Betting: England set to re-write the history books in Dublin March 16, 2017 A place in history awaits England as they face Ireland on Saturday in the climax to this season’s Six Nations. Eddie Jones’ side stand on the brink of back-to-back Grand Slams, and a world record 19th consecutive Test victory – overtaking the mark set by New Zealand in 2015-16. In a time of political shocks and [...]
Cheltenham Festival betting tips: Yorkhill can prove a class apart for Mullins and Walsh March 15, 2017 WE HAVE become accustomed to Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh dominating the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival. Although that didn’t happen this year, they also don’t have a bad record on the Thursday. They won three races 12 months ago, including the opening JLT Novices’ Chase (1.30pm), and I expect them to take today’s [...]
Cheltenham Festival betting tips: Put your faith in Hobbs and Johnson For Good Measure March 15, 2017 FINDING the winner of the 24-runner Pertemps Final (2.10pm) is yet another impossible task, especially with my original fancy Presenting Percy having been clobbered by the handicapper. He represents last year’s winning owner/trainer/jockey combination and I still wouldn’t be surprised if he goes very close, although at as short as 6/1 in a place, the [...]
Cheltenham Festival betting tips: Empire to strike back in the Ryanair Chase March 15, 2017 THIS time last week there was still genuine talk of a soft ground Cheltenham Festival. Now there is every chance that clerk of the course Simon Claisse will be forced to water this evening – ahead of Gold Cup day tomorrow – if no rain materialises. That is bad news for fans of Ryanair Chase [...]
Cheltenham Festival betting tips: Venetia looks all set for the last Tango in Cheltenham March 15, 2017 GORDON Elliott has had a remarkable season. He is set to win his first Irish trainer’s title and is also on course to be crowned leading trainer at this year’s Festival. Undoubtedly one of his leading fancies this time is Diamond King in this afternoon’s Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Plate (4.10pm). The nine-year-old was a [...]
Cheltenham Festival betting tips: Cole Harden and Ballyoptic value alternatives if Unowhatimean March 15, 2017 LIKE Thistlecrack in this very race 12 months ago, it is very hard to oppose favourite Unowhatimeanharry in this afternoon’s Stayers Hurdle (3.30pm). Harry Fry’s nine-year-old continues to improve with every start and has added three decent victories this campaign to his Albert Bartlett victory at this meeting last season. All of those wins have [...]
Cheltenham Festival betting tips: Time to get on the Bacardys March 15, 2017 THERE is a tremendous sense of déjà vu when it comes to the running of this year’s Neptune Investment Novices’ Hurdle (1.30pm). This time last year a well-fancied English-trained runner was a warm order for the opening contest of the second day, with a Willie Mullins-trained second favourite lurking in the shadows. As the ground [...]
Cheltenham Festival Tips: Alpha can pay for Vacation in RSA Chase March 15, 2017 THERE isn’t a race I look forward to more at the Cheltenham Festival than the RSA Chase (2.10pm). Not only do you need to find a novice that can both jump and stay the trip, you have to find one with mental toughness and bravery. The history book tells us that the best horse doesn’t [...]
Cheltenham Festival betting tips: Go with old timers Bless The Wings and Any Currency March 15, 2017 MARMITE is probably the most accurate description for this afternoon’s Cross Country Chase (4.10pm) – you either love it or hate it. Horses are no different, it would seem. Some simply never take to this unique course, whilst others come back time after time and perform well. Cantlow has been a hot favourite for this [...]
Cheltenham Festival betting tips: God’s Own can be best of the rest March 15, 2017 WILLIE Mullins’ Cheltenham record has very few blemishes, yet the Queen Mother Champion Chase (3.30pm) has evaded his grasp so far. That should change this afternoon. They say there’s no such thing as a certainty in racing, but the unbeaten Douvan is as near to one as you will ever find. Unbeaten in 13 starts [...]