The Cheltenham Festival is upon us and OTB's resident racing nerd Thom Malone has whittled the 28 races of the week down to just three guaranteed selections.
Friday's opening race, the Triumph Hurdle had looked highly likely to be on its way to Cullentra House, but then *that* controversial photo changed things.
"Good things can happen to good people..."@thom_malone joined the show to give us two trifectas for the week ahead at Cheltenham.
Watch the full show ➡️ https://t.co/SYT47UGgqZ@paddypower | #FeelLikeAFavourite pic.twitter.com/M7YmuAnNf6— Off The Ball (@offtheball) March 15, 2021
While Zanahiyr is still favourite, Alan King's Tritonic sauntered into the picture when winning the Adonis Hurdle at Kempton. There was so much to like about this horse's running style. He can be lazy in his races, meaning he has more left at the end.
This is an obvious advantage over fellow juveniles who have a tendency to be hot. Tritonic was classy on the flat too so has a level of tactical speed when required should something blast off in front, it will not be an issue.
Cheltenham Festival repeat
The Stayers' Hurdle market on Thursday was upset by the defection of Thyme Hill. However, 2019 winner Paisley Park had his measure when they last met and Emma Lavelle's charge has a brilliant chance of regaining his crown this year.
Aidan Coleman's mount wasn't right after the race when dethroned in 2020. Paisley Park has had plenty of time to recover. He looks to have an excellent favourite's chance for the Stayers'.
The third leg of the Festival Trifecta goes in the Ballymore Novices Hurdle, the opening race on Wednesday. Bob Olinger looks a little short at the top of this market. But he is taking the same route as Envoi Allen did successfully to the Cheltenham Festival last year and has plenty of fans.
The skinny price seems to be based on the views of Jamie Codd on the At The Races Preview Podcast though and he can be opposed with Bravemansgame.
Bravemansgame won the Challow in an authoritative style. The last horse Paul Nicholls trained to win that race was Denman, he was ok. Bravemansgame is unlikely to be the next Denman, but he could be good enough to beat Bob Olinger.
Catch the Cheltenham Show every morning on OTB Sports from 10.30.
