Cheltenham Festival 2024: Gold Cup Day Tips

 Friday is the fourth and last day of this year’s Cheltenham Festival with bookies having a more successful day than the steamrolling Willie Mullins and the rest of Ireland did on the opening two days.

Mullins Mob-Handed In The Triumph

The late defection of warm ante post favourite Sir Gino means those from across The Irish Sea are more likely to land the opening G1 Triumph Hurdle and Bunting chanced to hit the bullseye for team Mullins in the opener.

He made eye-catching late progress when finishing fourth in The Spring Juvenile Hurdle at The Dublin Racing Festival (the first, second, third and sixth re-opposing today) and, despite jockey bookings suggestions saying otherwise, he can improve to reward each way support under Sean O’Keefe.

Another I will have to chuck a few quid on is Salvator Mundi, who was second to the beforementioned Sir Gino and snapped up by connections quickly thereafter. He has apparently set tongues wagging on the Closutton gallops and is a fascinating runner on his debut under rules on these shores.

The Skeltons love targeting the Cheltenham handicaps and after the earlier successes in the week L’Eau Du Sud has been very popular to go one better than second in last month’s Betfair Hurdle at Newbury.

Kinsgfield The King of The County

I was a backer of Gin Coco (2.10) in this race 12 months ago and would be loathe to desert the Harry Fry trained gelding now, racing from a pound higher mark. He had the re-opposing Favior beat when comfortably scoring at Ascot earlier in the season and, despite disappointing last time out at Doncaster, has been freshened up for a spring campaign.

The main bet in the race would be King of Kingsfield (2.10) who was second to subsequent Supreme Novices’ Hurdle winner Slade Steel earlier in the season and was done for speed by Ballyburn last time out at The Dublin Racing Festival. Stablemate Pied Piper keeps the weights down nicely and he looks potentially chucked in from 10’12. Jack Kennedy opts to partner over Pied Piper, Samui and Media Naranja.

A Bit of Fry and Johnny

I’ve been a long admirer of Gidleigh Park since he landed a gamble on hurdles debut and followed-up at both Newbury and Cheltenham thereafter. He was switched to the longer race having previously been ear-marked for the Gallaghers’ Novice Hurdle – and a good job too as he wasn’t beating Ballyburn! He looks a proper chaser in the making for connections and must go close for the team of Harry Fry and Johnny Burke.

Soft Ground The Key for Venetia’s

I can’t leave L’Homme Presse (3.30) go unbacked in The Cheltenham Gold Cup given just how good he jumps a fence. There are certain horses who stick with you, and he was one after scoring at the festival in The Brown Advisory 12 months ago.

He will absolutely love the conditions and shouldn’t have any issues with the three and a quarter miles trip. He was found wanting for a turn of foot last time out at Ascot but was previously emphatic in his defeat of Protketorat at Lingfield and can reward each way support under regular partner Charlie Deutsch.

Wade Into Sine Nomine

I still have no idea how Billaway won The Cheltenham Foxhunters in 2022 when coming from an absolute different parish under Patrick Mullins. The 12yo is sure to be popular, despite his fall in the corresponding race 12 months ago, however I’m going to take a chance on Sine Nomine (4.10) at a double figure price under John Dawson. The mare sauntered home last time out at Wetherby and is a tremendous jumper of a fence. She will love the forecast testing ground.

I will not be punting on the Mares’ Novice Chase but Dinoblue looks the class act for those having a bet.

The Whispers Are Right!

The Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle is more affectionately known as ‘the boys race’ amongst trainers with many up-and-coming pilots getting the chance to ride on the big stage. He isn’t a big price but plainly put I think Waterford Whispers is likely a stone better animal than we saw of him when finishing second in the green and g old in the finale, and he can land the spoils for Henry de Bromhead and Mikey O’Connor.

