To me, this really couldn’t be more of a two horse race. There are some sorts in here who keep turning up and just cant beat the best horses around.
The Giant Bolster (9-1 Stanjames) – Sure, he came 3rd in last years Gold Cup at a huge price(beaten 11 lengths), and finished 2nd and 3rd to Silviniaco Conti (beaten 7 lengths both times), but the only horse of any note hes managed to beat in the last 3 years is Poquelin.. If you want a horse that could creep into 3rd for a small each way return, this could be your horse. To win? No chance.
Menorah (12-1 Stanjames) – Once upon a time he threatened to actually be a decent horse. He won the Betfred Manifesto Novices Chase at last years Aintree festival beating Cristal Bonus and Al Ferof, then struggled in Ireland and got beaten 34 lengths by the progressive Cue Card. He has since then beaten a regressive Hunt Ball, finished 21 lengths behind Silviniaco Conti at Newbury and and a tailed off and eventually pulled up effort in the Ryanair, again against Cue Card. He keeps failing to bring home the bacon. He’ll no doubt have his supporters as an each way proposition, but he’s not for us.
Golden Chieftain (28-1 Stanjames) – Won the JTL Speciality at Cheltenham this year (Grade 3). This is a Grade 1. He was targetted for that race and that race alone, he’s punching above his weight here.
Quito De La Roque (10-1 Stanjames) – I was actually a big fan of this horse a few years ago, he couldn’t stop winning! 2012 was a bad year, he kept placing, but not winning. He bounced back in amazing fashion to win a grade 2 race (beating the ultra consistent Roi Du Mee by 6l). He’s won grade 1 races before and is a bit of a dark horse here. Interesting.
Wishfull Thinking (20-1 Skybet) – This horse almost falls into the same category as the Giant Bolster, but the difference is, Wishfull Thinking has actually won races over the last few years, including a win in the Totepool Manifesto Stakes in 2011 at the Aintree Festival. He either runs a blinder and gets placed (albiet, a long way behind the winner) or runs an absolute shocker. His jumping isnt great (He famously fell at Cheltenham last year, falling into a crowd of photographers, luckily no one was seriously hurt..) Again though, if Each way is your thing, he could cling on for a place.
What a friend, Wayward Prince, Whodoyouthink – Not the same class as the above
Then, we get onto Silviniaco Conti and First Lieutenant
First Lieutenant (7-2 Bet365) – Won 2 from 12 over Fences, but he loves to place. He’s placed in 10 out of his 12 starts. He had the beating of Sir Des Champs and Flemenstar two runs back, only to be headed by Tidal Bay. At Cheltenham he was a laboured 2nd 9 lengths behind Cue Card (that made us quite a bit of money that day, lovely forecast and tricast returns!). He’s a serial placer and makes for near perfect forecast material..
Silviniaco Conti (1/1 Paddy Power) – Went on a 4 win streak beating the likes of Long Run and The Giant Bolster (not a massive achievement that one, but still reasonable). He beat Cheltenham course specialist Champion Court by 13l in last years Mildmay Novices Chase (Grade 2) at Aintree Festival last year and ended up being well fancied by the nicholls camp for the Gold Cup. He went off at 4-1 and was in with a shout when falling 3 out. Would he of won? Who knows, we think not, but he’d of made a race of it for sure.
The play here would be a forecast, but it won’t pay a great amount mind. Silviniaco Conti to beat First Lieutenant. Throw in Wishfull Thinking / Quito De La Roque for a tricast for optimal returns.
Betfair:
Bet on Henrik Stenson to become the BMW PGA Championship Winner.
Paddypower:
Back Australia to take the Ashes home with them.
Betway:
Back Rafael Nadal to become the Mens French Open Winner.
Coral:
Back One For Arthur to win the Grand National.
Bet365:
Back Mexico to win the Confederations Cup.
