Cheltenham Festival 2023 – Liam’s Selections

I think the 2021 Festival has thrown up many winner who will win again and as boring as they are, I think come the festival barring not making it they will be shorter and most likely winners.

Constitution Hill @ 5/1

Constitution Hill was very impressive in the Supreme Novices Hurdle as was Altior & Shishkin for different reasons when they won the Supreme. Both went over fences the following season winning the Arkle. I think Constitution Hill does the same. Blue Bresil progeny have an 11.72% strike rate over hurdles which improves to 21.68% over fences and I would be very surprised if he is kept to hurdles.

Sir Gerhard @ 10/1

Sir Gerhard won the Ballymore today DESPITE how it panned out. His hurdling was much better here and he was very impressive. I think he steers clear of Constitution Hill who goes over fences and Willie Mullins also has Appreciate It who I think will go over fences. I think he follows the Faugheen schedule and comes back next year in the Champion Hurdle

Shishkin @ 6/1

Shishkin pulled up today and reportedly hated the going. He went off odds on for a reason though. On better going he will be a challenger next year. I think he’s the best by miles in England and would beat the likes of Edwardstone comfortably. Next season I also think Henderson will NOT take on any ‘decent’ rivals to protect him for Cheltenham.

Ahoy Senor @ 20/1

A potential crazy selection as his jumping is not good enough at this stage. However I’m hoping he is heavily schooled and learns to jump better. If he jumped better today, I think he would have won the Brown Advisory and would be 12/1, 14/1 price. Just in the last few years Minella Indo & Al Boum Photo were both beaten in the Brown/RSA before going on to win the Gold Cup the following year.