MARCH 2017 Previews for all Grade One races!
Joe’s Three Handicappers to Follow
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Some of this year’s missing stars
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Top jockey and trainer tips
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The Greatest Show on Turf!
Your complete guide to the Cheltenham Festival
IN THE KNOW BETS ACCEPTED SUBJECT TO THE RULES DISPLAYED IN OUR BETTING OFFICES STAKE
TIME
Hello everyone and welcome along to our Horses Mouth Cheltenham Special – your 32 page guide to the greatest show on turf. It doesn’t seem like a year since our last Cheltenham Special, but I suppose time flies when you’re doing what you love and I’m very lucky to be able to say that my job is also my passion. There’s nothing quite like Cheltenham and I’m incredibly excited for what lies ahead this year. Whether you’ve been going to the Festival for years or this is the first time you’re taking an interest in four days, you’ll love watching it.
MEETING
prices. I’m a big believer in that it’s the way to go for The Festival as many of the shorter priced, more fancied horses will still be there at a similar price on the evening before and morning of the racing. In fact, many of them even go out in price as the bookies try to temp you in so if you do like the look of a short priced runner, I’d suggest hanging fire. This also means that the ante-post selection may not be the pick on the day of the races. Last year for example in the RSA Chase I put up Blaklion as a cracking EW bet for the race and he went and won nicely.
On the day, however, I did tip No More Heroes as the best bet During this magazine, I’ll be of the day as he had become a providing you with previews for decent price and was for me the at look a races, the big Grade One most likely winner. It didn’t work from g missin horses the of some out that way in the end. this year’s Festival, top jockey and Also, in the Stayers’ Hurdle last trainer odds as well as general year I liked two at big prices anteCheltenham chat. post in Whisper and Kilcooley the ine, magaz this in As always but neither ran their race. On focus is very much on the EW the day, everything was right for ante-post selections at decent
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The Horse’s Mouth
winners.
Thistlecrack and he was around 11/8 on the morning of the race, which looks a cracking price.
The last two years, I’ve relaxed a little more and really enjoyed the racing. For me, when I do that I find my tipping is much better and just because it is Cheltenham doesn’t mean you should look at a race any differently. Back yourself and trust your instincts.
He was around that ante-post, but being able to back him knowing the ground, stable form and the fact that he was there in good health made the bet on the day much better than getting stuck in weeks before.
Also, when it comes to preview evenings, they’re good fun but don’t listen to EVERYTHING people have to say. Trainers talk bollocks most of the time and I’d say limit yourself to two or three previews maximum. Your head can become scrambled and you can sometimes go against your normal race reading by listening to someone with “info”.
You don’t need every box ticked to go and back a horse at 16/1 EW, but you do to back an 11/8 shot and that’s why, for me, it’s always worth hanging fire. As well as this, bookies are sure to offer enhanced odds and concessions such as “if this horse wins, get your money back as a free bet” etc.
I hope you really enjoy these 32 of plenty for looking So, we’re pages of Cheltenham content winners in this magazine of course, and if you’ve got any questions or but also looking to beat the market thoughts on the magazine, then and grab some value in the eachplease do get in touch. ts. marke way Thank you very much and here’s to Of course, winners are really cracking four days! important at Cheltenham but one thing to remember to do is enjoy it. Follow me on Twitter: @ joerooney3
This is world-class sport and should be entertaining as well as profitable for us. I was probably guilty in not enjoying my first two Festivals as much as I should as I was too stressed about finding
WRITTEN BY
or email: joe@freeracingtips.co.uk
£
Free Racing Tips
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LOOKING uary
Jan ry Februa
KCAB We saw some cracking racing in the month of February and as usual, any big race winner was given quotes for races at the Cheltenham Festival.
The Scilly Isles Chase was the feature race on the opening weekend of the month and this encounter went to Top Notch, who bolted up under Daryl Jacob and booked his place at the Festival.
