Horse Racing: Hey Kid, what a Wonderful world

0 Comments | Sunday Mirror, Mar 9, 2008 | by PADDY POWER

I'M like a kid on Christmas Eve! I just can't wait for the tapes to go up and the crowd to explode into a roar.

Call me sentimental, but Tuesday has a green tinted look to it in my view.

CEE BEE TUESDAY

WE have a reasonable chance of winning the most open Supreme Novice Hurdle I can ever remember.

For me, Captain Cee Bee (above) could be the one to kick it off for JP & AP.

The Arkle is far more wide open than the betting suggests with Noland far too short for what he's done.

We can't win every race on Tuesday, so Thyne Again may just take second to Leslingtaylor, who some are writing off as a flat track bully. But I think that the faster they go the better he'll jump and goodish ground will be ideal.

So one each so far and now it's time for the race we Irish dominate almost as much as the bumper.

The Champion Hurdle is very Paddy heavy with Osana looking the only chance of a British upset.

Sizing Europe deserves to be favourite on his walk in the park in the AIG Irish Champion Hurdle, but I can't help thinking this could be the year that Harchibald (above right) gets his head in front - honestly!

Then we have two Irish good things to finish up with.

Every man, woman and child here is talking about Wonderkid in the Cross County Chase. It'll be a bit strange not to see the McManus colours carried to victory but it won't be strange to see a Tony Martin gamble landed!

And by the way River Liane will win the last - only a 4lb penalty for his win at Leopardstown? Get on!

WHATUTHINK WEDNESDAY

IT MAY be hard to wade through the pounds 50 notes on Wednesday morning, but if you can't get excited about Queen Mother Day you'd want to get yourself to your doctor quick!

I believe Alan King thinks that Group Captain will go close in the Ballymore Properties Hurdle, and the whole of Ireland thinks that Forpadydeplasterer is a good thing. One thing is for sure, it's a wide open race and you could do worse than have a small wager on Whatuthink each way at fancy prices.

The Sun Alliance Chase is just as hard and for me Starzaan looks a bit of value for an each way punt.

Then it's the big one, the Queen Mum. Mark my words, Twist Magic will not win the Queen Mother Champion Chase.

He fell at Cheltenham last year and there is so much speed and stamina in the race that his jumping will be put under serious pressure.

Even with a clear round he won't get up the hill.

Voy Por Ustedes couldn't have a better record at the track so he'll do for me.

In fact he'll more than do, he's a good thing!

Leg Spinner could easily land another Tony Martin gamble in the Coral Cup but there are bound to be others with just as much in hand lurking at fancy prices. What about County Zen or some thing like that?

The day ends with the bumper and for once you should avoid Willie Mullins as nobody seems to know exactly which of his three is the best - that's usually a sign that there isn't a superstar among them. I think Corskeagh Royale should be joint favourite, in my book his odds are an insult - make us pay!

PURS-DAY FOR THE ARKLE

Thursday is usually the weakest of the four days, but it's definitely picking up and this year it'll more than hold it's own in the week.

The Jewson Chase kicks it off and it's time to look for a bit of value.

I had a sneaky fancy for Pur De Sivola (left) in the Arkle, but he's running here instead over the longer trip and at big odds he's worth a second look.

After that we will possibly have the bizarre situation of Michael O'Leary presenting a trophy to himself in when Mossbank wins the Ryanair Chase.

His main danger might just be Paddy Power Gold Cup winner L'Antartique who is unbeaten over course and distance.

The big race of the day is the World Hurdle and Inglis Drever is very short odds to defend his crown.

However, I think we need to have our head examined for pricing up dual Cheltenham winner My Way de Solzen at double figure odds.

Just like the favourite, he's been there, done it and got the T- shirt.

It'll be the day for Irish businessmen when JP follows O'Leary into the winners' enclosure courtesy of Don't Push It - one of my naps of the week to win the Racing Post Plate.

We can't win every race, but I think Tony Martin may strike yet in the Pertemps Final courtesy of Robin Du Bois. God help the bookies!

HALO, FRIDAY

I'M less bullish about Friday than the other three, but by this stage we'll have so much money we won't really care about backing winners, it'll be more about getting a seat in the champagne bar!

Celestial Halo could kick Ruby off with a winner in the Triumph Hurdle.

He was awesome first time out, but then dented his reputation when stuffed next time.

I think he'll be back to his best.

In fact the more I think of it we could be sick of renditions of Ruby, Ruby, Ruby by the end of Friday.

He could easily win the Albert Bartlett Spa Hurdle on The Tother One too and then he has Kauto Star to come. However, I think we'll get a result in the Gold Cup.

It's probably wishful thinking, but I figure there'll be plenty of tactical niggle between Kauto Star and Denman and they may just forget about the rest - Exotic Dancer can get involved in the shake up again.