Cheltenham Champion Hurdle Preview

The highlight of the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival is the Champion Hurdle at 3.20 with just eight runners set to go to post. Here is our runner-by-runner guide.

Faugheen (5-4 Betfair)

Unbeaten winner of last year’s two and a half mile novices’ hurdle and an impressive winner at Ascot and Kempton this season. His jumping has not always been fluent and there is a concern that Ruby Walsh may have to make his own running in this small field.

Bertimont (200-1 Racebets)

On the face of it, the grey is outclassed but he was only beaten two and a half lengths by The New One in heavy ground at Haydock. Dan Skelton has ruled out the prospect of the son of Slickly making the running and there will be a few each-way optimists tempted by odds of 200-1.

Arctic Fire (20-1 Stan James)

The third string for Willie Mullins but a decent each-way chance on his recent runs behind Hurricane Fly at Leopardstown. He never really threatened to challenge in the Irish Champion Hurdle but may be ridden slightly closer to the pace on Tuesday.

Hurricane Fly (9-1 Totesport)

The winner here in 2011 and 2013, he is bidding to join Hatton’s Grace and Sea Pigeon as the oldest winners in the race’s history. He has beaten Jezki three times in a row this season and is difficult to beat in these tactical races.

Jezki (9-2 Coral)

Although seemingly held by Hurricane Fly on recent form, he had a very similar build-up last year only to come out on top when it mattered most. Tony McCoy’s last ride in the race but needs everything to fall into place.

Kitten Rock (33-1 Bet365)

Has not beaten anything of this class but deserves to take his chance after four consecutive victories. He was impressive in a Grade 2 at Gowran Park last month but it would be a major surprise if he proves good enough to win.

The New One (7-2 Coral)

The apple of Nigel Twiston-Davies’s eye and bidding to make up for an unlucky run when third last year. He was stopped in his tracks by the fall of Our Conor but there is still a suspicion that he  is better over further. Has one short burst of acceleration and his jockey will be playing the waiting game.

Vaniteux (33-1 Bet365)

No match for The New One here in December and beaten by Rock On Ruby on New Year’s Day. A good third in the Supreme last year but does not look good enough.

Verdict

Tactics are going to be crucial here and Faugheen is likely to there to be shot at from some way out. That could play into the hands of The New One while Hurricane Fly and Arctic Fire both have solid place claims.

  1. The New One 2. Faugheen 3. Arctic Fire 4. Hurricane Fly

Cheltenham blog – Betway to refund all festival fallers

Hopefully you will have already taken advantage of some of the special offers for Cheltenham this week. We have done our best to keep you right up-to-date with what’s on offer for both new and existing customers. If you missed any, just click through our recent blog posts.

Special Offers

If you’re betting with Betway this week, they are going to refunds stakes on all fallers at the Cheltenham festival up to a  maximum of £25. If you are not yet registered with Betway, they are offering a £50 welcome bonus to new customers are present.

If you intend betting on the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, remember that William Hill are refunding all losing bets on the race (irrespective of who wins) up to a maximum of £25. That effectively gives you a risk-free bet.

If you don’t yet have a Paddy Power account, they are offering 5-1 about Un De Sceaux in the Arkle for new customers up to a maximum of £10. Join Sky Bet to take advantage of their tremendous offer of 7-1 Annie Power in the Mares Hurdle (maximum £5 per customer).

Latest News

Trainer Willie Mullins looks certain to have five festival favourites on day 1 after confirming that Very Wood will contest the four-mile National Hunt Chase. Last year’s 33-1 Neptune winner had been expected to line up with stable companion Don Poli in the RSA Chase but has been switched for the marathon amateur riders’ race.

Trainer Mark Bradstock has hinted that his star novice Coneygree may run in Friday’s Gold Cup rather than the RSA Chase. Forecasts of rain during the week have encouraged connections to lean towards a tilt at the biggest prize of the week with their improving eight-year-old, a game winner of the Grade 2 Denman Chase at Newbury last month.

Market Movers

Tuesday 4.40 Sego Success 5-1 Paddy Power

Tuesday 5.15 Thomas Crapper 8-1 Coral

Wednesday RSA Chase Don Poli 5-2 Ladbrokes

Cheltenham on Betcirca

We will be continuing our daily blog throughout festival week with a roundup at the end of each day’s action. We will also provide a full preview of each day’s racing as well as an in-depth analysis of the feature race on each day.