Top Notch
Clan Des Obeaux was a well-backed favourite for this Grade One race but jumped really poorly and was disappointing on the day. A bigger field and a stronger run will probably suit him, but you couldn’t back him with much trust after that.
Ballyandy
There was a big weekend at Musselburgh as well with their Cheltenham Trials fixture. Many of the big trainers sent runners here in the hope of some good ground and they got that. Sam Twiston-Davies rode a treble on the day with Frodon continuing his excellent season in the Future Champions Novices’ Chase. He’s been a superb horse for the Paul Nicholls yard this season and is still only a five-year-old, so has plenty more to come.
Vieux Lion Rouge
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The Horse’s Mouth
The horse won twice last month, as he was also victorious at Kempton on BetBright Chase day.
Twiston-Davies also partnered San Benedeto and El Bandit to success at Musselburgh. Perhaps the performance of the day, though, was Lough Derg Spirit, who won nicely and could be a horse for Aintree. On the following weekend the main focus was at Newbury with the Betfair Hurdle taking centre stage. This usually very competitive handicap had a disappointing turn out of 16 runners and it was the horses at the top of the market that dominated. Ballyandy was well backed and went off 3/1 favourite for the race. It was another excellent day for Sam Twiston-Davies as he steered his father’s horse home and the handicapper really did give the Champion Bumper horse a massive chance off his mark. Movewiththetimes ran a blinder for Paul Nicholls and Barry Geraghty and will be interesting in whatever race he goes to at the Cheltenham Festival. Altior and Native River took plenty of headlines on this day, but we’ll talk about those horses a little later on! Ascot was the focus the following weekend and the Grade One Ascot Chase was taken by the excellent Cue Card, who will also be getting a mention a little later in the magazine. Air Horse One was a horse to impressive me in a competitive handicap hurdle. This horse continues to go the right way for Harry Fry.
The Grand National Trial at Haydock was taken by Vieux Lion Rouge, who looks a thorough stayer and is one of the market leaders for the race at Aintree. He’s already won over the Aintree fences and goes on any ground. Blaklion ran a cracking race in second as well as he was giving weight to the entire field. On the final Saturday of the month there was a cracking card at Kempton Park. The BetBright Chase was the feature of the day and it went to 25/1 shot Pilgrims Bay. This horse is as quirky as it gets and struggles to find much for pressure. James Best, who punched the air when crossing the line, gave him an outstanding ride. It was great to see, although not for many punters as the horse wasn’t fancied by many. River Wylde won the Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle for Nicky Henderson and threw his hat into the ring for the Supreme. It’s all about how he comes out of this race.
As for our tips this month, well it’s been another cracker. It may not have been the 150 points of last month, but we’ve shown some good profit, despite a poor run in the middle of the month. Bring on March and let’s hope to continue our start to 2017.
February’s
RESULTS Premium Tips to recommended points: -5.75 NB to recommended points: +24.5 PT and NB double:
+8.37
Little Earner to recommended points: +21.75 One Point win only Singles: -3.75 Total profit/loss for the month following points system: +45.21
Free Racing Tips
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that day though and a sounder surface should suit this horse, as well as a step up in trip.
