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

Cheltenham Festival 2018; Wednesday Day 2

Cheltenham Festival 2018

SAMCO (1.30) looks banker material in the opener on Day 2 and can not be opposed for Gordon Elliott and Jack Kennedy in the newly-renamed Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle. The selection has been lauded as the second coming by racing fans, much to the annoyance of owner Michael O’Leary, however there is good reason for such praise with three flawless victories over hurdles this term and odds-on to complete the four-timer this afternoon.

His main danger appears Next Destination, likewise a winner of all three starts this term, for a Willie Mullins yard that kicked off with a treble yesterday. He has looked sharp since being sent over timber but lacks the turn of foot demonstrated by Samcro in last month’s Deloitte success at Leopardstown, and expect the Closutton-inmate to improve further next term when sent over fences.

The Irish have the two market principles for the opener and likewise in the RSA where Presenting Percy and Monalee both bringing festival form to the table in the RSA Chase, and the latter expected to thrive on the drying ground.

Monalee (2.10) looked every inch a chaser when plying his trade over timber last term, finishing a gallant runner-up to Penhill in the 2017 Albert Bartlett and, despite one hiccup when falling over Christmas, has been foot perfect in his two chase successes for trainer Henry de Bromhead. I expect him to have too much class for last season’s Pertemps Winner Presenting Percy with Black Corton likely to come up a little short in producing a fairytale winner for racing’s new golden girl Bryony Frost.

Le Breuil was my long-time hope for the Coral Cup but the form of the Ben Pauling yard is worrying and the soft ground should suit Ruth Jefferson’s Mount Mews (2.50) who reverts back over timber after an interrupted campaign over fences. The selection was crying out for a step up in trip when well-backed for a pair of handicap hurdles at the start of the season and the handicapper has given him a chance from a revised mark of 142. As You Were is 2lb lower but, is unexposed and could likewise be overpriced at 33/1 and BetVictor paying 5 places.

Altior (3.30) is the star attraction on Ladies Day and should better the Willie Mullins pair of Min and Douvan in the Queen Mother Champion Chase. Nicky Henderson’s gelding is the best horse in training on official ratings and showed outstanding resilience to make a winning return after an absence of over 300 days when beating Politologue in the Game Spirt Chase last month at Newbury. Altior, a winner at the last two festivals, is another likely to love the ground and is a confident selection to once again bring the Master of Seven Barrows into the Cheltenham winners’ enclosure.

The three races to complete the card aren’t big punting heats personally, but the ground has undeniably gone against Cause of Causes in the Cross-Country. I’ve heard plenty of whispers in the press room for The Last Samuri (4.10) who hasn’t been seen since finishing fourth in a strong renewal of the Cotswold Chase here on Trials Day and he looks the class act in the race for Kim Bailey and David Bass.

Eragan de Chanay (4.50) bolted-up on heavy ground at Sandown and sneaks into the Fred Winter under a penalty, which therefore puts him plenty ahead of the handicapper. He produced a telling turn of foot in the mud, producing a good time to boot, and must go close for Gary and Jamie Moore.

The bumper looks a minefield but it appears telling that Barry Geraghty has opted to partner Rhinestone (5.30) over Nick Gifford’s Didtheyleaveuoutto in the bumper. Joseph O’Brien’s well-bred son of Montjeu wasn’t disgraced when chasing home Blackbow last month at Leopardstown and with the benefit of experience should improve from that effort.

I do have a soft spot for JP’s other runner, with Didtheyleaveuoutto leaving a favourable impression when bolting-up in a listed bumper at Ascot and looks a terrific long-term prospect for connections.

Selections

1.30 Samcro

2.10 Monalee

2.50  Mount Mews        

3.30 Altior (Nap)

4.10 The Last Samuri

4.50 Eragan de Chenay

5.30 Rhinestone/Didtheyleaveuoutto

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

Cheltenham Festival 2018; Tuesday, Day 1

Cheltenham Festival 2018

The festival curtain-raiser can often throw-up something of a surprise winner and, with the exception of the Mullins hat-trick of Champagne Fever, Vautour and Douvan, it is a race that has historically been favourable to the layers.