 

Selections

1.30 Cheltenham – Bunting/Salvator Mundi

2.10 Cheltenham – King of Kingsfield/Gin Coco

2.50 Cheltenham – Gidleigh Park

3.30 Cheltenham – L’Homme Presse

4.10 Cheltenham – Sine Nomie

4.50 Cheltenham – *No Bet)

5.30 Cheltenham – Waterford Whispers

Be Lucky

Cheltenham Festival 2024 Day 3 – St Patrick’s Thursday

 After Wednesday’s disappointment both in terms of the cancellation of The Cross-Country Race and the non-runners from the Seven Barrows yard Thursday’s card looks brimming with both depth and quality. The feature Stayers’ Hurdle boasts a field of 13 declared with former winners Paisley Park, Flooring Porter and Sire du Berlais all poised to tackle of new generation of staying hurdlers. We take a look at Cheltenham Festival 2024 Day 3 – St Patrick’s Day Thursday.

 

Turner Novices’ Chase

 

The action gets underway with The Turner Novices’ Chase over two and a half miles and Grey Dawning the current market leader for brothers Harry and Dan Skelton. The 7yo should have no problem with the likely stamina-sapping conditions having won over three miles on soft ground last time out at Warwick but I’d be wary of him having the type of class in such a strong field.

 

I’m sweet on the chances of Iroko (1.30) who won The Martin Pipe at the festival 12 months ago and was successful on his sole start over fences when last seen at Warwick in November. The selection should relish the forecast soft ground and should have the extra stamina to cope with the testing demands of two and a half miles on churned up ground.

 

Spring Into Success For Jonjo And Jonjo Jr

 

Alan King’s Emitom is likely to love the conditions in The Pertemps and has excellent winning form on heavy ground, but I’m wary of his creeping handicap mark after his latest 5lb rise. Trainer Gordon Elliott boasts a tremendous record in the race and it’s interesting that stable jockey Jack Kennedy opts to partner the unexposed Cleatus Poolaw over stablemate Farouk D’Alene.

 

Both have solid claims but I’m going to take a chance on Springwell Bay (2.10) for Jonjo O’Neill and Jonjo Jr. The selection looks to have been campaigned towards this for some time after an excellent second last month at Musselburgh and looked potentially graded class when scoring at The Open Meeting here in November.

 

Envoi To Defend His Ryanair Crown

 

A field of 11 go to post for The Ryanair Chase with Envoi Allen (2.50) fancied to claim a Festival hat-trick and successfully defend his Ryanair crown under the excellent Rachael Blackmore. The 10yo looked better than ever when scoring on soft ground 12 months ago and after good runs in defeat earlier in the season at Gowran Park and Down Royal has been kept fresh for a spring campaign.

 

Stayers’ Hurdle Preview

 

Gordon Elliott’s Teahupoo has been well-supported for the feature Stayers’ Hurdle all season and is likely to be very short under regular partner Jack Kennedy. The 7yo was beaten by a nostril in the contest 12 months ago. He has been kept fresh for the spring festivals after a winning reappearance in The Hatton’s Grace in December.

He’s the class horse however, it looks a competitive renewal and with stamina in abundance I think former Grand National winner Noble Yeats (3.30) could out-stay them under Harry Cobden. The 9yo got up in the dying stride to deny the old boy Paisley Park on soft ground in The Cleeve Hurdle here on Trials’ Day and he remains a fascinating contender having just his fourth career start over hurdles.

 

Fiendish Festival Plate

 

The Festival Plate is a fiendishly difficult handicap and a rare race where Willie Mullins hasn’t dominated. Amazingly, 11 different trainers have been responsible for the winner since Carrickboy sprang an upset at 50/1 in 2013, proving that it’s a race where you can find something at a price.

 

Venetia saddles Frero Banbou (4.10) who looks a big price down at the bottom of the weights. The 9yo was soundly beaten by the re-opposing Shakem Up’Arry here in similar conditions on New Year’s Day but is 10lb better off at the weights for that seven-length defeat and is handicapped to give a good account.

 

It’s interesting that Rachael Blackmore opts to partner Arctic Bresil (4.10) for trainer Henry de Bromhead over stablemates Watch House Cross and Life in the Park, and I’m surprised to see him at a double figure price. The 7yo is unexposed under rules with just six career starts but has shown glimpses of class and is a fascinating contender on just his fourth start over fences.

