"First Lieutenant is yet to win this season, but has run some excellent races in defeat where he finished third in the Hennessy and was narrowly beaten in the Lexus Chase over Christmas at Leopardstown."
Back First Lieutenant @ 3.55/2 Cheltenham 14:40
It's back to the Cheltenham Festival for the Follow The Money team...
Our first selection is in the Ryanair Chase at 14:40 where First Lieutenant has been well supported from 3.8514/5 in to 3.55/2. This will be the third visit to the Festival for the Mouse Morris-trained runner and he has a decent record here, having won the Neptune Novice Hurdle in 2011 and finishing runner-up to Bobs Worth in last year's RSA Chase.
First Lieutenant is yet to win this season, but has run some excellent races in defeat where he finished third in the Hennessy and was narrowly beaten in the Lexus Chase over Christmas at Leopardstown. He has been given a break since that race unlike main market rival Cue Card, whose form suggests he is best fresh. With only 26 days since Cue Card's win at Ascot we have to oppose him. Davy Russell is back on board First Lieutenant, who looks to have an outstanding chance of giving Michael O'Leary his first winner in the race he sponsors.
Next we move to the World Hurdle at 15:20 where Smad Place has been heavily backed from 16.5n/a in to 10.09/1. Alan King's runner was third in this race last year (beaten nine lengths by Big Buck's) but his two efforts this year are not so impressive - he was well beaten by Tidal Bay at Wetherby and ran slightly better in the Long Walk Hurdle where he finished second. The ground was heavy on both occasions and he will certainly appreciate today's quicker surface. With doubts over Oscar Whisky's stamina and the ground perhaps being against Reve De Sivola, this year's contest has an open look to it and the market support suggests this six-year-old could spring a surprise.
The negative for today comes in the Byrne Group Plate at 16:00 and it is the David Pipe-trained runner Ballynagour who is weak in the market and has drifted out to 6.05/1 from 4.67/2. An impressive winner last month at Warwick on his initial start for the Pipe stable, he has some solid French form and it is possible he is still ahead of the handicapper. In a competitive race however, his odds look short and with the hefty raise in the weights punters are happy to take the favourite on today.
Recommended Bets
Back First Lieutenant @ 3.55/2 Cheltenham 14:40
Back Smad Place @ 10.09/1 Cheltenham 15:20
Lay Ballynagour @ 6.05/1 Cheltenham 16:00
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