Day two at The Showcase Meeting at Cheltenham and it is always great to be back at the home of jump racing. Whilst it is disappointing to see only four runners in the hurdle at 2.55 it is certainly competitive, with Tritonic, I Like To Move It and Stepney Causeway in the field. I’m looking forward to seeing Sky Pirate and Storm Control as they have a good record at Cheltenham and both leave their best performances for Prestbury.

Up at Doncaster, the Group 1 the Futurity Trophy Stakes is an intriguing renewal, with favourite Luxembourg, Royal Lodge Stakes winner Royal Patronage and Champagne Stakes victor Bayside Boy in the line-up.

Enjoy whether at a racecourse or #athome

Cheers

The Wine Tipster   

1.45 Cheltenham – NHS Vaccinating Heroes Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle (2m ½f)

Ingleby Hollow can make the long trip worthwhile for the Rebecca Menzies team with the unexposed runners in the field Samarrive and Timberman given high enough marks.

Ingleby Hollow looked very unlucky when repeatedly denied a clear run in the valuable Summer Hurdle at Market Rasen and has had two narrow defeats since joining his new yard. His last start at Cartmel when second to Alqamar, beaten a neck, looks very solid form. The ground will suit, and he can strike with a typically late challenge.

Unibet 11/1 each way

2.20 Cheltenham – Handicap Chase (3m 1f)

Storm Control goes so well at Cheltenham and has a strong chance of winning here again for the inform Kerry Lee yard. Last season Storm Control won at the November meeting and then followed up in December when beating Potters Legend in the Grade 3 Unibet Handicap Chase and he is running off the same mark today. Storm Control will be ready for his first run and Richard Patrick can let him bowl along in front.

Unibet 9/2

3.15 Doncaster – Vertem Futurity Trophy Stakes Group 1 (1m)

Bayside Boy was doing all his best work at the finish of the Dewhurst when third to Native Trial over seven furlongs, with the step up to a mile a positive. Bayside Boy won the Champagne Stakes here in September and with concerns about the form of the Aidan O’Brien yard, who runs Luxembourg, then Bayside Boy represents some value.

Unibet 11/2 each way

3.30 Cheltenham – Handicap Chase (1m 7f)

Sky Pirate (nap) was first tipped up in my Unibet blog at the December meeting when showing that this trip is really what suits him when winning in good style off a mark of 134. Sky Pirate won next time at Warwick and then ended his season with victory in the Grand Annual. This eight-year-old carries top weight, is now on a mark of 159 and can win on seasonal debut at a course where he goes so well.

Unibet 5/2 win

4.05 Cheltenham – Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle (3m)

Born Patriot has given the impression on more than one occasion that this trip is right for him this year. He was third in the Scottish Stayers Novices’ Hurdle over three miles last season and ran a solid third in competitive Killarney handicap in May and would have needed a recent outing at Navan after a break when fourth to Tullybeg (reopposes today). A good strong gallop will suit as will Prestbury and this five-year-old has plenty of improvement to come.

Unibet 13/2 each way

Push The Tempo won last month at Worcester on good ground on his first start for four months after a breathing operation. He was idling in front that day and if he can come on from that success he has strong each way claims.

Unibet 12/1 each way

The countdown is over. The Cheltenham Festival is finally here, and The Wine Tipster is excited to make this year’s At Home Festival unforgettable for all the right reasons. Read on for top tipples to accompany you through the four days of unbeatable racing and how you can recreate the electric Roar of Cheltenham at home.

Cheltenham is synonymous with superb racing, and The Festival is the pinnacle of the Jump season. The Festival has been held at Cheltenham since 1911, and The Stayers’ Hurdle is the oldest championship race having first been run in 1912. Over its many successful years, the Festival has expanded from three days to four, and now boasts four days of seven-race cards, 14 Grade One races and some of the best horses, trainers and jockeys in the world. It really is Horseracing’s Olympics!

This year, The Festival is supporting the charity WellChild. WellChild is a national charity that gives sick children the best chance to thrive through support at home and for their families.

