Small cosy venue. Lovely pub with a large woodburner. It was a pity I had a two hour drive home. Staff couldn't have been more helpful. About 120 there. John McConnell (Racing TV) was MC. Panel was David Casey (DC), Ian Busty Almond (BA), the assistant trainers, Donn McClean, (DM) (Racing TV) and Gavin Lynch (GL) (pre Johnny Dineen on Upping The Ante). Donn and Gavin could talk for Ireland. Kicked off at 7.45, a break for 20 minutes and I was on the road to Bangor at 9.50. A whirlwind two hours of information and strong opinions. Bar doing a roaring trade behind me. Keith Donoghue couldn't make it, sent a short voicemail. (My bits in italics)

TUESDAY - GL first things first, no rain due til Monday. Good To Soft likely. SUPREME. Donn big on Old Park Star. His final five furlongs at Haydock were each the faster of the whole field. Talk The Talk is progressive, happy to be behind others at the DRF, being educated. (don't remember Kevin Blake saying that on Friday Night) BA - Ballyfad goes Turners, El Cairos should get the quick pace needed. DC - If Mighty Park runs, really fancy him, 'a star.' No decision made yet but 'Mark wants to ride him in this.' All the rest have a chance. Leader D'Allier 'has improved plenty.' Sober 'a stayer, goes Turners.' GL feels trip doesn't matter to Mighty Park.

ARKLE - Kopek 'in great order. One run is a concern, would prefer more experience . Up there ability wise, very hopeful.' Kargese will be keen, Kappa won't travel. (More antepost debris). Along with DC, the rest of the panel are not Lulamba fans. 'a two and a half miler, jumps too big, there will be a lot of pace on, he's slow in the first mile, might get left behind'. Donn says Newbury run in 4 11, Arkle last year 3 53. (Think Game Spirit half a furlong longer, and it was a swamp?). BA talks about the 3 Grade 1 wins for Romeo Coolio. No suggestion that he doesn't run. Donn likes Kopek. In his chase his best three jumps were his last three jumps. Donn, the stats man, 17 five yr old losers since 2006 (only Majborough was this short). Likes Kargese. 'Rated 152 with 7 lb allowance puts her right there.' GL questions Kopek's temperament.

CHAMPION HURDLE - DC No decision made about Lossiemouth. Will be done by the end of the week. 'If I had to guess now and the race was tomorrow, she would be CH bound.' 'Worked well last week, one more piece to do. Didn't turn up at DRF but this is now a wide open contest with no Con Hill'. Golden Ace won 'by default.' Again, with the rest of panel, not fans of The New Lion. BA, 'liable to end up on the floor', GL, International Hurdle 'sure you could go past Nemean Lion yourself.' GL reminds us that Lossiemouth couldn't go fast enough at Kempton, maybe back her in running if she's there at the top of the hill. Donn The New Lion a 'bad fav' Nemean Lion only 151. Says Poniros overpriced (has he looked at the market recently?). WPM has done the same with him as he did with Lossiemouth as a five yr old. Kept him back. BA loves BDA naturally. 'Thought she was a certainty the last two years so I'm not going to tip her now.' 'She looks great.' 'Keeping her at Ollie's (Murphy). It'll be quieter. Cheltenham Stables are never quiet, always people and horses coming and going. Trying something different.'

HANDICAPS - TUESDAY - BA 'no blots' for GE in the Fred Winter. De Capo maybe ew in the Plate. DC Willie's Fred Winter team were hard done by the handicapper. He believes that all Irish horses badly handicapped this year. GL gives his betting advice. If £50 is your max bet have it only on three or four of your strongest fancies during the week. Only way to make cash. His three are Backmeorsackme, Bambino Fever and Supremely West in Pertemps. Newtown Tornado a danger in the NH Ch. DC says Rebecca Curtis rang Paul Townend to see if he'd like the ride. Declined. GL continues with Madara in the Plate. 'Kempton performance would take the eye out of your head, not off at all.' McLaurey the danger. Was injured in the County last year. Donn talks about the Naas Race for the Fred Winter. Would rather have Munsif than Saratoga. Charles Byrnes did something similar with Byker in 2023.

