Tag: Cheltenham Festival

Gold Lies At The End Of The Festival Rainbow

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Four days of festivities and elite jumps racing culminates on day 4 at The Festival with the running of the £575,000 Grade 1 Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup. Run over a distance of 3 miles, 2½ furlongs (5331m), the field faces 22 obstacles on the way to joining one of the most prestigious clubs in global racing. The most valuable non-handicap chase in Great Britain, the Gold Cup has been won by the likes of Arkle (1964-66), his great rival Mill House (1963), Best Mate (2002-04), Golden Miller (a five-time winner from 1932-36) and Kauto Star (2007 & 2009) since it was first run over the jumps in 1924 (although the history of a Gold Cup race on this site dates back to 1819).

After the victory of novice Coneygree in 2015 at just his fourth start over the obstacles, the 2016 Cheltenham Gold Cup was won stylishly by the Gordon Elliott-trained 9/4 favourite Don Cossack, ridden by Bryan Cooper. Pushed into the lead as they approached the last, he powered up the hill to win by 4 ½ lengths ahead of the gallant Djakadam. That would be Don Cossack’s final career run as he was retired from racing in January 2017 following a recurrence of a tendon injury after his Gold Cup win.

Bookies can’t split leading trio

There’s an intriguing market for this year’s Gold Cup, with Djakadam, Native River and Cue Card equal favourites at 7-2 across most the major books, while the next seven among the 14-horse field are rated at 20-1 or better to upset the leading trio. History shows that the winner will most probably come from the three runners at the head of the market with 14 of the past 15 winners in the top three of the betting, only Lord Windermere bucking that trend in 2014. All of the past 16 champions of the race had previously won a Grade 1 contest, while 11 of the past 15 winners had all won or finished second on a previous trip to The Festival.

Lizzie Kelly becomes the first woman to ride in the race for 33 years when she partners outsider Tea For Two. Kelly became the only woman to win a Grade 1 race over jumps when she rode the horse to success in the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase in December 2015. But there’s a trend we’re prepared to take on this year with just one of the past 21 winners aged ten or older (Cool Dawn in 1998), with 20 of the past 22 Gold Cup victors were aged seven, eight or nine.

Winning script for Cue Card

The 11-year-old Cue Card (pictured) is a familiar presence at The Festival. He won the Weatherbys Champion Bumper (a first Festival victory for his trainer Colin Tizzard) in 2010 and has run at the meeting four times since. He finished fourth in the 2011 Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, won the Ryanair Chase in 2013 and finished second to Sprinter Sacre in the Racing Post Arkle Novices’ Chase in 2012. In 2016, he fell three fences from home in the Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup when disputing the lead, losing out on the chance of a £1 million bonus.

This season, Cue Card has won both the Grade 1 Betfair Chase at Haydock and the Grade 1 Betfair Ascot Chase. He will once again be ridden by Paddy Brennan. Perhaps it’s fate that Thistlecrack was ruled out of the Gold Cup on February 21 due to a tendon injury as Cue Card’s stablemate would almost certainly have started favourite. Shortest-priced of the five Irish-trained runners is Willie Mullins’ Djakadam at 4/1, runner-up for the past two years. He looms as the main danger to our top pick. Bizarrely, Mullins has never won the Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup but has saddled the runner-up six times.

The Festival Embraces Luck Of The Irish On Day 3

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Saint Patrick may have rid Ireland of all the snakes, but he’d have his hands full eradicating Cheltenham of all the Guinness-swilling Irish celebrating St Patrick’s Day as part of day 3 at The Festival. Amid the festivities and proud displays of green, white and orange (well, mostly green), the keener punters will be closely following the markets ahead of the day’s two big races, £300,000 Grade 1 The Sun Bets Stayers’ Hurdle and the Ryanair Chase.

