Green with Envy the Sequel...

Dear All

I decided to park taking an informed view of the Irish challenge in the absence of sufficient collateral form. Contests in the last seven days have focussed my thoughtpatterns so now I am ready to step forward and show my hand...

The first is Scotsirish - with Spotthedifference a distant memory; the magical powers of Garde Champetre on the wain and the apparent absence of credible competition this specialist over the intermediate distance (but stays further) has the oyster's world at his fingertips in the Cross Country disciplines. Stablemate Uncle Junior is likely to prove his closest foe!

The second is Sizing Europe - he comes alive at Cheltenham. I think he will have the edge on Big Zeb again whilst the younger element look a little short of the desired status to win what is always the most fiercely contested two-mile graded chase of any season... I expect SE to win by a clear margin...

The third of the quartet is Lambro. Have a look at its run behind Flemenstar last time over a vastly inadequate 2-miles? The son of Milan is essentially unexposed over the longer trip. Willie Mullins has been making the right noises.

I have already plunged a few quid on at fancy prices and hope against hope that the Master of Closutton sees fit to pay for its passage across the Irish Sea. Might be best to wait for those bookies offering Non-Runner No Bet on the Novice Chases before shelling out your hard-earned on this one's prospects in the RSA Chase.

The fourth and final selection is even darker - Moscow Mannon is the likeliest winner of the Cheltenham Festival Bumper this year. The battalions will be out in force from the Mullins yard. I always look for an Irish-trained contender from a smaller yard in the bumper so step forward Brian Hamilton. I wonder if a Northern Irishman has ever trained the winner of a race at the Festival. I expect so?

Bear this in mind. Cue Card thrashed the opposition, including the hugely talented and subsequent Supreme Novices' Hurdle winner, out of sight in the 2010 renewal achieving an RPR of 138 in the process. Cheltenian only mustered the same mark last year. These were two big-field contests run at Festival speed. Moscow Mannon's last outing in a 7-runner field (beating Mullins's Morning Royalty) was awarded an RPR of 136. His participation is still in some doubt but he most certainly will not be 16s on the day...

There you have it - a Yankee to change your life... the roar of the opening day is closing in onus like an electrical storm... I simply can't wait..!

Happy punting!

Rm(M)