 

Potential Superstar For Gigginstown

 

Jockey Jack Kennedy’s face has lit up like a Christmas tree whenever asked about the chances of Brighterdaysahead (4.50) who looks the best horse in the field for The Mares’ Novice Hurdle. The well-bred mare is unbeaten in five starts and looks a potential superstar for connections.

 

More Irish Dominance In The Finale

 

I’m surprised that stablemate Where It All Began (5.30) isn’t shorter for the closing Kim Muir under the excellent Brian O’Neill. The novice is one of the most unexposed chasers in the field with just eight starts over fences but put it all together nicely to when bolting-up in The Grand National Trial on heavy ground last month at Punchestown and should remain competitive despite a 12lb hike at the weights.

 

Selections

 

Cheltenham 1.30 – Iroko

Cheltenham 2.10 – Springwell Bay

Cheltenham 2.50 – Envoi Allen

Cheltenham 3.30 – Noble Yeats

Cheltenham 4.10 – Arctic Bresil and Frero Babou

Cheltenham 4.50 – Betterdaysahead

Cheltenham 5.30 – Where It All Began

Cheltenham Festival 2024 - Day Two

 Jack Milner previews Cheltenham Festival 2024 with a few fancies at huge prices in the handicaps.

 

Gallagher Novices’ Hurdle (1.30)

 

Day 2 of the Cheltenham Festival kicks off with The Gallagher Novices’ Hurdle but without a Liam nor a Noel anywhere in sight. To the likes of you and I, it’s The Neptune and a 2m 5f contest for arguably the best novices having their debut season over hurdles.

 

I’ve been fortunate to witness some wonderful performances in this race, with the likes of Simonsig, Faugheen, Yorkhill, Samcro, Envoi Allen et al setting tongues wagging and Ballyburn (1.30) should do likewise for the formidable partnership of Willie Mullins and Paul Townend.

 

The gelding had his Cheltenham race rearranged at the last minute, having been the long-time favourite for the festival curtain-raiser but shouldn’t have any problem with the step up in trip. Owned by the esteemed Ronnie Bartlett, he will no doubt have his sights set on The Cheltenham Gold Cup 2026, with the 6yo almost certainly sent over fences next season.

 

Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase (2.10)

 

Team Mullins have Fact To File in the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase but I much prefer the chances of Stay Away Fay (2.10) who should be right at home on the likely testing ground. The selection was a winner in similar conditions when landing The Albert Bartlett at the festival here 12 months ago, but was always going to be a chaser.

 

Connections started the gelding’s chase career at Exeter when battling well to make a winning debut over fences and followed-up on Sandown’s Tingle Creek card in The Esher Novices’ Chase. He was far from disgraced running as a novice in open company on Trials’ Day in The Cotswold Chase and can maintain his excellent festival record with the assistance of first-time cheek-pieces.

 

The Coral Cup (2.50)

 

The Coral Cup will be a usual fiendish puzzle, with 25 declared and no shortage of plots. Last year’s winner Langer Dan is well-handicapped to give another strong account, having returned to the same mark he won from 12 months ago for Dan and Harry Skelton – a welcome winner too given the publicity from his recent BHA case.

 

Trainer Gordon Elliott has a good record in the race, Diamond King was always a much-loved horse of mine when scoring here in 2016 under Davy Russell, and I think Beacon Edge (2.50) can run into a place at a big price. The trainer and connections won this race with Commander of Fleet two years and this 10yo boasts a similar profile.

 

He was soundly beaten in the same race 12 months ago in a first-time tongue tie but has improved since leaving the yard of Noel Meade, winning on debut for his new yard at Thurles in October and second last time out at Navan behind Hiddenvalley on heavy ground.

 

I’m not sure he’s handicapped to win, but he was a very classy animal on his day and 33/1 looks too big with Danny Gilligan good value for his 3lb claim.

 

Jonbon for the Queen Mother Champion Chase (3.30)

 

Horse racing is often a sentimental sport where form and sanity go out of the window, and whilst El Fabiolo should win The Queen Mother Champion Chase I have to side with Jonbon (3.30) at his price of 7/2 for Nicky Henderson and Nico de Boinville.