Joe’s Three Handicappers The handicaps at Cheltenham can be minefields. Many trainers will have a day in mind for their horses throughout the season and perhaps been running them on the wrong ground or trip, but they can come alive at the Festival and that is what makes it tricky. However, in this article, I’ll give you three horses that I think are well handicapped going into the four day festival and perhaps a bigger price that they will be come the day of racing. As always, this is an ante-post look and don’t be surprised if we fancy something else on the day of the race as well. Let’s get into it. ULTIMA HANDICAP CHASE – HOLYWELL @ 16/1 I’m probably not telling you much you don’t already know here, but Holywell loves Cheltenham and comes alive in the spring. Jonjo O’Neill may just have done
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a fantastic job in getting this horse handicapped off a mark of 148, which is five pounds lower than when he was second in this race last year. He and Un Temps Pour Tout pulled quite a way clear of the rest of the field on that day and the form looks to be pretty strong. As always, the horse hasn’t shown much during the winter months and has been 16/1, 33/1, 33/1 and 25/1 in his four races this season. His form at the Cheltenham Festival is superb, though as the horse won the Pertemps Final in 2013 and then this race in 2014 off a mark of 145. He was then fourth in a Gold Cup behind Coneygree and as mentioned, was second in this race off 153 last season. This will be the target for Holywell and its tough to see him not running a decent race. O’Neill has had a strange kind of season, but usually peaks
for Cheltenham and knows how to get this horse ready for Prestbury Park. He seems to have been around ages, but Holywell is only tenyears-old and has a few more big days in him yet. CORAL CUP – MISTER MIYAGI @ 25/1 This horse for Dan Skelton is still unexposed and looks to be a big price in one of the most competitive races of the season. He has a mark of 149 so would hope the horses right at the top – such as Modus – would stay in the race at it would put the eight-year-old on a nice racing weight.
He is only entered in this and the Champion Hurdle and he’s a 100/1 shot for Day One’s feature, so the Coral Cup looks like the best plan and 25/1 is too big if you ask me. You’d hope that some of the top weights would stay in, but if he does have to carry something like 11st 10lb, well it’s because on ratings he’d be one of the best in the race and more handicaps are won by top weights than those at the very bottom. PERTEMPS NETWORK FINAL HANDICAP HURDPE – BARNEY DWAN @ 33/1 Towards the top of the weights in this race, but Final Bay won it off 11st 12lb in 2014 and it can be a race where those with a higher rating do well. He may be slightly higher than Fergal O’Brien would like, but I don’t think this horse is a 33/1 shot. He won a couple of novice hurdles towards the end of 2015 and has had a bit of a frustrating campaign this year. The horse was second to
Potters Legend at Kempton in November and then was brought down at Wincanton in December. The seven-year-old then went to Warwick and was under pressure but in with a big shout when unseating Paddy Brennan at the last. Tobefair was the winner on that day and Barney Dwan probably wouldn’t have been far behind. That horse has gone onto win since then and is a 6/1 shot for this race, so the 33/1 about Barney Dwan looks huge.
Fergal O’Brien has had a fantastic season and would have left a little bit to work on at Exeter last time out you’d think, where the horse was fourth and got him qualified for this race. It’s a really competitive race, but this looks a huge price about a seven-year-old who still has more to show us for owners Paul and Clare Rooney. Anyone thinking of an EW patent on this three? Would be some returns!
He was sixth in the Supreme at Cheltenham and then won really nicely at this course in April. He then ran well at both Kempton and Aintree, before disappointing at Cheltenham in December behind The New One. It was really testing ground on
Free Racing Tips
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They’ll Be Missed
four but he’s had constant niggles over the past year or so. You could argue his Irish Champion Hurdle performance in January last year was his best ever and he hasn’t made the track since then. You start to wonder if we will see Faugheen again but I’d be confident he can come back and make a full recovery in time. I don’t think we’ll ever see the best of this horse again, though. ANNIE POWER Annie Power won the Champion Hurdle in the style of an outstanding mare last season and brought the house down with that victory.
The Cheltenham Festival will be a fantastic spectacle as ever, but it would be wrong not to point out the horses missing from the four days as we have been hit a number of high profit absentees over the months.
For me, it’s no surprise she hasn’t been seen this season as she’s always been quite fragile and I think we should just enjoy what she did last campaign.
VAUTOUR & MANY CLOUDS
We may have seen the last of Annie Power on a racetrack, we may not, but we know she was a superstar one of the greatest mares.
