Colin taking the reins on a horse he is still yet to lose money on

Hello, Colin the Tipster here and a happy new year to you.

In this column I have got an update on horses to follow for 2008-2009 season, but first I would like to share my views on the market movers for this year at Cheltenham's National Hunt Festival - so which horses are being backed so far?

Day One

Supreme Novices' Hurdle: Cousin Vinny has been backed in to 4/1 favourite, but best wait until the day as I think he will be at 5/1 or 6/1. If he does not win, it will take a good one to beat him.

Irish Independent Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase: Tatenen at 6/1 looks good and Calgary Bay, who is 8/1, looks to be the only one who can beat him, but he is not certain to run in this race.

Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle: Binocular at 5/4 looks good but he could get caught on the line. I think Snap Tie at 40/1 could be the one - he likes Cheltenham and his trainer Philip Hobbs knows how to win races.

Day Two

Ballymore Properties Novices' Hurdle: 7/2 shot Diamond Harry is one of my bets. Yes, I think he is that good and he is going to wow people at the festival.

RSA Chase: It is Ballyfitz for me, you can get on him at 20/1 at the moment. Forget his last run at Cheltenham, he was not quite right that day but come March Nigel Twiston-Davies will have him spot-on. Fitz loves it at Cheltenham and you would not be silly to get on him now.

Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase: Master Minded has been backed in to 1/3, so offers no value, but at 25/1 Well Chief is a great each-way bet. He is coming back from injury, so if you back him in the ante post market, only do him with a run.

I think 7/2 Paul Nicholls not to be the top trainer is a great bet, yes I know you think I'm mad, Mrs Tipster does as well Colin the Tipster

Day Three

Ryanair Chase: Noland, Voy Por Ustedes and Tidal Bay are all at 4/1 but if Exotic Dancer goes for this instead of the Gold Cup then at 10/1 each way I think it is a sell. Jonjo O'Neill has got Albertas Run in the Gold Cup and A.P. McCoy would like to ride both horses at the festival.

Ladbrokes World Hurdle: for me there are only two horses in this race - Punchestowns at 2/1 and Kasbah Bliss at 3/1, I am not going to make my mind up until the big day.

Day Four

JCB Triumph Hurdle: Zaynar who is the 7/2 favourite and Walkon 7/1 are the horses being backed, but I would wait a bit because the winner may not have run yet. Do not forget they are juvenile novices and are only four years old.

Totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup: whoopee this is going to be awesome! Defending championDenman is 2/1 and the 2007 winner Kauto Star is 11/4, so who is going to win? Well I like to say Albertas Run at 16/1. He does look a good bet to me, he likes Cheltenham and Jonjo O'Neill will have him spot-on.

If you would like a fun bet, I think 7/2 Paul Nicholls not to be the top trainer is a great bet. Yes, I know you think I am mad, Mrs Tipster does as well.

Before March there is the Festival Trials day on Saturday, 24 January, five 2008 Festival winners ran on this day last season, so it is a good day for pointers.

Update on horses to follow for the 2008-2009 season

Songe who is trained by Charlie Longsdon, went novice chasing but is now back over hurdles and seems a lot happier. He won the Champion Hurdle trial at Haydock on 17 January and is now 8/1 favourite for Totesport Trophy Handicap Hurdle at Newbury on 7 February. He is not entered for the Champion Hurdle at the festival, but I think he should be. Yes, Charlie is another who thinks I am mad.

Lucinda Russell's Quws Law has had one win and a good second, his jumping will win him lots of races this season.

Jonjo O'Neill's pride and joy Wichita Lineman has had two wins so far this campaign and look out for him at the festival, yes he is that good.

Ring the Boss has won once already at Cheltenham for us and come March, trainer Philip Hobbs will have him spot-on.

Shoreacres (Brendan Powell) one win so far, and I think he could go for the big novice hurdle at the festival.

Peter Monteith's Quicuyo has had one win for us so far and hopefully will win again soon.

Rays Rock has moved yards and is now trained by Kahlil Burke, but he should be out soon hopefully.

King Jack has only run once so far, but trainer Richard Phillips thinks the world of him, expect to see him in action soon.

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