WEDNESDAY - TURNERS - Donn No Drama This End 'fashionable' Won a good ground Challow, 'to drift'. Skylight Hustle to step up. DC echoes his views on Mighty Park, 'Sortudo should improve from his run behind I'll Sort That.' Saint Baco scoped badly after Naas, will run better. Sober 'a very good chance.' 'big shout at 16s.' BA Ballyfad and Hustle go, 'the latter wasn't beat when Talk The Talk came down. Looks great now.' 'These are two cracking chances. Hard for Jack to pick. I'd go Hustle.' GL likes Sober.

BROWN ADVISORY - DC Final Demand disappointing in DRF. 'It was his jumping that struggled. Has schooled with Paul on board, jumped fine. Wouldn't lose faith but it's still a worry.' Kaid D'authie is huge, always going to improve for fences. Kitzbuhel awesome at Kempton but not at Sandown. Likes their complete outsider Predators Gold 66s. 'Flying and will outrun odds.' Says Big Westerner needs rain. Koktail Divin is a certainty for the novice h'cap but 'Henry tells me that he runs in this.' BA 'Western Fold is improving away, not sure he'll win this but an ew bet. Not half fit at the DRF.' (certainly not over confident). GL praises DC for his winning ride on his family's Rule Supreme in 2004. Jokes that DC was 15 yrs old at the time. A Divin fan, says the December win was proper Grade 1 form. (hmm, was there, thought it a beginner's myself.) If no rain, Western Fold or Divin for him. Donn says Wendigo will like Cheltenham more than Kempton. Western Fold already 11 chase runs (Young Hustler comes to mind). Oscars Brother a big player, only recently confirmed to run.

QUEEN MOTHER - All changed o/night with the withdrawal of Marine Nationale. DC 'Majborough huge ability, see no reason why he would be beaten.' Cheekpieces keeping him concentrating in front.' GL Maj or no bet. Donn gives us Race IQ nos in support of fav (beyond me). BA 'He's a shoe in.' DC has to be prompted to mention Il Etait Temps. Not enthusiastic.

BUMPER - Donn draws breath for the first time this evening. Talks about the form but no real opinion. GL worried about The Irish Avatar form as Low Kick 2nd sweated up beforehand. Love Sign d'aunou 'exceptional' times for 1m 6f. Patrick can't do the weight for the Willie 4 yr olds. Keep Him Company another quick time. DC felt that all the Irish bumpers are very uncompetitive races. 'How strong is the form?' 'The Mourne Rambler won the most competitive race.' GL worries about the 3 stone of lead on the horse's back. DC gives the 4 yr old starts, Cue Card being the last to win. However Willie's two four olds are slightly different to usual in that they were trained as two yr olds. Get 11lbs. BA says Jack to ride Keep Him Company. Would be the stable choice.

HANDICAPS - WEDNESDAY - Donn and Gavin bemoan their antepost punting. 'Lot of bad bets.' Donn against Stumptown, seems it's a long way back from Czechoslovakia. Has to give 5lbs to Favori. GL keen on Desertmore House, same rating as in Ireland. Donn points out he is yet to race on this track. GL says take an ew price now on the 4 places. Likely to be no more than 12 runners. BA loves Favori, 'a cracking bet.' 'cross country lights him up.' DC on ex Coral Cup. Jump Allen unlikely to get in goes Martin Pipe, Storm Alert 'too small to carry a big weight.' Bunting needs rain 'though there is a big pot in him.' (12/1 last year, P Townend's mount, PU).

Keith Donoghue's voicemail tells us that Stumptown is his best chance, Fact To File is a certainty, Hello Neighbour ew County and Inothewayurthinkin is working better at home. No chances taken there, then.

THURSDAY - MARES HURDLE - BA wouldn't swap Wodhooh with anything. 'Keeps improving, been there, done it.' 'Should be a match at best.' Donn likes Feet Of A Dancer though may go ex Coral Cup off 141. GL and he disagree over the ride given when 4th in last year's Pertemps. Donn more conciliatory.

STAYERS - GL talks about age. Younger generation versus older generation. Bob is 11. DM - 'Sire de Berlais won it but then you have to go back to Crimson Embers 1986. (Great stats, could kiss him.) Impose Toi will like better ground. BA say 'fav is good, straightforward, should have won a couple of these.' Tips stable f'cast with Honesty Policy. DC nearly indignant about Ballyburn's price (12s machine). 'He was a nose behind in the Hattons Grace, made mistakes at Leopardstown but runs and will be in the mix.' Kabral Du Matthan too keen. DM 'Henry says Bob's in great shape.' Thinks Ma Shantou overpriced and loves the place.

