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Cheltenham

13
Feb

Cheltenham Festival 2018 – Hotpots – Should you be a backer or a layer?

With only four weeks until the famous roar signals the start of the festival, its a good time to take a look through the markets and pick out a few contenders at the front of the betting who are over-priced and worthy of a wager, or overrated in the market and worth taking on..

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We'll have tips for every race. Last year's winners included 16/1 shot, Willoughby Court.

Footpad - Arkle (11/10)
At first glance the price may look short but when delving a little deeper i would suggest he should be no bigger than 4/5 at this stage. He has been very impressive in all wins over fences and its difficult to see which of the entered rivals can beat him. He readily brushed aside Petit Mouchoir last weekend and although he's sure to improve for the run its hard to see him reversing the form at Cheltenham.

Sceau Royal in the same ownership as the Fav has done well so far over fences but the form falls below what's required and although he has won at Cheltenham, the suspicion is he's better on a flatter track. He was beaten at Cheltenham by North Hill Harvey in October and that form although respectable, wouldn't be good enough to beat Footpad.

Verdict = BACK

Un De Sceaux - Ryanair (7/2)
Un De Sceaux won a weak renewal last year at the festival and although he has a phenomenal record on paper, I believe this is just as much down to trainers placement as it is the horses ability. Although he is clearly very good i believe the price is far to short in what is already shaping up to be a stronger more competitive renewal.

Although he handles all ground his best performances have come on soft ground which at this stage is still in the lap of the gods.

Verdict = LAY

Apples Shakira - Triumph (3/1)
As things stand 6 weeks out from the start of the festival, she rates the worst value of all the favorites in the antepost markets. This price has been built on reputation and the fact she is related to Apple's Jade rather than achievements on the track. All wins at Cheltenham this year have been in very soft ground in small fields against significantly inferior opposition.

I have also spoken to someone very close to the Henderson yard and they believe that 'We Have A Dream' (8/1) is the better of the two which for me backs up the fact that the price is far to short.

Verdict = LAY

Might Bite - Gold Cup (7/2)
The more i look at the Gold Cup market the more i'm coming round to the fact that Might Bite is by far the most likely winner and probably value at 7/2. At first glance it looks a wide open market but as you delve more deeply into the form it becomes apparent that he is the standout horse. The races in Ireland this year have thrown up more questions than answers and perhaps they don't have a standout contender.

Might Bite was value for more than winning distance in King George and he would have beaten Whisper by half of Prestbury Park last year in RSA without his antics. These appear to have been ironed out as the horse matures and i think its his Gold Cup to lose.

Verdict = BACK

LW

22
Mar

Cheltenham Festival 2017 – Review

Cheltenham Festival is over for another year and before we focus on Aintree and Punchestown, let's take a look at a number of horses who caught our eye for future success.

1. River Wylde - An excellent 3rd in the Supreme Novices, described as immature by trainer in the lead up to the race and yards representatives often go on to better things, e.g. Buveur D'Air & Sprinter Sacre. (Champion Hurdle @ 33/1 - generally)

2. Neon Wolf - Highly regarded and impressive in the build up to the festival. Lost nothing in defeat to determined and high class rival and may have even won for pecking after the last. One to follow over fences next year.

3. Might Bite - Impressive and quirky when winning the RSA Chase at Cheltenham, looks one to follow, especially if heading back to Kempton for The King George on Boxing day. (King George @ 5/1 - Hills, Betfred)

4. Yorkhill - Impressive winner of the JLT, still plenty to learn over fences but huge engine and agree with jockey who rates him as a Gold Cup horse next year. (Gold Cup @ 8/1 - Several)

5. Artic Fire - Returned from a lengthy absence to run out an impressive winner of the County Hurdle off top weight. No surprise if turned out again at Aintree or Punchestown and fancied to go be seriously competitive back in graded company.

6. Native River - Lost nothing in defeat when 3rd in Gold Cup, interesting that yard weren't firing and the ground had got quick enough. He's all about stamina and looks one to follow in next years staying chases when getting his conditions.

16
Mar

Horse Racing Results: Cheltenham Wednesday

After a quiet Tuesday it was a raucous start on what was quite a remarkable day's racing. Whisper only failed to reel in the meandering Might Bite by the shortest of short noses. Fox Norton was another agonising runner - with Douvan out of the picture he couldn't quite get past the ultra-game Special Tiara.

WEDNESDAY AT CHELTENHAM

1.30 - 1pt ew Willoughby Court at 16/1: WON, SP 14/1
2.10 - 1pt ew Whisper at 13/2: 2nd SP 9/2
2.50 - 2pt win Tombstone at 4/1: Unplaced SP 7/2
3.30 - 1pt ew Fox Norton at 9/1: 2nd SP 7/1
4.10 - 1pt ew Any Currency at 18/1: unplaced SP 14/1
4.50 - 1pt ew Dreamcatching at 14/1: unplaced SP 12/1
5.30 - 1pt ew Western Ryder at 10/1: 5th, SP 7/1

Ante-Post ew nrnb Yankee: Wednesday

Neptune - Monalee - 1pt ew at 10/1: Non-Runner
RSA Chase - Whisper - 1pt ew at 8/1: 2nd SP 9/2
Cross Country - Any Currency - 1pt ew at 14/1: unplaced SP 14/1
Champion Bumper - Western Ryder - 1pt ew at 8/1: 5th, SP 7/1

Plenty more to come this week. Today tips will be live in the next few hours.

LW