Celebrate in Style

To match the atmosphere and excitement of each day of racing, The Wine Tipster has chosen some Grade 1 wines and spirits to give you that wonderful Cheltenham experience at home:

Day One Tues 16 March

Kicking off The Festival is an incredible card of four Grade One races including the top class Unibet Champion Hurdle. Start your At Home Festival off with a bang with a Cheltenham Sponsor, Nyetimber. Their world-renowned English Sparkling Wine is meticulously crafted in West Sussex, Hampshire and Kent, Their Classic Cuvée MV is a wonderfully elegant option for the start of The Festival. Pair it with smoked salmon blinis for a great aperitif.

For a touch of Pink at the start of Cheltenham, Château Léoube’s artisan organic wines are just the thing. Their award-winning Rosé de Léoube is a rosé for all seasons, full of mineral notes and fruit on the palate. Pair with a light lunch and you have yourself a winner.

Day Two Wed 17 March

As the going gets underway, there are seven classic races to really spoil punters. The Grade One Queen Mother Champion Chase is set to be an unmissable watch, as is the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase. Watch it with a Glenfarclas 15 year old Single Malt on the rocks. The rich history of this family owned business make for award-winning Sherry cask aged malts in the traditional Speyside way.

Day Three 18 March

Not one but three Grade 1 races make Thursday a truly magnificent day. Hold on to your Racing Gin & Tonic throughout the Marsh Novices’ Chase. Ryanair Chase and the Stayers’ Hurdle ! Racing Gin is a recent addition to the gin scene, but is perfect for race lovers. Featuring beautiful silks on the label, and with a herbaceous and floral taste, this gin is great with a classic tonic water or in any cocktail.

Gold Cup Day Fri 19 March

Saviour the outstanding Gold Cup Day – the pinnacle of the Cheltenham Festival. With the coveted Grade One WellChild Cheltenham Gold Cup featured as the Blue Riband of Jump racing, you’ll surely be wanting a bottle to match the magnificence of The Festival’s finale. Jack Mann Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 from Houghton Wines in the Swan Valley in Western Australia, pays homage to the great winemaker Jack Mann MBE, who shared a birthday with Gold Cup Day! It’s a rich and concentrated red with a pure Cabernet Sauvignon dark fruits, spicy, oaky notes and a wonderful long finish. Decant for a couple of hours beforehand, this is delicious with a Roast.

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For more food pairing ideas, get inspired with world class hospitality recipes from The Jockey Club’s top chefs. All the dishes work well with the bottles here, and are a great way to get the Cheltenham Hospitality experience at home.

If you really want to bring Cheltenham home, get yourself an At Home Hamper! Brought to you by British Fine Foods, these luxury hampers come in three options, full of award-winning food from artisan producers across the UK. Each hamper comes with a different bottle to really make your At Home experience special. Order here in time for The Festival! 10% of each hamper sale will go to WellChild.

Be Raceday Ready

• Check out how to watch The Festival from home. ITV Racing and Racing TV will be showing The Festival, and if you miss any of the action, The Jockey Club’s Racing Replays are available 20 minutes after the winner crosses the line.
• The official racecard is available here with details of horses and jockeys available here.
• Find out more about each of the top quality races here.
• Put your racing knowledge to the test with The Ultimate Racing Quiz featuring Double Grand National-winning jockey Ruby Walsh and Gold Cup-winning Jockey and Festival legend Barry Geraghty
• The Race Results and Winners page will help in your revision for the quiz!
• Download The Jockey Club App with a digital racecard, live updates, competitions and the latest odds at your fingertips.
• Check out the latest editions of Kalendar Magazine between races
• Why not impress your friends and family with some top facts and stats!
• Got kids? Find some fun raceday activities for them to enjoy here – host a mini best dressed competition, make hats or turn your garden into a track!
• You can still dress the part from your home! Browse out The Jockey Club website for At Home Style inspiration.

However you choose to celebrate this superb meeting, share pictures and comments with The Wine Tipster on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook and make sure to follow him for daily updates and Unibet Racing Blogs.

Tweets by TheWineTipster

What a Saturday of racing with a cracking card at Sandown, including the Grade 1 Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase and the Dublin Festival, with four Grade 1’s on today’s card. There is more top action tomorrow at the Dublin Festival.
Today there is also racing at Kempton, Musselburgh, Wetherby and Lingfield.
Have a great Saturday and check out my selections below. Cheers!