 

He was unlucky to finish second last time out in the rearranged Clarence House Chase when jockey Sean Bowen was lucky to stay on after a shuddering error down the back. He has 5lb to find on official ratings with the Mullins hotpot but the combination of heavy ground and an enterprising ride could see him turn the tables on his familiar sparring partner.

 

 

Going Cross Country at the Cheltenham Festival (4.10)

 

The Cross-Country Chase isn’t something I get too involved with however, Galvin (4.10) was an excellent second here under Davy Russell 12 months ago and looks too big at 13/2 to continue Keith Donoghue’s phenomenal record in the race.

 

Donoghue has ridden 4 of the last 8 winners, including being aboard last year’s winner Delta Work and Tiger Roll’s 3 successes – he knows how to ride over the ‘cheese wedges’ as it were.

 

Madara in the Grand Annual

 

It’s very strange to see The Grand Annual run on a Wednesday afternoon – for me it would always bring the curtain down to the festival in Friday’s finale! Harry Cobden was quickly snapped up by trainer Evan Williams for antepost favourite Libberty Hunter who is up 7lb for an impressive victory here on New Year’s Day.

 

I’d be wary of backing him in a bigger field however, having beaten just four rivals on his both chase successes, and I much prefer Madara (4.50) who landed a touch when scoring at The Dublin Racing Festival.

 

Sophie Leech’s stable star made the trip worthwhile when justifying favouritism to score impressively last month at Leopardstown and has the services of James Reveley once more. A 10lb rise seems fair and, with course winning form to his name already, he looks sure to be competitive once more.

 

 

The Champion Bumper To Finish

 

Patrick Mullins has opted to partner Jasmin de Vaux in the closing bumper, which could be a tip itself with his father saddling a record niner runners in Wednesday’s finale. The 5yo looks skinny enough in a wide-open renewal, and I’d prefer to throw a couple of darts on those at bigger prices instead.

 

Gordon Elliott’s main two fancies Jalon D’oudairies (5.30) and The Yellow Clay (5.30) have G2 form and have form tied into last month’s Dublin Racing Festival. The former gets the nod from stable jockey Jack Kennedy and this £420,000 recruit from the pointing fields can go a long way to paying back his expensive price tag.

 

 

Selections

 

1.30 Cheltenham – Ballyburn

2.10 Cheltenham – Stay Away Fay

2.50 Cheltenham – Beacon Edge

3.30 Cheltenham – Jonbon

4.10 Cheltenham – Galvin

4.50 Cheltenham – Madara

5.30 Cheltenham – Jalon D’oudairies  and The Yellow Clay

Be Lucky

Cheltenham Festival 2024 - Day One

 The Greatest Show on Turf

 

The Cheltenham Festival feels a little sombre this year, with the late defection of ante-post favourites Marine Nationale and Constitution Hill, for The Arkle and Champion Hurdle respectively, after lighting up the first day of the festival here 12 months ago. Nevertheless, Jack Milner takes a look at Day of The Cheltenham Festival 2024 with selections for all 7 races.

 

Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (1.30)

 

The latter is a huge blow to the festival, having been wrapped up in cotton wool by his handler Nicky Henderson, who must go and lick his wounds back at Seven Barrows. The 7yo is a winner of both starts this term, in The G1 Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle and The G1 Christmas Hurdle at Kempton.

 

He was a fabulous winner of The Supreme Novices’ Hurdle in 2022 and Nicky Henderson bids to win the festival curtain raiser for a sixth time with Jeriku du Reponet (1.30) in the green and gold of JP McManus.

 

The dogs were long barking about this exciting recruit from the pointing fields, with him unbeaten in three starts over timber. Given the fact he’s been odds-on for all three starts under rules suggests the regard he is held in at Seven Barrows and, perhaps unconvincing in a messy race last time out at Doncaster, I expect him to be much better suited to today’s stronger pace.

 

Connections also saddle Mystical Power, the first foal of wondermare Annie Power, who is a fascinating runner for trainer Willie Mullin and jockey Mark Walsh. The 5yo wear a first-time hood in a bid to settle better and could potentially be a superstar, but is best watched at half the price of the other McManus runner.

