my 28 for the festival.

​Fair warning; I am somewhere between an average tipster and borderline useless. I do though on occasion get it spectacularly right. For instance, I tipper Minella Times for the Grand National on the day the weights were released and I advised people that Tornado Flyer was worth backing each-way in the King George this season.
Given I have only the 4-day declarations to go with, as some of my fancies may not run, I’ll add an alternative.
In the Supreme, I have a hunch Mighty Potter will cause a bit of a shock. If not Dysart Dynamo.
The Arkle is a coin-toss. I thought Saint Sam ran an okay race for a 5-year-old and might be improving at a rate to give him an each-way chance of winning. Coeur Sublime might out-run his odds.
The result of the Ultima will depend to a degree on whether Frodon runs. He is by far the best horse in the race and he’ll start at a price that will mean you couldn’t overlook him. I hope Frodon wins, though I fancy Tea Clipper for Tom Lacy and Stan Sheppard.
The Champion Hurdle is two-horse race and Honeysuckle will waltz in. If not, Appreciate It.
The Mares Hurdle will obviously go to Ireland. Gordon Elliott is sweet on the chances of Queens Brook and that sways me that way. Dysart Diamond is the alternative.
Now the Boodles is a throwback to the Triumph Hurdle of olden times, plenty of runners, plenty with chances. Gaelic Warrior will get punted off the boards and he has the look of a Mullins future superstar. I think Graystone might outrun his odds.
The old 4-miler could be the hottest staying chase of the week and if Fury Road runs here and not in the Ultima he’ll do for me. Otherwise, it has to Stattler.
The Ballymore has Sir Gerhard written all over it. The alternative is Colonel Mustard.
The 3-mile novice chase is a cracker. Bravemansgame is my banker of the week and is a Gold Cup horse in waiting. Capodanno to follow him home.
The Coral Cup could go any of twenty-five ways. If he gets in, Good Risk At All is my tip, with Ashdale Bob as my alternative.
The 2-mile Champion Chase is a feast of a race. I fancy Envoi Allen to run a big race, though it has to between Energumene and Shishkin. It’s the latter for me.
The Glenfarclas will always be remembered fondly for Tiger Roll. Again, if the ground is no worse than good-to-soft, Gordon Elliott cannot see him being beaten. I suggest that Diesel d’Allier might spoil the party.
The Grand Annual will go to January Jets, with Amarillo Sky for a place.
The Bumper will be won by Willie Mullins. Facile Vega from James’ Gate.
The Turners makes me salivate just thinking about it. Galopin Des Champs is a more natural jumper of a fence and that give him the edge over the classy Bob Olinger.
The Pertemps is another lottery of a race. I don’t know why Remastered is in this race but he’s worth an investment, though it would be safer to pick Sassy Yet Classy as the winner.
The Ryanair is Allaho’s to lose. Janidil to finish second.
The Stayers is intriguing, though I’ll stick with Flooring Porter, my only winner last year. Royal Kahala to follow him home.
The Plate is yet another ‘stick a pin in’ race. Fusil Raffles has a bit of class and he’s my selection. Grand Parade to follow him home.
The Mares novice will go to Brandy Love, with Love Envoi best of the rest.
The Kim Muir looks booked for School Boy Hours, Cat Tiger for a place.
And finally we come to Gold Cup day.
The Triumph is as a championship race should be, small field, all with some sort of a chance. If the ground is soft, and I think I’ll stay with him anyway, Porticello will give the Moores some redemption for the cruel fate handed out to Goshen. Vauben to be second.
The County Hurdle will, if he runs, and who knows what hand Willie Mullins will play, perhaps go to Adamantly Chosen. If not, Top Bandit.
The Albert Bartlett is the best Ireland/Britain dual of the meeting. I will take a chance that Stag Horn and Hillcrest will fight off the Irish.
The Gold Cup. When he won the Betfair, I was certain we had seen this season’s Gold Cup winner and I’ll stick with A Plus Tard. If I would advise someone wishing to have a bet, though, I would nominate Tornado Flyer.
The Hunters Case will go to Patrick Mullins and Billaway. Winged Leader the alternative.
The Mares Chase, the most needles race on the card, will be won by Gin On Lime. Mount Ida the alternative.
And a nice easy one to finish, the Martin Pipe. Hollow Games, if he runs, with Winter Fog as an alternative.
The main element of Cheltenham, though, is to experience it as if you know it will be your last Cheltenham Festival. To paraphrase/quote the legendary  Bill Shankly, ‘it’s not life and death, it’s more important than that’.