After some success in recent weeks, the hunt for a decent Masters bankroll continues with the Madeira Island Open in Europe and the Transitions Championship in the US.  With many of the big names playing in the Tavistock Cup, both tournaments are wide open and this notion is mirrored in the betting with 14/1 and 12/1 favourites respectively (as I type), so we again find ourselves with a great opportunity of finding a big priced winner.  Unfortunately, some of the previous posts were mysteriously erased over Cheltenham, but I have been assured that this will not happen again, so here’s hoping that these words are not in vain again…

We shall start by taking a look at the Madeira Open in Spain, being played on the Seve Ballesteros designed Porto Santo course.  The fact that the event was moved from Santo De Serra renders the tournaments previous results pretty much useful and paves the way for those players in good form or from the surrounding area when making your selection.  That said, the two names that jump out at me are Rafael Cabrera Bello and Ignacio Garrido.  At 25/1 and 28/1 they find themselves firmly at the top of the market but you would be unlucky if you did not get a decent run for your money from at least one of them.  Both have been performing consistently all season and their top ten finishes in recent weeks should stand them well as they compete on familiar soil for the first time this year.  If 28/1 is still too short for you and you fancy having a cheeky go on an outsider then I suggest you take a look at Jean van de Velde at 100/1.  His 5 over par, tied 64th last time out might not exactly jump out of the page at you but with 3 steady rounds of 72, 71 and 69, a top ten finish was not out of the question if you overlook his third round 81.  Given the Frenchman’s history for erratic play this is perhaps expected, but 4 steady rounds this week could see very well see van de Velde in contention come Sunday, and at 100/1 he is perhaps a bit overpriced.

Across the water in America, the first name that jumps out is John Senden, who has finished 2nd here the last two years, and at a price of 50/1 this is form that cannot be ignored.  Pre-tournament favourite is Jim Furyk at 12/1 and although a very obvious pick, his proven track record when in form on US soil means that he will be my big bet this week.  Of the outsiders who have a good chance, I would lean towards DJ Trahan for much the same reason as I did for van de Velde - bar his opening round 77 he would have been battling for a top ten spot, and although this may not seem like title winning form, the fact that the majority of those players that made up that top ten are not playing, his price of 66/1 means that even a place will leave you in profit for the week.

Coming from a man who knows his stuff (allegedly!) here’s a run through the card of the opening day the Cheltenham Festival with a few tasty priced tips to chew on!

Supreme Novices Hurdle.

After all the waiting we are finally here. With all the country banking on Cousin Vinny to get them off to a flying start I suggest an e/w alternative here Copper Bleu at around 20/1 represents a cracking each way bet.He was facing an impossible task last time out trying to concede 17 pounds to Master Of Arts who is 5/1 for the Triumph Hurdle. The fast pace and ground on the soft side of good will be ideal for Philip Hobbs charge.

Arkle Chase

Paul Nicholls rates Tatenen as one of his bankers for the festival and if Tatenen had held on to win at Leopardstown over Christmas he would be as short as 7/4 here. After the Leopardstown race Nicholls claimed his horse had travelled over badly and didnt eat in the run up to the race if this is indeed the case Tatenen at 4/1 seems a cracking bet with doubts about the ground for a lot of his rivals here namely Planet Of Sound and Kalahari King who are better suited by hearing their hooves rattle.

William Hill Trophy Handicap Chase.

A very tricky handicap chase preceeds the Champion Hurdle. Wichita Lineman has been very popular ante-post here but at 5/1 I think we will leave him for the likes of J.P. I suggest an eacy way investment on Lothian Falcon here of 10stone 2 his last run was over hurdles to try to protect his handicap mark and he could be very well in at the weights in a tricky event and at odds of around 16/1 he will do for me.

Champion Hurdle.

Binocular is many peoples banker of the meeting but at 6/4 the odds are very skinny for a horse who seemed to struggle to get up the hill last year after travelling like the winner coming down the hill. Paul Nicholls is naturally very optimistic about his runners but he seems very bullish about Celestial Halo here and after Katchit breaking the 5 year olds hoodoo on the race I put him forward as the each way value at 9/1. Ruby will make plenty of use of this fellow and try to take the finish  out of the short priced favourite. Celestial Halo is certain to stay up the hill like he did last year in the Triumph.

Cross Country Chase.

We all know the trainer to look for in these events. The Bruce Springstein loving trainer Enda Bolger. He has a very strong hand here and you would be mad to look beyond L’Ami or Garde Champetre. I find it very hard to split them. So get your wife involved in the Festival and let her pick for you. But rest assured the winner will be L’Ami or Garde Champetre.

David Nicholson Mares Hurdle.

Willie Mullins will not hear about defeat for Quevega here and it may be crazy to oppose the shrewd Carlow handler but at 5/2 I don’t see much value in her. The toughest mare in the race has to be Chomba Womba and at 6/1 she is an outstanding bet with conditions to suit. She has been targeted at this race for a long time and this may well be her last race and you can be sure Nicky Henderson will have her fine tuned for this before she retires to the paddocks.