Cheltenham Placepot: Tuesday March 12

Quevega can hopefully see us home

Attacking the swollen Cheltenham Placepot pools is always worth doing, but with a few solid-looking banker propositions on day one Tony McFadden advises a small 18-line permutation, keeping plenty of ammo for later in the week...

13:30- A sublime performance in the Betfair Hurdle thrust My Tent Or Yours to the head of the market for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle and, though the undulations of Cheltenham will provide a sterner test, he holds outstanding claims, his Newbury performance good enough to win every renewal of this race since Golden Cygnet's stunning win in 1978. We will take no chances in this opening contest, however, and also include the Ruby Walsh-ridden Champagne Fever. One of three contenders saddled by Willie Mullins, Champagne Fever has already demonstrated his effectiveness at Cheltenham, winning last year's Champion Bumper with a tenacious display from the front, and testing conditions look sure to play to the strengths of this strong stayer.

14:05- Simonsig has looked exceptional in his burgeoning career, actually entering this contest rated 2 lb higher than Sprinter Sacre was last year, and he really should not be opposed. Those looking to take on Simonsig may point to his relative inexperience over fences, but his jumping has looked assured on both outings, producing extravagant leaps as well as displaying an ability to correct himself and meet one on a short stride, and he registers as banker material.

14:40- Jonjo O'Neill and Richie McLernon teamed up to win this contest last year and they would appear to have excellent claims of repeating the feat with Merry King. The novice has some solid handicap form to his name, notably a second to Rolling Aces in a race that has worked out tremendously well, and this sure-footed jumper looks sure to go close, especially with conditions set to be on the testing side. Another who will relish soft ground is the veteran Knockara Beau. He has performed well at this venue before, finishing sixth in last year's Gold Cup, and looks well treated based on the best of his form. This looks like a competitive race, though, so it is worth keeping another horse onside, and one that is likely to go well is The Package. David Pipe's 10-year-old has twice finished in the frame in this race and wasn't knocked about when his chance had gone at Warwick last time. The Grand National has been mooted as his ultimate target but his effort in the Hennessy gives him a good chance here and he should be involved in the finish.  

15:20- With the three places on offer we will attempt to save lines and bank on Hurricane Fly. Granted, he let a lot of people down at last year's Festival, but he has consistently produced the goods at the top level, winning 14 Grade 1 events, and will cope with soft ground better than the majority of his rivals. People will crab the form and suggest he is simply beating the same rivals time and time again, but Thousand Stars is a high-class hurdler in his own right and has enjoyed success when not faced with the formidable challenge of trying to topple his illustrious stablemate. 

16:00- Even cross-country aficionados must confess to being slightly disappointed by the turnout in this year's renewal, but we will stick to the tried-and-tested tactic of selecting a JP McManus-owned horse with good form over this unique course. Outlaw Pete was an authoritative winner in attritional conditions in December and he should make another bold bid, even allowing for the fact he has a stiffer task at the weights. He has simply been outpaced in conventional events in Ireland recently and a return to this discipline should see him in a better light. Last year's runner-up, A New Story, is the second string to our bow, despite him now being a 15-year-old. He relishes this course, having also won in 2010, and has had a nice pipe-opener over hurdles that should have left him spot on. Bostons Angel was below his best at Punchestown last time, but this previous Festival winner appeared to handle Cheltenham's variation of the cross country course extremely well and it would be a mistake to underestimate him, for all his temperament has come under suspicion in the past.

16:40- Banking on an odds-on favourite that hasn't been seen in public for the best part of a year would ordinarily seem like a bad tactic, but it has been a successful strategy in the past with Quevega and there is nothing to suggest she won't cruise to victory again. She has plenty in hand on the figures and, once again, providing Willie Mullins has delivered her in top shape, she would appear to be another steering job for Ruby Walsh. She can hopefully wrap things up in style and give us plenty of ammo for some tricky-looking 'pots' later in the week.

Timeform SmartPlays:

13:30- 2, 7
14:05- 6
14:40- 5, 10, 12
15:20- 6
16:00- 2, 3, 9
16:40- 4
= 18 lines

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