In 2016, Thistlecrack justified banker status as he bounded away from Irish challenger Alpha Des Obeaux to take The Sun Bets Stayers’ Hurdle in breath-taking fashion and confirmed his domination of the staying hurdle division. Formerly known as the World Hurdle, this race’s short history dates back to just 2000. In that period, there’ve been three multiple winners – Big Buck’s (four in a row from 2009-2012 for Ruby Walsh and Paul Nicholls), Inglis Drever (2005, 2007-08) and Baracouda (2002-03).

Go with Harry, Know What I Mean?

After 21 runners accepted for the Sun Bets Stayers’ Hurdle, a field of 16 is set to line-up for the fourth on the card of day 3. Unowhatimeanharry ($2.25 favourite with Sun Bets) is unbeaten in eight starts for trainer Harry Fry and signed off last season with victory in the G1 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at The Festival, after which he was bought privately by J.P. McManus. The nine-year-old was impressive in beating Ballyoptic (Nigel Twiston-Davies, 16/1) on his return in a G2 contest at Newbury in November before a four and a half-length victory over Lil Rockerfeller in the G1 Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot the following month. Jessica Harrington plans to run 2014 Stan James Champion Hurdle victor Jezki ($8 with Paddy Power) after two good comeback runs this season. The JP McManus-owned gelding Yanworth ($7 with Coral), who will be ridden for the first time by Mark Walsh, has won each of his three starts this season, the most recent in the Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton. The favourite looks close enough to a good thing.

Mullins Strong Hand in Ryanair Chase

The day’s other feature – the £300,000 Ryanair Chase (Grade 1 over 2m 5f) – is the third on the card. There’s value galore with five of the eight runners rated at 10-1 or better. Willie Mullins sent out the 1-2 in the 2016 Ryanair Chase as Vautour beat Valseur Lido. This year, the trainer is responsible for saddling the favourite in the championship contest this year. Un De Sceaux ($3.25 thanks to William Hill) has been victorious on two of his three previous appearances at Cheltenham. The nine-year-old stormed to six-length victory in the Racing Post Arkle Novices’ Chase at The Festival in 2015 and returned last year to chase home Sprinter Sacre in the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase. He also triumphed at the course on his latest start, beating the 2015 Ryanair Chase winner Uxizandre (Alan King) by five lengths in the re-scheduled G1 Clarence House Chase on Festival Trials Day (January 28). The British challenge includes Josses Hill (Nicky Henderson), an impressive winner of the G2 Betfred Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon in December and the best of the next at $8 (Betway).

Outlander Must End Cheltenham Troubles to Triumph at Gold Cup

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Outlander will have to overcome a lot of obstacles and not just those on the racecourse at Cheltenham to win the famous Gold Cup. The Bay Gelding is one of the outsiders for the crown, with Cue Card and Native River considered the top two favourites to triumph at the festival.

Image credit: “Cheltenham Racecourse” (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Carine06

However, the nine-year-old put in an impressive performance in his last outing at the end of 2016, finishing ahead of Don Poli and Djakadam to claim victory at the Lexus Chase.

The race proved that Outlander has the quality to match the best in the field and the ability to rise to the occasion under trainer Gordon Elliott and with Jack Kennedy at the reins.

As a result of the Bay Gelding’s form, it is backed among the horse racing picks at around 10/1 among leading bookmakers, which is well worth a punt, especially for placing in the top three.

Outlander had an excellent start to his career, winning his opening three races, culminating in a signature win at the Christmas Party Day Race at Fairyhouse Maiden Hurdle. However, inconsistencies plagued the Irish horse in 2015, although he did end on a high note with back-to-back victories at Puncheston and Limerick.

Outlander began 2016 on the front foot with another stellar outing at the Flogas Novice Chase in Leopardstown, which would be his final win under trainer Willie Mullins. During the summer, the Bay Gelding was removed from Mullins’ yard by owner Michael O’Leary and placed under the tutelage of Elliott.

The decision did not have an adverse effect on the Irish horse as he maintained his form, winning the Lexus Chase along with two second-place finishes at Puncheston and Down Royal.

