Teahupoo is a horse I know well from my riding days and I strongly fancy him to win the Stayers' Hurdle at Cheltenham today.
I won a few races on him, including the Red Mills Hurdle at Gowran Park on very soft ground, and I actually thought he had a very good chance in the Champion Hurdle last year, but the ground was good to firm on that occasion.
I don't think he is ground dependent, but he is stamina dependent and stepping up to three miles really suits him. He's going to get plenty of ease in the ground which will suit as well and he's my nap of the day.
He's a classy horse. He has the class to win over two miles and he stays over three miles. When you get a horse like that who is so relaxed and has that bit of speed, it makes them a very good stayer and I think he will take plenty of beating.
Might Potter looks set to go off a short-priced favourite in the opening race today, but for me this is his toughest test.
He didn't travel over to Cheltenham well last year and ran poorly in the Supreme, but he has been a different horse over fences this season.
However, I think Appreciate It is a big danger to him. He's stepping up in trip and that could bring about a lot of improvement and I actually fancy Appreciate It to overturn the favourite.
The Pertemps is very competitive. Gordon Elliott is well represented with a number of runners and Salvador Ziggy with Aidan Kelly taking off seven pounds looks to have a big chance in the race.
But I did a stable tour at Nicky Henderson's a few weeks ago and he tipped up Walking On Air as his best chance in the Pertemps. He was a good winner the last day and I think he could follow up here under Nico de Boinville.
Shishkin was hugely impressive at Ascot last time out and I think there was a lot of pressure of Nicky. I think he would have had Shishkin 110% ready for Ascot. I don't think he'll improve an awful lot from that run and the soft ground would be a concern for him.
I was very impressed with Envoi Allen when he won at Down Royal on his first start this season. He disappointed in the King George over Christmas, but he's been freshened up since and I think he has a big each-way chance in the Ryanair.
So Scottish is the favourite for the Plate Handicap Chase for Emmet Mullins and he has to have a big chance, but sometimes class wins these races and Haut En Couleurs was very unlucky not to win a Grade 2 at Thurles when he fell at the last.
He was slightly disappointing in the Red Mills Chase at Gowran since, but he's a graded horse in a handicap. Michael O'Sullivan takes off three pounds and we've all seen this week how much value he is for three pounds so I fancy Haut En Couleurs to take plenty of beating.
Luccia is the favourite for the Jack De Bromhead Mares' Novices' Hurdle, with Henry de Bromhead running a few here. It's a race that would obviously mean a lot to win.
The only question I would have over Luccia is her jumping. I wasn't impressed with it at Exeter the last time.
Henry runs five in total and Magical Zoe is the pick of them. She was a good winner in Down Royal on her last start, she's unbeaten over hurdles and I think she's a quality mare.
And in the lucky last, I like the look of Musical Slave at a good each-way price against Stumptown, who is the likely favourite. He was a good winner against Mister Malarky last time and that's good form.
Bet of the day - Teahupoo - 3.30
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