Cheltenham blog – Annie Power 7-1 Sky Bet offer

Only one day to go to the start of the Cheltenham Festival 2015 and the special offers are still coming in. As we have highlighted in our previous blog posts, there are some great Cheltenham offers for new and existing customers.

If you are not already a registered customer of Sky Bet, they are offering a colossal 7-1 against the odds-on favourite Annie Power in the Mares’ Hurdle on day 1. The offer is restricted to new customers only to a maximum stake of £5. Even so, that will be a handy £35 worth of free bets in your account for the rest of Cheltenham week if Annie Power does her stuff.

To put her chance in perspective, she is currently rated 162 by the handicapper, 7lbs superior to Polly Peachum and 12lbs better than stable companion Glens Melody. Racing Post ratings give her 12lbs in hand of her nearest rival. Only Saphir Du Rheu and Whisper are rated above her in the World Hurdle, a race in which she finished runner-up 12 months’ ago. In short, she should win!

Latest News

There have not been any further significant non-runners at the meeting, although the betting on the big handicaps will take a while to sort out when the final declarations come through. Horses like Quick Jack are entered in several races and connections are waiting on the final cut and ground conditions before deciding which race to go for.

With no further watering planned for the festival, I would be a little worried if you have backed any mud-lovers in the big races this week. The going looks likely to be no worse than good to soft.

On Monday, we will provide a race-by-race guide for the opening day plus an in-depth preview of the Champion Hurdle as Faugheen bids to extend his unbeaten run. You can follow us on Twitter and sign-up for our free email service with daily tips and special offers.

Market movers

Day 1 – Pendra (Cheltenham Festival Chase) 7-1 Bet365

Day 2 – Aux Ptits Soins (Coral Cup) 9-1 Paddy Power

Day 3 – Djakadam (Gold Cup) 10-1 BetVictor

Day 3 – Roi Des Francs (Martin Pipe Hurdle) 11-2 888Sport

Sha Tin 8th March Horse Racing Tips

HONG KONG RACING SUNDAY 8 March 1915

SHA TIN

Hong Kong Wrap Up

It’s another great days racing at Sha Tin today and yet another group race with the Hong Kong Group Three Macau Cup which is always a hotly contested race and nothing has changed this time around.

Arpinati does look extremely well placed here at the weights in the Cup race. Comes up with gate one which will suite his racing style. Ran a very impressive race at HKG1 two starts back when he finished not far away in 4th position. Certainly looks suited here and he does have Joao Moreira in the saddle. Not an overly strong HKG3 but very competitive just the same. Super Lifeline has been racing at Class 1 or above for a while now and has done very well in the process. Comes up with a nice draw today in gate 4 and on current form looks ok at the weights and they have lost nothing in having Mattie Chadwick in the saddle for the first time today. Looks a very good chance.

The last four races today look to be great races and our form is done and dusted and I hope our results continue as we hit 6 exactas last Sunday and had a great day so follow the form and let’s take it to the bookies. The exotics look to hold some value today so best of luck if having a go.

Track and Conditions: Turf  C+3 Course with the exception of Races 1-3-7  which will be on the All Weather Dirt Track.

Expected Weather:          Mainly cloudy with a few mist patches in the morning which should clear during the day. There will be a top temperature of 21 degrees and the wind will be from the east gusting up to and around the 30Km/h mark. This will create a cross to head wind down the straight which will aid on paced runners but it is expected to be a fair playing ground just the same.

Best Bet: Race 3 No 3 Sergeant Titanium

Best Value: Race 8 No 1 Disciples Twelve

Exotic Races: Race No’s 7-8-9-10

Quaddie:-

Race 7: 1-3-8-6-7 Race 8: 8-9-2-1-3-7 Race 9: 9-3 Race 10: 9-7

 

Race 1: — Time: 5.00am GMT—Distance: 1650m—Class 5 – AWT

Top Pick: No 5 La Cote De Bleu

Value Selection: No 1 Mr Marc

Exotic Inclusions: No 2 Sledge Hammer and No 6 South China Command / No 7 Croatia

Race Overview

La Cote De Bleu Produced a nice win over this distance on this surface last start after some fairly consistent form throughout the season. That run was from a wide draw in gate 12 and gets in a fair bit closer today in gate 7.Certainly looks a good chance once again today, retains Mattie Chadwick in the saddle and still looks in well at the weights. Mister Marc had been very consistent at class five this season and went up to class four last start to taste the waters again but was well and truly run over in the latter parts of that race which was over the 2200m on the turf. His previous form at Happy Valley which does lend itself to the AWT has been good along with some nice performances on the AWT. Certainly looks much better suited today despite having to carry top weight. Has the new Kid on the block in the saddle in Jack Wong and as a result will get a 10 Lb weight drop. Jack has had a fair bit of experience in New Zealand and I am sure he will go well.