Despite Outlander’s impressive form during 2016, one area of concern will be his performances at Cheltenham Racecourse. The nine-year-old has raced twice at the venue and failed to finish in the top five on both occasions. Last season he was unable to finish the race after a fall in the JLT Novices’ Chase, while a mistake in 2015 on the fourth fence led to a sixth-place finish in the Novices’ Hurdle. As a result, O’Leary and Elliott will be worried ahead of his third appearance on the course.

They have time to amend the situation – whether it’s the hurdles or the type of ground at the Cheltenham course causing the issues. Should Kennedy be chosen to take the reins in the Gold Cup he will have a challenge to keep Outlander on the straight and narrow.

Colin Tizzard’s horses will throw a further obstacle in the way of the Irish horse. Both Cue Card and Native River are on top form, with the former triumphing in his last outing at the Ascot Chase, while the Chestnut Gelding eased to victory at the Denman Chase.

 

 

Cheltenham Preview Tuesday 10th March

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The Cheltenham Festival gets under way on Tuesday with the bookmakers braced for a Willie Mullins onslaught. He saddles four hot favourites with Douvan, Un De Sceaux, Faugheen and Annie Power. 888Sport are offering 20-1 about all four winning and there will be plenty of takers.

We like to search out a little bit of value where we can find it and there are plenty of special offers on the first race. The pick of them is from William Hill where all losing bets are refunded as free bets up to £25. L’Ami Serge has done nothing wrong for Nicky Henderson and the form of his Newbury win in November looks pretty smart with Kilcooley and Violet Dancer both claiming valuable prizes since. If there is to be a shock, it could come from Seedling who has been carefully prepared for this race all season by Warren Greatrex.

If you’re betting on the Arkle, Paddy Power will refund your stake as a free bet if Un De Sceaux wins. That makes Vibrato Valtat a very tempting proposition at 6-1. I had wondered if he was keeping a bit to himself in his races but he strode clear at Warwick last time impressively.

The Festival Handicap Chase should give the bookies a bit of relief from the big hitters. I’ll be interested to see how Monbeg Dude gets on here as he is one of our Grand National hopes this year. I don’t think the going will be soft enough for him to win but hope to see him run on into fourth or fifth. Connections have decided against running Mendip Express in the National this year but they may live to regret it if he comes up the hill impressively here.

We have covered the Champion Hurdle in detail and Arctic Fire is a hopeful each-way selection in small field. I’m not convinced that Faugheen is a specialist two-miler but the same applies to The New One who looks his biggest threat. Annie Power looks difficult to beat in the Mares Hurdle and the 7-1 with Skybet looks a generous offer for new customers. As an each-way alternative, try L’Unique at 20-1 for Alan King providing that there is no significant overnight rain.

In the National Hunt Chase I am siding with Cause Of Causes who was unlucky not to peg back Spring Heeled last year. I respect the chances of King’s Sego Success and Very Wood will be popular if Mullins has already enjoyed a field day. The closing handicap looks tricky but Tony McCoy will surely be among the winners this week at some point and Bold Henry has course form.

1.30 L’Ami Serge @7-2 William Hill*

1.30 Seedling @16-1 William Hill* (each-way)

*Stakes refunded as free bets on all losers

2.05 Vibrato Valtat @6-1 Paddy Power** Stakes refunded as free bets if Un De Sceaux wins

2.40 Mendip Express @16-1 Paddy Power (each-way)

3.20 Arctic Fire @20-1 Totesport (each-way)

4.00 Annie Power @7-1 Sky Bet*** New customers only – max. £5

4.00 L’Unique @20-1 Coral (each-way)

4.40 Cause Of Causes @8-1 Paddy Power (each-way)

5.15 Bold Henry @12-1 Ladbrokes (each-way)

Special bet – Willie Mullins four-timer Douvan, Un De Sceaux, Faugheen, Annie Power @20-1 888Sport

Cheltenham blog – Betway to refund all festival fallers

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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

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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