'Standard' tipster Sam Hoskins gives his verdict on Cheltenham (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

'Standard' tipster Sam Hoskins gives his verdict on Cheltenham

THE traditional Countryside Day on Friday was the one on which the heavens finally opened and deluged Cheltenham's green pastures with unrelenting gales and heavy rain, writes 'Standard' tipster Sam Hoskins.

But despite the elements, race-goers' vocal cords were well warmed with a host of nip-and-tuck finishes to rouse the Open meeting into action.

Talented young jockey Sam Thomas had a confident ride on Venetia Williams's Itsonlyme to take the opening amateur riders' chase.

Last year's winner was Iris Bleu who went on from this to win the valuable Agfa Diamond Chase at Sandown.

Self Defence got the better of Alkbuhera in a ding-dong battle to prove to his doubters that his Champion hurdle fourth was no fluke while, on the same card, Mick Fitzgerald gave Ceannannas Mor a peach of a ride to repel the challenge of the well-backed Royal County Buck. Top tip Rufius fell while still going quite well.

And the gallant Cenkos gave Paul Nicholls a welcome boost with a gutsy success over stablemate Kadarann. Top tip Tysou fell at the second last when still in contention.

Paddy Power Gold Cup dawned fresh and bright, but got off to a bad start when Puntal's victory was marred by Brother Joe's fatal fall at the second last.

Therealbandit lifted spirits with a comprehensive thrashing of his rivals in the three-mile handicap hurdle, landing a sizeable gamble for the Pipe/McCoy partnership which continues to take training and riding to a new level.

Ten horses went to post for the weekend's showpiece, the Paddy Power Gold Cup, with a fast run race bringing out the best of Fondmort who fought off the ill-fated Poliantas who suffered a heart attack shortly after the finish.

He and Brother Joe both died doing what they loved, and they will be remembered.

Of my four tips in the spectacle, Risk Accessor tipped up at the second last.

Otherwise, he would surely have been in at the finish, while Fondmort and Poliantas, my tips for second and third spot, more than deputised for him.

Top tip Shardam took the three-mile handicap chase under an inspired Carl Llewellyn ride from the front.

He looks to have a bright future and was Nigel Twiston-Davies's second success at the meeting after Whereareyounow had triumphed in the novice chase on the Friday.

Nigel, who trains at Naunton, is currently enjoying a purple patch.

Saturday's finale saw Pipe and McCoy make it a treble for the day as Gone Too Far gamely fought off Cristoforo. He looks one to follow.

On the Sunday, McCoy began as he had finished on Saturday when galvanising Peter Bowen's Jollyolly to fight off Richard Johnson's Irish mount Fairwood Present.

But the Irish got their own back with the well-backed Blue Away under the cool-headed Timmy Murphy, getting the better of Bowen's Mr Ed in the next.

Thisthatandtother took the two-mile novice chase impressively and looks one to follow judging on the list of previous race winners - Best Mate and Azeryuiop!

Rigmarole at 33/1 spoiled the party in the Greatwood Hurdle as he outbatted Caracciola and the fancied Hasty Prince.

And Jakari and The Posh Paddy brought Cheltenham's Open meeting to a bright and optimistic conclusion.

Yes, the jump season is well and truly upon us!

My top tips are as follows:

Gone Too Far: Made his debut in winning for Martin Pipe on Saturday. Despite not winning by much, further improvement is likely.

Green Tango: Impressive in winning a modest Uttoxeter bumper on Saturday. The way he did it suggests he is capable of more.

Travellers Heir: Same owner as Green Tango, also with Henry Daly. Won a handicap hurdle last week but looks a real chaser in the making.