Nigel Twiston-Davies – My Cheltenham Runners Friday 17th March

We may have our Cheltenham tips online already but if there is one other man it pays to listen to, it’s Nigel Twiston-Davies. He has had plenty of Cheltenham Festival winners and we had our usual phone call with him to get the exclusive low down on how he’s feeling about his biggest chances.

Things have not exactly gone to plan so far this week but we have one more day to go, and a few more bullets to fire as Nigel looks for a winner this afternoon.

Nigel’s Charity Bet

As always, we’ve given Nigel a £50 charity bet to place on a horse of his choice – we’ll be giving him one every day this week – after all, it is Cheltenham! He can choose to go win or Each Way, so it may be telling that he decided to go each-way  again for today’s bet!

Cheltenham Gold Cup – 4.10pm
Bristol De Mai at 33/1 Each Way

Nigel told us “If you forget his last run at Newbury Bristol De Mail would be a much shorter price and seen as a major player here. He had excuses that day and came back lame for the first time ever, and although nothing ever came to light, he is over that now and there are no reasons to expect the issue to repeat itself today. His earlier win in the Peter Marsh Chase is more like the horse we have at home, and if he is back to his best as I hope, then he will run a massive race today at a silly price”

If Bristol De Mai wins or places, we’ll donate the winnings to the Injured Jockeys Fund!

Friday’s Other Runners:

County Hurdle – 2.10pm
Crieve Hill (33/1)

“Clearly a tough race to win but my charge is only a novice with just the  four starts under rules including a win at Lingfield and a good third last time out behind Neon Wolf. I am hoping he has a lot more improvement to come and if he does, he could be well weighted and I’m looking for a decent run and maybe a place or better.”

Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle – 2.50pm
Wholestone (15/2)

“Plenty of course form to his name already with three wins here and he had a nice tune up last time out over shorter when winning here at the end of January. He continues to work and school well at home and although there is a very strong Irish contingent that will take some beating, he ought to go close if he puts in a clear round.”

Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle – 4.50pm
Ballyhill (100/1)

“No point in anything other than complete honesty here and he looks to be up against it in this field. His prices seems a little insulting to be fair, and he is a fair bit better than that with form behind Neptune winner Willoughby Court and our own Ballyandy in far better races. A place is not impossible if everything goes his way but he does look up against it as a novice in this field.”

Nigel Twiston-Davies will be back each and every week with his thoughts exclusively for myracing.com as well as every day over the major meetings (including Cheltenham)! To see what our tipsters are backing in all today’s races, check out our Cheltenham tips or our horse racing tips!