The BetVictor Gold Cup invariably throws-up a feel-good story and the 2017 renewal was no exception, with Splash of Ginge winning for the most vocal of connections in the feature of the November Meeting at Cheltenham. The 9yo was scoring for the first time over fences since his course and distance success on New Year’s Day 2015 and relished conditions as the heavens opener over Prestbury Park.
Nibbled at 25/1 from 33s before the off, the mudlark denied the late lunge of David Pipe’s second-season chaser Starchitect who could potentially go one better in next month’s December Gold Cup should he get a preferred sounder surface. We should take nothing from the winner however, and indeed his trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies, who has now been responsible for saddling three of the last ten winners of the £160,000 Handicap Chase.
Imperial Commander, successful in 2008, would win the Cheltenham Gold Cup just 18 months later but Splash of Ginge has another spring festival in mind with the horse’s enthusiastic owner John Nield adamant the gelding would be aimed at the Grand National at Aintree. The Liverpudlian reportedly has £1000 at 1000/1 for his horses to win the world’s most famous steeplechase and BetVictor are 50/1 that Splash of Ginge creates yet further history at Aintree in the spring.
Elsewhere, it was a magnificent three days for trainer Colin Tizzard who saddled three graded winners and Fox Norton magnificent in retaining his Shloer Chase crown. The 7yo was narrowly touched-off in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival but made amends at Aintree and Punchestown thereafter winning the G1 Melling and Punchestown Champion Chases with style and grace in the spring.
He looked better than ever when bolting-up on Sunday under Robbie Power and is now the 3/1 from 4s favourite with BetVictor for The Ryanair Chase and halved in price to 5/1 from 10s to go one better in the Queen Mother. Stablemate Finians Oscar set the ball rolling for connections on Friday when giving Movewiththetimes 8lb and a betting to maintain his unbeaten record over fences. The son of Flemensfirth will have learnt plenty from a real battle up the Cheltenham hill but came out with his reputation enhanced further and was cut to the 6/1 from 7s favourite for the JLT Novices/ Chase.
BetVictor make him a 10/1 chance for The Arkle Novices’ Chase with trainer Colin Tizzard hinting that connections may drop him back to the minimum trip. A horse that definitely has The Arkle as a spring target is North Hill Harvey who was big and bold when making it 2/2 over the larger obstacles under Harry Skelton on Sunday. Last year’s Greatwood winner has taken to fences like a duck to water and is now 16/1 from 25s with BetVictor for The Arkle after impressing in both chase success at Cheltenham’s opening two meetings of the campaign.
Last year’s winner Altior saw trainer Nicky Henderson hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons before the start of the meeting but the performances of Thomas Campbell and Apple’s Shaqira saw him bounce back with two brilliant hurdles successes on Saturday. The former was introduced into The Stayers Hurdle market as a 25/1 poke after getting a brilliant ride by 7lb claimer James Bowen to follow-up his recent course success. That was the teenager’s 31st success under rules and, despite his claim being reduced from 7lb to 5lb, he looks a future superstar in the saddle.
Seven Barrows’ other winner left quite an impression on plenty of us in the press room with Apple’s Shaqira the new 5/1 from 16s favourite for the Triumph Hurdle after a winning British debut under Barry Geraghty. Connections won the corresponding race 12 months ago with subsequent Triumph Hurdle winner Defi du Seuil and this filly, a full sister to multiple Group One winner Apple’s Jade, looks to have an almighty career ahead of her.
For all the latest odds head to BetVictor.com
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