Winning entry showcases young skills

A joint entry by Year 9 pupils Tiffany and Lauren from Heywood Community School in Cinderford, Forest of Dean, scooped the prize for the best photograph in Target’s ‘have a go’ skills competition.

Part of a county-wide skills day for teenagers held at Gloucester Rugby Club, Target challenged youngsters to try their hand at either writing a press release or taking a photo to illustrate a PR launch story.

Tiffany and Lauren chose to create a photo that would help promote the launch of a new beauty product – the sumptuous Spa Paradisa body butter – and this is their winning image.

Sarah Bryars, Target’s chief executive, explained what impressed her and apprentice account executive Courtney Conroy, who both worked with pupils attending the event.

“Tiffany and Lauren had a really great attitude and approach to the task – they thought carefully about what they wanted to do and came up with the idea for the ‘warpaint’ pose themselves.

“It was a very clever idea: a great way of using the product within the image – the product itself will always be rubbed in (and therefore invisible) when used, so the warpaint idea was a clever visual solution. It also had a sense of drama.

“They listened carefully to the guidance from the professional photographer (who lent us his camera and experience!) and concentrated on the task. The result was a photo that was well composed, dramatic, and showed a good use of the product branding.

“It was great team work.

“The girls were being presented with their prizes by their headmaster in front of the whole school assembly at the end of term, so we look forward to hearing how that went down!”

Tomorrow's talent in PR

Choosing a career hasn't got any easier for today's youngsters, so Target was really pleased to be able to take part in a recent 'have a go' skills event at Gloucester Rugby Club.

The event saw hundreds of teenagers from schools across the county taking a couple of hours out of the classroom to sample skills from bricklaying and hairdressing, to 3-d computer design in engineering and, of course, PR.

Target's apprentice Courtney (pictured chatting with pupils) designed a couple of simple challenges based on real client scenarios - launching a new beauty product aimed at the teen market or opening a new Specsavers branch in the heart of a local high street. Pupils could choose to tell their story in the opening paragraphs of a press release, or create a photo that would appeal to the press. The incentive of a prize for the best in each category added a little extra motivation.

With some personal guidance from Courtney and Target chief exec Sarah, plus a photographer from Cirencester College on hand to lend a camera and his years of professional experience, the 14- and 15-year olds came up with some great entries. We'll be revealing the winners before the end of term!

Target's new home

Target Public Relations has moved into new offices in Cheltenham.

The company has set up its new base at 105/107 Bath Road, half a mile from its former home.

“It’s a great move for us,” said Chief Executive Sarah Bryars.

“We wanted to stay in Cheltenham, close to our local clients such as ADEY Professional Heating Solutions and Amano.

“After eight years in a beautiful but rambling Georgian building in Painswick Road, we really appreciate the practical benefits of a modern open-plan office.

“We carried out a major restructure this year and having a new home is a fitting way to consolidate our position in the market place and the new direction in which we’re heading.”

Target began as an advertising and design agency in 1977 based in Bayshill Road. It expanded into marketing and digital services, and began offering public relations in 1996. PR is now its speciality.

Chairman Colin Spencer, who joined Target in 1994, has seen the company through three moves in 17 years.

“We’re proud that Cheltenham remains our home and that we have continually been able to adapt to the ever-changing commercial climate,” he said.

New offices for Target

As well as winning awards, helping celebs perfect their tans, setting up interviews for Cheltenham Film Festival guests Barry Norman and Mark Kermode, plus the daily successes of generating great stories for clients, October saw the Target team move offices.

Despite some IT teething troubles, we’re now settled in our bright and sunny offices overlooking the iconic Cheltenham College lawns on Bath Road.

Movie magic comes to town

The second Cheltenham Film Festival is ready to roll and it’s set to be a blockbuster.

The festival from 4-6 November includes an audience with TV film pundit Barry Norman, an interview with playwright Steven Berkoff, and a showing of the 1924 silent film Piccadilly at the Daffodil Restaurant, the splendid Art Deco former picture palace in Suffolk Parade.

