A PANEL of esteemed racing professionals lined up to go through the 28 races at the 2023 Cheltenham Festival on Paddy Power’s Cheltenham preview night earlier this week. It was here that Tony Mullins offered Allaho as the bet of the meeting when he was available at 5/1 two years ago.

There were a few interesting observations to take away from the over two hour discussions with Paddy Power, Lydia Hislop, Ruby Walsh, David Jennings and Tony Mullins.

The Supreme for instance is a race Walsh believes is won by a horse who must firstly stay, though with a high cruising speed, citing how different it was to the Ballymore which more regularly throws up Champion Hurdle winners. The first race, the first day, the leaders go too fast in the Supreme, so it will be interesting the tactics deployed on Facile Vega, Marine Nationale and High Definition. Hislop offered Rare Edition for this at longer odds.

The Arkle had a panel split decision between Jonbon and El Fabiolo.

The Ultima discussion offered Happygolucky and Into Overdrive before they searched for each-way alternatives to Constitution Hill. Ruby would make the running on the Champion favourite.

The Mares’ Hurdle may have two former Champion Hurdle winners. And who does Paul Townend choose asks Ruby in a race that “will be a cracker”. Most of the panel expect four or five in a line turning in. Lydia Hislop believes that Epatante may not have regressed as much as Honeysuckle, for whom the “verve wasn’t there” this year. The Irishmen have their hearts with Honey though.

Ever heard of Bad? Not the famous U2 song but a former well-regarded French-trained gelding that Tony Mullins revealed is now with Ben Pauling, reportedly worked well at Kempton and is 12lb well in on his French rating.

Tony gives brother Tom’s Morning Soldier a mention and Paul Nolan’s Metamorpheus, Paul Nicholls’ Afadil get a positive.

Impaire Et Passe - "the proper judges" in the know \ Healy Racing

Wednesday

There appears to be massive confidence from “proper judges” on Impaire Et Passe coming from the Mullins camp for the Ballymore but Tony is adamant that Danny Mullins holds an ace in Champ Kiely – “the more they take me on the better,” was the rider’s opinion.”

Perhaps surprisingly, there is a lot of love for Edwardstone ahead of Energumene in the Champion Chase. Sir Gerhard’s lack of experience is a worry for Ruby in the Brown Advisory.

The Bumper is a bit of a puzzle – Mullins v Mullins v Mullins. Two fast horses head the market notes Ruby, who prefers Fact To File.

Thursday

David Jennings is a big Mighty Potter fan for the Turners, Appreciate It each-way was the Walsh decision.

There is a near unanimous vote for Shishkin in the Ryanair, while Blazing Khal raises doubts in the Stayers. “Afraid of Charles Byrnes” was the reason for his short price off the back of that one recent run. Marie’s Rock shakes this up if she runs but Lydia comes in favour of Gold Tweet. If the rain comes, Teahupoo wins, thinks Ruby.

Tony is sweet on Princess Zoe in the Mares’ Novice, who wasn’t fully prepared for her hurdle debut and blew up before the last. She’s been in Willie’s schooling and white hurdles are no issue. He has given Paddy Keogh instructions: “If he doesn’t keep backing her, he’s a coward!”

Friday

Tony Mullins threw another spanner into the Triumph Hurdle with the likely supplementing of another former French-trained horse in Jipcot now a Ben Pauling inmate. Gala Marceau who gets as many positives as Lossiemouth, and then who will Paul Townend ride?

The County Hurdle, David has his eye on Sharjah on his current ratings with Pembroke each-way, Lydia has confidence in Gin Coco. Ruby sticks with Colonel Mustard.

The Albert Barlett sees Tony massively impressed with Embassy Gardens who blew him away at Thurles. Soft ground would swing David in favour of Three Card Brag.

The consensus for the Gold Cup it the best horse will win – it’s Galopin for most. David feels there is a “huge run brewing” in Ahoy Senor but Ruby has more time for Bravemansgame “the further he went in Kempton, the better he went.”

As the meeting fades. the Mares’ Chase offers both praise and caution over Allegorie De Vassy’s prospects. So there you have it - bail out before the Martin Pipe!