 

Arkle Novices’ Chase (2.10)

 

The Arkle looks a potential minefield with Marine National’s late defection, and muddling formlins but I thought Found a Fifty (2.10) was a little unlucky to be collared late on by the reopposting Il Etait Temps at The Dublin Racing Festival and can hopefully reverse the form under Jack Kennedy.

 

Few, if any, ride The Old Course better than Kennedy, who had almost judged it to perfection aboard the 7yo last time out at Leopardstown. The Arkle, whilst a stiff test, is a furlong shorter than the Irish equivalent, and I’m hoping Jack can save a little more, before likely kicking on after jumping the second last.

 

Ultima Handicap Chase (2.50)

 

Long time readers of my annual Cheltenham previews will know just how much I love The Ultima Handicap Chase, which has historically been one of the most profitable races from the festival. Jonjo O’Neill boasts a tremendous record in this particular race, Holywell being a cracking winner of the race a few years ago, and I’m willing to chance Monbeg Genius (2.50) in first-time headgear.

 

The selection is 7lb higher than when third in the same race 12 months ago, which seems harsh but the form is rock solid with the winner Corach Rambler successful in The Grand National on his next start and the second Fastorslow a winner of The Punchestown Gold Cup on his next start. His recent run at Kelso should have put him spot on for this, en route to a likely tilt at next month’s Grand National at Aintree.

 

Champion Hurdle (3.30)

 

The Champion Hurdle has been badly hit by the injury to defending Champion Constitution Hill, leaving Willie Mullins’ State Man, second here 12 months ago, odds-on to go one better under Paul Townend.

 

I wouldn’t be a backer at odds-on, but he looks the class horse in the race and should win. For those looking for something in terms of value – it’s interesting that Irish Point (3.30) runs here rather than The Stayers’ Hurdle in a late switch by trainer Gordon Elliott. The soft ground means it will be a stiffer test and this stamina-laden gelding should thrive in conditions. He arrives having won his last four on the spin and I’m hoping he can extend that under the excellent Jack Kennedy.

 

Mares’ Hurdle (4.10)

 

Willie Mullins has another stranglehold of The Mares’ Hurdle bidding to end something of a drought, and surprisingly empty-handed since Benie Des Dieux scoring back in 2018. Prior to that, the trainer had won with 8 of the previous 9 renewals and has the hot favourite Lossiemouth who looks a different class to her ten rivals.

 

Nevertheless, with the ground looking to be soft on Day One it could prove testing by the afternoon and I’m expecting conditions to suit Harry Fry’s Love Envoi (4.10) who was second here 12 months ago behind the brilliant Honeysuckle. She has finished second in both starts thai term over an inadequate trip and can hopefully improve for the fitting of first-time headgear.

 

Fred Winter (4.50)

 

The Fred Winter has always been a very difficult race to weigh up, with more plots than a dodgy allotment but trainer Joseph O’Brien seems to have unlocked the key to the juvenile handicap and he’s laid out Lark In The Morning (4.50) to continue his excellent record in the race.

 

A maiden after three starts over hurdles, he was an eyecatcher when third last time out at Punchestown and could be chucked in from his opening mark of 122 now sent handicapping.

 

National Hunt Chase (5.30)

 

It’s disappointing to see just seven in The National Hunt Chase, named in the honour of the late Maureen Mullins, and brothers WIllie and Emmet both with runners in their attempt to win the race named in memory of their late mother.

 

It’s the younger brother Emmet where the pin drops, with Corbetts Cross (5.30) the class horse in the race, and unlucky when running out when fancied 12 months ago for The Albert Bartlett. He was unlucky to be brought down last time out at Fairyhouse but looks a natural over the larger obstacles and can get the job done under the excellent Derek O’Connor.

 

Selections

Cheltenham 1.30 – Jeriko du Reponet

Cheltenham 2.10 – Found a Fifty

Cheltenham 2.50 – Monbeg Genius

Cheltenham 3.30 – Irish Point

Cheltenham 4.10 – Love Envoi

Cheltenham 4.50 – Lark in the Mornin

Cheltenham 5.30 – Corbetts Cross

 

Masters 2018

This year’s renewal of The Masters is arguably the most anticipated in decades with the old guard springing into life before a mouth-watering summer of golf. All eyes are going to be on Tiger Woods bidding to win a 5^th green jacket, and a first major in over a decade.

