Tag: Sprinter Sacre

Cheltenham blog – Dodging Bullets wins Champion Chase

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

After the excitement of the Willie Mullins big four on Tuesday, there was a more relaxed mood at Cheltenham on Wednesday. The highlight of the day was the Queen Mother Champion Chase with three former winners up against the promising Dodging Bullets.

The race was robbed of one key ingredient when Champagne Fever was withdrawn and, with all due to respect to Dodging Bullets, it turned into a bit of an anti-climax. There had always been a big question mark as to whether or not Sprinter Sacre could recapture his best form and he was never travelling with his usual zest.

He was eventually pulled up by Barry Geraghty while Sire de Grugy also ran very flat, running on at one pace into fourth. All credit to Dodging Bullets who has done exactly what Sire de Grugy did a year before, winning the key trials and confirming his status as the best two-miler of the season.

Nicholls had earlier won the Coral Cup when the French import Aux Ptits Soins held off Zabana, Activial and Taglietelle in a driving finish. Don Poli ran out a comfortable winner of the RSA Chase but I don’t imagine that there will be a stampede to take the miserly 6-1 offered about him for next year’s Gold Cup. He looks a bit of a character and was continuously pricking his ears up the home straight. Kings Palace once again failed to fire on the big day and finished a remote sixth for David Pipe.

Nicholls went on to complete a 1430-1 treble when Qualando won the Fred Winter Hurdle from stable companion Bouvreuil. Bookmakers will probably deny it but they ought to be well ahead on the second day with only two successful favourites. Many of their big race offers were on Sire de Grugy and Sprinter Sacre and they will all stay firmly in their satchels.

Coral New Customer Offer

Coral are offering new customers 5-1 about Vautour finishing in the first three in Thursday’s opening race. This is limited to a maximum stake of £10. He looks likely to start at around the 9-4 mark as he bids to add to the Mullins winning tally.

Market Movers

Thursday – Edeymi (Pertemps Final) 8-1 Bet365

Thursday – Un Ace (Festival Plate) 10-1 William Hill

Friday – Quick Jack (County Hurdle) 10-1 Sportingbet

Cheltenham Preview Wednesday 11th March

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

Day 1 of the Cheltenham festival was all about Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh but the second day provides the best quality race of the week in the Queen Mother Champion Chase.

Three previous winners line up including Sprinter Sacre and Sire de Grugy, two of the most popular chasers in training. Sprinter Sacre’s long road to recovery has been well documented but there have to be doubts about whether he can possibly be as good as he was two years ago.

Sire de Grugy’s preparation did not go exactly to plan either but he looked as good as ever when winning at Chepstow last month. We went for Champagne Fever in our ante-post preview and you cannot discount anything from the Mullins stable this week. The meeting has not started so well for Nicky Henderson and I just have reservations about Sprinter Sacre. A saver on Sire de Grugy is advised and hopefully all will come back safe and sound.

The action gets under way at 1.30 with the Neptune Novices’ Hurdle and I’m surprised to see that the field has cut up to just ten starters. The Mullins and Walsh combination are at the helm yet again with Nichols Canyon but there may be better value in another former flat racer, Parlour Games. He was useful in his days with Godolphin and travelled really well when winning here previously. He has Tony McCoy in the saddle and will be among the last to throw down a challenge.

Don Poli has been all the rage for the RSA Chase since it was confirmed that Coneygree will run in the Gold Cup instead. I like Kings Palace but I was so disappointed with his effort here last year that I am concerned about a repeat.

Nicky Henderson could run his own race from his Coral Cup entries alone with seven set to start at 2.40. I think Bear’s Affair could prove the pick of them with 7lbs claimer Freddie Mitchell in the saddle. He has run well on both of his previous starts and the claim gives him a sporting chance. I am also a fan of Activial who finally gets a longer trip after good efforts in the top two-mile events.

The Cross Country Chase comprises of the usual suspects but Philip Hobbs relies on Duke Of Lucca in the absence of Balthazar King. He loves good ground and seems to have been granted his wish so could go well at an each-way price.

In the Fred Winter Hurdle, Arabian Revolution is an interesting contender for the Parlour Games team in first-time blinkers. He came up against a smart sort in Beltor at Ludlow and should give us a run for our money. Hobbs seems a bit sceptical about the chances of Wait For Me in the closing bumper, presumably  fearing the Mullins’ battalions. He may still be worth each-way support at around 14-1.

