it would be hard to beat Allaho over 2m5f, so it is probably the right race. He's up against it aged ten off a mark of 164, but he'll likely take plenty out of their comfort zone before something picks him up late.

Obviously Facile Vega will win next year's Supreme and American Mike will win next year's Ballymore, but who wins the bumper this year?Adam Beagley

David You're getting ahead of yourself there, Adam! At the prices I would be in the American Mike camp for the bumper but it's not a betting race for me. How on earth does anyone know how much more improvement there is to come from either of them? It's going to be fascinating. Enjoy it. If you have a strong opinion you're braver than me.

Paul I generally don't take much interest in horses until they have started to jump, so don't really care all that much, but at the prices I'd lead towards American Mike.

What's your handicap good thing this year?Brian Plested

David I'm not sure there is such a thing as a handicap good thing but I do think Camprond has a bit in hand off 140 in the Coral Cup as the form of his Greatwood fourth on the Old course has worked out spectacularly well and it is worth remembering he raced on the worst of the ground up the inner there. I also like Grand Paradis in the Plate – he looks like a Graded horse running in a handicap.

Paul I love Alaphilippe in the Pertemps and Camprond for the Coral Cup. The latter's fourth in the Greatwood Hurdle arguably represents the strongest handicap formline in Britain.

Grand Paradis: looks like a Graded horse running in a handicapCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

What is your best piece of advice for punters at the festival? And are there any golden rules you stick to?Tom Jenkins

David Don't get carried away in the emotion of it all. It's a marvellous occasion but it's a long week and there are 28 races. Take the Champion Bumper, for instance. It's a cracking heat between a whole heap of unexposed potential superstars. You can watch it and savour it without being financially involved.

Paul I always get asked this sort of question and the truth is I have no set rules. But I would say don't be afraid to take on the so-called good things. Seven of the last 11 odds-on shots have been stuffed.

Do you see anything in the handicaps who could be a springer on the day? Maybe a horse like Drop The Anchor?Andy Parker

David I can see where you're coming from with Drop The Anchor, Andy, and I know my esteemed colleague Tom Segal is very sweet on him. I could see Andy Dufresne going off favourite in the Grand Annual. If there is an upset in the Champion Chase, punters might look to him to get out of jail!

Paul Trying to work out which one of JP's is going to get smashed off the boards (if there is one this year) is never easy – and if the price goes too early that won't be the one, so it probably isn't Drop The Anchor. I do think Camprond ought to be shorter for the Coral Cup, and as I did like Deploy The Getaway for the Martin Pipe the one who beat him at Punchestown, Slip Of The Tongue, appeals as one who could become popular for the County.

I think Shan Blue has a great chance in the Ryanair. Am I thinking wrong on this?Richard Lilesmartt

David His style of running could scupper his chances as Allaho won't hang about and could sicken him. If he settles off the pace and gets into a decent rhythm he could go well, but it's a big ask to come from a crashing fall in the Charlie Hall to win the Ryanair. He's not for me and I'm not sure Cheltenham is his track either.

Paul It's really bold of Dan Skelton to stick to his guns and go straight for this rather than take in a big handicap off a gift of a mark of 148, so you have to think he has serious confidence in the horse. He has a bit to prove on last year's Turners effort at the track, though, and Allaho is obviously going to be a tough nut to crack.

What's the best ante-post bet you've landed at the Cheltenham Festival, and how long before the race did you place it?Bruce Oliphant

David The opening day of the 2016 festival is my biggest claim to fame. I managed to get six of the seven races right: Douvan (Arkle), Un Temps Pour Tout (Ultima), Annie Power (Champion Hurdle), Vroum Vroum Mag (Mares' Hurdle), Minella Rocco (National Hunt Chase) and Ballyalton (novice handicap). I did a few small multiples, but not with all six. A mate of mine did a Lucky 63 and made an absolute fortune. He's still living on caviar and champagne!

Paul I don't tend to get involved as early as some, but the only two horses I backed the previous summer both won. They were Forpadydeplasterer and Sizing Europe in the Arkles of 2009 and 2010, and looking back I don't think I could have been much luckier with the former given it took him 18 runs and three and a half years before he won again!

Tiger Roll: will bid to score for the veterans in the Cross Country ChaseCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

How much do you take age trends into consideration for selections, such as only one eight-year-old winning the Arkle in the past 12 runnings?Sean McCormack

David My Upping The Ante partner-in-crime Gavin Lynch is extremely ageist when it comes to Cheltenham. I'm not quite as bad as he is but it does put me off when a horse gets to double figures. That said, Tiger Roll looks like he will do the business yet again.

Paul Not so much with races like that as it's just unusual for horses of that age to run rather than loads of them getting beaten year in, year out. You do get plenty of horses aged ten or older running in other races, though, and they generally have a bad strike-rate. That said, when they win they tend to do so at massive prices and two 66-1 winners in the past five years probably puts you ahead.

