Friday 18 March 2016

Cheltenham Festival 2016; Friday Day Four

The Gold Cup is the Blue Riband of the Cheltenham Festival and, despite the absence of the injured Coneygree and the late defection of Vautour, we have a competitive if not vintage renewal to examine. It is well documented that legendary Irish trainer Willie Mullins has never saddled the winner of the event but he has two outstanding chances this year courtesy of last year’s runner up Djakadam and the 2015 RSA Chase winner Don Poli (3.30) and it is the latter who gets the vote.

The selection hasn’t impressed everyone so far this season but jumps, stays and will be running on up the hill when others have cried enough. He is not flashy and is likely to hit a flat spot at some time during the race, but Smad Place should ensure there is no hiding place and Don Poli can give jockey Davy Russell a second win in the race in the last three seasons following the success of Lord Windermere in 2014,

Djakadam ran a cracker behind Coneygree in the corresponding race 12 months ago but he came down in his prep race back at Cheltenham in January and was on the easy list for a week having suffered a cut on his chest. Ruby Walsh rides and the horse is reported to be in top form and he could easily go one better this year. Cue Card and Don Cossack are, arguably, classier animals than the Mullins’ pair but they have stamina to prove and the final hill might just catch them out. Cue Card is going for a £1m bonus and would be another wonderful story having first won at the Festival six years ago in the Bumper (2m) before landing the Ryanair (2m 5f) three years later. He is slowly working his way up in trip and it would be some hat-trick.

Sceau Royal (1.30)
has impressed with his jumping this term and could give Alan King something to smile about in the opening G1 Triumph Hurdle. The selection is one of three for the Barbury Castle handler but gets on well with Daryl Jacob and his slick hurdling technique should prove even better on good, spring ground. Connections were devastated that Ivanovich Gorbatov was beaten in G1 company last time out at Leopardstown but the O'Brien family are adamant he is much better than that and he should go close under Barry Geraghty.

In the County Hurdle my original fancy Desoto County hasn’t made the cut but the novice Wait for Me (2.10) has and he gets the each way vote for Philip Hobbs. The selection finished third in the Champion Bumper 12 months ago (Yanworth a neck behind in fourth) and whilst he could not be considered a natural over timber he has been extensively schooled in recent weeks and at 12/1 each way five places at BetVictor I will be disappointed if he doesn’t go very close. Similar comments apply to John Constable, a full-brother to Ascot Gold Cup and St Leger winner Leading Light, and a revelation since joining the Evan Williams' yard. The selection missed the Betfair Hurdle to run on this afternoon's better ground and will love the likely hell-for-leather pace of this afternoon's conditions.

Shantou Village (2.50) wasn’t seen at his best on soft ground here on Trials Day back in January but is taken to make the frame in the Albert Bartlett for Neil Mulholland. Today’s better ground will suit as will this step up to 3m for the first time under rules. He is 4/1 at BetVictor behind Barters Hill, who suffered an injury scare midweek, and is as game as a pebble but will his jumping hold up? Up For Review is surely better than he showed at Doncaster last time and can run well at a big price.

The Foxhunters’ is all about dual Olympian Victoria Pendleton and let’s hope she gets around in one piece; at the time of writing she is 6/4 at BetVictor to complete the course and let’s hope she comes home safe and sound. I hope to see Paint The Clouds (4.10) reverse last year’s form with On The Fringe on today’s better ground and at 6/1 is another each way recommendation.

In the Martin Pipe expect to see a big run from Squouateur (4.50) for Gordon Elliot with the excellent conditional Jack Kennedy in the plate; this has long been his Festival target and, in the colours of JP McManus, it would be no surprise to see this one carry market support. Stablemate Jettsteam Jack should similarly go close for a stable that target the race on an annual basis.

In the last I have backed Rock The World (5.30) for Jessica Harrington; another laid out for the race and at 12/1 is another each way recommendation. Next Sensation must go close to defending his Grand Annual Title under the excellent Tom Scudamore and would be another of similar interest at a double figure price now returning to a sounder surface.