1.30 Parlour Games @6-1 William Hill

2.05 Don Poli @21-10 BetBright

2.40 Activial @10-1 Paddy Power (each-way)

2.40 Bear’s Affair @28-1 Paddy Power (each-way)

3.20 Sire de Grugy @10-1 Racebets*

*new customers only max. £10 stake

3.20 Champagne Fever @6-1 888Sport

4.00 Duke Of Lucca @7-1 Bet365 (each-way)

4.40 Arabian Revolution @11.0 Betway (each-way)

Queen Mother Champion Chase Preview

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

The feature race on day 2 of the Cheltenham festival is the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham at 3.20. With three former champions in the field, this looks like producing the race of the week. Here is big race guide.

Sprinter Sacre (100-30 Betway)

Nicky Henderson’s Sprinter Sacre had the chasing world at his feet after winning here two years’ ago. He suffered his first defeat over fences when pulled up with a fibrillating heart at Kempton in the Desert Orchid Chase in December 2013. Every precaution was taken to make sure that he was fit to return to action in January when second to Dodging Bullets. If he is back to his best he will be crowned champion chaser for a second time.

Sire de Grugy (100-30 888Sport)

Gary Moore’s Sire de Grugy filled the void left by Sprinter Sacre last year and was a thoroughly deserving winner of this race. His season got off to a disappointing start when unseating his rider at Newbury but he bounced back with a comfortable victory at Chepstow last month. He is usually held up in his races and Jamie Moore will be keen to tuck in behind Sprinter Sacre before delivering a late run.

Dodging Bullets (11-2 Paddy Power)

Paul Nicholls has won this race four times already and Dodging Bullets has every chance of providing him with a fifth success. He has disappointed at this meeting in the past and does seem to finish his races better on flatter tracks like Ascot, although he came up Sandown’s testing finish well enough to win the Tingle Creek. He had a clear fitness advantage over Sprinter Sacre last time but deserves to take his chance.

Champagne Fever (6-1 Boylesports)

Champagne Fever was narrowly denied a festival hat-trick when beaten in the Arkle Chase last year. Willie Mullins has still not decided on the best distance for the grey but he is likely to be ridden aggressively here. His jumping has been questionable in the past but he put in a good round last time and has every chance.

Mr Mole (9-1 888Sport)

Paul Nicholls has a useful second string in Mr Mole, unbeaten in his last four races over fences. He enjoyed a facile success at Newbury following the departure of Sire de Grugy but is yet to prove that he is up to this class.

Simply Ned (20-1 Coral)

Nicky Richards runs Simply Ned who finished in front of Dodging Bullets at Cheltenham in November. The heavy ground was against him at Leopardstown last time but it would be a major surprise if he were good enough to win this.

Sizing Europe (50-1 Bet365)

Sizing Europe won this race in 2011 and has finished runner-up on two occasions since. He is now thirteen years of age and was no match for Champagne Fever at Clonmel in November.

It is difficult to see any of the remainder getting into this. Special Tiara beat Balder Succes at Kempton in December but has much more to beat here. Clarcam is stepping out of novice company while Somersby is past his best and Savello is a decent handicapper.

Verdict

  1. Sire de Grugy 2. Champagne Fever 3. Dodging Bullets 4. Sprinter Sacre

Champion Chase Preview

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

If you were only allowed to watch one race at the Cheltenham festival this year, it would surely be the Queen Mother Champion Chase. Sprinter Sacre and Sire de Grugy have their own fanatical following but both have endured a troubled lead-up to the race.

Up against them are the young pretenders, Dodging Bullets and Champagne Fever. Paul Nicholls must be delighted that Dodging Bullets has dodged the spotlight despite victories in the Tingle Creek and the Clarence House Chase (tipped on both occasions on Betcirca).

If Sprinter Sacre returns to his best form it is difficult to see him being beaten. However, it is impossible to know whether he will ever be as good as he was before that unfortunate incident at Kempton. Nicky Henderson has been cautiously optimistic and he did travel well for a long way at Ascot but there is always the dreaded “bounce factor” to consider.

Sire de Grugy will have his usual entourage of scarf-waving supporters after a comfortable win at Chepstow put him back on course for the race. His jumping went to pieces at Newbury on his previous start and we have now been told about his special shoes to cope with a corn on his foot. Both he and Sprinter Sacre are proven champions but it has been a difficult road to Cheltenham.

Dodging Bullets started his season with a third behind Uxizandre and he may just have needed the run that day. He gave us a 9-1 winner in the Tingle Creek when beating Somersby and followed up at 7-2 by spoiling Sprinter Sacre’s return party. I fancied him for the Arkle last year but he ran too freely and didn’t get home, finishing back in fourth behind Western Warhorse.

