Less than seven weeks to go and it's time to take the Cheltenham punting seriously (which sadly means avoiding the pub)
There is now no getting away from it. There are less than seven weeks to go before you know what and even the most die-hard of Flat fans must at least be thinking about who to back in the Pertemps Final or the Ultima Handicap Chase.
Things are only going to ramp up even more in the coming weeks. The hype for some horses will reach hysterical levels and before you know it you'll have been sucked into backing something you had never even heard of only a month ago.
To avoid such a scenario and to help keep your feet firmly on the ground, I offer this alternative checklist, from someone who's seen (and heard) it all before, to keep you focused and help you save time in your form study.
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- Betting shops still offer a safer - and drier - haven for punters to get together
- Bahrain brilliance just the tip of Oisin Orr's inspired move to Britain - and he's on his way back to the very top
- The duds even Aidan has forgotten about: it's time for our alternative O'Brien award
- Both hands of the clock point to these Irish bumper horses making a big impact
- Flexibility with fixtures key to adapting to changing weather conditions