Tiger, now 42 years old, is playing in just his 2^nd Masters tournament in 5 years, has an incredible record at Augusta with 12 Top-10 finishes in his last 18 tournaments at the first major of the golfing calendar. Woods’ odds have tumbled in price since making a sparkling return last month at the Valspar Championship finishing second behind Englishman Paul Casey, before following-up with a T5 finish at the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill.

US Masters 2018 prices from BetVictor

Rory McIlroy                    10/1

Justin Thomas                 10/1

Jordan Spieth                   11/1

Dustin Johnson               11/1

Justin Rose                       14/1

Tiger Woods                    14/1

Bubba Watson                 16/1

18/1 Bar

That tournament was won by Rory McIlroy, who is one green jacket away from the ‘Grand Slam’ and heads the market as BetVictor’s 10/1 joint-favourite for the first major of the season. He heads the market alongside World Number One in waiting Justin Thomas, with the Kentucky-native likewise 10/1 to win back-to-back majors after last season’s breakthrough success in the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow.

‘JT’ has won 4 of his last 14 tournaments worldwide but looks jaded when beaten 3&2 in the semi-finals of the WGC Dell Matchplay and has a poor record in the tournament. The same can’t be said about BFF Jordan Spieth, who has already won once at Augusta and arguably should have had two more; leading entering the final round in 2014, before throwing away a five-shot lead to Danny Willett in 2016.

He should be the correct favourite and should be there or thereabouts come Sunday evening. Spieth was ranked 1^st for GIR last week at the Houston Open and, providing his putter gets hot this week, I can’t see him out of the frame.

Sergio Garcia beat Justin Rose in a play-off to continue the excellent recent record of Europeans in the tournament, and I expect both to be in the mix once again. Rose has been the model of consistency this decade and nobody has a better score at the course over the last five years.

He is perhaps skinny enough at 14/1 with BetVictor and I’m willing to chance a couple at bigger prices including Swede Alex Noren at 45/1. Noren was flawless in the Matchplay and was bitterly unlucky to lose to Kevin Kisner in sudden death the week before last. His short game should stand him in good stead and he looks another on a list of ‘major winners in waiting’ for the strong European contingent.

He will be part of the Ryder Cup team this September in France and so will Rafa Cabrera-Bello. The big-hitting Spaniard looks over-priced at 100/1, and will no doubt be buoyed by close friend Sergio Garcia’s win 12 months ago, and the previous successes of compatriots Jose Maria Olazabal and the legendary Seve Ballesteros.

He missed the cut 12 months ago but is a much-improved player in the interim, winning the Scottish Open last summer and finishing T4 in The Open Championship at Royal Birkdale. He ranks 9^th in GIR, whilst Brian Harman ranks second on tour and looks set to go close after a string of impressive performances last year.

The left-hander finished second to Books Koepka in the US Open at Erin Hills and has been the model of consistency thereafter, with 7 Top Ten finishes on tour already this season. He disappointed on his previous trip to Augusta but is a transformed player since 2015’s blip and looks over-priced at BetVictor’s current price of 80/1.

Selections

Jordan Spieth                   11/1

Alex Noren                       45/1

Rafa Cabrera-Bello         80/1

Brian Harman                  80/1

Without the risk of after-timing, I’ve backed Phil Mickelson and Tommy Fleetwood at 33/1 and 100/1 ante-post, but both are short enough now at 16/1 and 40s respectively. Naturally, watch them finish sixth and seventh…

Cheltenham Festival 2018; Friday Day 4

Cheltenham Festival 2018

My best bet of the 2018 Cheltenham Festival runs in the opener on Gold Cup day with Apple’s Shakira (1.30) a confident selection to maintain her unbeaten record in the Triumph Hurdle under Barry Geraghty. The well-bred filly is a full sister to Gordon Elliott’s multiple G1 winner Apple’s Jade and couldn’t have been any more impressive in her two starts for trainer Nicky Henderson. Her stamina-laden pedigree should see her thrive on the new course and she should make it 3 from 3 at Prestbury Park.

