Cheltenham Festival 2016 Betting: You’ll be leaving at dawn if this one wins the Pertemps March 16, 2016 The Pertemps Final (2.10pm) used to be the type of race where trainers could hide their light under a bushel. That is now more difficult as horses have to finish in the first six in a qualifier to get into the big one. Charles Byrnes is a massive target trainer and his LEAVE AT DAWN looks [...]
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 [...]
Cheltenham Festival 2016: Sprinter Sacre rolls back years to claim second Queen Mother Champion Chase victory March 16, 2016 Trainer Nicky Henderson revelled in a fairytale comeback after Sprinter Sacre rolled back the years with a vintage display to win the Queen Mother Champion Chase on day two of the Cheltenham Festival. The 10-year-old 5/1 shot, ridden by Nico de Boinville, outstripped three other former winners of the race including 4/6 favourite Un De Sceaux to [...]
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: Gutsy Blaklion can upset More Of That and No More Heroes in RSA Chase March 15, 2016 Every preview night I’ve attended over the last two weeks has billed Wednesday afternoon’s RSA Chase (2.10pm) as a two-horse race between More Of That and No More Heroes. The bookmakers seem to share that same opinion, with the pair both currently vying for favouritism around the 9/4 mark. The duo stand out from the [...]
Cheltenham Festival 2016 betting: Our Thomas and Missy Tata can run well in Fred Winter March 15, 2016 In the run-up to Cheltenham, Paul Nicholls has been very keen on the chances of Diego Du Charmil in the Fred Winter (4.50pm, Wednesday). He has had three runs in France and looks to be on an attractive mark. The champion trainer also won this race last year so there is plenty to like. His [...]
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 [...]