Horses are such powerful beasts, but they’re fragile as well and we learned that it the hardest way with these two outstanding horses. Vautour lost his life when out in a field during the Autumn in what was a complete freak accident. He was a three time Cheltenham Festival winner and seemed to just come alive at Prestbury Park. He was a horse the public loved and on his day he was sensational. Vautour’s performance in the JLT Novices’ Chase was one of the best I’ve seen at Cheltenham. For a novice to jump like that is outstanding and he’ll be missed this year, and for many years to come. Many Clouds is another to have lost his life this season and he did it after one of his finest performances, where he lowered the colours of Thistlecrack and showed all of the
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courage and fight that he was so loved for. A winner of the Grand National in 2015, Many Clouds would’ve gone for the Gold Cup this year and you only have to see the reaction of the Cheltenham crowd when it was announced he lost his life after the race in January to realise how popular he was.
Thistlecrack is a nine-year-old now and it can be tough to come back from these tendon injuries but the vibes are good and hopefully we’ll see him defend the King George later in the year. His victory in that race last year was stunning and he’s a horse that takes your breath away. I just hope this isn’t a case of what might have been.
May they both rest in peace.
He was beaten fair and square by Many Clouds in the Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham, but didn’t lose much in defeat and I was so exciting to see him line-up in a Gold Cup.
Another Willie Mullins/Rich Ricci horse that won’t line-up at the Festival and it’s a real shame as I think everyone was looking forward to him reopposing Altior in the Arkle. He’s only got some bruising but it just came at the wrong time and I’d expect Min to be back next season – or maybe even at Punchestown – and plenty of big days lie ahead for him.
THISTLECRACK Probably the most exciting horse in training right now is Thistlecrack and the racing world was shocked to hear he was ruled out of the Gold Cup at Cheltenham with a tendon injury.
MIN
FAUGHEEN I absolutely love this horse and I am gutted that he’ll miss Cheltenham for the second straight year. When he won the Champion Hurdle in 2015 I could honestly say I thought he’d go onto win three or
CONEYGREE Winner of the Gold Cup in 2015 and if we’re honest, never really the same since. He made just one appearance last season and was then ruled out for the rest of the campaign and has been seen just one in this National
Hunt season when second to Cue Card in the Betfair Chase at Haydock. Coneygree will now try and make Punchestown but I’d be surprised to see him there to be honest.
It shows though that Tendon’s can be tricky injuries and I hope Thistlecrack doesn’t have the same misfortune as Don Cossack. It’s a shame he won’t line up in the Gold Cup again as a champion always deserves to retain his crown.
He is a very fragile horse and remember he won the Gold Cup as a novice, so has bags of talent and stamina. He’s one of the best jumpers of a fence you’ll see and what a decision from the Bradstocks to run him in the Gold Cup as a novice.
SPRINTER SACRE
He was clearly bouncing at home before Cheltenham that year and the rain came in time for him. They’ll always have that day.
He’s had his problems throughout the year and when he suffered a setback towards the end of 2016, the decision was for him to enjoy retirement.
DON COSSACK Another horse who I absolutely love. He was superb in the Gold Cup last year and put in some outstanding performances during his time with Gordon Elliot. He has suffered with tendon issues after the last month and Elliot made the decision to retire the horse as it was not worth the risk and of course, he owes his connections nothing after giving them a Gold Cup win.
Maybe the highest profile absentee of them all. The legend Sprinter Sacre, who gave us one of the finest moments on a racecourse when winning the Champion Chase last year.
From a selfish point of view, this is a real shame as imagine a tip-top Sprinter Sacre taking on Douvan in the Champion Chase. What a race that would be. We’ll miss these starts this year, but some of them will come back and race again. Enjoy these superstars when they run, because they are fragile beasts.
Free Racing Tips
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Champion Hurdle
Of course, there’s a lot more needed to compete in a Champion Hurdle, but the trainer is really bullish about his chances and there is plenty more to come from Brain Power. He’s probably been the best-backed horse in the ante-post markets.