RYANAIR - DC 'Fact To File probably runs here. JP has Spillane's Tower and Inothewayurthinking for the GC.' 'Whichever one of our two runs, should win. Jonbon won't go.' GL Fact To File in all multiples Thurs. DC has to be prompted about Impair Et Passe. 'Aintree.' BA - ' Firefox maybe, but might be Grand National bound.'

THURSDAY SHOULDER RACES - DC Bambino Fever 'in flying order.' 'Improved since last run, will take all the beating.' Future Prospect has improved but Blue Velvet 'will need a career best.' DM Kotkail Divin only 150 for Nov H'cap, but likes Slade Steel. Gives fair excuses for some of his chase runs and he is a Supreme winner. Likes better ground and only 3lb higher at 146 than in Ireland. GL says 'beg, borrow or steal money' to back Bambino Fever. (I think he means bet responsibly?) Gave the same reasons for backing Supremely West and C'est Different as Tony Keenan did on Friday Night in Belfast. Gives a stats driven tip for Jordans Cross having won the Timeform Nov H'cap. No one knows where Waterford Whispers will run. BA Jack to ride Staffordshire Knot, big weight in Pertemps. Not claiming off him. Says would rather have Oldschool Outlaw ew than Bambino at the prices. 'Mark loved her and he doesn't normally get too excited.'

FRIDAY - TRIUMPH - GL Macho Man. DC - 'We run nine, good luck with that!' (Possibly pissed with BHA changing the rules after Poniros?) Macho Man ok, Proactif, 'a stayer but not exceptional.' Charme de Faust 'will improve from first run'. Mon Creuset 'I consider him to be a contender for the 2027 Supreme.' Minella Academy 'flat bred, may not get home.' DC likes Apolin de Charnie 40s 'good chance.' (Sorry, that's all I caught). BA - 'might run two.' Mange Tout top weight in the Fred Winter.Got the vibe no one knew. Donn gave a few DRF stats. Those that ran in that G1 have a solid record.

ALBERT BARTLETT - DC - 'Doctor Steinberg didn't surprise us, we just didn't think he was robust, wasn't the strongest Grade 1 but a deserved favourite.' 'I will tip you one here,' he says, 'Hipop De Loire, quirky, but will travel. Flat form very good. overpriced at 40s.' Doesn't do that very often, does David. BA - will run four Road Exile being the best, also word for Jalon d'Oudairies. DC says Espresso Milan 'a big horse, needs to step up.'

GOLD CUP - DC Galopin Des Champs 'has every chance in the world. I fancy him strongly. He'll get a good strong even gallop, His work in the last 10 days has been absolutely first class. 8/1 is ridiculous.' Cheekpieces being considered. (There you go. He's 10 ys old, but remember, it's Willie Mullins). BA - 'I've done a few of these with David and he keeps saying it. Good enough for me.' GL has backed Inotheway. DC 'Gaelic Warrior and Jango Baie may not get home.' Donn big Jango fan.

SHOULDER RACES - DC Dinoblue will 'take all the beating.' Jage De Grugy will go Mares Hurdle if Lossiemouth goes CH. Murcia in the County needs good ground. 'Karbeau maybe, the rest might struggle.' GL The Passing Wife to be supplemented to the Albert Bartlett. His family own a share. DM keen on Sinatra in the County, a novice for the Skeltons. BA likes Open Secret for the Martin Pipe. DN Con's Roc for Hunters if soft. Panel seesawed between 17 and 18 Irish trained winners. Donn felt that GB might be leading 4-3 or 5-2 after Tuesday. Time then to back Ireland for Prestbury Cup.

NAPS

Gavin Lynch -Bambino Fever

David Casey - Majborough

Donn McClean - Jango Baie

Busty Almond - Prends Garde A Toi (Kim Muir)

Well, I think that about covers it. On the way out, I thought I've been coming to these for a long time and I don't recall David Casey ever being so bullish about Willie's horses. Maybe just bravado or maybe the WPM string have just recently come to themselves. Time will tell.

You can keep scrolling to Belfast Preview night 27th February.

Done now, have fun, please don't forget to give.

Bryan

Festival Quiz.