Target is sponsoring the festival by handling the PR. Festival director Adam Clarke admitted the team’s support has been invaluable. “Target has been with us from day one – the word ‘godsend’ doesn’t even begin to cover how brilliant they’ve been,” said Adam, who is juggling his festival work with his PhD studies, while his co-director Martin Pilkington is a full-time teacher.

Target’s Chief Executive Sarah Bryars said: “Adam and Martin’s enthusiasm means there’s never a dull moment. We’re proud to be involved and really excited about the weekend.

“We’re all planning a Target night out to watch the screening of ‘Upside Down – The Creation Records Story’ which will be followed by a special club night at Thirteen Degrees.”

Most of the festival events take place in the Parabola Arts Centre. For more info and to buy tickets visit www.cheltenhamfilmfestival.com

Strictly tanning!

The Christmas countdown return of Strictly Come Dancing has got the whole Target team thinking sequins, samba and salsa! (Well, perhaps with the exception of Colin who is more concerned about the new whip regulations, although we think that’s something to do with fillies of the four-legged variety.)

And, as the tangoed contestants hit the dance floor, two of the celebrities are getting our vote this year, but not primarily for their dancing skills.

As the result of a recent mailer of SLG Beauty’s Velvotan mitt (a handy little tool to apply fake tan which helps avoid streaks and tell-tale orange hands) to all the contestants on the show, we received thank-yous from Anita Dobson and Holly Valance.

The hand written note from Anita Dobson particularly touched us and we’ll be keenly watching her performance, and tan, from now on!

The winning team!

The huge cheesy grins say it all - we were very, very proud and excited to win Gold at the CIPR West of England PRide Awards, for our work with ADEY Professional Heating Solutions.

Here's what the judges said:

"Target PR was asked to reinforce ADEY's position as the number one manufacturer of magnetic filtration products in the UK central heating sector, as well as to help increase sales of the MagnaClean product range. This winning entry scored top marks across the board. The judges were particularly impressed with the succinct layout and the attention to detail on how it achieved measureable return on investment for the client. The client set some very tough objectives for this campaign but Target delivered and more on all fronts."

The photo above shows Target's ADEY team Hannah Dudek, Rachel Meagher and Sarah Bryars receiving the Gold award from Raj Kumar, from headline sponsor Precise.

Target brings home Gold

There were whoops of delight when Target won gold for a campaign which built awareness, enhanced company reputation and generated business for ADEY Professional Heating Solutions in Cheltenham.

Chief Executive Sarah Bryars congratulated her team on scooping the top prize in the Corporate and Business Communications category in the West of England Pride Awards, held in Bristol on Friday night.

"We're very proud to have won such a hotly contested competition. Our public relations work for ADEY proves that PR can directly influence sales, as well as reinforce a great reputation.

"Winning this award is a huge boost for Target, and it's particularly rewarding to share the accolade with a client that's so exciting to work with and appreciative of our skills."

ADEY, this year’s Gloucestershire Business of the Year, asked Target to help it maintain its position as the top manufacturer of magnetic filtration products in the UK central heating sector, and to help beat its sales targets of the MagnaClean product range.

ADEY’s Marketing Director Haimish Mead said it could not have happened without Target. “Without doubt, Target PR has been the best marketing appointment we’ve made. The company has delivered what can only be described as an exceptional level of communications support, enhancing ADEY’s status as No.1 in the market."

Target reaches finals of CIPR awards

Target Public Relations in Cheltenham has been shortlisted for a prestigious award.

The company is a finalist in the Corporate and Business Communications category of the West of England PRide Awards, for campaigns which built awareness, enhanced company reputation or generated business.

Target’s work for ADEY Professional Heating Solutions in Cheltenham, led by Account Director Rachel Meagher, achieved all three.

ADEY asked Target to help it maintain its position as the top manufacturer of magnetic filtration products in the UK central heating sector, and to help beat its sales targets for the MagnaClean product range.