The feature race on day one of the Cheltenham Festival is the Stan James Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy. This race is held over two miles on the Old Course at Cheltenham and has a superb history. Last year we saw the super mare Annie Power take the spoils in speculator fashion, writing the wrongs of the previous year when she of course took a tumble at the final flight in the Mares’ Hurdle. That was a second straight win in the race for Willie Mullins, Ruby Walsh and Rich Ricci as in 2015 they were victorious with the excellent Faugheen. There were dreams that we may see the stablemates up against each-other this year, but neither of them will be heading to Cheltenham as both have picked up injuries. With two former Champions out, you’d be forgiven for saying this is a poor renewal of the Champion Hurdle. However, there are some unknown quantities and it is really competitive encounter. As ever, I can’t wait. Leading the way in the betting right now is Buveur D’Air – who had been sent over fences for Nicky Henderson this season – but the trainer decided to reroute the gelding to hurdles with the Champion Hurdle looking so open. He was a good third in the Supreme
Novices’ Hurdle last season behind Altior and Min and that form is incredibly strong. He looked good over fences in two starts this season, but jumped well on his hurdles return when beating Rayvin Black at Sandown last month.
Buveur D’Air does look to be a solid favourite for this race, but there isn’t too much interest in backing him for the Champion Hurdle at this stage. Petit Mouchoir has improved a great deal this season with two Grade One wins in his last two starts. He’s clearly the main hope for the Irish here and Henry De Bromhead’s charge is a big player in this. He was beaten a neck by Buveur D’Air at Aintree in April but many will say that he is a better horse now and should go close here. Yanworth has divided this season. He has three wins from three – including
Vroum Vroum Mag has an entry for the race but is most likely to go for the Mares’ Hurdle.
a Grade One victory in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton Park – but has never really blown anyone away with his performances.
Then we move onto another Mullins runner in the shape of 20/1 shot Footpad, who could be the each-way ante-post value in the race.
There is a theory that he’ll relish a strongly run two miles at Cheltenham on some better ground and the stiff track should suit.
This gelding is only five and although he’s had a fair few runs he is still open to some improvement. He’s won Grade One races in France and was second by a length to Petit Mouchoir last time out. He may have been a little bit flattered on that day but with a bit more to come you’d say he is a little bit overpriced right now.
It’ll be interesting to see who is riding these horses with Barry Geraghty now out of the Festival. It may be that Noel Fehily is given the ride on Buveur D’Air as he rode him last season and Mark Walsh could pick up a superb spare on Yanworth.
There’s every chance Ruby Walsh will be the man riding Footpad in the Champion Hurdle as well and that would see the horse come in for some support you’d think.
Yanworth is clearly a classy horse but is not without his quirks and I just wonder if he’ll make an error or get outpaced at a crucial stage of the race. He wouldn’t be for me right now at the prices.
Two miles at Cheltenham would like ideal for Footpad and he’s a decent selection in a wide-open Champion Hurdle at this stage.
Nicky Henderson clearly has a strong hand in this and he also has Brain Power entered. He’s a big improver and has won two big handicaps in impressive style this season.
The New One will be running in the race for what feels like the 100th time and as ever, he’ll get his supports in the race.
The Top 3 Since 2007 2016
Annie Power
My Tent Or Yours
2015
Nichols Canyon
Faugheen
2011
10
Hurricane Fly
The Horse’s Mouth
Peddlers Cross
Arctic Fire
Binocular
Khyber Kim
Nichols Canyon has been a bitter disappointment this campaign and need to find much more to be competitive in this. The likes of Superb Story, Ch’Tibello and Sceau Royal all have EW claims but perhaps not much more. We know that Willie Mullins will always make late decisions for the Cheltenham Festival and although he’s not entered, Un De Sceaux is quoted
2014
Hurricane Fly
Jezki
2010
Oscar Whisky
For the fourth year running though, I expect him to get outpaced turning for home and then stay on up the hill to finish around fourth place.
My Tent Or Yours
Punjabi
Celestial Halo
It’s certainly not the strongest of Champion Hurdles but it is a thrilling contest. ANTE POST SELECTIONS: FOOTPAD EW @ 20/1 NRNB UN DE SCEAUX EW @ 8/1 NRNB
2013
The New One
Hurricane Fly
2009
Zaynar
for the race at 8/1 non-runner nobet. When thinking about it, it makes sense for him to be supplemented and although it’s unlikely, he would be shorter than 8/1 if he did run and would have a massive chance.