Cheltenham Gold Cup Day
1.30 Sceau Royal/Ivanovich Gorbatov
2.10 Wait for Me/John Constable
2.50 Shantou Village/Barters Hill
3.30 Don Poli/Cue Card
4.10 Paint the Clouds/On The Fringe
4.50 Squouateur/Jetstream Jack
5.30 Rock the World/Next Sensation

EW Lucky 15
Sceau Royal
Don Poli
Paint the Clouds
Shantou Village

For all your racing odds check out BetVictor.com authorised betting partners of British Racing

Wednesday 16 March 2016

Cheltenham Festival 2016; Thursday Day Three

The feature race on Day Three of the Cheltenham Festival is the World Hurdle with last year’s winner Cole Harden (3.30) likely to make it a true test for the thirteen who go to post; the ground has come right for the Warren Greatrex runner and he must run a big race under regular pilot Gavin Sheehan. The selection has been somewhat disappointing if looking solely at his form figures, however he came via a similar path last term having running on both inadequate tips and ground.

The gelding relishes good, fresh, spring ground and has conditions to suit to lower the colours of Thistlecrack who has looked the one to beat in the stayers' division all season but has yet to do it under this afternoon’s conditions. Trainer Colin Tizzard has hinted the horse will be sent chasing next season with the Gold Cup rather than the RSA Chase his target; such is the esteem he is held at in the yard. He is currently 6/5 with BetVictor but looks on the skinny side for a horse that has been plying his trade on torrid ground over the winter.

The JLT Novices’ Chase opens the card and Garde La Victoire (1.30) can maintain his unbeaten record over fences for Philip Hobbs and Richard Johnson; connections thought long and hard about the horse in the Arkle but must be relieved they went for this option having witnessed Douvan’s magnificent performance on Tuesday. At 4/1 with BetVictor I would be disappointed if the Hobbs runner didn’t make the frame.

The Ryanair looked a fascinating race before the 11th hour defection of Vautour from the Gold Cup, a move handled poorly by connections. The owner suggested the horse has failed to impress in recent weeks but they surely wouldn’t be running the horse if he wasn’t 100% fit. He is obviously the most likely winner but the race is best watched given the reports of the dual-festival winner's below par homework.

I’ve never considered Our Kaempfer truly a thorough stayer but he will love the ground, has a touch of class and looks well handicapped for Charlie Longsdon in the Pertemps Final. He is respected back on a sounder surface but it is hard not to be drawn to the JP McManus pair of Leave at Dawn and Cup Final (2.10) with the latter getting the nod to reward each-way support under Mark Walsh. The selection made a winning reappearance last time out at Musselburgh and, with Barry Geraghty opting to partner the Irish raider and likely favourite Leave at Dawn; he looks over-priced to defy a 10lb hike at the weights. I have to give a favourable mention also to Evan Williams’ Padge; who was touted as a potential excellent novice chaser and should out-run his price of 40/1 now back on his preferred better ground.

The David Pipe yard have hit form at the right time, especially with their handicap chases, and Kings Palace looks to have been laid out for this afternoon’s plate. As a novice his fencing was quick and, after reportedly schooling far from spectacularly, punters are likely to know their fate early in the piece. The percentage ply is to side with Jonjo O’Neill’s John’s Spirit (4.10) who boasts excellent course form and has been given a chance by the handicapper to bounce back to winning ways at the scene of his greatest success.

The mare Limini is considered by many close to the Mullins’ yard as a banker but at her current price, a shade of odds on at 5/6 with BetVictor, can be overlooked on this occasion in what looks a difficult race for the inaugural Mares’ Novices; Hurdle. for the Mullins bandwagon.

Doctor Harper was rerouted from the Ultima Handicap on the first day and Will Biddick takes the ride. He is the 5/1 joint favourite at BetVictor and should go close if staying today’s 3m 2f trip but having backed him ante-post at 16/1 for his other engagement, I’m happy to let him take his chance without backing him at his current price with the likes of Cause of Causes, Upswing and the Giant Bolster potentially well-treated to go close in the finale.