In the first six months following its appointment as ADEY’s press office in September 2010, Target achieved 53 articles about the company in 12 leading publications and more than tripled the client’s return on investment.

At the same time, new contract sales of the MagnaClean range grew by more than 20 per cent in 2010-11. ADEY’S RapidFlush filter smashed sales targets by 500 per cent, and sales of ADEY’s industrial filters doubled.

ADEY’s Marketing Director Haimish Mead said it could not have happened without Target. “Without doubt, Target PR has been the best marketing appointment we’ve made. The company has delivered what can only be described as an exceptional level of communications support, enhancing ADEY’s status as No.1 in the market.

“The Target team got inside the business. They understand our products, our sector and exactly what we’re trying to achieve.

“They don’t have to be asked – they’re pro-active and come up with intelligent and relevant ideas that help keep us well ahead of our competitors.”

Chief Executive of Target, Sarah Bryars, said working with ADEY is a pleasure. “Working with such an innovative, market leading business is brilliant. We are made to feel like we’re part of their team, which is very motivating.

“These awards are a showcase for the best in our industry. To be judged so favourably by our peers is high praise.”

Target is based in Painswick Road, Cheltenham, and has 10 staff.

The awards scheme is run by the Chartered Institute of Public Relations. The winners will be announced at a dinner in Bristol on 21 October.

The regional finalists go forward to the national finals to be held next spring.

Beating sales targets by 500%

When British manufacturer ADEY Professional Heating Solutions appointed Target in 2010, they already understood the potential impact that public relations could have on their business growth.

This faith in PR was rewarded when the sales of a new product, launched primarily through Target’s PR activity, rocketed beyond its original sales target by 500%.

Haimish Mead, ADEY’s Marketing Director, is clear that Target’s involvement has been central to this success. “UK installers have been quick to grasp the benefits of the MagnaCleanse® RapidFlush Filter, a product we launched last September at an industry trade show.

“While we have a comprehensive marketing strategy in place, we believe that education and evidence are the most persuasive factors when introducing products to customers, particularly within a technology that is still relatively young. And it’s the level and quality of press coverage Target secures that allows us to talk in real depth to our customers, through well written, interesting features.

“The credibility that comes from editorial in a well-read publication works on a number of levels, not least that our sales team gets a great reaction from taking articles to show prospective customers.

“Our key customers are installers and heating engineers, but we also have some important messages to deliver to housing associations and local authorities keen to reduce their maintenance costs while meeting environmental targets to reduce carbon emissions. Target’s PR expertise allows us to confidently engage with each of those audiences in a meaningful way, and I have no doubt that that translates into sales.”

Let your creativity flow

Target has been fortunate enough to work with Pentel Stationery Ltd over the last 20 years or so, aiding the marketing team with campaigns primarily around product launches.

Earlier this year we were given the opportunity to develop a campaign which would help drive awareness for one of the company’s key brands – Energel. The brief was to drive awareness and encourage demand, with a focus on targeting a younger audience (pupils, students and office workers).

In a highly competitive market place, the activity needed to stand out from the crowd, creating distinction, but without the big advertising budgets being spent by rivals. Engaging the audience – in an edgy and captivating way - while communicating the products three key benefits (smooth flowing, quick drying and non smudge) was vital.

The theme of the campaign ‘let your creativity flow’ was executed via a viral, national press and online advertising together with planned sampling activity (at train stations and shopping centres).

See the viral unfold for yourselves… http://www.targetgroup.co.uk/pentelvideo/

New focus at Target

Change is the only constant, isn’t that what they say?

Well, the eagle-eyed amongst you will have noticed a few changes at Target in the last few months, as we’ve re-focused our business towards our specialist experience in PR, with Sarah Bryars as chief executive.

Target has always been ready to adapt as markets changed – diversifying from advertising to direct marketing, digital and, since 1996, public relations.

Today, the shifting landscape has blurred many of the boundaries between disciplines, particularly with the rise of social media. New skills and knowledge are crucial for us all as communicators in a digital age.

