THE BERNIE THE BOOK COLUMN ITS NOT ALL ABOUT THE CRAIC..WELL IT IS!
IT’S HERE!
...it’s now. It’s the annual pilgrimage to
Cheltenham where the Irish and English do battle for silverware and the Prestbury Cup, and this year there is just a soupçon of Gallic flair thrown into the pot. Here is your definitive guide to the 4 days...
TUESDAY
Four Grade 1s, but all eyes are on the Champion Hurdle with the return of the king, Constitution Hill, but will he regain his crown? Not for me as BRIGHTERDAYSAHEAD can power home to deny Henderson’s pride and joy up the Cheltenham Hill and at a likely 5/2 on the day, it represents good value. A note of caution...wait for the day or at least take NRNB as Elliot’s superstar might run in the Mares’ Hurdle half an hour earlier.
The Champion Hurdle is the fourth Grade 1 on the card and my tips for the preceding races are:
WORKAHEAD ONLY BY NIGHT KARGESE
And for one following: STENCIL
WEDNESDAY
Another cracking day with three Grade 1s highlighted by the Champion Chase. Jonbon is odds on, but I think that’s largely by default as others have rather fluffed their lines, but on the day I think SOLNESS will be a tough nut to crack. I’d rather be in the Solness camp than back an odds on Jonbon. Please note: my main fancy for the meeting is the French horse IL EST FRANCAIS who goes for either this race, the Ryanair over two and a half miles on Thursday, or even the Gold Cup on Friday. So hold your bets until decs.
Others to back on Wednesday are: THE NEW LION
BALLYBURN STUMPTOWN
THURSDAY
St Patrick’s day and the Irish will be out in force. Their Danny Boy might well be overshadowed by cries of La Marseillaise when IL EST FRANCAIS romps home in
PHTM MARCH 2025 TURNERS 3/1
BROWN ADVISORY 7/4 GLENFARCLAS 3/1
SUPREME 12/1 E/W ARKLE 10/1 E/W MARES 6/1
BOODLES 7/1 FRIDAY
Gold Cup Day and GALLOPIN cannot be opposed in the main event but there are other apples to pick: HELLO NEIGHBOUR JET BLUE McLAUREY
TRIUMPH 6/1 E/W
ALBERT BARTLETT 14/1 E/W MARTIN PIPE 10/1
Away from horse racing the draws have just been made for European competitions so now we know the path to the finals.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Uefa’s new format is certainly exciting and a keeper, and now that the draw has been made between the blue and silver halves, we can fashion a path to the final. There is no doubt Liver- pool has it tough and cannot be backed at a skinny 6/1 especially as just to reach the final they have to negotiate PSG, possibly Villa before a likely duel in Madrid against one of their teams. No, far better to look to the weaker section and INTER MILAN stand out at a very generous 14/1 with Betway and 12/1 universal.
EUROPA LEAGUE
United’s got it tough (thankfully!) but not so Spurs with the draw. Both though don’t deserve their positions at the head of the marketplace and preference is for ATHLETIC BILBAO at 6/1 and LAZIO at 15/2
CONFERENCE LEAGUE
Can you really oppose CHELSEA at 4/6? Not really, but the price is only for big hitters and I mean Russian Oligarchs!
Until next month Good punting
Bernie the Book 75
the Ryanair (see above) but the feature race is the Stayers and I believeHOME BY THE LEE will usurp Tee- hupoo’s crown at a tasty 13/2.
My other fancy for Thursday is: JAGWAR
TRUSTATRADER 8/1 E/W]
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