The drying ground should aid the chances of Ivanovich Gorbatov (2.10) in the County Hurdle, with last year’s beaten favourite potentially well-treated from a 3lb lower mark. His chances are aided further by the 3lb claim of conditional jockey JJ Slevin and he has obvious claims at a place that seemingly brings the best out of him.

He is one of 5 Irish raiders at the head of the first half-dozen in the weights in a race that the Irish have dominated in recent renewals. Stablemate Tigris River should appreciate better ground, whilst the Mullins trio of Bleu Et Rouge, Lagostovegas and Sandsend should all go well for the Closutton handler.

I’ve been waiting for Divin Bere to resurface since disappointed earlier in the campaign and I expect him to go well in a first-time tongue tie for trainer Paul Nicholls. The selection was narrowly beaten in the Fred Winter at last year’s festival and I expect him to thrive over the likely cavalry charge over the minimum trip.

Nicky Henderson should land the opener and is expected to complete a G1 double with challengers Santini and Chef Des Obeaux (2.50) vying for favouritism in the Albert Bartlett, with marginal preference for the latter Noel Fehily. The selection has impressed on soft ground at Kempton and Haydock, bolting-up in bottomless ground at the latter, and looks to have the desired stamina for such an attritional test.

Might Bite (3.30) can complete an emphatic treble in the Cheltenham Gold Cup under Nico de Boinville. The talented gelding isn’t shy of a quirk, as seen when holding on from stablemate Whisper in the RSA Chase at the festival 12 months ago, but is getting more and more professional with every run and looked better than ever in the King George. He warrants maximum respect and with BetVictor’s 4 places cannot be out of the first four home.

The Foxhunter is something of a guess-up, and is ultimately a race where is pays to side with the more ‘professional’ jockeys amongst the amateur ranks. Nina Carberry has won two of the last three renewals aboard On the Fringe and both he, and last year’s winner Pacha du Polder, appear vulnerable to younger legs.

The pair of Wonderful Charm (4.10) and Foxrock remain relatively unexposed for a pair of 10yos and looks over-priced at 8/1 under the excellent pair of Sam Waley-Cohen and Katie Walsh respectively. The former was arguably unlucky not to get the job 12 months ago, staying on well to finish second in the closing stages, and can go one better under the galloping dentist.

Much like Wednesday, the final three races of the meeting are horrendously difficult, and the Martin Pipe is no exception with a field of unexposed novices and Willie Mullins saddling three and Gordon Elliott saddling a further five.

I think the home faithful can gain a deserved consolation however with both Melrose Boy and Diese des Bieffes (4.50) making plenty of appeal and marginal preference for the latter under James Bowen. The selection was a beaten favourite when unlucky in the Lanzarote Hurdle at Kempton and should remain ahead of the handicapper despite a 2lb rise at the weights.

Plenty have been campaigned around the Grand Annual and I like the pair of Vaniteux (5.30) and Theinval for Messrs Pipe and Henderson respectively. The former is well-handicapped on his Ayr success last season, whilst the latter remains the trainer’s last hope of winning the race named after his old man. Theinval ran a blinder to finish third 12 months ago and must go close from an unrevised mark.

1.30 Apple’s Shakira (Nap)

2.10 Ivanovich Gorbatov/Divin Bere

2.50 Chef des Obeaux/Santini

3.30 Might Bite (NB)

4.10 Wonderful Charm/Foxrock

4.50 Diese des Bieffes/Melrose Boy

5.30 Vaniteux/Theinval

For all the latest odds head to www.BetVictor.com

Cheltenham Festival 2018; Thursday Day 3

Cheltenham Festival 2018

The JLT Novices’ Chase is the opener on Day 3 and I, like plenty others, will have burnt fingers with Willoughby Court’s defection from the two and a half miles contest. The selection looked brilliant when making all to beat Yanworth at Newbury earlier in the campaign and ran well when the Alan King-trained gelding reversed the form at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day.