Cheltenham Festival; Thursday Day Three
1.30 Garde La Victoire
2.10 Cup Final
3.30 Cole Harden
4.10 Joh’s Spirit

For all your racing odds check out BetVictor.com authorised betting partner of British Racing

Tuesday 15 March 2016

Cheltenham Festival 2016; Wednesday Day Two

The feature race on day two of the Cheltenham Festival is the Queen Mother Champion Chase and Un De Sceaux has long been the antepost favourite to follow up last year’s Arkle success but he is, arguably, too short in the market at 8/11 with BetVictor and I would prefer an each way alternative. There are no less than three former winners of the race in the race; Dodging Bullets (2015), Sire De Grugy (2014) and the brilliant 2013 winner Sprinter Sacre (3.30) and it is the latter who gets the each way vote.

The selection has won both starts so far this term beating Somersby by 14 lengths on both occasions; interestingly the Mullins-trained favourite beat the admirable Somersby by a similar margin in the Tingle Creek at Sandown back in December.
The drying ground is certainly a plus for the Nicky Henderson trained 10-year-old, who goes well fresh and is reported in rude health by the yard. At 5/1 with BetVictor (1/4 odds first 3) he might not be quite the force of old but there might be one last hurrah in the gelding who, at his best, was an equine superstar.

Yanworth is unbeaten in four starts over timber for Alan King and he showed his aptitude for decent ground when fourth in the Champion Bumper 12 months ago. He is considered banker material by many but he has his quirks and I just favour Yorkhill (1.30) unbeaten in four starts under rules for Willie Mullins. The selection is a son of Presenting and should appreciate the drying ground; Mullins was contemplating the opening Supreme Novices’ Hurdle but the selection certainly stays this 2m 4f trip and at 2/1 is taken to overturn the favourite.

No More Heroes has been considered something of a ‘Festival banker’ for much of the season, and whilst respected for the in-form stable of Gordon Elliot is overlooked on this occasion for former World Hurdle hero More of That (2.20) under Barry Geraghty. The selection is the only gelding to give 7lb and a beating to Champion Hurdle heroine Annie Power and is given the od to better his Irish rival with aplomb.

Should Elliot hit the crossbar in the RSA, he can make swift amends with Diamond King (2.50) in the Coral Cup and the former Donald McCain inmate has long been a personal favourite and he improved for the step back up in trip when scoring at Punchestown back in January. At 8/1 (5 places with BetVictor) he can reward each way support.

1.30 Yorkhill
2.10 More of That
2.50 Diamond King
3.30 Sprinter Sacre

For all the latest odds head to BetVictor.com and follow @BetVictorRacing on Twitter

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Monday 14 March 2016

Cheltenham Festival 2016; Tuesday Day One

Min heads a field of 14 for this year’s renewal of the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle with Willie Mullins’ gelding the 7/4 favourite for the curtain-raiser at this year’s Cheltenham Festival as connections bid to make history. Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh have combined to win the last three renewals of the opening G1 contest, winning with Champagne Fever, Vautour and Douvan - all entering the winners’ enclosure by their larger than life owner Rich Ricci. Connections bid to secure a fourth s consecutive success in the race with Min, a win of both starts over hurdles since joining new connections, and hyped up before making his debut for the Mullins yard earlier in the campaign.


BetVictor are offering punters Money Back as a Free Bet up to £25 if 2nd to any horse trained by Willie Mullins during the 2016 Cheltenham Festival, which should serve as an excellent insurance policy with the Irish Champion Trainer having four red-hot favourites on the opening day.


Min is respected for the most powerful of connections but is on the skinny side for a horse that doesn’t look as good as last year’s winner Douvan, or the year’s previous Vautour, and is overlooked instead for the Nicky Henderson pair of Altior and Buveur D’Air. The latter lowered the colours of Wait for Me on his hurdles debut at Newbury’s Hennessy meeting in November and built on that further when following-up last month under a penalty at Huntingdon.

