Cheltenham Festival 2016 Betting: Thistle can crack World Hurdle puzzle in Ryanair World Hurdle March 16, 2016 When the Colin Tizzard-trained THISTLECRACK finished fifth in last year’s Imperial Cup, even his connections would have thought you mad for suggesting he would be favourite 12 months on for tomorrow’s Ryanair World Hurdle (3.30pm). Grade One wins at Aintree last season and Ascot in December have followed and the eight-year-old has improved at an [...]
Cheltenham Festival 2016 Betting: Limini looks like keeping the Mullins bandwagon rolling in Trull House Stud Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle March 16, 2016 This year sees the inaugural running of the Trull House Stud Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (4.50pm), which may once again turn out to be a Willie Mullins benefit race. On Tuesday, Vroum Vroum Mag gave the Closutton handler a record eighth straight win in the Mares' Hurdle and there is every chance he’ll hold a similar [...]
Cheltenham Festival 2016 Betting: Village Vic and Gilgamboa are massive prices against Vautour in Ryanair Chase March 16, 2016 Last week owner Rich Ricci stipulated that if Vautour didn’t line up in Friday’s Gold Cup, he wouldn’t be travelling to Cheltenham at all. Tomorrow afternoon he takes his chance in the Ryanair Chase (2.50pm) in a u-turn that has caused mayhem amongst bookmakers and punters alike. Vautour has been installed as 8/11 favourite with Betway [...]
Cheltenham Festival 2016 Betting: Garde can land victory for Hobbs and Johnson in JLT Novices’ Chase March 16, 2016 DOUVAN proved on Tuesday that the trainers who were running scared of him in the Arkle were absolutely spot on. He put in a monstrous performance and is now 3/1 with the sponsors for next year’s Betway Champion Chase. Philip Hobbs made the wise decision to switch GARDE LA VICTOIRE to tomorrow’s JLT Novices’ Chase (1.30pm) and he [...]
No need to panic yet, but West Indies defeat raises the stakes of England’s World T20 clash with South Africa March 16, 2016 England cannot get too disheartened by their humbling defeat to the West Indies. They need to forget it, it’s gone. I wrote last week that I believe England are capable of winning the World Twenty20 in India and I stand by that. There is absolutely no reason why they cannot bounce back from their disappointing [...]
Manchester City 0, Dynamo Kiev 0 (Agg: 3-1): Kompany injury blow overshadows Champions League progress March 15, 2016 Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini concedes that his side’s progression to a first-ever Champions League quarter-final has been overshadowed by skipper Vincent Kompany suffering a recurrence of a calf injury. City had lost both of their previous round of 16 ties in Europe’s elite club competition although it was Kompany’s injury nightmare which proved the biggest talking [...]
Cheltenham Festival 2016 Betting: New To This Town can give Jessica Harrington second Champion Bumper March 15, 2016 Willie Mullins has a vice-like grip on this year’s Cheltenham Festival and he has won tomorrow’s closing race, the Champion Bumper (5.30pm), a record eight times. Although firing blanks in the last two years, he is still coming mob-handed with seven runners set to line-up. Easily the most high-profile is Augusta Kate, whose owners include [...]
Cheltenham Festival 2016 Betting: Fences are the biggest danger to Un De Sceaux in Betway Champion Chase March 15, 2016 Not many horses divide opinion more at this year's Cheltenham Festival than the Willie Mullins-trained UN DE SCEAUX who is the sponsor's 4/5 favourite for tomorrow's Betway Champion Chase (3.30pm). The eight-year-old has won 14 of his 16 career starts to date, but it is the two occasions on which he has fallen that sparks [...]
Cheltenham Festival 2016 Betting: Yorkhill a massive danger to Yanworth in Neptune Investment Novices’ Hurdle March 15, 2016 Anyone who witnessed Yanworth’s breathtaking victory on Trials Day at Cheltenham in January will understand why he is such a short-priced favourite for tomorrow afternoon’s Neptune Investment Novices’ Hurdle (1.30pm). Alan King’s six-year-old beat two useful yardsticks in Shantou Village and Champers On Ice by seven and 10 lengths respectively without coming off the bridle, forcing his [...]
“I built the club”: Wenger issues staunch defence of Arsenal record as Barcelona lie in wait March 15, 2016 Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger issued a staunch defence of his 20-year reign at the club as his side prepare for their daunting Champions League last-16 second leg against defending champions Barcelona at Camp Nou. The Gunners’ season is in meltdown after the one-time Premier League title favourites won just four of 12 matches to slip [...]
