What might be described as an "incident-packed race", with fallers/brought downs aplenty (including Langer Dan at the second) and loose horses causing trouble, with Banbridge emerging victorious to make it a clean sweep for Irish-trained horses and 18-10 to them in the Prestbury Cup. Cobblers Dream second, Hollow Games third, Freedom To Dream fourth (doubt he will be running again tomorrow), Party Business fifth and Ilikedwayyurthinkin sixth (for the extended e/w terms). 

Adamantly Chosen failed to settle at this longer trip with a steady pace (109% finishing speed) and got hampered at the fourth (but did recover from that), before weakening between the last two. 

Thanks for your company. Hope to have you with us again soon. 

Hopefully all horses and jockey's involved in those incidents will be ok.

Banbridge wins the last for Joseph O'Brien under Mark McDonagh. A clean sweep for Ireland today.

It has been a great week. Thanks to Simon and Paul for their company. I hope you enjoyed it and took some nuggets of information (and a few winners) from it.

Over and out!

In some respects, one would nearly hope (if they haven't had a bet of course) that Langer Dan get's his compensation for last year when he bumped into one of the best handicapped horses at the Festival in recent years. A Plus Tard... Billaway... Elimay... Langer Dan?

This is what I posted earlier

ADAMANTLY CHOSEN 165

LANGER DAN 163

CHEMICAL ENERGY 159

HOLLOW GAMES 159

GRAND JURY 158

PERFECT ATTITUDE 158

155 bar

A 24-runner toughie to finish things off, but I think it's worth taking a chance that ADAMANTLY CHOSEN is a step or two ahead of the handicapper, even though his lines have been cast in much calmer waters so far. His win at Thurles last time was a real step up on my figures and he could well be suited by this longer trip. Win rather than e/w in my view given all that.

Langer Dan is undoubtedly nicely in, having been second to a horse called Galopin des Champs (what happened to him?) off 2 lower in this last year. His recent run at Taunton should have blown away the cobwebs.

Chemical Energy, Hollow Games and Grand Jury are all useful novices, with the potential to improve incorporated into their ratings (as is also the case with Adamantly Chosen). 

The 8/1 has disappeared, but I wouldn't put you off him at 5/1 or longer if you missed that 

Betfred are paying an enhanced 6 places on the Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle

In the lucky last and while I know Simon is keen on one, I haven't been able to nail my colours to one. I believe you are in the right stable anyway Simon...

Elimay looks to have run to around 150 in going one better than last year, with Scarlet And Dove (back to her best) and Pink Legend (better than ever) both running to 149. Concertista jumped abysmally mid-race while Mount Ida's effort was reminiscent of the first half of her win here last year but not the second half.   

UPDATE: make that 3 less on Elimay and Pink Legend: had forgotten that Scarlet And Dove had a 3 lb penalty. It is not vintage stuff for a Cheltenham Festival race.

The last 10 winners were all rated 138 or higher heading into the race.

13 winners were first or second season hurdlers.

Venetia Williams speculated that this year's Cheltenham Gold Cup winning time was phenomenal and must have been close to the course record. It was about a furlong slower. 

As Simon eluded to earlier, I don't think there is much of an angle here at the prices and I am happy to sit it out. If pushed it would just be Elimay as I think she is the most solid... If Mount Ida jumps straight she is a danger to all, at least, and probably the most likely winner. With an element of guesswork and little value on offer, I am happy to sit this one out.