 

Race 2: — Time: 5.30am GMT—Distance: 1000m—Class 4

Top Pick: No 2 Diamond Master

Selection: No 4 The Prince

Exotic Inclusions: No 8 Lean Journey and No 1 Addole / No 11 Diamond Mysterious

Race Overview

Diamond Master has been in reasonable form since arriving in Hong Kong however had excuses last start and he does come up with a very nice draw today in gate 12 and Neil Callan is back in the saddle. Carries top weight once again today but does appear to be much better placed here. The Prince has not gone over this trip this season and the last time he did go over this trip it was at class three so he does look much better suited today. Comes up with a nice draw in gate 11 and should have enough speed to take up a very nice position in the running. Certainly has appeal here.

 

Race 3: — Time: 6.00am GMT—Distance: 1650m—Class 4

Top Pick: No 4 Happy Moments

Value Selection: No 2 Expedite

Exotic Inclusions: No 7 Harbour Delight and No 1 Health Wise

Race Overview

Happy Moments certainly has the ability to be hot and cold but if on song he can certainly get into the finish here. Joao is sticking with him however he does not have a great gate and will need a bit of luck early. However this field is a bit ordinary and his hoop may play a good part here. Expedite has bounced up and down between class 3 and class 4 this season and ran a very nice race last start on this surface at this class last start. Had top weight on that occasion and gets a little of weight relief today and most important he retains Zac Purton in the saddle. Draw a bit of a query but should go well just the same.

 

Race 4: — Time: 6.30am GMT—Distance: 1400m—Class 4

Top Pick: No 2 Dashing Fortune

Value Selection: No 9 Athena Baby

Exotic Inclusions: No 3 Penny Lane and No 1 Sunny Pearl

Race Overview

Dashing Fortune Has been up and down in class since arriving in Hong Kong and does look better suited here. Just has to get a nice run in transit which he should get from gate 4 today. Even though he was 6th last start he was only 1 1/4 lengths from the winner and he does have Zac Purton in the saddle today for the very first time. Athena Baby just the three runs in Hong Kong and all have been fairly even and does show promise. Only needs to lift a bit to be right in the finish here. Comes up with a nice draw in gate 5 and has Joao Moreira in the saddle for the first time.

 

Race 5: — Time: 7.00am GMT—Distance: 1800m—Class 4

Top Pick: No 3 Sergeant Titanium

Value Selection: No 1 Faster More

Exotic Inclusions: No 2 Percy Jackson and No 5 Electronic Phoenix

Race Overview

Sergeant Titanium did very well last start after coming from a near impossible position to get up on the line. If he gets an open shot at them today he has to be right in this once again. Draw the only queary but he does no how to find the line. Faster More is dropping back in class today for the first time this season and his class three form was not too bad at all as he was placed on two occasions and ran 4th on another three. His form last season was all at class four and he was most consistent and went up in class after winning over the Sha Tin mile by a good margin. Has to be a certain consideration today at each way odds even with top weight. Neil Callan rides.  Electronic Phoenix is an interesting runner here. He has only had the three starts in Hong Kong and has been moving up in distance and may even appreciate longer but he was starting to get interested last start and made up a fair bit of ground over the concluding stages. Does look like he will be even better placed over this distance today. Gets a couple of Lb’s off his back today with the allowance so will be 5 Lbs better off than last start. Should be each way odds here and a nice inclusion as he does look an improving type as he steps up in distance. At current odds of around the 18/1 mark he goes in as my BOLTER of the day here.

 

Race 6: — Time: 7.35am GMT—Distance: 1600m—Class 2

Top Pick: No 1 Brilliant Shine

Value Selection: No 2 Santa Fe Sun

Exotic Inclusions: No 14 Principal and No 1 Travel Brother

Race Overview

Brilliant Shine has won all three starts this season and is a very improving type. Only just got up last start at this class over the 1400m and it does look like a good move to go up to the 1600m today as he has been closing off extremely well and does look well placed here. Has to be a strong chance if he gets the distance but it is expected and he does retain Zac Purton in the saddle. Santa Fe Sun Does look well placed in a race of this type. Comes up with a nice draw in gate four and should suit his running style and get a nice trail in the running. Very nice closing third last start over this distance and would only have to repeat that effort to be a very good chance once again today.

