SEAN Graham bookmakers hosted their by now traditional Cheltenham Preview at a packed Grand Ballroom of the Europa Hotel Belfast last Monday. Compere Gary O’ Brien was tasked with herding Brian Graham (first half), Ronan Graham (second half), Kevin Blake, David Casey and Mark ‘Couch’ Winstanley. Gordon Elliott was a late withdrawal so Busty Amond came in for a spare ride.

Entertainers on the chat show circuit are always lavish with their praise of the Belfast audience. Winstanley, in return, never fails to please. In terms of political correctness he is only slightly to the right of that paragon Roy Chubby Brown. Close to the knuckle he may be, but you can’t suppress a giggle.

David Bass, Nico de Boinville, the Chinese takeaway in Cheltenham and the Irish rugby team all came in for Winstanley’s caustic comments.

For all his locker room humour, Winstanley is a perceptive race reader. For the Supreme Novices’ he likes Abacadabras, while Kevin Blake plumped for Chantry House.

The Arkle prompted some comments that Notebook was a handful before his win at Leopardstown, might he boil over at Prestbury Park? In this event, David Casey fancies Cash Back, while ‘The Couch’ offered Rouge Vif ‘at a price’. Bookmaker Brian Graham put up a case for the mare Maire Banrigh.

Kevin Blake will know all about Fakir d’Oudaires given his association with Joseph O’Brien and was confident.

The panel felt that this year’s Champion Hurdle is a weak renewal. Consequently there was a nice spread of opinions. David Casey wouldn’t rule out Sharjah, even with his disappointing run at Leopardstown, but warned that the horse wants good ground.

The panellists seemed to agree that Willie Mullins will go for the Mares’ Hurdle with Benie Des Dieux which would leave Epatante alone at the head of the market. Blake is keen on Gavin Cromwell’s Darver Star.

The Couch thinks Epatante will win easily, while Brian Graham is keen to get him in the book. Brian Graham said: “Laugh at me if you like, but I give Ballyandy a big chance.”

Busty was upbeat about Envoi Allen in the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle while ‘The Couch’ burdened the favourite (11/8 in the programme) with the pronouncement ‘bombproof’.

The panel were almost in one voice in their doubts about Champ in the RSA. His jumping did not obtain any compliments. Busty Almond and Kevin Blake both like Minella Indo. David Casey fancies Allaho, as does ‘The Couch’ who I would imagine is probably asleep at that time. Brian Graham put forward Copperhead.

Kevin Blake thinks that this year’s Queen Mother Champion Chase could be the race of the meeting. As befits a good betting heat, the panel were split roughly equally around the market principals.

‘The Voice’ asked for a show of hands on the race and the congregation was also very divided, although Defi Du Seuil was third in the vote. With typical bookmakers pragmatism Ronan Graham predicted that his firm would have a sweet book, having laid all three, but had no chance of an upset.

The bumper footage is always closely followed by the audience. The pundits agreed that Appreciate It is a worthy favourite. Appreciate It is Mark Winstanley’s nap of the meeting.

David Casey’s team have also the second favourite in the shape of Ferny Hollow. Casey thinks he is quirky but good enough to win if things go his way.

Tough gruelling

Gary O’Brien gave David Casey a tough gruelling around how do the various Mullins runners measure up against the horse they sold; Panic Attack? Casey out boxed O’ Brien pointing out that he wouldn’t want to offend the buyers of Panic Attack. Of the three Elliott runners mentioned, Busty was keenest on Queens Brook who will have Jamie Codd in the plate.

In the Ryanair Chase, there were positive vibes about the ‘jolly’ A Plus Tard although the Clossutton representative thinks they can win with Min. Ronan admitted that getting stuck into Frodon in this last year cost Grahams dearly.

Unsurprisingly, Paisley Park in the Stayers’ was more or less unopposed. Kevin Blake pointed out that this race has a habit of throwing up multiple winners.

The Triumph Hurdle drew laughter from the crowd when Blake called it ‘the battle of the lunatics’. He contended that Solo, Goshen and Allmankind will go a breakneck speed. Gary tipped Aspire Tower, in keeping with his Henry de Bromhead theme. For once ‘The Couch’ played it straight and said ‘In the battle of the lunatics I fancy Sir Psycho’. Busty reported that Gordon Elliott fancies Fury Road for the Albert Bartlett. David Casey mentioned Janidil.

Allmankind - one of the 'lunatics' in the Triumph \Healy Racing.

By the time the Gold Cup came around, the crowd were flying. In these days of useful technology, a man typing the name of tips up on the big screen as the pundits speak would be an addition, as at the back of the hall some of the amateur experts tend to talk over the panel.

The Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup saw a nice cross section of opinion. Couch fancies last year’s winner Al Boum Photo. Gary and Ronan are Presenting Percy men. ‘Couch’ points out that Percy’s best form is two years ago ‘and two years ago I could see my feet’.

Kevin Blake thinks it is an open contest and that Nico de Boinville will not get to the front on Santini so soon as he did in the Paddy Power Chase, not Nico’s finest hour was how he described the ride last time, and he took Santini to win the Blue Riband of chasing.

Best bets

Busty Almond: Envoi Allen, Ballymore’; Abracadabra EW Supreme Novices’

Ronan Graham: Vindication,

Ultima Chase

David Casey: Front View, Martin Pipe Hurdle; Benie Des Dieux, Mares’ Hurdle

Front View is fancied for a handicap /Carolinenorris.ie

Gary O’Brien: Minella Indo, RSA Chase; Relegate, Pertemps Hurdle

Kevin Blake: A Plus Tard, Ryanair Chase

Mark Winstanley: Appreciate It, Champion Bumper