23rd March 2016

Hi ,

It's now a week since the Cheltenham Festival but what a superb weeks racing we all witnessed. There were many highlights that stay in the memory including Anne Power in the Champion hurdle, Don Cossack in the Gold Cup and the supreme riding of Ruby Walsh. However the biggest cheer for me must go to Sprinter Sacre when winning the Queen Mother Chase.

This is a horse who at one time was said to be the best since Arkle but has been dogged by serious health issues yet despite all his problems Nicky Henderson nursed this wonderful horse back to peak fitness to totally outclass a very high class field including a Willie Mullins hot pot.

The roar that greeted this star chaser on his return to the winners enclosure was the loudest I have ever heard perhaps even louder than when Desert Orchid won his Gold Cup.

Anyway with Cheltenham done and dusted we start to think of the Grand National and I believe I have spotted a couple of potential eye-catchers for the big race.

My best performing service over the Festival week was Betting Opportunity with Altior 4/1, Sprinter Sacre 11/2 and Ivanovich Gorbatov 13/2 plus I advised the latter in a 60/1 winning double with Smalljohn who won up at Wolverhampton.

You see unlike some blinkered tipsters who just concentrate on the big meetings I am always looking for profitable opportunities. Plus regular readers will remember I pointed you in the direction of Don Cossack after he fell in the King George on Boxing Day.

We now have a smashing days racing lined up at Lingfield on Good Friday for the all weather championship finals and Howies Hottie goes in the 3.15 which is the one mile final. The tip is Sovereign Debt who was very unlucky in this last year when denied a clear run.

The gelding is a very classy horse and I do have a soft spot for him as he is a son of a mare I once owned called Kelsey Rose. He is the highest rated in the field and with a clear run he must go close.

HOT HANDICAPPERS

FLAT

Secret Look trainer E.McMahon - Showed more enthusiasm last week and is now stones under his winning form from a few years ago.

Gabriels Kaka trainer R.Fahey - Ran a cracker in the Irish Lincoln on Sunday and is another who now runs off a very lenient mark. At his best on soft ground.

JUMPERS

Next Sensation trainer M.Scudamore - Front runner who is at his best when getting an easy lead.

Eastlake trainer J.O'Neil - He has dropped in the weight and didn't run badly at Cheltenham as hampered twice.

The Giant Bolster trainer D.Bridgwater - He has been placed in previous Gold Cups and still has the ability to pick up a race before the end of the jumps season.

Back next Wednesday be lucky.

Howard Davis-Shaw.

CLICK HERE For Howard's Eye-Catchers!