Good morning all,

Well, what better way to welcome back the new Cheltenham season than with a Colossus?

For those unaware, I do a few of these throughout the winter on colossusbets.co.uk. In simple terms, they are like placepots, but with the option to take some money out at any time you’re still in. We’ve had some nice returns, and equally we’ve gone out on the first leg, but that’s the joy of Colossus for you.

I’ll put today’s bets up around 11am, you’ll find them under Captain Chutney on the syndicates page and you can add in as much or as little as you like. My thoughts on today’s card are in the main piece.

1.55 Cheltenham

Just four now go to post for the first. I’m no great fan of Camprond but I have to admit he impressed when upped in trip at Chepstow last time and has to be in. With Off Your Rocco out, we need the winner now, so I might have to throw Mars Harper in too, as he's not without hope.

2.30 Cheltenham

Only a small field but tricky all the same. Fidelio Vallis did nothing wrong at Chepstow, finding only Tea Clipper too good, and should give another good account, but he has to give 8lb to Any News and he would have won in another couple of strides at Warwick, so is almost a winner without a penalty. He can be exuberant so I expect Sean Bowen to try and settle him early before trying to pick them off late.

On the figures Third Time Lucki is the one to beat, but I do think he might be at his best on flat tracks. Having said that, his Cheltenham form still stands up well, and he ought to be thereabouts. Buddy Rich will want the ground to stay good and is just another interesting contender, but Any News for me.

3.05 Cheltenham

Ramses de Teillee won this a couple of years ago and connections give it another go with another chaser coming back over hurdles in the shape of Siruh Du Lac. There’s two questions for me – what he’s actually capable of after another absence, and whether he’ll stay this trip. That’s enough to put me off and look elsewhere despite the figures pointing to him.

I’ll take two for the Colossus with Dragon Bones, still unexposed at this trip to a large extent and has shown a very good attitude to win four of her five hurdles starts, and Grace A Vous Enki, who will appreciate a much more galloping track after being turned over at Newton Abbot last time. He might have needed that after an absence, and being a half-brother to Yala Enki, he’ll ought to stay every yard of this and more.

3.40 Cheltenham

Only the five runners but four of them could push on from the outset, and that will surely suit hold-up Falvoir, three times a winner in small fields and bar one mistake at Uttoxeter, jumped well when scoring over fences on his latest start, beating Annual Invictus. The latter is better off at the weights today and has chances on that of turning it around, but Torn And Frayed, Back On The Lash and possibly even Danny Kirwan all want the lead too, and his chance could be compromised.

The worry with five runners is that if one comes out, we’ll need the winner, so I may well have more than one selection.

4.15 Uttoxeter

On to the handicaps. Not that many make much appeal, but at a price I won’t be able to resist Clemencia, who has gone well every time he’s run here and is worth a crack at this longer trip. He might stay, he might not, but if he does then he’s not a 28s chance.

Plenty of these have something to prove now, and with that it’s not hard to see Found On, a ready winner off the front at Warwick last time, go well, and despite top weight Guard Your Dreams was placed at Grade 1 level last year, ran respectably in both the Betfair and Coral Cup, and won fresh last year. The yard are starting to fire and he should be thereabouts.

4.50 Cheltenham

If we’ve made it this far, we’re still not home by a long chalk.

Marquis Of Carabas hasn’t been seen for over two years but that’s rarely an issue with one from Fergal’s yard, and he’s thrown in here on his old form for David Dennis. The booking of Derek O’Connor catches the eye as well, and absence or not, he might be the one to beat.

There ought to be plenty of pace on and that will suit Bermeo, having his first start for Tim Vaughan. He goes well here and will be creeping into this from halfway. He should be capable of hitting the frame if he’s ready to go.

Today’s selection – Clemencia (e/w) 4.15 Cheltenham

Good luck with all your bets today,

David.