1.50 Sandown – Contenders Hurdle (Listed Race) 2m
Call Me Lord will be a warm order to win a race that his trainer has pretty much farmed with Buveur D’Air in recent years, and this hardy sort has stacks of good Sandown form to call upon, most of it in ground similar to today’s, too. In fact, it’s been a long-held belief among many punters that he simply had to go right-handed, but he put that theory to bed with a game win in the International at Cheltenham back in December, and he will be hard to beat.
However, the concession of 6lb to the improving novice Eldorado Allen certainly gives the latter a chance. He impressed when only going down by less than a length over C&D last time out, travelling nicely and pulling clear with the winner from two out. He gave the useful Severano a beating here back in 2018 as well and although he’s clearly not been easy to train, he now looks back on track, and can topple Call Me Lord and cause a minor upset here.
Selection: Eldorado Allen win 9/4 Unibet

3.00 Sandown – Handicap Hurdle 3m
Plenty you can give some sort of chance to including Bold Plan, who was an early casualty at Ascot last time but had looked impressive when scoring at Haydock the time before and could easily get back on track. The unexposed Big Shark still has plenty more to offer, as does the David Pipe trained Remastered, who went down fighting at Chepstow, with Welsh National winner Potters Corner just proving too good for him.
However, at a much bigger price the vote goes to Captain Tommy, from a yard going great guns at present, that of Harry Whittington. His third in the Huntingdon Pertemps qualifier last time out looks a very solid piece of form, and despite the fact the handicapper nudges him up a couple of pounds for that, that still leaves him on a mark well below what the handicapper first thought him capable of, and he now looks to be going the right way. If he’s designs on running in the Final at the Festival, he’ll need to be either winning this, or going close, as he needs a rise in the weights to get in.
Selections: Captain Tommy each way 28/1 Unibet
Bold Plan each way 7/1 Unibet

1.25 Leopardstown – Dublin Chase Grade 1 2m
A terrific race for the money that’s probably only missing Defi Du Seuil, and you’d have as good a race as what the Champion Chase itself promises to be.
A Plus Tard and Chacun Pour Soi met here over Christmas in a Grade 1 chase, the former coming out on top after the latter just landed a bit flat-footed over the last. It’s entirely possible that form will be franked again, but Min is a class act and might have too much for the pair of them anyway.
His performance over 20f in the Melling Chase last April was one of the highlights of the season, and although he found Un De Sceaux too good for him in the Irish Champion Chase subsequently, he lost little in defeat. He didn’t have to be at his best to win here in December, but that should have put him spot on for this, and he can win it again before going on to Cheltenham.
Selection: Min win 9/4 Unibet

3.10 – Champion Hurdle Grade 1 2m
Cheltenham might not be the happiest of hunting ground for Sharjah (yet?) but Leopardstown certainly is, and he can come out on top in a fascinating Champion Hurdle that should answer a few questions.
The first is whether the drop back to 2m will bother the unbeaten Honeysuckle, who looked outstanding when beating Bacardys in the Hatton’s Grace at Fairyhouse in December, and the way she travelled there suggests she’ll have the speed to cope with the drop back. But that is still a question, whereas with Sharjah we know this is his trip, his track and ground, and he was every bit as impressive when defeating Petit Mouchoir in the Matheson, recording a huge speed figure in the process. He has to give 7lb to the mare, but I think he’s more than capable of doing so.
Selection: Sharjah win 6/4 Unibet

2.45 Wetherby – Towton Novices’ Chase 3m
All six can be given some sort of chance, but the improving Boldmere makes the most appeal. Useful over hurdles, he’s proving himself even better over fences, with ready wins at Leicester and Doncaster, and given there’s still room for improvement with his jumping, it’ll be a surprise if we’ve seen the best of him yet.
Selection: Boldmere win 2/1 Unibet

@TheWineTipster

The Wine Tipster is aiming to finish 2016 on a high and will be busy over the festive season at Kempton, Warwick and Cheltenham. The Winter Festival at Kempton takes place on Boxing Day and December 27th featuring high class Grade 1 racing, entertainment for all and lots of festive cheer.

