Tag: Uxizandre

Cheltenham blog – McCoy savours Ryanair Chase glory

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

Tony McCoy stole the headlines on day 3 of the Cheltenham festival with a pillar-to-post victory aboard 16-1 shot Uxizandre in the Ryanair Chase.

McCoy, soon to be crowned champion jockey for the 20th time, had endured a couple of frustrating days but set out like a man on a mission on the gelding trained by Alan King. Uxizandre was second at this meeting last year and went on to win at Aintree. He had beaten Simply Ned and Dodging Bullets here in November but lost his way since. King fitted a visor for the first time here and it clearly had the desired effect.

McCoy admitted afterwards that he felt Uxizandre had gone to fast to keep up the gallop but he seemed to relax coming down the hill and had plenty in reserve to hold the well-backed Ma Filleule. It was a 31st festival winner for McCoy but he may not be finished just yet. He has five rides on the final day including Hargam (Triumph Hurdle), Carlingford Lough (Gold Cup) and Ned Buntline (AP McCoy Grand Annual).

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A reasonable assessment of the festival so far would be day 1 to the punters, day 2 all square, day 3 to the bookmakers. With the smallest field on offer on Friday being seventeen, I suspect that this will be the toughest day yet for punters.

Any way of gaining a small advantage is welcome and we have kept you updated on various offers throughout the week. Racebets have been making some generous offers to attract new customers all week. If you still haven’t done so, tomorrow they will give you 10-1 about Nicky Henderson training the winner of the Triumph Hurdle (maximum £5 bet).

That gives you the favourite Peace And Co, Tony McCoy’s mount Hargam and Betcirca’s each-way fancy Top Notch. The Mullins pair and Beltor are the most obvious threats to spoil the party but it could give you a very nice £50 balance in your account!

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Quick Jack 2.05 (County Hurdle) 7-1 Stan James

Black Hercules 2.40 (Albert Bartlett) 4-1 Bet365

On The Fringe 4.0 (Foxhunter) 8-1 Paddy Power

Roi Des Francs 4.40 (Martin Pipe) 9-2 Bet365

Ned Buntline 5.20 (AP McCoy Grand Annual) 5-1 William Hill

Sire de Grugy even money for Game Spirit

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

Sire de Grugy began last season as a 25-1 outsider for the Champion Chase at Cheltenham. The betting for the race was turned upside down when Sprinter Sacre was pulled up in the Desert Orchid Chase and Gary Moore’s chestnut went on to win both races.

The much-awaited clash between the two could take place at the festival in March following Sprinter Sacre’s return at Ascot last month. If Sprinter Sacre was in a different league to his rivals in 2013, Sire de Grugy was a pretty good substitute. He was unbeaten in his last five races, winning the Clarence House Chase and the Celebration Chase without being seriously tested. All ground seems to come alike to the nine-year-old but he has also had his training problems.

A minor injury has kept him off the track since April and there is bound to be some anxiety as he steps out for his prep race in the Game Spirit Chase at Newbury on Saturday. Moore has issued an up-beat bulletin and expects him to run well on Saturday, although he admits that he has left something to work on. He has 11lbs and upwards in hand of his rivals on official ratings and Betfair have installed him as the even money favourite.

I opposed Sprinter Sacre on his comeback with Dodging Bullets and fitness proved decisive for the Paul Nicholls-trained runner. The Ditcheat trainer has Mr Mole and Vibrato Valtat entered on Saturday but I’d be very surprised if the latter took his place in the field. He is also entered in the Kingmaker Chase at Warwick and I believe that Nicholls would rather keep him in novice company on his way to the Arkle Chase at the festival.

Mr Mole has improved this season and won a handicap at Sandown off a mark of 147, beating subsequent winner Brick Red by two and a quarter lengths. The handicapper now rates Mr Mole at 155, some 17lbs below Sire de Grugy.

Uxizandre would look the most likely threat on his Cheltenham form in November when beating Simply Ned by a length and a quarter. Dodging Bullets was a head away in third but it was a combination of fitness and the Cheltenham hill that found him out that day. Uxizandre blotted his copybook when jumping out to his left on several occasions last time out. Upsilon Bleu is on a hat-trick for Pauline Robson but is only rated 150 while Karinga Dancer looks outclassed.

Sire de Grugy 3.00 Newbury Saturday @Evens Betfair