But some of the ‘traditional’ skills remain fundamental; telling an eye-catching story, with purpose, and executing it brilliantly. These skills are at the heart of great PR, it’s simply the channels that we use to share those stories that have grown and diversified so exponentially. Powerful writing with a clear message is important, whether for a tweet of 140 characters, or a feature of 1,000 words.

Influencing audiences by engaging in conversation directly, or stimulating discussions that take on a life of their own, whether on page, online, or on the bus - that’s always been PR territory. The stories here are a great example; creating a clever viral email for Pentel and letting it loose to have a life of its own, orchestrating a glamorous launch for the luxurious Ellenborough Park Hotel that would get everyone talking, and driving up sales for ADEY through quality coverage that allows experts to share their knowledge and experience with customers.

So in February this year we nailed our colours to the post, believing our PR expertise is best placed to help clients achieve their communications objectives.

But no PR agency is an island, and we’re excited to be discovering new relationships – and enjoying some long-standing ones – with other specialist agencies too.

Change can be liberating and is already bringing Target, and our clients, new opportunities. If you’d like to know more about ‘new’ Target, give Sarah or Sam a call on 01242 633100.

A five star project

Working to help launch Cheltenham’s only five star hotel, Ellenborough Park, in Southam was a prestigious project for Target.

The team was selected to manage the launch for the suppliers who had worked on the multi-million pound refurbishment of the hotel, which opened earlier this year.

Target organised a private cocktail reception for 130 guests from some 50 companies, including the builders, architects, interior designers and planners who helped transform the former Hotel De La Bere.

Set in 100 acres of Cotswold countryside, Ellenborough Park has 62 bedrooms designed in a sophisticated country-house style by acclaimed interior designer Nina Campbell.

Business Link leadership training sessions

Business Link is organising a free leadership training course in Cheltenham for senior managers of growing SMEs who face major changes at work.

The Strategic Leadership Programme consists of three morning sessions on June 8, 15 and 22 which focus on leading change, individual leadership skills and interacting with employees.

The course is open to MDs and directors of SMEs with an annual turnover of £500k or more, and at least five employees.

We will be hosting it here at Target in our offices in Painswick Road, Cheltenham.

The training is funded by the European Regional Development Fund which supports leaders of companies going for growth.

Anyone interested should email events@businesslinksw.co.uk or call 0845 080 0733.

t day's a winner from the start

He may not have backed the Gold Cup winner, but Target boss Colin Spencer found a winning cause in race week.

Colin ran a private tipping service during the four-day festival for clients of his PR agency in Painswick Road, Cheltenham.

He also placed a charity bet every day to raise money for Gloucestershire t day charities: the Spring Centre, Star College and James Hopkins Trust.

“It was just a bit of fun,” said Colin. “There were returns of £155 so we’ve made it up to £200. I should have followed my wife’s tips – she had 11 winners!”

t day is Gloucestershire's dress-down day that raises funds to help disabled young people. This year it takes place on May 6 when supporters will pay £1 to wear a t-shirt to work or school.

“This is a great kick-start for the t day appeal,” said committee member Kate Daws.

The Spring Centre’s Vice-Chair Steve Fisher added that this year’s event is more important than ever. “We’ve suffered a £60,000 drop in funding because of spending cuts and need to raise £130,000pa to keep going. We’re living hand to mouth so getting business support is really important,” he said.

Target also did the artwork for the t day leaflet free of charge, posted it to supporters and donated race tickets for the t day auction.

Colin uses his cocker spaniel, Winston, to front up his tipping column and calls it ‘Winston’s Tips, The Dog That Nose!’. He has a part-share in a racehorse in training with Tim Vaughan and is a member at Cheltenham Racecourse.

Twice the skills, twice the benefit

As a specialist PR agency, Target is well accustomed to generating conversations about its clients – after all, that’s the nature of reputation building.

Sarah Bryars, Chief Executive of Target, explains why they are collaborating with digital agency Swimming Hippo, to bring a new dimension to its PR service.

Traditional media relations skills are based on marrying the client’s agenda with the news agenda in order to generate newsworthy stories and interesting features, and providing well written copy that’s tailored towards a specific audience.