The Boxing Day meeting features three Grade 1 races including the Festival’s flagship race, the 32Red King George VI Chase which has been won by greats such as Desert Orchid, Best Mate, Kauto Star and, most recently, Cue Card, who must have a great chance of following up last year’s success. As ever, you can follow his tips in Racing Plus, with Boxing Day’s selections in the Christmas Eve issue. More information about The Winter Festival can be found here.

Start your New Year celebrations early at the very popular Warwick racecourse on New Year’s Eve and catch up with The Wine Tipster for some food, wine and racing chat. On New Year’s Day, join the first day of ITV’s racing coverage at Cheltenham. This signifies the beginning of an exciting new period and I wish all the best to the presenters and all the team.

Across all the Jockey Club courses you can sample a great selection of excellent wines including English wines from the Best of British Selection. Highlights include Nyetimber Classic Cuvée from Sussex and Chapel Down English Rosé from Kent. Other favourites include Château Leoubé Rosé, Catena Appellation Vista Flores Malbec, Brunello di Montalcino, Castello Banfi, Masut Estate Pinot Noir from California as well as some great Champagnes especially the Moët & Chandon vintage for a celebration.

Wherever you are over the festive season, go and enjoy some fantastic racing!

Merry Christmas.

Last weekend, The Wine Tipster, continued his magnificent form with another 4 winners. There were 3 winners at Cheltenham with Taquin Du Seuil, winning The Bet Victor feature race on Saturday Moon Racer and Fox Norton on Sunday in addition to Wells du Lune at Wetherby.
It was also a significant and emotional weekend for trainer Nicky Henderson. On the positive side, Sprinter Sacre was paraded at the racecourse on his retirement. This finest of all two-mile chasers has achieved the unthinkable, with Henderson planning it all every step of the way, nurturing him back to fitness. The 10-year-old banked more than £1.1m from 18 wins, nine at the Grade 1 level which includes a rare hat trick of success at all three of the major spring festivals – Cheltenham, Aintree and Punchestown in 2013. With Nicky Henderson as a patron, let’s hope that Sprinter Sacre will soon be playing a role at horse racing charity, Greatwood.
Sadly, Remembrance Sunday this year will probably remain in Nicky Henderson’s memory as the day that Simonsig had to be put down after breaking his leg. The 10 year old grey sustained the injury as he fell at the third fence during the Shloer Chase at Cheltenham on Sunday. Simonsig won 8 races from 13 starts despite being plagued with injury throughout his career.
The Wine Tipster will be at Haydock this Saturday at the Betfair Chase, a fascinating clash between Coneygree and Cue Card.

This weekend sees the start of the 2016/17 jump season at Cheltenham after the summer break where we can look forward to16 exciting days of top class Jump racing over the season. Leading horses, jockeys and trainers return to the spiritual Home of Jump racing for The Showcase meeting with 7 races on each day.

In addition to the excitement of the racing, you can enjoy a wide variety of experiences at the racecourse. The Wine Tipster has worked with Bibendum Wines and The Jockey Club Catering team, led by General Manager Phil Roberts, to compile a wine list to suit all palates and to match with the various dishes served around the racecourse.
There has never been a better time to try British wines so to celebrate this, look out for ‘Best of British’ still and sparkling wines on the list. Come racing and enjoy the following wines;

Nyetimber Classic Cuvée NV, Sussex, England
Nyetimber is a pioneer of English sparkling wine with its earliest mentions being recorded in the Domesday Book in 1086. They now own 170 hectares of vineyards in Hampshire and Sussex which are devoted to the classic trio of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. The Classic Cuvée shows all the elegance and refinement you would expect, with delicate citrus, fresh mineral, and lifted white blossom notes.

 

Bolney Estate Foxhole Vineyard Pinot Gris, Sussex, England
The Bolney Estate was established in 1972 with 3 acres of vines. Nowadays, the estate spans 39 acres and is one of the few wineries in England specialising in red wine. The founders were inspired by the potential to create delicate red wines similar to those from New Zealand. Their work has helped to cement England’s position as a country capable of producing quality wines consistently. Current winemaker, Samantha Linter took over in the 90s and since then the estate has gone from strength to strength. This is a refreshingly zesty white wine with fragrant aromas of elderflower, jasmine and pear.

