Johnny Ward's Irish Angle: This 50-1 chance is "my bet of the week"
By Johnny Ward
Last Updated: Thu 21 Dec 2023
As I type this, having arrived in the stunning old village of Winchcombe where I will be staying this week, it has begun to rain; may it continue to rain.
My main fancy for day one of the Cheltenham Festival is going to be helped by any more rain that falls a few miles away at Prestbury Park.
Do remember to stay in control during the next few days. For one thing, Cheltenham can make people lose the run of themselves; for another, my nap of the week runs on Saturday at Navan!
2.10 Cheltenham: Brewin'upastorm at 13-2 with Ladbrokes
Johnny Ward
Finished: UR SP: 6/1
The Irish novices just do not do it for me this season. Notebook has his quirks and was ordinary enough as a hurdler, while he looks sure to be taken on up front by Cash Back, for all that he is probably not reliant on pace-making.
Brewin'upastorm was a better hurdler than Notebook, perhaps comfortably superior. I like how he jumps, and he comes here as fresh as paint for a trainer likely to have a big career ahead of him.
I can see this race falling apart a bit and into the lap of those restrained.
2.50 Cheltenham: Discorama at a general 8-1
Johnny Ward
Finished: 3rdSP: 11/2
Discorama’s record at Cheltenham is two runs and two seconds - in the Martin Pipe and in the National Hunt Chase. Moreover, he was a game second in a Grade One last season over fences.
This year has been a bit of a mess, but he has had a wind operation plus he also wears a tongue tie for the first time.
"He will be ridden out the back, will have to jump well and have luck in running but is in great form," says trainer Paul Nolan.
3.30 Cheltenham: Darasso at 50-1 with Coral and Unibet
Johnny Ward
Finished: 10thSP: 40/1
My bet of the week at the available prices. He was friendless in the market at Gowran Park last time when he was conceding 7lb to Cilaos Emery, and he is probably going to be much sharper now.
A horse who will relish the rain and the stamina test this is sure to be with a field of 17.
On last season's form he has the potential to be heavily involved.
4.10 Cheltenham: Honeysuckle at a general 11-4
Johnny Ward
Finished: 1stSP: 9/4
I am not sure either of Benie Des Dieux's Cheltenham performances would be good enough to win this, though David Casey says she has had a better prep.
I make it very close between her and Honeysuckle, but the bookmakers do not, therefore I must side with Henry de Bromhead’s charge.
She will relish this trip and the only slight concern is whether she is as good going left-handed.
4.50 Cheltenham: Galvin at a general 7-1
Johnny Ward
Finished: 2ndSP: 4/1
Before going chasing, Galvin won five of his seven races, a hell of a strike-rate, and I would forgive him his defeats over fences as I reckon his plan this season has been to get here off a mark as competitive as possible.
He has managed to arrive here off a mark lower than his hurdles one and this is clearly a plot horse for a genius of a trainer. He will have done plenty of schooling too.
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