 

Race 7: — Time: 8.05am GMT—Distance: 1200m—Class 3

Top Pick: No 1 Startling Power

Value Selection: No 3 Dehere’s The Love

Exotic Inclusions: No 8 Hidden Value and No 6 Able Warrior / No 7 Hearts Keeper

Race Overview

Interesting training tactics here and it is always worth looking at. Startling Power has won well with Joao Moreira in the saddle at his last two starts and does look to still hold a fair bit of potential. Gets six Lb weight rise today but it will be offset with a 5lb weight allowance with the jockey change. Drawn well and does look a very good hope here. Well ! Joao is off him and onto Dehere’s The Love but is no stranger to this horse and has ridden him on a fair few occasions as well so he does know this horse and has to go in as a very positive chance in that situation. Drawn exceptionally well in gate one as well. Looks like a nice exotic race as the next three in line all have chances.

 

Race 8: — Time: 8.35am GMT—Distance: 1000m—Class 3

Top Pick: No 8 Lovely Deloverly e/w

Value Selection: No 1 Disciples Twelve

Exotic Inclusions: No 2 My Little Friend and No 9 Dane Patrol / No 3 Supreme Falcon

Race Overview

Lovely Deloverly is a very consistent sprinter who goes well over this course. Has to be a very good chance after coming up with gate 13 which is right in the rails section of this course. Gets in extremely well at the weights after a 7 Lb allowance and will trot around today with just 122lb’s on his back. Just has to be pointed in the right direction to go close here. Disiples Twelve does perform very well over this distance and at this class. Won over the Happy Valley 1000m last start with top weight but more importantly he ran a very solid race the previous start at Sha Tin down the 1000m straight. Comes up with another very nice draw in gate 10 which will see him very well positioned down the grandstand rail and even though Zac is not on him today he gets a bit of weight relief as well. No 9 Dane Patrol goes around with just 115Lbs on his back with the new hoop in Jack Wong in the saddle. He can certainly be hard to run down with that weight. No 3 Supreme Falcon even though going over this distance for the first time is far too good at this class to leave out and has came up with the best draw in gate 14 which is the rails over this course. I also like the newcomer No 7 High Five but only room for so many but if going for a Trifecta or 1st 4 looks like a possible inclusion. Watch the markets. Currently 9/1.

 

Race 9: — Time: 9.10pm GMT—Distance: 1400m—Class – Hong Kong Group Three

Top Pick: No Arpinati

Value Selection: No 3 Super Lifeline

Exotic Inclusions: No 1 All You Wish and No 11 Pikachu

Race Overview

Arpinati does look extremely well placed here at the weights. Comes up with gate one which will suite his racing style. Ran a very impressive race at HKG1 two starts back when he finished not far away in 4th position. Certainly looks suited here and he does have Joao Moreira in the saddle. Not an overly strong HKG3 but very competitive just the same. Super Lifeline has been racing at Class 1 or above for a while now and has done very well in the process. Comes up with a nice draw today in gate 4 and on current form looks ok at the weights and they have lost nothing in having Mattie Chadwick in the saddle for the first time today. Looks a very good chance.

 

Race 10: — Time: 9.45pm GMT—Distance: 1400m—Class 3

Top Pick: No: 9 Packing Pins

Value Selection: No 7 Up And Coming

Exotic Inclusions: No 1 Dr Good Habit and No 2 Ho In One

                                                         Race Overview         

Nice race here with a few chances however I do like Packing Pins. Always liked this horse since arriving in Hong Kong. Only the three starts but has never been worse than 2nd at this class and does look to be a certain chance once again today if he can handle the wide draw in gate 13. Should be eased back but what he does have in his favour is that the pace should be good enough to close off well and put him in with a good chance. Up And Coming has really picked up the bit since moving up to this distance. Just the four runs this season but he did win at this class over this distance last start and still looks very well weighted today. Retains Douglas Whyte in the saddle and is expected to come up at decent odds.