 

Chapel Down English Rosé, England, Kent
Chapel Down produces a world-class range of sparkling and still wines, together with the award-winning range of Curious beers & cider. It is this iconic chalk soil, the same as that of Champagne – just 90 miles to the south, coupled with our cool climate that enables them to produce truly world-class sparkling wines, as well as aromatic white wines and elegant light red wines from grapes such as Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc and Bacchus.
This wine has lovely aromas of a British summer pudding, ripe juicy summer fruits. Crisp and fresh, with flavours of rhubarb compote and rosehip. An easy drinking wine to share with your friends and family.

See you there!

More buzz, more anticipation and more hype were on the menu for the first day of The Cheltenham Festival at Prestbury Park in Gloucestershire. There was also a beautiful spring day to bring out the crowds for four days of competitive championship racing.

Willie Mullins was rightly tipped to be the trainer of the week and kicked off the start of The Festival with Vautour winning the Sky Bet Supreme Hurdle, whilst his Champagne Fever in the Racing Post Arkle and my hot tip in to get the champagne corks popping

was just pipped on the post by the 33/1 outsider Western Warhorse. In the feature race of the day and the main race of meeting in my book Mullins had Hurricane Fly bidding to achieve his third Stan James Champion Hurdle, with my other hotpot for the day, My Tent or Yours the winner for me. In a race marred by the fatal fall of Our Conor My Tent or Yours just failed to beat Jezki, with Hurricane Fly back in fourth. Whilst Mullins was obviously downcast after Hurricane Fly’s fourth place, his incredible little mare Quevega then became the first horse to win six races at The Cheltenham Festival when battling in determined fashion to win the OLBG Mares’ Final for the six consecutive year. Incredible mare, incredible training performance.

My day of previewing and tipping for JPFEstival.com in The Gold Cup Restaurant featured one winner and three frustrating seconds! A frustrating day had a sweetener with The Wine Tipster’s day saved by winning the placepot!

Another great day ahead.

New Year’s Day at Cheltenham Racecourse was very wet and windy, with the racecourse team doing a great job in keeping racing going for the afternoon. Although racegoers were rewarded with some impressive performances by Annie Power, Oscar Whisky and Mendip Express it was certainly a day for staying inside and enjoying some liquid refreshment in the various racecourse bars.

The Golden Miller Champagne Bar was certainly a popular spot with many punters raising a glass of Piper Heidsieck Brut NV or those who had hit the jackpot were enjoying some delicious Dom Pérignon 2002.  In the Final Flight bar Adam Henson’s  Rare Breed Bitter, brewed by Butcombe Brewery, was doing a roaring trade.

On Cheltenham Racecourse Radio when interviewed in the wind and rain by presenter Rupert Bell before racing I tipped Oscar Whisky, who won, whilst my other tip Burton Port, was clearly off colour.  Rupert had set me the task of finding a warming drink at the course and Tullamore Dew’s hot toddy was certainly enticing, however the Fireside bar delivered the goods with their not over spiced mulled wine. Hopefully when I’m back on Cheltenham Racecourse Radio on January 25th we can talk about good ground and dry conditions.

In terms of liquid refreshment, the festive period equalled quality imbibing in 2013 with the stunning Champagne Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve NV, whilst my last bottle of Perrier- Jouët Millésime 1998 fizz was an exquisite, beautiful and complex champagne to savour on Christmas Day.  Château D’Anglès Classique Rosé 2012,  La Clape, Sud de France made from Mourvèdre, Syrah and Grenache was a top class, cerebral pink for Christmas Eve.  Dalmau Marqués de Murrieta Reserva 2005 made from fruit from their sixty year-old vines in their single vineyard plot Canajas was a brilliant example of what Rioja achieves at Group 1 level and tasted great with the duck. Folks never think enough about fortified wines at Christmas and Gonzalez Byass’ Matusalem Oloroso Dulce Muy Viejo VORS Sherry was outstanding with the stilton and mince pies over the festive period.

