Tidal Bay can make waves

Make big bucks on Tidal Bay


Predictions
Michael Duffy

Thursday
I’LL be looking to celebrate my birthday in style with a few winners on Thursday but there is no doubt it will be a tough day at the office as the races look wide open.
The Ryanair Chase has been a good addition to the Festival and some classy horses line up for a hot looking renewal. If she lines up here, I think Willie Mullins’ mare, J’Yv Vole, with her seven pound weight allowance will have a serious each way chance.
The other Grade One on Thursday is the World Hurdle where Big Bucks is a lot of people’s idea of the ‘Festival Nap’. However, I don’t like his style of racing and some day soon he won’t come back on the bridal. On that basis, I’m willing to take a chance on another monkey, Tidal Bay, bringing his ‘A’ game to Cheltenham once again. He scooted up the hill in the Cleeve Hurdle and at 7/1 he represents each-way value.
We have four handicaps to wade our way through, the first of which is the Jewson. This can go to Ferdy Murphy’s, The Hollinwell, who is nicely weighted and in good form.
I think Paul Nicholls’ Alfie Sherrin is one of the bets of the week in the Pertemps Final and Tarotino looks to have a nice weight for the Byrne Group Handicap Plate.
The final race of the day is the Kim Muir where there has been a lot of talk about the likely favourite, Ballybriggs. However, he faces a tough task shouldering top weight so I prefer BecauseIcouldntsee who is in good form, and can give Clare-based trained Noel Glynn his first Cheltenham festival winner.

SELECTIONS
Thursday

• 1.30 - The Hollinwell
• 2.05 - Alfie Sherrin (nap)
• 2.40 - J’Y Vole
• 3.20 - Tidal Bay
• 4.00 - Taratino
• 4.40 - BecauseIcouldn’tsee