The Betdaq Cheltenham Preview at Kempton Park last Wednesday was well attended and I speak for all attendee’s when I say the panel were frank with their opinions and provided us with some great hints for the upcoming festival. I will say that the panel didn’t really stray from the obvious with their picks for the Big 12 races of Cheltenham – with most selections being close to even money. This is either very cowardly or they think that for once the bookies have got it spot on and priced the best horse at the head of the market accordingly.
They had opinions on a lot of horses but I have tried to summarise these into a coherent format - you will see the majority of tips for the big races below – the panel were also asked for a Nap of the week:
Tuesday
Supreme Novices – only 2 from 18 favourites have won this. Simonsig will go for the Neptune
BP – Vulcanite, Cinders & Ashes
PB – Vulcanite, Steps to Freedom
AT – Cinders & Ashes, Montbazon
PW – Darlan*
All the panel do not fear Darlan apart from the Tipster.
The Arkle – 1 from 10 favourites in the last decade have won The Arkle
BP – Sprinter Sacre, Sprinter Sacre & Cue Card S/fc
PB - Sprinter Sacre,
AT - Sprinter Sacre
PW - Sprinter Sacre
Al Ferof has no chance as too much of a stayer not enough pace.
Peddlers Cross will not run in this.
Champion Hurdle
BP – Hurricane Fly, Oscars Well – S/fc
PB - Hurricane Fly
AT - Binocular
PW - Hurricane Fly
1st day tips
AT – Giant bolster, Quantativeasing, Sizing Australia
NH - Triolo D’alene
BP – Tullamore Dew, Balthazar King, Alasi
Wednesday
Neptune – 1 from 10 favourites have won this in the last decade & NH has not had a winner or a place from 24 runners in this race!!
BP – Simonsig, Cotton Mill e/w
PB - Simonsig
AT - Battonier
Boston Bob will run in the Albert Bartlett
Mount Benbulben will run in the Albert Bartlett
RSA Chase – 5 from 10 favourites have won this race – An Irish horse has won the last 5.
BP – Bog Warrior (if ground is good)
PB – Grand Crus (will need softish ground)
AT –Invictus, First Lieutenant (if ground is good)
PW - Invictus
Queen Mother Chase – 10 from 11 defending champions have gone on to lose.
BP - Sizing Europe
PB - Sizing Europe
AT - Sizing Europe
Somersby will run in the Ryanair Chase
I’msingingtheblues is far to big a price at 66/1
All agreed this is the BANKER of the meet.
Champion Bumper – the panel decided that the winner will from Britain as all the Irish horses have been running on softish ground.
BP - Royal Guardsman
PW – Royal Guardsman
New Year’s Eve – Barry Geraghty to ride – his choice
Thursday
Ryanair Chase – Not one Irish owned horse has ever won this race – Only one favourite ever has won!
BP – Riverside Theatre, Captain Chris
AT – Somersby
PW – Alberta’s Run
World Hurdle – Most popular bet is Big Bucks to bt Oscar Whiskey Straight forecast which pays approx. 7/4
BP – Big Bucks, Voler la Vedette e/w @ 12/1
PB – Oscar Whiskey
AT – Big Bucks
PW – Big Bucks
3rd day tips
Jewson Novices
PW – Champion Court
AT – For Non Stop
Friday
JCB Triumph Hurdle – panel were keen to dismiss any Irish horses for this race.
BP – Balder Success
PB – Baby Mix, Pearl Swan
AT –Balder Success
PW – Saddlers Risk e/w, Shadow Catcher
Albert Bartlett
BP – Rocky Creek
PB – Boston Bob, Sivola de Sivola
AT – Boston Bob, Lovcen e/w
Gold Cup – 5 from 11 favourites have won this race & the winner has always come from the first 3 in the betting
BP – Long Run, Synchronised, Weird Al e/w
PB – Long Run
AT – Midnight Chase
PW – Long Run & Weird Al e/w
No-one was keen on Kauto Star and the impression was that he wouldn’t make the festival – however, all seems to have changed and Paul Nicholls is set to take him to Cheltenham.
Nap of the week
Paddy Brennan – Sivola de Sivola 25/1 NRNB with Victor Chandler – Albert Bartlett Novice Hurdle
Brendan Powell Snr - Long Run & Tullamore Dew
Andrew Thornton - Boston Bob (Albert Bartlett)
PW – Champion Court (Jewson)
TD – Invictus, Darlan & Sizing Europe
Nicky Henderson – Triolo D’alene (Last race on first day).
Some words from Ruby on his rides this week
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