Racing/Charlie Swan on Cheltenham: 2.00: Royal Paradise is one of my bankers of the week. He reminds me in many ways of Danoli, who I rode for Tom Foley to win the SunAlliance in 1994.
He's got a good cruising speed, he stays and he is as tough as a terrier. I suppose the ground might be a slight worry, but there is a little rain forecast for the morning so that may help him.
Gold Medallist is a good horse on the flat and stays very well, but he might just want the ground softer than it is. If that's the case then Reveillez looks the main danger to Royal Paradise.
SELECTION: Royal Paradise
2.35: I rode Like-A-Butterfly to win the Supreme here in 2002 and I would love to see her win. Christy Roche's horses are coming back to form so she should go well, but she was so disappointing the last day that it's hard to see her winning.
Trabolgan has been favourite, but I would be very wary of Nicky Henderson's horses at the moment. He had a couple of hot shots pulled up at Sandown last week and they seem to be sick. I've seen a few clips of the French horse L'Ami and I thought he looked alright. He might be the one.
SELECTION: L'Ami
3.15: This one's easy. Moscow Flyer is the best two miler I've ever seen and I think bar a fall he will win. He is simply exceptional, and it's important that he always looks like he is saving a bit for himself. That way there is always a bit more to call on when pushed.
I don't want to take anything away from Azertyuiop or Well Chief, who are very good horses, but they're just unlucky to be around at the same time as Moscow Flyer.
I was lucky enough to win the Champion Chase on Viking Flagship and it's a great race to ride in. Everything happens so fast. It's very exciting. These two-milers are usually brilliant jumpers, and with a clear round I think Moscow Flyer will win again.
SELECTION: Moscow Flyer
4.00: Ilnamar ran away with this three years ago and went on to win a very good race at the Aintree Grand National meeting.
He is a good horse who has dropped quite a bit in the handicap and he could just have been set up for a return bout.
It will be hard for the Irish horses given the handicap situation, but Fairwood Present is a tough old horse who will have an outside chance. He will keep going when a lot of them have had enough. Tumbling Dice is another with some sort of each way chance.
SELECTION: Ilnamar
4.40: If my horse Oh Be The Hokey gets the trip he will have a good each way chance. But there is a little doubt about the trip. Against that is the fact we have John Thomas McNamara on our side.
Of the others I like the look of Pearly Jack, who is at the right end of the handicap as well and would definitely have an each way chance.
SELECTION: Oh Be The Hokey
5.20: If Eye On The Ball is right on the day then it will take a good horse to beat him.
The worry is that he has only recently moved to Mouse Morris's stables and sometime they can take a while to settle in to new surroundings.
But he has very good cruising speed, stays well and I think he is very good.
The danger should be Willie Mullins's horse Missed That. Any horse from Willie's yard in this race has to be respected.
SELECTION: Eye On The Ball