Supreme Novices’ Hurdle prices from BetVictor
Min 7/4
Altior 7/2
Buveur D’Air 13/2
Belshill 10/1
Tombstone 10/1
14/1 Bar

He may just lack the experience of stablemate Altior (1.30) however, who is given the nod under regular pilot Nico De Boinville. The selection has been nothing short of progressive over timber, winning over C&D at Cheltenham’s Open Meeting in November and bettering that when beating Mullins’ Open Eagle at Kempton on Boxing Day. He showed a tremendous turn of foot to pull away in the closing stages, despite hitting a flat spot on the turn for home, and can give his trainer Nicky Henderson a third Supreme Novices’ Hurdle success.


Henderson and De Boinville must go close with Vaniteux in the Racing Post Arkle, however last year’s Supreme winner Douvan (2.10) is unopposable at the prices and will likely secure back-to-back festival successes under Ruby Walsh. The selection has impressed on all three starts over the larger obstacles, winning both starts in G1 Company at Leopardstown by a collective 33 lengths, and should complete hat-trick of top-flight successes with the minimal of fuss. BetVictor have Lengthen The Odds markets on all 28 races at this year’ s Cheltenham Festival and instead of backing the odds-on favourite for the Arkle at around the price of 4/11, he offers punters much better value at around even money to win by six or more lengths.


Connections are represented by Annie Power in the feature with Willie Mullins’ star mare heading the market as the 2/1 favourite to make amends for her mishap at last year’s festival. The 8-y-o fell at the last when looking home and hosed in the Mares’ Hurdle last term and has been re-routed from the same race after reigning Champion Faugheen was ruled out of defending his Champion Hurdle crown last month. She must go close in receipt of 7lb from the field but hasn’t run over the minimum trip in over two years and is opposed at the prices for The New One (3.20) for Sam and Nigel Twiston-Davies. The selection has finished third and fifth in the previous two renewals of the race but arrives with the yard in excellent form at present and no Faugheen in the way this time around.


The Mullins bandwagon moves onto the Mares’ Hurdle with the King of Clossuton bidding to win the race for an 8th successive year and has Vroum Vroum Mag, the 11/10 favourite with BetVictor, as well as stablemate Gitane du Berlais. Both bring with them top-level form but at the prices a chance is taken on Polly Peachum (4.10) going one better than her narrow runner-up finish in the race last year. Nicky Henderson’s mare built on her seasonal reappearance at Kempton when winning last time out in listed company at Sandown and should relish this afternoon’s extra test of stamina and go close under David Bass.


Bass enjoyed a first festival success aboard Kim Bailey’s Darna in last year’s Festival Plate and the pair combine with Twelve Roses (5.30) who must go close in the closing Novices’ Handicap Chase over two and a half miles. The selection was 5th behind Faugheen in the 2014 Neptune Novices’ Hurdle but has proven even better over fences, beating Neil Mulholland’s Southfield Royale on his chase debut at Wetherby in October and has been far from disgraced thereafter. The section disappointed on both starts stepped up to three miles, but looked back to his best over two and a half miles last time out at Kempton and from a 2lb lower mark looks well-treated to give a good account.


Whilst Twelve Roses disappointed once stepped up in trip Southfield Royale (4.50) has done nothing but improve winning his next two starts over three miles, before chasing home Tea For Two in the G1 Feltham Novices’ Chase at Kempton over Christmas. The well-bred son of Presenting looks like he will be even better over a trip and, with the excellent book of Nina Carberry in the plate, can reward each-way support at 8/1 with BetVictor in this afternoon’s National Hunt Chase over the marathon 4 miles trip.


Holywell (2.50) landed the 3m Festival Handicap two years ago and can likewise reward each-way support in this year’s renewal under regular partner Richie McClernon. Jonjo O’Neill’s charge shares the burden of top-weight alongside Henry de Bromhead’s Shanahans Turn but is rated 10lb lower than this time last year when fourth in last year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup, and can run well en-route to a tilt at next month’s Grand National at Aintree.

Day One Selections

Altior (1.30)
Holywell (2.50)
The New One (3.30)
Polly Peachum (4.10)
Southfield Royale (4.40)

For all the latest odds head to BetVictor.com and follow @BetVictorRacing on Twitter

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