Less than seven weeks to go and it's time to take the Cheltenham punting seriously (which sadly means avoiding the pub)
There is now no getting away from it. There are less than seven weeks to go before you know what and even the most die-hard of Flat fans must at least be thinking about who to back in the Pertemps Final or the Ultima Handicap Chase.
Things are only going to ramp up even more in the coming weeks. The hype for some horses will reach hysterical levels and before you know it you'll have been sucked into backing something you had never even heard of only a month ago.
To avoid such a scenario and to help keep your feet firmly on the ground, I offer this alternative checklist, from someone who's seen (and heard) it all before, to keep you focused and help you save time in your form study.
Read the full story
Read award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing, with exclusive news, interviews, columns, investigations, stable tours and subscriber-only emails.
Subscribe to unlock
- Racing Post digital newspaper (worth over £100 per month)
- Award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing
- Expert tips from the likes of Tom Segal and Paul Kealy
- Replays and results analysis from all UK and Irish racecourses
- Form study tools including the Pro Card and Horse Tracker
- Extensive archive of statistics covering horses, trainers, jockeys, owners, pedigree and sales data
Already a subscriber?Log in
- A striker in need of a goal: Kieran Shoemark hasn't become a bad jockey overnight, he just needs a break
- Cartmel's unique experience makes a refreshing change - it must be protected at all costs
- Farcical contradiction in the Gambling Bill will see racing and betting pushed closer together
- Should private equity or sovereign wealth be offered a slice of racing's crown jewels? We won't know until we take a look
- It's horses rather than movies and motorbikes for young Izzi Ryder - and so she joins my list of apt racing names
- A striker in need of a goal: Kieran Shoemark hasn't become a bad jockey overnight, he just needs a break
- Cartmel's unique experience makes a refreshing change - it must be protected at all costs
- Farcical contradiction in the Gambling Bill will see racing and betting pushed closer together
- Should private equity or sovereign wealth be offered a slice of racing's crown jewels? We won't know until we take a look
- It's horses rather than movies and motorbikes for young Izzi Ryder - and so she joins my list of apt racing names