Another one missing will be David Pipe's The Sliotar who had a number of entries at the Festival but has been found to be lame.

One of the main market movers this week would seem to have been the Paul Nicholls-trained Sanctuaire (Fred Winter Handicap Hurdle - Wednesday).

Now joint favourite with a number of bookmakers and as low as 7/1 having been gererally available at 10/1 at the beginning of the week. Hills 9/1 surely can't last much longer.

Is it just me that thinks Dunguib even at 4/5 is still good value.

For Any bigg-ish gambler, 500 quid on him, and you've got your betting money for the rest of the festival.

I just cannot see him losing.

Agree.

Tom Coopers horse has the beating of him on a line through Surfing - very good horse and Cooper had a hot favourite a few years ago in River Liane who burst and didn't handle the track. Well worth a good bet at 16's.

Not saying it won't win, but many a banker has gone down in the Supreme. I'll be backing something else anyway for my sins.

My ante post book has taken a few hits recently but fairly happy with where i'm at so far. Still a bit to go yet, so hoping my nags all make it now and go for the races i've got them in!

Nothing is ever a cert but after seeing what its done so far you can see why its such a hot fav not to mention last years Champion bumper the jockey didn't even move until it was going up the hill unreal.

Done Solwhit @ 5/1 for the Champion hurdle.

Tuesday is certainly gonna be a fascinating day and in the battle of punter v bookies could set the tone for the rest of the festival.

Dunguib will be many people's banker and rightly so IMO.

Captain Cee Bee will carry a lot of support from The Irish in the Arkle and I've strongly fancied him since he was cantering all over Sizing Europe before coming to grief at the last, course form is also a bonus.

William Hill Trophy I aint really looked at yet..

Champion Hurdle promises to be a cracker and is absolutely wide open with half a dozen or more having a very good chance.

I've seen a lot of very good judges tip Garde Champetre as their banker of the entire festival in the Cross Country Chase and could be another favourite on the opening day.

I really can't see past the top 2 in the betting for The David Nicholson Mares Hurdle either and the bookies could be crying into their satchels at the end of the first day.

If 3 or 4 of those strongly fancied horses do win on the opening day then the likes of Master Minded, Big Bucks and Kauto Star could shorten even further if the acca's start rolling onto them...

Captain Cee Bee, Big Bucks and Dunguib shape my week worked out its nearly £1,500 profit if them 3 win

Sublimity (lame) misses the Champion Hurdle.

Stan James non-runner, no bet on all Festival races from tomorrow morning.

Revealed yesterday that they'll be watering the course all week, aiming to keep the current going of Good to Soft, Good in places.

Anyone heading to the Festival then?

Think i'm going to try and get to Tuesday, could be the best day IMO.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO











[urlhttp://www.racingpost.com/news/horse-racing/cheltenham-festival-cheltenham-champion-hurdle-champion-fancy-solwhits-bid-in-serious-doubt/689527/top/[/url

He wouldn't have won anyway.





Very unlucky for Solwhit backers.

Its NRNB THANKFUCK

Very very disappointed by this (if true). Plenty of rumours about over this one though

TBH - I can see him being ran even if not 100%, from what I can gather Byrne doesn't really have any interest in the Aintree meeting and seems to think its this or nothing.

Even so - I think he'll run but his odds will take a beating and I'd back him to place.

Why wouldn't he take it to Aintree? if it aint 100% they may as well wait for Aintree as it won't be beating Go Native or Zaynar if its not 100%

I've just got the impression he's placed all his eggs in the Cheltenham basket, I hope he runs at Aintree as i'll be there but doubt it.

Saturdays Kelso winner Bedlam Boy will now bypass Cheltenham in favour of Aintree. Ferdy Murphy's 9-y-o will now go for the Maghull Novice Chase (won last year by stablemate Kalahari King).

Sounds like Noel Meade is somewhat concerned about this decision in respect of Champion Hurdle favourite Go Native, hoping that there is no mis-calculation resulting in 'tacky' ground.

I can't blame them for watering personally, it's forecast to be pretty much dry until the Opening Day and it's smart to preserve the current conditions.

Just been using the new sporting life race replay feature to watch some of last years festival races to get me in the mood. Enjoyed it again so much I've watched the bumper 3 times

just confirms to me what an unbelievable performance that was from Dunguib and cannot wait for the opener next week, can't say I've been that excited about a horse for a very long time..

Also on the subject of Dunguib, I've had a little tickle on the only horse to ever finish in front of him. Found it interesting that Howard Johnson said that his On Raglan Road is potentially the best horse he has in the yard. He's trained some belters and has some top class animals at present and i see that as high praise indeed, 33/1 in the Coral Cup is worth a few quid I thought!

Sorry what's this?

If it's an online feature then that would make my day being a Uni student without the TV previewes?

Ignore my last comment anyway - I've watched a few races on Youtube including the 2008 Gold Cup and the 09 Hennessy and as much as i've vowed I won't bet for Denman in the GC - I just seem to have a liking for him, had alot of trouble, seems to have been written off by the Bookies now, By god i'd love him to beat Kauto again - Imagine the Papers.