Three days have been and gone at the Cheltenham Festival and that means there is one more day to go and what a day it promises to be. Thursday was one of the best day’s racing the Festival has ever seen and Friday could well emulate it. The Gold Cup is the feature race but there is plenty of competitive action on the card. We’ve gone through the card here.
SPECIAL OFFER
GET DOUBLE WINNINGS IN CASH UP TO £25 ON THE FIRST RACE IF YOU BACK THE WINNER WITH CORAL!
1.30 Cheltenham: Triumph Hurdle
Preview
9 out of the last 10 winners started as 10/1 or less whilst 5 of the last 7 contested the Spring Juvenile Hurdle at Leopardstown last time out. Interestingly, however, only 1 of the 5 won that prep race, the other 4 winners finished between 2nd and 4th. Last time, Spring Juvenile winner was Mr Adjudicator beating Farclas but the tables were turned in the Triumph but they still filled the 1-2.
Favourite
The winner of the Spring Juvenile this year was Sir Erec who is now odds on for this race and is 2 from 2 over hurdles. However, I’m taking 2 against the favourite, both of whom lost to Sir Erec last time out.
Betting
Tiger Tap Tap was 8 lengths 4th to Sir Erec in that race but made a couple of mistakes at his fences. Previous to that, he’d finished a neck 2nd in a maiden to the same horse and, with this stiffer track in his favour, he has a good chance of turning the tables.
The same can be said about Gardens Of Babylon who was 6 lengths 2nd in the Spring when, like Tiger Tap Tap, his jumping wasn’t foot perfect. He had previous won a maiden with Surin in 2nd and then was a head 2nd to Surin next time out. Again, the stiffer track should help in his bid to overturn Sir Erec.
Tips
Back Tiger Tap Tap (e/w) for a 1.5/10 stake at 11.00 Bet365 (¼ odds 1-3)
PLACED – Back Gardens Of Babylon (e/w) for a 1.5/10 stake at 13.00 Boylesports (⅕ odds 1-3)
Back it here:
2.10 Cheltenham: County Handicap Hurdle
Favourites
A big field handicap hurdle and one which Skelton and Mullins have a bit of a stranglehold having won 6 of the last 10 runnings of the race. That said, only 1 of the last 10 winners has started in single figure odds so, although they saddle the 1-2 in the market in Whiskey Sour and Ch’tibello, the price puts me off.
Betting
8 of the last 10 winners were either 5 or 6 year olds so the first bet is Mr Adjudicator, last year’s Triumph Hurdle runner up. He is a Mullins horse and is still a 5 year old so that ticks 2 of the key trends. His hold up style is well suited to this raced and he’s been laid out for this having only been seen once in a bid to protect his mark. That one run was pretty impressive too, finishing 2nd to Champion Hurdle winner Espoir D’Allen.
Due Reward is another Irish challenger and makes up our 2nd bet. He’s still a novice (they have a good record in this) and is a 6 year old. He ran well in the Ladbroke Hurdle, a key trial for this, and kept on well in 7th. This stiffer test will suit and provided not too much use is made of him early, he could easily run into a place or better at big odds.
Tips
Back Mr Adjudicator (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 13.00 Unibet (¼ odds 1-6)
Back Due Reward (e/w) for a 0.5/10 stake at 34.00 Unibet (¼ odds 1-6)
SPECIAL OFFER
MONEY BACK ON ALL RACES IF YOUR HORSE IS SECOND OR THIRD TO THE SP FAVOURITE AT BOYLESPORTS!
2.50 Cheltenham: Albert Bartlett Novice’ Hurdle
Preview
A novice hurdle over 3 miles. Basically, this means you need a true stayer and the best tactic is to stick with an experienced horse rather than one that’s been impressive in a limited number of runs. This has meant the race has thrown up some big priced winners.
It’s no bad thing to go for a 2nd season hurdler but you do need one that’s been seen over this trip.
Favourite
Birchdale is the favourite and is 2 from 2 over hurdles but his lack of experience puts me off. Lisnagar Oscar is the 2nd favourite and has had 4 runs over hurdles winning his last 2 but form lines with others suggest the value lies elsewhere.
Betting
Derrinross is an 8 year old in his 2nd season over hurdles. He’s had 5 runs and is 2 from 2 over 3 miles including a Grade 2 last time out. He loves soft ground and a slog, which he’ll get, will suit.
Rockpoint is a crazy price and is very experienced having been seen 12 times over hurdles. He beat Lisnagar Oscar in December over 3 miles. Although he hasn’t been as good since under a penalty, a return here is a plus as is the jockey booking of Tom Scudamore.
Stoney Mountain is our final bet. He’s won 4 of his 9 starts but is 3 from 3 under Richard Johnson. He was 3rd behind Lisnagar Oscar last time out but this softer ground and tougher stamina test could see him easily turn the tables at big odds.
Tips
Back Derrinross (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 13.00 Coral (⅕ odds 1-5)
Back Rockpoint (e/w) for a 0.75/10 stake at 34.00 Coral (⅕ odds 1-5)
Back them here:
Back Stoney Mountain (e/w) for a 0.75/10 stake at 34.00 BetVictor (⅕ odds 1-4)
Back it here:
4.10 Cheltenham: Foxhunter Hunters’ Chase
Amateur rides and hunter chasers is not a combination for me. Therefore, we’ll leave this race alone.
[the_ad_group id=”3624″]
4.50 Cheltenham: Grand Annual Handicap Chase
Preview
Novices do well in this but none of the novice winners have rated above 140. Add to that Paul Nicholls has saddled the winner of 2 of the last 3 winners, we are drawn to one runner.
Betting
Brelan D’As is a 136 rated novice, trained by Paul Nicholls and ridden by Bryony Frost who rode her first Festival winner on Thursday under an excellent ride on Frodon. From 5 runs this term, he’s won twice and finished twice on 2 more occasions but, somehow, his handicap has barely changed. He looks well handicapped, is racing over his best trip and could go well at a price.
Tips
PLACED – Back Brelan D’As (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 15.00 Betway (⅕ odds 1-5)
Back it here:
SPECIAL OFFER
MONEY BACK AS A FREE BET ON ALL LOSERS ON THE FIRST AND LAST RACE AT BETWAY!
5.30 Cheltenham: Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle
Preview
The last race of a brilliant Festival and there are some strong trends to focus on here. The last 7 winners have all been rated 138+ and the last 10 winners were first or second season hurdlers. This race is over 2 miles 4 furlongs but horses with form over further have gone well and Gigginstown have been responsible for 4 of the last 10 winners. There’s been no winning favourite in the last 7 years.
Betting
This year, Gigginstown saddle the favourite but, given the record of the favourite, I’m siding with the 2nd strong in Defi Bleu. He’s rated 139 and won his maiden at this trip. He’s since been 3rd in a Grade 2 novice when poor jumping cost him. He was then 2nd over 3 miles so has proved he stays well. Last time out he ran poorly but this return to softer ground is definitely in his favour.
Tips
PLACED – Back Defi Bleu (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 15.00 William Hill (⅕ odds 1-5)
Back it here:
Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2019
