Sweet on Vanillier and Beauport in open Grand National March 18, 2025 THERE’S no doubt that the changes made to the Grand National have fundamentally altered the race as a spectacle, but they haven’t diminished the thrill of backing the winner of the race. With regards this year’s renewal, I think I’ve found a pair of fancies who could go well over the four-and-a-quarter-mile marathon trip and [...]
Beau Balko looks worth the Risk on good ground March 18, 2025 AFTER the drama of last week’s Cheltenham Festival, where the highs and lows of racing were so clearly demonstrated, this weekend has a low-key feel to it. That isn’t to say there isn’t some decent racing though and both Newbury and Kelso host premier cards. Perhaps the best betting race on Saturday is Newbury’s BetVictor [...]
I know you Thinkin it’s crazy to take on Galopin Des Champs March 13, 2025 FRIDAY’s Gold Cup (4:00pm) brings four days of the Cheltenham Festival to a climax and there’s the potential for one of the all-time greats to be crowned. If Galopin Des Champs isn’t already in that conversation as a two-time Cheltenham Gold Cup winner, then he undoubtedly will be if becoming the first horse since Best [...]
Lulamba can sparkle as Henderson seeks eighth Triumph March 13, 2025 THIS year’s Cheltenham Festival has often had punters scratching their heads. Constitution Hill, Jonbon and Ballyburn have all been well-fancied disappointments at the meeting, but for Friday’s action, I think there’s at least one popular punters’ pick who will oblige, barring the obvious Galopin Des Champs. LULAMBA caught many people’s attention when the social media [...]
Thunder looks set to Lord it over his rivals for Tizzard March 12, 2025 CHELTENHAM have made a number of changes this year and they should be commended for doing so. The Jack Richards Novices’ Handicap Chase (2.00pm) used to be run on the Tuesday and was always a popular betting heat. With the Grade One middle distance novice chase now removed, we are looking at more competitive races [...]
Get ready to smash bookies for Sixandahalf March 12, 2025 PUNTERS looking to get day three at Cheltenham off to a flyer will do well not to overlook Gavin Cromwell’s SIXANDAHALF in the opening Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (1:20pm). She arrives here after only one start over hurdles – a facile success at Fairyhouse in January – and this looks to have been the long-term plan. [...]
Fancy McManus to Win Some in the Pertemps March 12, 2025 FINDING the winner of the Pertemps Final (2.40pm) can be a difficult task, but I think I’ve found two runners who’ve got a great chance of getting us in the money. Jeriko Du Reponet is the warm 5/1 favourite, and you can see why with some hot novice form to his name. Nicky Henderson is [...]
Put your Home on Lee and Fred March 12, 2025 IF AT first you don’t succeed, try and try again. Or, in the case of HOME BY THE LEE and today’s Stayers’ Hurdle (4.00pm), try and try and try and try again. Yes, the 10-year-old his having a fourth crack at the feature race on St Patrick’s Thursday, but there’s reason to believe this is [...]
Marine can spoil Jonbon’s Cheltenham party March 11, 2025 FOR THE racing purists, there’s nothing quite like the BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase (4.00pm). It’s a flat-out test over the minimum trip, and Jonbon heads the betting at a shade of odds-on. He’s been the dominant two-mile chaser this season, but it’s safe to say that he has his doubters. He has won on [...]
Final Demand to tame The Lion in the Turners March 11, 2025 ANYONE who watched The New Lion saunter home in the Challow Hurdle at Newbury over Christmas would have fancied him to follow up in today’s Turners Novices’ Hurdle (1:20pm). He breezed through the field to stamp his authority on this staying novice hurdle division and JP McManus was quick to make previous owner Darren Yates [...]