It’s these skills that place PR professionals in such a strong position to deliver the strategy and content for social media programmes, ensuring that the messages and tone of voice for each client are consistent and effective, whatever the communication channel.

But one of the many ‘added benefits’ that social media and online PR contributes to the marketing mix, is the direct impact it has on search engine optimisation, improving natural search rankings which in turn can help to generate leads, and sell products. And that’s what brings the discussion firmly back into the domain of a digital specialist such as Swimming Hippo.

We realised that clients need both the ‘content’ and ‘technical’ aspects of online PR and social media to work seamlessly, and decided the most effective way to achieve that was through collaboration with a specialist agency.

In my view the most successful business relationships thrive on a heady mix of ‘chemistry’ plus perfectly matched skills and experience. That’s certainly what we’ve found through collaboration with Swimming Hippo; a team whose approach to business strikes chords with our own.

Personable, knowledgeable, driven, and with a (rarely found) ability to explain technical functionality with no-nonsense language that is always centred on business benefits and results generation – that’s why we chose to work with Joe and his team. Whether building a new website, or developing an online PR programme together, we have great confidence in the quality, efficiency and integrity of the work they produce.

With two projects already under our belts, we’re looking forward to bringing our combined skills to many more clients, so watch this space. Or get in touchl!

Winston's Tips 2011 the dog that nose?

My animal instincts were a little out of kilter with my equine friends running in The Festival last week, it seems.

Just the one winner, five placed each way selections and several near misses this year giving a return of £158.13. As ever, a really enjoyable week but I should have listened to my master's wife, Janet, who had an astonishing 11 winners!

My friends at Target are going to make this up to £200 as a donation to T-Day, Gloucestershire's only dress down day that raises funds exclusively for children's charities in the county. T-Day takes place on Friday 6th May 2011. For more details log onto http://www.tday.co.uk/.

Woof, woof

Winston

Winston's Tips for Day 4 of The Festival

Good morning and a very warm welcome to the final day of my FREE tipping service for the Cheltenham Festival.

A small each way return on Mourad yesterday takes our fund for T-Day to £133. Lets see if we can get it well past £200!

1.30 Triumph Hurdle

SMAD PLACE £5 each way @ 10/1

Alan King won this race in 2005 and 2007, and trained the runner up in both 2008 & 2009, so it pays to follow his well fancied Smad Place

2.05 County Hurdle

ALARAZI £5 each way @ 8/1

Alarazi won the Imperial Cup at Sandown on Saturday and now goes for a £75,000 bonus by winning this race.

2.40 Albert Bartlett

KILCREA KIM £5 each way @ 9/1

Kilcrea Kim is a proven stayer with winning form and can go well for the Hobbs/Johnson combination who have already had two winners this week.

3.20 GOLD CUP – Feature race of the day

MIDNIGHT CHASE £5 each way at 14/1

The last three winners of the Gold Cup all line up for this race. Imperial Commander is favourite to retain his crown and I give him a big chance. The Paul Nicholls former winners Denman and Kauto Star are getting on in years and I prefer Denman of the two to go closest. Long Run is the young pretender having won the King George impressively at Kempton in January, but he has two bad runs at Cheltenham to overcome and I do not think he is very good value.

Kempes won the Irish Hennesy Gold Cup and could go well for AP McCoy, but I am tipping Midnight Chase each way. He has won four times in a row at Cheltenham, and was placed at the Festival in 2009. He is stepping up in class but he is improving and his bold front running will make this a true test of stamina.

4.00 Foxhunters

DANTES STORM £5 each way @ 8/1

This is for amateur riders and hunter chases. Last year Baby Run was a thrilling winner ridden by Sam Twiston-Davies. This year he is a hot favourite and will be ridden by Sam’s younger brother Will. Another exuberant front runner, he should go close, but I like the chances of Dantes Storm who has an impressive point to point record.

4.40 Martin Pipe

FIRST POINT £5 each way @ 20/1

Trained by Nicky Henderson, who trained the winner in 2009 and the second last year.