 Head over to bet365 for Sha Tin betting!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cheltenham blog – Latest Special Offers and news update

Let’s hope the Imperial Cup was not an indication of what is to come at Cheltenham next week! Two 33-1 outsiders fought out the finish with not a fancied horse in sight. Hopefully Betcirca followers were still in clover after following our tips at Wolverhampton where Mindurownbusiness (9-2) and Sovereign Debt (6-1) gave us a 38.5 – 1 winning double.

Cheltenham Special Offers

The Cheltenham offers keep pouring in with the emphasis very much on Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh. Corals are offering new customers 5-1 about Ruby riding a winner at the meeting (up to a maximum £5 per customer) and Racebets are now making a similarly tempting offer.

Back Ruby to ride a winner on day 1 at odds of 7-1 (maximum £5 per customer). With Douvan, Un De Sceaux, Faugheen and Annie Power lined up, surely it is unthinkable that he could be beaten on all four? If you’re not yet a Racebets customer, why not help yourself to a likely £35 in your account come Tuesday night.

32Red are offering 3-1 about Willie Mullins training a winner on the opening day up to a maximum of £10 per customer. Simply use the promo-code Willie3 when you register. It could be argued that it is a safer bet than backing Ruby as he could get injured (finger’s crossed that it won’t happen!)

Unibet customers can get their first Cheltenham bet refunded as a free bet (up to maximum of £10) if they fail to find the winner. Please note that each-way bets are not included in this promotion. Also, if your horse finishes second in the Champion Chase on Wednesday, Unibet will refund your stake as a free bet (up to a maximum of £20).

Latest News

Today’s most significant Cheltenham scratching was Rock On Ruby from the World Hurdle. That will at least give jockey Noel Fehily peace of mind as he had reluctantly deserted his old friend in favour of Zarkandar.

All of the fancied horses are among the 18 remaining in Friday’s Cheltenham Gold Cup. Ballycasey, Champagne Fever, First Lieutenant, Spring Heeled, Theatre Guide and Ma Filleule were the only horses withdrawn. A final decision is yet to be made on Coneygree who also holds an entry in the RSA Chase.

Imperial Cup winner Ebony Express earned a 20-1 quote for the County Hurdle for which he picks up a 5lbs penalty.

Wolverhampton Lincoln Trial Preview

The flat racing turf season is not that far away and it is Lincoln Trial day at Wolverhampton on Saturday. The Lincoln can be something of a lottery but the trial is worth a tidy £50,000 so usually attracts a decent field.

Mindurownbusiness represents trainer Roger Varian and is currently priced at 25-1 for the big Doncaster handicap. Graham Lee takes the ride tomorrow on the four-year-old son of Cape Cross who put up his best performance to date when beating Sovereign Debt at Lingfield last month. Jim Crowley was in the saddle that day and always had the colt handily placed before striking for home with a furlong to run.

He holds Melvin The Grate (fourth), Don’t Call Me (sixth) and Halation (seventh) on that form. Mindurownbusiness has gone up 7lbs and has been beaten on his previous visits to the midlands track but it is difficult to see any of the beaten horses reversing the form.

Halation went on to beat Holiday Magic by a head last week at Lingfield but has five and a half lengths to make up. His cause will certainly be helped by the 7lbs claim of Tom Marquand but he has drawn stall ten. Melvin The Grate looks to be in the grip of the handicapper while top weight Solar Deity has not won since 2013.

The fly in the ointment could be Santefisio who was very unlucky when eighth behind Baddilini last time out. Jockey Joe Fanning could be seen sat up in the irons inside the final furlong with nowhere to go. He was forced to accept the situation and finished less than five lengths off the winner. Santefisio is a bit of a law unto himself so caution is advised but there are probably worse 10-1 shots.

In the Listed race which opens the card I like the chances of Sovereign Debt. He chased home Mindurownbusiness and was then unlucky in running behind Baddilini, flashing home in third place. He is 3lbs better off with runner-up Grey Mirage for three-quarters of a length and 11lbs better off with the winner. He breaks from stall one but Joe Fanning will probably try to get him covered up early on.  Intransigent has been a good friend of this column but all of his wins have come in the Autumn/Winter and he carries a 3lbs penalty here.

Sovereign Debt 2.15 Wolverhampton @6-1 Stan James

Mindurownbusiness 2.50 Wolverhampton @9-2 Stan James

Santefisio 2.50 Wolverhampton @10-1 Ladbrokes

Each-way ¼ odds, 1,2,3