COUNTDOWN TO CHELTENHAM
The Supreme Novices’ sets the meeting off with a bang and CUE CARD is understandably a warm favourite. I’m sure he will trade shorter in-running than his current 3.6 price on Betdaq, as he is such a strong traveller.
However, Champion Bumper winners have a terrible record
in this race and it could be worth laying him at a very short price.
Philip Hobbs won this race last year with Menorah and his DUNRAVEN STORM has the potential to start about half his current 43.0 price.
He was disappointing at Haydock last time, but prior to that he was second to Cue Card at Cheltenham, beaten eight lengths. His proximity to the jolly that day means his price will simply have to contract.
The Arkle doesn’t look the strongest this year and the one horse with the potential to shorten dramatically is STARLUCK. His trainer hasn’t committed him to the race yet, which is an obvious worry, but if he does, there is no way he will trade bigger than the current 12.5.
Finally, for the reasons I’ve given in the main article, it’s definitely worth taking some of the 12.0 available on Betdaq about JOIN TOGETHER in the Albert Bartlett.