5.15 Grand Annual

OH CRICK £5 each way @ 10/1

The 27^th and final race of the Festival! Oh Crick won this race in 2009 and hopefully will run well again this year.

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog – I hope you’ve enjoyed a wonderful week of racing.

Good luck!

Winston

Winston's Tips for Day 3 of The Festival

Good morning and welcome to Day 3 of my FREE tipping service for the Cheltenham Festival.

A 10/1 winner (as we placed our bet with Paddy Power we were paid out at the starting price, which was higher than the price when we placed our bet – Best Odds Guaranteed), a 10/1 third and a non runner have boosted our funds for T-Day 2011 (www.tday.co.uk) to £116, and after two days we are showing a profit of £11 on recommended stakes.

Yesterday was Ladies Day and the Irish had six winners. Today it is St Patrick’s Day and I think the ladies could have a good day!

1.30 Jewson Novices Chase

WISHFUL THINKING £10 win @ 3/1

Yet another new race at the Festival so no previous trends. Wishful Thinking was very impressive when he won a competitive handicap here in January and should go close for the Hobbs/Johnson combination who have already had two winners at this year’s Festival.

2.05 Pertemps Final

PAUSE AND CLAUSE £2.50 each way @ 25/1

The last seven winners of this race have won at odds of over 10/1. Pause and Clause, trained by the lovely Emma Lavelle, won at the Festival last year, and can make a bold show at long odds.

2.40 Ryanair Chase

VOY PUR USTEDES £5 each way @ 14/1

The favourite Pocquelin is the clear form and trends choice, but I am backing a massive hunch with veteran Voy Pur Ustedes. He is a two time winner at the Festival and I am hoping that his move to Nicky Henderson can galvanise him to his former glories. If he is anywhere near his best he will walk this!

3.20 WORLD HURDLE – Feature race of the day

MOURAD £5 each way at 9/1

Big Bucks is favourite to win this race for the third time in a row. Grand Crus has won all his three races this season by large distances, but he prefers softer ground. Better value is to have an each way bet on the Irish challenger Mourad.

4.00 Byrne Plate

QUARTZ DE THAIX £5 each way @ 13/2

EDGBRIAR £2.50 each way @ 14/1

A difficult handicap chase, to say the least. The prices of the last 10 winners have been 16/1, 33/1,66/1,12/1.14/1,25/1,12/1,16/1,25/1 and 14/1 so it pays to look for an outsider, so I have had an each way bet on Edgbriar, who won a competitive handicap here in October.

I have also had a bet on Quartz de Thaix, who is trained by Venetia Williams, who has trained two of the last four winners of this race.

4.40 Kim Nuir

GALANT NUIT £5 each way @ 7/1

This is a race for amateur riders, so it pays to stick with the best jockeys - so I have backed Galant Nuit, ridden by the delightful Nina Carberry.

Good luck!

More from me tomorrow

Winston

Winston's Tips for Day 2 of The Festival

Good morning and a very warm welcome to my FREE tipping service for the Cheltenham Festival on Ladies Day.

Two each ways thirds yesterday giving a modest return of £21.38 for T-Day 2011 (www.tday.co.uk) . Let’s see if we can do better today!

1.30 National Hunt Chase

SOME TARGET £5 each way @8/1

Trends and formbook of no relevance here; I just like the fact it’s named after a progressive PR led marketing communications agency in Cheltenham…… He should give us a good run for our money and, to be fair, he has a very good chance.

2.05 Neptune Novices Hurdle

SO YOUNG £10 win @ 5/2

Not very original going for the favourite, but well fancied Irish runners have won three of the last five runnings of the race, with the trainer of So Young, Willie Mullins, being responsible for two of these.

2.40 RSA Chase

WAYWARD PRINCE £5 each way @ 10/1

Time For Rupert is a hot favourite for this race, and he is a very talented up and coming chaser, but this race is often won by a tough unspectacular horse with winning form. Wayward Prince fits the bill and won earlier this season at Cheltenham.

