We go again

Wow that was not the start we were hoping for or expected. 1 winner, 4 fallers and 1 death - if we keep up like this we will be outside Spar with a coffee cup long before the Gold Cup comes around, but we will keep plugging on and hopefully if tomorrows nags can resist the temptation to jump head first into the turf we can replenish the coffers and get ourselves a few bullets to finish off the week in style. At least we have an easy start to things tomorrow

Neptune:
Yanworth is unopposable here imo. He had the best single piece of novice form from his demolition job on trials day and he beat Charbel a lot easier in Ascot in December than Min did earlier so everything points to the fact that despite Yorkhill being a top novice Yanworth should have his measure. Hard to make a strong case for any of the rest.

3pts Yanworth 6/4

RSA:
This is a very tricky one and I am tempted to sit it out as I have doubts about pretty much the whole field. If Shaneshill had shown any ability to jump a fence I would have put him up at a big price but the mistakes he made at Naas under no pressure were punished when stepped up in class at Doncaster. Seeyouatmidnight emptied very quickly when in contention in a poor World Hurdle last year and don't think he really stays a true run 3m. Blaklion is all heart but would be a little worried that even 6 weeks later the battle in the mud the last day may have left a mark. More of That well he has looked impressive and is a former World Hurdle winner but he hasn't raced anything of note so hard to say how much of his old ability really remains (I think he'll win but @ 7/4 happy to pass). So that leaves 2 No More Heroes the horse that a lot of people smarter than me keep telling me is a future Gold Cup horse and I keep looking at them with a confused look on my face going - Really?!? What I do know is he has run 14 races 7 before the turn of the year and 7 after. His record before the turn of the year is 6/7 with just the one defeat on his hurdling debut. Of the 7 runs in the Spring he is 2/7 having taken down a decent bumper and a PTP but losing all 3 graded races. Now thismay be a bit of an abuse of statistics in that all 3 of those races came last spring and he ran a decent race in defeat in the Albert Bartlett but he has definitely never put in a spring performance that would have thinking Gold Cup so at the 5/2 mark I can readily pass especially when a horse who you could argue ran better last spring than he did is 4 times the price. Vyta de Roc beat Outlander a length here last year in the Neptune and was a stumble away from beating Nichols Canyon also. Looked to be coming into form and beat Minella Rocca by 1/2L the last day with him showing himself no slouch earlier today. At 10/1 definitely worth a small nibble.

1pt e/w Vyta du Roc

Coral Cup:
Politologue for last years winnng connections is tough to assess - seemed like he spooked at Cheltenhem in Dec and even though Nicholls is convinced he is well handicapped and has plenty of improvement to come I'm not convinced the occasional of the festival will see him at his best.
Ruby rides Blood Cotil who he was confident of winning on last year but ended up flopping before showing his true form later in the year at Punchestown. I would worry about history repeating itself here and the horse I like is Abre de Vie who ran an eyecatching race 3Ls behind No More Heros last year. In safe hands with David Mullins and likely a better price for the jockey change.

1pt ew Abre de Vie 12/1

Champion Chase:
A lot of horses here priced up on the former glories and will gladly dismiss the chances of the 3 previous winners in the race who all have their best days behind them. Un de Sceaux looked a champion in waiting the last day and my suspicion is the only horse that can beat him is himself. If he jumps well he will win but if Special Tiara takes him on up front it could put pressure on his jumping (2 falls in 7 chase starts) and if that happens the horse I think will be staying on past the others up the hill will be Gods Own. He got within 6Ls of UdS in last years Arkle and realistically speaking I think any of these horses will be delighted to get that close to him this year. If UdS does romp it we should still make a nice profit from the place money if Gods Own finds last years form.

1.5pts ew Gods Own 28/1

Cross Country:
Its not hard to see why Josies Order is a warm favorite in this given his record at the track and having Nina on board. Age and injury may have taken its toll on Balthazar King and I would expect the biggest challenge to come from Sire Collonges - was 2Ls back when they were well clear of Ballyboker Bridge back in December. At 4 times the price I'll take a chance that he can find enough improvement to squeeze by this time around

1.5pts ew Sire Collonges 12/1


Fred Winter:
As close to no opinion as possible on this race. Diego du Charmil could be anything but bookies not taking any chances. Jaleo could be one thats an improving spring horse and could go well but likely I'll already be flicking through Thursdays form by the time this one comes on.

Bumper:
Similar story here - if pushed I would go for a win for the girls with Augusta Kate very impressive winning a listed bumper in Navan but will be keeping stakes to a minimum on this.