Happy New Wiseguy

 This time last year the year's profit doubled on the last day thanks to Mr. Coral's placepot game but this year UK racing was all off and so a token interest in Sir Gerhard at Punchestown had to suffice. It's now, of course, easy to say we should have all piled into that.

But one should never regret anything. Stay sensible, stay in front, stay in charge. The job does itself for you as long as you stick to a plan that works.

New Year's Day at Cheltenham is like an album starting with one of its best tracks. It is God's own racecourse. It's Monday tomorrow, is it -nobody knows what day it is anymore- and it's not often you'll get Cheltenham on a Monday.

Stage Star (2.05) is the obvious top of the bill and we can't expect much more than the even money chalked up by William Hill so it's really a matter of how much for, giving away lumps of weight but contiuning to defy his critics on his way to back here in March.

Mr. Henderson's 36% strike rate in the last 14 days makes the expensive purchase, Peaky Boy (12.20), look worth a go but it might not be the 13/8 suggested by the betting forecast.

There are some tempting favourites but we can't realistically expect them all to flood in and I'm not sure Marie's Rock can be relied on against an apparently rejuvenated Bob Olinger (3.15).

Inch House (1.30) doesn't have as many question marks, or as much opposition, as Matata in the 12.55 but we'll stick Ed Keeper (2.40) in the mug punting multiples in the hope of an afternoon's entertainment and swerve the interesting but difficult bumper finale. You just mix them up for cash you wouldn't miss and be glad to be in the same position again this time next year.