In yesterday’s Racing Post the paper asked all of the spokesmen (and sad as it is, they were all men) from the top 11 bookmaking firms for their opinions on a variety of questions relating to the Cheltenham Festival.
I thought it might be fun to give you my answers..
Who will win the Gold Cup?….
All 11 of the experts, without exception, went with Kauto Star and not wishing to look a fool I’ll agree.
How do you see the Champion Hurdle going?…..
Only 12 runners but with 9 of those dozen trading between 9/2 - 12/1 it’s a very open race. I won’t be getting involved too heavily in the race as the horse I thought was a great bet, Solwhit, has had his problems this week. If he’s not been affected by last weeks coughing he’ll be in the frame along with Medermit and Punjabi.
Can anything stop a Master Minded hat-trick in the Champion Chase?….
Having seen him demolish the last fence at Newbury in his prep race you’d have to think that the biggest obstacle Master Minded has to face are in fact the obstacles. If he can put in a clean round of jumping Big Zeb will give him most to do and Forpadydeplasterer will make up the tricast.
Is the World Hurdle cut and dried for Big Bucks?….
Yes.
Who are the biggest winners in your ante-post book?…..(the question put to the bookmakers was actually ‘biggest losers’ but as I am no longer a bookie and am now a punter I changed it)
I’ve got Captain Cee Bee at 25’s from before Christmas. He doesn’t do well on the trends but it’s probably the worst Arkle for many years and as he’s now 3/1 I’m in with a big chance. I will probably lay some of it off to balance out my books a little. If he wins I’ll definitely finish Cheltenham in front. I also have Oldrik at 25’s, Big Zeb at 14’s and Westlin Winds at 20’s.
Who are the ones to watch from Ireland?….
Apart from Dunguib, two horses that have attracted a lot of support over the last few weeks are Quel Esprit in the Neptune Hurdle (14/1 into 9/2) and Drumbaloo for the Bumper (14/1 into 8/1). It could be an Irish field day on the Tuesday with Dunguib, Captain Cee Bee/Sizing Europe, Go Native/Solwhit, Garde Champetre/L’Ami and Voler La Vadette/Quevega. Blue Square go 8/1 on five Irish winners on Day 1.
Who do you think will win the Supreme and Neptune Novices Hurdle?…..
With Paddy Power and Betfred making such great offers in the Supreme Novices I’m now in the position of not minding which of the front two in the betting wins. With these two firms making such great concessions only a Ladbrokes diehard or Betfair blinkered punter could lose money on this race, this year. The Neptune on the other hand is a lot tougher. I don’t think Rite of Passage has done enough to warrant being favourite and I’ll be looking for something to beat him. Peddlars Cross or Quel Esprit, whose form is rock solid, probably.
Which novices will win the Arkle and RSA Chase?….
Hopefully Captain Cee Bee and Weapons Amnesty.
Give us a value bet for the festival?…..
Atouchbetweencara in the Byrne Festival Plate on Thursday at 16/1
What’s your best bet of festival week?….
Ruby Walsh to be the top jockey and Paul Nicholls the top trainer. I wish I could do a double on the two!
Give us a life-changing Lucky 15?….
Atouchbetweencara (Byrne Plate), Tavern Times (Bumper), Westlin Winds (Triumph Hurdle) and Diktalina (Fred Winter)
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If you have a fancy for today or this week that you’d like to share with all the other readers please leave a comment below.
Good luck to everyone whatever you decide to back,
Gavin.
P.S. If you want my trends selections for all 26 races then the Festival Trends Guide is still available for just £19.95
>>>>Cheltenham Festival Trends Guide<<<<