Omar's Diary for Tuesday 14th March 2023

The seven races on today's programme are (with first place money in brackets)

• 1330 Skybet Supreme Novices Hurdle (Grade 1) (£75,964)
• 1410 Sporting Life Arkle Challenge (Grade 1) (£98,473)
• 1450 Ultima Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (£70,338)
• 1530 Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy (Grade 1) (£253,215)
• 1610 Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle (Registered as The David Nicholson Hurdle Grade 1) (£72,024)
• 1650 Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (Registered as The Fred Winter Premier Handicap) (£45016)
• 1730 Well Child National Hunt Challenge Cup Amateur Jockey's Novices Chase (Grade 2) (£60,388)

In the opener there are currently 14 runners declared. It is hard to ignore the favourite, Facile Vega, not only because of its form with three wins out of four outings this season but the name sounds like something one would consult a doctor about. Very discretely of course. On its last outing on 5th February at Leopardstown this bay gelding came in 5th from a field of six. The winner then was Il Etait Temps who is running today and has the odds of 6/1. So, for our first wager at this year's festival I am backing Il Etait Temps to win with one unit.

The second race currently has nine runners declared. On form alone over their last five races there is othing more than a piece of the finest tracing paper between El Fabiolo or Jonbon. Both have won all three of their respective starts this season, boh are carrying 11st 7lbs and both have had success over the same distance as today which is 2 miles. I am going to seperate them purely on the forecast conditions for today which is "soft" and the one with the best form on that type of going is Jonbon quoted at 7/4 which I will wager another unit on.

Then how can we not take a stab at the BIG one at three thirty worth over a quarter of a million to the winner and a chance to be immortalised in the history of racing along with the likes of Istabraq and Theatreworld. Constitution Hill and State Man both have equal form from their last five outings; first, first, first, first and first. Both have proven more than capable over this course and this distance of 2 miles and half a furlong. There are only seven runners which is so surprising given the prize money on offer. With such a small field with that quality this is guaranteed to be an exciting race to watch and the one Man Servant and I will be cheering home will be Constitution Hill, the favourite at 4/11 with two units. Always better to back the short priced winner than the long priced loser especially in this type of race.

The 6th race at 1650 looks quite open for those of you who like big fields in handicap races. There are currently 22 runners declared so the tur accountants will be paying out to at least fourth place. In this type of race I like to go safe and go risky so I will be making two selections.

My safe selection, if there is such a thing in this sport of such glorious uncertainties, is going to be Sir Allen. After a most thorough review of this chestnut gelding's form and the fact that his name is the same as Man Servant's without the "Sir" and not quite spelt the same way I am wagering one unit at the odds of 11/1. My "wild card" selection is Metamorpheus which I am backing with one unit each way at the most generous odds of 20/1.

In summary then my selections are:

• 1330 Il Etait Tempes 1 unit
• 1410 Jonbon 1 unit
• 1530 Constitution Hill 1 unit
• 1650 Sir Allen 1 unit and Metamorpheus 1 unit each way

Total outlay today is 5 units.

Good luck everyone.

PS Just in case no one has already heard I received the following from "Larry" the Chief Mouser at the Cabinet Office in No 10 Downing Street.