The absence of both novice chasers leaves Invitation Only as the 7/2 market leader however, he is perhaps priced on reputation rather than his ability over the larger obstacles and I’m willing to take a chance on Finian’s Oscar (1.30) bouncing back to his spectacular best under Robbie Power. He was last seen being pulled-up in the Cleeve Hurdle but has had a wind-op subsequently and returns to his preferred trip over two and a half miles.

The Pertemps is a notoriously tricky handicap and one dominated by the Irish in the last two years, with Davy Russell riding first Mall Dini then Presenting Percy in back-to-back successes for trainer Pat Fahy. The latter is now as short as 6/1 with BetVictor for next year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup and I think Louis’ Vac Pouch (2.10) has similarly potential for trainer Philip Hobbs.

The selection hasn’t been sighted since bolting-up under Richard Johnson at Aintree in November. The 13lb rise doesn’t look too bad and he should make the frame at the very least for a yard that won with the well-fancied Fingal Bay back in 2014.

Paul Townend is expected to replace Ruby Walsh in the saddle aboard Un de Sceaux and rode him to victory earlier in the season in the Clarence House Chase at Ascot. He currently trades around the even money mark and is a deserved favourite however, I’m keen to take a chance on my old friend Cloudy Dream (2.50) at a double figure price. The selection failed to stay three miles behind Native River in the Denman Chase at Newbury but should improve for the drop back in trip and is sure to go well under regular partner Brian Hughes.

It could be a great afternoon for the north with Sam Spinner vying for favouritism in the Stayers’ Hurdle with the apple of Jedd O’Keefe’s eye bidding to land a first festival success for him and jockey Joe Colliver. The drying ground doesn’t look to suit this out-and-out stayer and I’m instead going to throw a couple of darts on Supasundae (3.30) and L’Ami Serge with marginal preference for the former under Robbie Power.

The selection brings festival form with him having won the Coral Cup 12 months ago and bettered than when second to Yanworth in the G1 Liverpool Hurdle at Aintree. Both Apple’s Jade and Faugheen have let the form down of this season’s runs at Leopardstown but he is the top-rated in the race and warrants each way support at 7/1 with BetVictor.

Having backed Movewiththetimes (4.10) in the Novices’ Handicap Chase I feel implored to follow him in again for the Festival Plate with Barry Geraghty riding for Paul Nicholls. The selection has form tied in with exciting novice chasers Coo Star Sivola and Kalondra. It is a fiendishly tricky handicap with numerous plots and no surprise to see King's Socks punted for a yard that have won three of the last seven renewals.

Willie Mullins bids to cement his stranglehold on the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle with Laurina odds-to to follow in the hooveprints of stablemates Limini and Let’s Dance. She is far from a working man’s price however, and preference lies instead with Maria’s Benefit (4.50) under regular partner Ciaran Gethings. The selection has done little wrong this term, winning her last three, including listed hurdles at Taunton and Doncaster. She is rated 3lb higher than the odds-on jolly and deserves to take her chance for the in-form yard of Stuart Edmunds.

Irish raiders Mall Dini and Squouateur have been well-backed in the opening salvos for the excellent pair of Patrick Mullins and Jamie Codd, who are amateurs in name only. Sugar Baron must go well for the in-form yard of Nicky Henderson however, preference lies instead with the pair of Actinpieces (5.30) and Tom George’s Wild West Wind (5.30) at the head of the weights.

The latter refused the final fence when legless in the Grand National Trial at Haydock and is sure to appreciate the drop back in trip under the trainer’s son Noel. He remains well-treated from an unrevised mark, whilst Actinpieces appears likewise the same with the handicapper raising her just 6lb for a comfortable success last time out at Ludlow. That win has been franked subsequently and with plenty of firms paying 5 places she warrants each-way support at 16/1.

Selections

1.30 Finian’s Oscar

2.10 Louis’ Vac Pouch

2.50 Cloudy Dream

3.30 Supasundae/L’Ami Serge

4.10 Movewiththetimes

4.50 Maria’s Benefit

5.30 Actinpieces/Wild West Wind

For all the latest odds head to www.BetVictor.com