I'm looking forward to being back at Cheltenham on the Friday but 1'm usually devoid of ideas following the Gold Cup. Any advice on good bets in the last few races so I can impress my mates and go home on a winner?!Christopher Lamb

David Oh yes, Christopher! Elimay is still value in the Paddy Power Mares' Chase so get on her now. I wouldn't put you off Winged Leader in the hunter chase either.

Paul I'd take a chance each-way on Vienna Court in the Mares' Chase if she runs.

Could Envoi Allen bounce back as Samcro did in 2020?Stewart Matthews

David Not if he goes for the Champion Chase. I couldn't see him finishing ahead of Shishkin, Chanun Pour Soi or Energumene. I could, however, see him chasing home Allaho in the Ryanair.

Paul When Samcro bounced back he did so in a novice race, while Envoi Allen has to take on either Shishkin and Energumene or Allaho, so I'd say he's up against it.

Can Appreciate It beat Honeysuckle?Christian Fenwick

David He could but I don't think he will. If he gives her 7lb on the back of a year off, Willie Mullins is officially God.

Paul There seems to be plenty of confidence behind him, but it is surely a big ask to give 7lb to a mare as good as her after a year off the track.

I think Martello Sky in the Mares' Hurdle is the wrong price and will go mighty close. What do you think?Martin Day

David I adore her but she's not good enough. I doubt she will even be placed.

Paul She's been running well, but I think she has a fair bit to find with the pick of the Irish.

Do you think Constitution Hill is the real deal?Kealan Hurley

David I do. I really do. To do what he did to Might I at Sandown the first day is better form than people realise. He relaxes, he jumps and he quickens; what more do you want?

Paul As I've backed him for the Supreme and the Ballymore (stupidly) I do hope so. The Supreme is a race I keep changing my mind over, though, and that's because there are plenty of exciting horses in the line-up.

Constitution Hill: is the real deal according to David JenningsCredit: Edward Whitaker

What race at the festival has been your best friend as a punter over the years?Adrian King

David Definitely the Coral Cup. I had a few quid on Idole First at a massive price in 2005 and it's been good to me ever since. Sky's The Limit (2006), Ninetieth Minute (2009), Spirit River (2010), Diamond King (2016) and Supasundae (2017) have followed and if Topofthegame and Wicklow Brave had not been touched off since it could have been ever better. No pressure, Camprond!

Paul The novice handicap chase, which no longer exists! Dump the bumper and bring it back, I say!

Most Gold Cup winners come into the race with a progressive profile and I can't get away from Galvin. What do you think?Peter Mottram

David I think he will be placed but I don't think he'll win. At the prices, in the hope of rain, Royale Pagaille looks overpriced to me. The most likely winner is A Plus Tard, though.

Paul I have the same line of thinking, but I'm in the Protektorat camp. Galvin is the one I really fear, though.

Who's the bet in the Brown Advisory now Galopin Des Champs will take on Bob Olinger in the Turners?William Abey

David Ahoy Senor. Everything was against him in the Kauto Star at Kempton over Christmas so don't read too much into that. I fully expect him to reverse that form with Bravemansgame.

Paul I really thought L'Homme Presse had a chance of beating both the Irish pair in that, so now it looks like he's going for the 3m race I'd have to say him. I'm a big fan of Bravemansgame and Ahoy Senor, too, and won't it be weird if the best of the Irish and British stay away from each other.

The Champion Chase looks the race of the festival and listening to people it’s as though Shishkin is a certainty to finish in front of Energumane. I'm not so sure. What do you think?Lee Wainwright

David It's very hard to see Shishkin being beaten but Chacun Pour Soi is being unfairly judged. It's a very small sample size to say he doesn't like travelling or Cheltenham and I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt for now. He's a very good horse.

Paul I'd give Shishkin the nod, but I don't think it's a foregone conclusion. He is going to charge up the hill after the last, though, isn't he?

Does impressive Warwick winner Stag Horn float your boat for the Albert Bartlett? If not, who else do you fancy?Stephen Simpson

David No, but Henrietta Knight told me at a preview night on Wednesday that she loves him and he will take the world of beating. So that will be music to your ears, Stephen. Hillcrest and Ginto are quality stayers and it looks between that pair.

Paul He's a horse with bags of experience from the Flat, which makes him similar to Penhill in that respect, so I wouldn't rule him out. At a bigger price I like multiple point winner Ballygrifincottage, who will stay well.

Read more on the 2022 Cheltenham Festival:

'He couldn't win the Ryanair or the Gold Cup, he hasn't got the profile for me'

Red-hot Pricewise: how to get his Cheltenham Festival tips after a super Saturday

Who will win the 2022 Cheltenham Gold Cup based on previous trends?

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