Cheltenham Festival Trials Day 2009

There is a terrific days racing in prospect at Cheltenham tomorrow for their Festival Trials Day. All eyes will be on the World Hurdle’s antepost favourite Punchestowns (pictured) who runs in the Cleeve Hurdle, a race over 3 miles worth £60,000.
The main race of the day will be the Letherby and Christopher Chase worth £100,000 run over 3 miles 1 furlong. I would love to see Halcon Genelardais win this but just wonder if this is far enough for him. He seems to need at least 3 miles 6 furlongs to bring his stamina into play. He could be a Grand National horse this year.
Also on the card is the Betchronicle Steeple Chase, a handicap run over 2 miles 5 furlongs worth £60,000. There are two course and distance winners here in Stan and Mister McGoldrick. Both have plenty of weight now but Stan won fairly comfortably on New Years Day at Cheltenham. His trainer Venetia Williams’s horses are in tremendous form and Stan could well win again.
Away from Cheltenham my beloved Ipswich Town FC are at Stamford Bridge to play Chelsea in the FA Cup. This game might just be what the team needs to get them motivated and play as a team. There has been general disarray at Portman Road this season when expectations were so high back in August 2008. This game is a two horse race. 14/1 is a huge price for an away win. 5/1 the draw will be the saver.

For all the runners and riders with the jockey's colours go to Paddy Power and click on "Horse Racing".