Boxing Day came with grade one racing from Kempton Park and it was great to see our local trainer Charlie Longsdon win at this high profile meeting with Loose Chips. The elegant Meerlust Pinor Noir 2011 from Stellenbosch in South Africa was perfect the with ham from Slatters’ Butchers in Chadlington and for armchair viewing too!

New Year Eve’s drew in with Louis Roederer’s Brut Premier NV and like my tips will be for 2014 this champagne was right on the money!

 

Each year we leave our drinks shopping later and later so here are my Ten to Follow win bets for Christmas and the New Year.

Champagne Fever is top of many tipsters lists for the Arkle Trophy at Cheltenham in March and this horse’s name sums up the Yuletide period for fizz sales so here is my combination exacta with the Tote (first three in any order) for bubbles: Pommery Brut Royal NV £29.99, down from £38.99, Sainsbury’s  is dry, delicious and creamy, whilst the award winning Louis Roederer Brut Premier NV has made its mark as a consistently high quality performer, Majestic £42.00 buy two bottles save 1/3 to £27.98.  If you are looking for a well-bred, Group 1 quality champagne  from a great vintage year then Dom Pérignon 2004 Gift Box, £120.00- £135.00 Majestic, Selfridges has class and elegance in abundance with a memorable finish.

There have been some famous New Zealand racehorses including Playschool, ridden by Paul Nicholls,  then jockey and now seven times champion jumps trainer, who won the Hennessy and Welsh Grand National in 1987. It was around that time that many people were discovering that a chilled  New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc was the wine for them and the fan club has only carried on increasing over the years so if you are a member or haven’t yet  signed up the try this delicious, zingy, fresh, peppery, spicy, Peter Yealands Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2012 £10.85, Co-op with your smoked salmon  – some NZ Sauvignon Blanc is just too full on for this kind of matching – but this is spot on.  You may also want to snap up the  ante-post 11/4 on the Nicholls’ trained Big Buck’s for the World Hurdle at The Cheltenham Festival.

From the list of runners with drink related names at The 2013 Cheltenham Festival I tried to include Vino Griego (successfully backed at 25-1 to win at their January meeting)  in my group for this year’s Cheltenham Festival Racecourse Radio piece, however I was given a yellow card for this one as Vino Griego didn’t quite match up to Champagne Fever, John’s Spirit and The Liquidator! (hugely impressive on his last run). Despite my reprimand, I’m a big fan of Vino Griego and I’ll be backing him for his next run, which will hopefully be the Argento Chase. In vino terms, Oldenburg Vineyards Chenin Blanc 2012,  Stellenbosch, South Africa, £16.99 – £17.95, Berry Brothers & Rudd, www.sawinesonline.co.uk is a classy, premium, subtlety-oaked and complex white which is ideal with fish dishes in a creamy sauce. Alternatively if you are having the full roast turkey with all the trimmings then mark your card with Château Cissac 2009 Haut-Médoc Cru Bourgeois, Bordeaux, France, £17.95. Stockists: Tanners www.tanners-wines.co.uk, The Sampler. 2009 is one of the great well-bred Bordeaux vintages with winners at all grades and this intensely fruity, well structured red will most definitely bring some Christmas cheer.

As a punter I’m always on the look out for a bit of value and with Yuletide it is no different with Torres Vina Sol 2012, Catalunya, Spain, £6.69, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, down to £5 in Asda and Casillero del Diablo Cabernet Sauvignon 2011,  Viña  Concha y Toro, Valle Central, Chile £7.99-£5.99, Sainsbury’s, a couple of runners I would definitely back. These are perfect wines to enjoy whilst taking in the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day and the Coral Welsh Grand National at Chepstow on 28th December.

We invariably don’t spend enough time on the cheese course or the wines to match, however make it different this year. Hugel Gewurztraminer Vendange Tardive 2007, Alsace, France, £33.00, The Wine Society, vintagemarque.com is a brilliant, top class, off dry wine with complex flavours of citrus, honey and pear, with a truly memorable finish. This is a great match with blue cheese and worth every penny of your pre-Christmas winnings. Alternatively, your tipple might be port, so check out Sandeman’s Late-Bottled Vintage Port 2008, £15.99, Waitrose, which is definitely well-handicapped.

Cheers!

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