Day two of the Festival produced some performances that will long live in the memory, with Samcro and Altior confirming that they are superstars of our sport.
My selection yesterday was Presenting Percy in the RSA Chase and he did not let us down. Travelling and jumping superbly under a textbook, patient ride from Davy Russell he came from the last pair in the field to lead 2 from home staying on well to win by an impressive 7 lengths.
Thursday and Friday are traditionally days when the bookies claw back some of the losses from the first two days and having a look at today's cards it looks particularly difficult to find those winners.
My selection today comes in the 14:50 Ryanair Chase where I've been having a look at the 'Betting without the favourite (Un De Sceaux)' market.
The horse I fancy to run well and who should chase Un De Sceaux home is the Paul Nicholls trained FRODON. When racing over today's distance of 2m4f Frodon has run 7 times winning on 5 of those occasions with 2 of those being here at Cheltenham.
I was at Cheltenham on trials day back in January when Frodon produced a stunning performance under Bryony Frost to win the Grade 3 Crest Nicholson Chase by an incredible 17 lengths.
The ground that day was heavy and with their being 9mm of rain at Cheltenham overnight, this bit of form looks to be solid as he is 2 from 2 when racing here at Prestbury Park.
Following his run on trials day this 6yo went on to compete in the Ascot Chase where he pulled hard and was not fluent at all in his jumping.
Consequently, he finished 3rd behind Cue Card and waiting Perfectly. Furthermore, when looking back at his win in January the horses that were 2nd and 4th that day were Shantou Flyer and Coo Star Sivola who finished 1st and 2nd in the Ultima on Tuesday, giving me even more confidence in Frodon to deliver the goods this afternoon.
The market favourite Un De Sceaux won this race last year and he really is a fantastic horse who now at the ripe old age of 10 has proven himself time and time again clocking up 8 grade 1 wins and over £905,000 in prize money.
All this in mind I'm willing to back Frodon in the Without the favourite market at around the 3/1 mark.
Having taken 7/1 last night I am rather disappointed that the price has been compressed so much due to the antics of Willie Mullins not declaring Douvan to be not running in the race. After Mr Whitaker on Tuesday and Presenting Percy yesterday I'm hoping Frodon can bring home the hat trick and give us another lovely winner going into Gold Cup Friday.