The unlucky horse that day was Champagne Fever who had been given a super ride by Ruby Walsh only to be collared by a 33-1 shot. Mullins has so many favourites running next week that Champagne Fever has also missed the headline makers. He won easily recently to restore his confidence over fences and he has won at this meeting twice before. With so much speed in the field, they won’t be hanging about and I can see Champagne Fever battling his way up the hill once again.

It is difficult to oppose Dodging Bullets but I just have reservations about him at this track. He has just curled up here in the past on the run-in so I am siding with Champagne Fever at 6-1 with Paddy Power.

Want 4/1 on Sprinter Sacre today?

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

Quite simply the best horse in training in 2013. Sprinter Sacre set the jumps world alight with sensational performances that regularly saw him going off at long odds on in every run. In fact, on his last 9 runs he’s gone off at 4/9, 4/5, 1/6, 2/5, 1/5, 1/4, 3/10, 1/9, 2/9.

In the 3pm at Ascot today he makes his long awaited return after having heart complications. The Nicky Henderson trained animal is apparently looking as good as ever. Even if Sprinter Sacre is 80% ready, he’ll take all the beating later today.

At 8:30am today Coral are enhancing Sprinter Sacre to 2/1 for £10. He’s currently 10/11 to win the race. So that’s more than double the odds!

Heres how to get 4/1*:

  1. Sign up to Coral here
  2. Take Coral up on their 2/1 offer
  3. Head to the 3pm at Ascot and put your £20 on Sprinter Sacre to win
  4. Watch the worlds best horse win and enjoy your returns of £48.18

*It’s actually just below 4/1 due to Sprinter Sacre currently being 10/11, it could drift to 1/1, which means you’ll get 4/1, which is entirely possible!

Enjoy the winnings!

Horse Racing Preview 17th January

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

The attention of the horse racing world will be firmly on Sprinter Sacre as he is expected to make his long-awaited return to action in the Clarence House Chase at Ascot on Saturday.

Trainer Nicky Henderson is understandably nervous about the prospect, just over a year after the horse was pulled up with a fibrillating heart at Kempton. He has been given the best possible veterinary care since and would not be risked unless everyone was happy with his condition. Even so, it will still be remarkable if he is able to bounce back with a win.

Not since my 33-1 bet on Yahoo was denied by Desert Orchid have I been happy to see my horse finish second but I am going to oppose Sprinter Sacre on Saturday. I felt that Dodging Bullets put up a first class display to win the Tingle Creek and is over-priced at 3-1. He is probably not in the same league as the favourite but there must be a big doubt about Sprinter Sacre’s fitness.

Whatever happens with his stable star, Henderson should be in the winner’s enclosure at the start and the finish of the card. I was impressed with Top Notch on his debut and he looks to have an easy task in the first. He will undoubtedly be shortened for the Triumph Hurdle if he does win so I’m going to have a small each-way ante-post investment.

Likewise, Out Sam should underline his festival claims in the last. He only won a four-horse race at Newbury last time but all of his three rivals that day have come out and won since. They include last weekend’s embarrassingly easy Lanzarote Handicap Hurdle winner Tea For Two. It will be a major shock if Out Sam is beaten on Saturday and the Neptune looks likely to be his festival target.

Haydock has to survive an 8am inspection with frost and snow threatening the meeting. The New One is expected to take another step towards the Champion Hurdle in a weak trial so the main betting interest is in the Peter Marsh Chase. Broadway Buffalo easily beat Toby Lerone here in the Tommy Whittle but I was disappointed with him at Wetherby last time. The ground cannot get too heavy for Toby Lerone so he is the each-way selection.

They are racing on the all-weather at Lingfield and Godolphin can land a quick double with Emirates Skycargo and History Book. The latter is trying her hand at sprinting after being edged out over a mile and seven furlongs. She has bags of early speed and is worth a chance at around 9-2. Andrew Balding’s Melvin The Grate can land the featured Ladbrokes Handicap at 2.35 after coming from last to first on his most recent start.

Top Notch 12.40 Ascot @4-7 Bet365

Emirates Skycargo 1.25 Lingfield @4-5 Betfair

History Book 2.0 Lingfield @9-2 Coral

Melvin The Grate 2.35 Lingfield @7-4 Coral

Dodging Bullets 3.00 Ascot @3-1 Coral

Toby Lerone 3.15 Haydock @10-1 Skybet

Out Sam 3.35 Ascot @4-6 Bet365

*Ante-post

*Top Notch – Triumph Hurdle @20-1 William Hill

*Out Sam – Neptune Hurdle @16-1 William Hill