Getabrd runs for those oh so familiar connections in Tuesday’s opener and I expect him to drift markedly from his current position as the 7/4 market leader with BetVictor. The gelding has impressed in both hurdles successes this term however, there is little form to back up his current price and he definitely strikes me as a style over substance’.

His price collapsed after his  success last time out in the G2 Moscow Flyer Novices’ Hurdle, with trainer Willie Mullins keen to keep him over the minimum trip. Nevertheless, connections were originally aiming over further at the start of the campaign and that, combined with his lack of form on heavy ground, makes him difficult to fancy at the prices.

BetVictor are paying four places on the race and I’m keen to back a couple at bigger prices. Kalashnikov produced a dour performance to win the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury but was previously put in his place by Summerville Boy (1.30) in the G1 Tolworth Hurdle and is somehow double the price at 8/1 and four places with BetVictor.

He tanked through the heavy ground at Sandown and has gone under the radar for trainer Tom George but looks the ideal type to thrive in a likely end-to-end gallop. The same can be said about Nicky Henderson’s Claimantakinforgan (1.30) who impressed in soft ground at Newbury and Ascot during the first-half of the campaign. Whilst disappointing last time out in Musselburgh, he is trainer Nicky Henderson’s sole runner in a race he historically has a good record in and reportedly thrived on the Lambourn gallops at the weekend. He looks too big at 14/1 and 4 places with BetVictor.

The Arkle gives us another warm favourite trained by Willie Mullins, ridden by Ruby Walsh, and unbeaten this season over obstacles. Footpad has done nothing wrong in his three wins over the larger obstacles but left the impression that Petit Mouchoir could reverse the form when the pair next meet at Cheltenham. I expect him to get closer than his four-length defeat last month at Leopardstown, but Saint Calvados (2.10) looks a potential superstar for fledgling trainer Harry Whittington and gets the nod to complete the four-timer under Aidan Coleman.

The French import made a winning British debut at Newbury in the autumn and has improved to win his next two starts, including making all to land the Kingmaker last month at Warwick. He should relish conditions and can hopefully give Coleman a first G1 success.

Both Buveur D’Air (3.30) and Apple’s Jade (4.10) are odds-on for their respective G1 contests and I can’t find any chinks in their armours for the Champion Hurdle and Mares’ Hurdle. Both won the corresponding races at the track 12 months ago and should win with the minimum of fuss for Messrs Henderson and Elliott.

The latter has a strong hand in the National Hunt Chase and, despite Fagan missing the race at the 11^th hour, Jury Duty and Mossback ensure the handler has the two market principles under the excellent Jamie Codd and Lisa O’Neill. BetVictor are paying four places on the race and I cannot see Ms Parfois (4.50) being out of the first quartet.

Anthony Honeyball’s star mare has won three times already this season over fences and, although finding Black Corton too good at Ascot, should improve for the step up in trip under the excellent Will Biddick.

I was on Movewiththetimes in the Novices’ Handicap Chase that completes the card and it’s fascinating to see him go for Thursday’s Festival Plate with owner JP McManus instead relying on Any Second Now (5.30) for Ted and Mark Walsh.

The selection chased home both Invitation Only and Monalee, both favourites for G1 Novice Chases later on in the week,  in his first two starts over fences earlier in the campaign and looks the class act amongst the strong 20-runner field.

The Ultima is a notoriously tricky handicap but Coo Star Sivola (2.50) looks to have been laid out for the race to give jockey Lizzie Kelly a first festival success. The selection has formed tied in with excellent novices Movewiththetimes and Kalondra and relished the step up in trip when winning over three miles last month at Exeter. He looks well-treated despite a 7lb rise at the weights. 

Singlefarmpayment was a narrow second 12 months ago and should be there or thereabouts from just a 3lb higher mark.

Selections

1.30 Summerville Boy/Claimantakinforgan

2.10 Saint Calvados (Nap)

2.50 Coo Star Sivola/Singlefarmpayment

3.30 Buveur D’Air

4.10 Apple’s Jade

4.50 Ms Parfois

5.30 Any Second Now

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