Daily Betting Advice / Adam Brookes / 16 March 2011 /

A great day to kick off the Festival yesterday, not only for Ruby Walsh, Willie Mullins and vendors of the 'Black Stuff', but also for followers of our Placepot advice, and here's hoping for more of the same today.

13.30 - As is typical of a Placepot at Cheltenham, we begin rather easily with a large field of novices, ridden by amateur jockeys, tackling the longest race of the meeting. All sarcasm aside, however, the most logical method for navigating around such a race is surely to select the most suitable horses for the test, and in this case they appear to be the Irish pair of Alfa Beat and Chicago Grey. Alfa Beat had been rapidly progressing through the handicap chasing ranks, culminating in a determined win in the Kerry National at Listowel in September, and, although virtually ruled out of the race by his trainer in January for fearing it would come too soon, he is here and fancied to go very well. Compatriot Chicago Grey is taken as back-up, as his second at Cheltenham in December, where he was sandwiched between Time For Rupert and Quinz, is very strong form, and the trainer's Tharawaat ran well yesterday.

14.05 - An intriguing race, but one in which likely favourite So Young has to improve to win, so preference is for the pair with the best form, Oscars Well and Rock On Ruby. Although he has done all his winning on soft ground, Oscars Well's trainer believes today's going will suit him and a performance similar to the one he put up when completing a hat-trick will see him very hard to beat. A course winner in November, Rock On Ruby is solid, if not spectacular, and he looks sure to run well again.

14.40 - Crunch time. Not just for our Placepot prospects, but for the horse we're including as our banker - Time For Rupert. In what looks a very competitive RSA Chase, Time For Rupert is undoubtedly going to face his sternest test yet over fences, but both his form and the manner in which he has achieved it is very impressive. His record at Cheltenham, the only course he has run at since November 2009, is superb, and if he can repeat the way he jumped when last seen in December, he will surely win, nevermind place.

15.20 - The main event, and one in which Master Minded aims to regain the title of Champion chaser after a disappointing fourth to Big Zeb in the race last year. A breathing operation before the start of the season seems to have done the trick, if his three performances so far this year are anything to go by, and, although this is the proverbial acid test, it will be surprising if Master Minded couldn't lay down a very serious challenge to Big Zeb, Somersby and Sizing Europe. Big Zeb would need to produce a career-best to beat Master Minded if he was at his peak, whilst the jury is still out with regards to Somersby being able to back up his performance last time. Therefore, the vastly-improved Woolcombe Folly is included in case Master Minded fail to fire.

16.00 - Just the 28 runners to choose from in the Coral Cup but, although pin-sticking will be favoured by many, it appears For Non Stop, Call The Police and Secret Dancer are the form choices to give us the best chance of survival. The lightly-raced For Non Stop has been popular for this race for weeks and his fourth behind Backspin at Newbury in December reads even better after the third-placed Al Ferof's victory yesterday. Prior to that For Non Stop had finished second to Grands Crus in a big-field handicap and a reproduction of that effort brings him right into the mix. Call The Police has only had five starts himself, winning three of them, and the ease with which he won last time pointed to him being a very big danger in this race, where a strong pace looks assured. With his trainer and jockey amongst the winners yesterday, he's another with a big chance. Last year's County Hurdle seventh Secret Dancer looks to be peaking at the right time and could well run into the frame.

16.40 - French juvenile hurdle winner Tenor Nivernais is the horse we're expecting to run very well in the Fred Winter Handicap Hurdle after his two runs against older horses in very competitive races since joining Venetia Williams. A third place behind Karky Schultz and Via Galilei at Taunton last time is strong form and the way he travels and stays are big assets for a race such as this, where they look sure to go a fast pace. Whilst we expect Tenor Nivernais to take all the beating, it would be folly to refuse back-up, and, in this case, Sandown winner Kayef fits the bill. Although he must improve to figure, Kayef's jumping looked most assured last time and it wouldn't be a surprise to see him run well at double-figure odds.

Selections: Place your tote bet on Betfair

13:30 - 2, 8
14:05 - 9, 10
14:40 - 10
15:20 - 8, 11
16:00 - 5, 14, 20
16:40 - 9, 15

Lines: 48

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