3.20 QUEEN MOTHER – Feature race of the day

SIZING EUROPE £5 each way @ 7/1

Big Zeb won this race easily last year and is a worthy favourite. Master Minded is bidding for his third win in this race, but his better days are probably behind him now. Sizing Europe won the Arkle last season and the last twelve winners of the Arkle who went on to run in this race were placed at least, so he is our each way selection.

4.00 Coral Cup

ORZARE £2.50 each way @ 33/1

Taking a chance here as Orzare has not run for 394 days, but he has won his last three races and is trained by Gary Moore, who is excellent with his handicap hurdlers.

4.40 Fred Winter H’Cap Hurdle

WHITBY JACK £2.50 each way @ 11/1

Last time out winners who have had three runs over hurdles have an amazing record in the race, so Whitby Jack is our selection, like Orzare, trained by Gary Moore

5.15 Champion Bumper

DIVINE RHAPSODY £2.50 each way @ 12/1

Irish trained horses have won 14 out of 18 runnings of this race, with a win last time out a must. Divine Rhapsody has not run since last April, but he did win very impressively and can go close.

Good luck!

More from me tomorrow

Winston

Winston's Tips for Day 1 of The Festival

Hello and a very warm welcome to my FREE tipping service for the Cheltenham Festival. I'm Target's pooch punter, Winston, the dog that 'nose' the form and loves a flutter.

This year I will be placing charity bets each day with any returns at the end of the week donated to T-Day 2011 (www.tday.co.uk), Gloucestershire’s only dress down day that raises funds exclusively for children’s charities in the county.

All bets that I recommend will be placed with Paddy Power (www.paddypower.com) who are offering best odds guaranteed on all races. This means that if you back a horse at 4/1 and it wins at 6/1 then you get paid out at the higher price.

As past performance is always a good guide to future performance I will be looking at previous trends and form to come up with some good value tips, although sometimes I may just follow a hunch!

Here are my suggestions for Day 1, Tues 15 March - Centenary Day:

1.30 Supreme Novices Hurdle

MAGENS STAR £2.50 each way at 20/1 (money back if Cue Card wins)

Cue Card is very well fancied and could be a superstar. However, short priced favourites have a terrible record in this race. Magen’s Star has positive trends in being an Irish trained, unbeaten mare and could go well at a long price. If Cue Card wins we get our money back!

2.05 Arkle Chase

MEDERMITT £10 win @ 11/4

In the last ten years, the highest rated hurdler has won this race on five occasions. Medermitt is the highest rated hurdler by a long way and is a confident selection to give Alan King his third Arkle winner.

2.40 Spinal Research H’Cap Chase

SUNNYHILLBOY £5 win @ 6/1

Well fancied runners carrying less than 11 stone do well in this race, as do Jonjo O’Neill’s runners, so I have plumped for Sunnyhillboy who has also has good course form.

3.20 CHAMPION HURDLE – Feature race of the day

OSCAR WHISKY £5 each way @ 7/1

Last year’s winner and favourite Binocular was withdrawn on Sunday, taking the gloss off this race, although it should still be a cracker. I think Oscar Whisky is great value to give Nicky Henderson his third successive win in this race. Both his wins have been very impressive this season, including a win at Cheltenham in January.

4.00 Cross Country Chase

GARDE CHAMPETRE £10 win @ 9/2

He has won five times over this course & distance, and whilst he is getting on in years like my master, he is capable of winning this race for the third time.

4.40 David Nicholson

L’ACCORDIANISTE £2.50 each way @ 10/1

Quevega is a hot favourite to complete a hat trick of wins in this race, but there is value each way with L’Accordianiste trained locally by Nigel Twiston-Davies

5.15 Centenary Novice H’Cap Chase

TULLAMORE DEW £2.50 each way @ 9/1

A really tricky novice chase to end the day. Tullamore Dew was second in last season’s Coral Cup and has never been out of the first two in her four novice chases this season.

Good luck!

More from me tomorrow

Winston