Rock On Ruby
2012
Countrywide Flame
Rock On Ruby
2008
Binocular
Katchit
Osana
Overturn
Hurricane Fly
2007
Punjabi
Sublimity
Brave Inca
Afsoun
Free Racing Tips
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1
Day One:Grade Ones There aren’t many spectacles in sport like the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival. The roar when the tapes go back for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle is one of the highlights of the week and over the next couple of pages, we’ll be looking at the three Grade One races taking place on the Tuesday, which will of course support the feature race, the Champion Hurdle. SKY BET SUPREME NOVICES’ HURDLE
Two miles is the trip of the Supreme Novices’ and this race not only sees top quality horses take each other on, but potential superstars in action. Vautour, Douvan and Altior are recent winners of the Supreme, so it takes a very good one to win it.
The market for the race this year, however, has been somewhat of a confused one. There hasn’t really been that one stand out performer to win all the trials and impressive fashion and that’s why Melon – raced just once in Ireland for Willie Mullins – is the favourite for the race. This horse had some good form in France and has been a bit of a “talking horse” throughout the winter, but wasn’t seen until the 29th January.
On that day, he bolted up by ten lengths in a maiden hurdle and will now go straight to the festival. He lacks experience but clearly has bundles of talent. You’d be mad to back him at the current prices, though. It seems as though 2015 bumper
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winner Moon Racer has been around for ages but he has had his trouble with injuries. The David Pipe-trained gelding is three from three at the track and won over hurdles here in November. That was a messy race, but the horse showed he has plenty of class and clearly loves the track. He had a winter break before winning the bumper a couple of seasons ago and it’s no surprise to see connections going down the same route here. He has a massive chance. Charli Parcs looks like he may line up here, despite being a four-year-old. His performance at Kempton over Christmas was really impressive and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see a fair bit of cash comes for this horse
The other one at a single-figure price is Bunk Off Early, who travelled like the winner in a Grade One in Ireland before seemingly failing to see out the two miles and two furlongs. A drop down in trip should suit. As I said, there are so many questions in this market with plenty of horses having a number of options. At around 12/1, the one that interests me right now is Consul De Thaix, who does have plenty of experience. He’s been second in two handicaps to Brain Power recently, who is a single figure price for the Champion Hurdle. He may be the trainer and owners second string in the race, but if he lines up he may be able to sneak into a place.
ANTE POST TIP: CONSUL DE THAIX @ 12/1 EW NRNB
RACING POST ARKLE TROPHY Novice Chasers take to the stage on the second race of the day in the Arkle, which is a race steeped in history. The race is held over two miles and there will be a short priced favourite this year with Altior looking to make it two wins from two at the Cheltenham Festival. He bolted up in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle last season and has made a seamless transition from hurdles to fences. He has looked a natural chaser and is another star in the making for Nicky Henderson. If he stands up, Altior wins the Arkle by as far as he likes. The performance in the Game Spirit Chase at Newbury last time was sensational and although it might be a bit early to be comparing the two, there’s plenty about Altior that reminds me of Sprinter Sacre. Yorkhill is still entered in the race but at the stage of writing this,
he looks to be heading for the JLT and I’ll talk more about him in that preview. It would be good to see him run here. You then have the likes of Charbel and Cloudy Dream who are at double figure prices and Waiting Patiently would be considered if the ground were to be soft. In truth, this isn’t much of an ante-post betting heat and is more likely to be a breeze for Altior. The horse that could go well is Flying Angel, who won the Kingmaker at Warwick last time and looks to be a true two miler to me. He’s around 20/1 and could hit the frame for Nigel Twiston-Davies.
ANTE POST TIP: FLYING ANGEL EW @ 20/1 NRNB
OLBG MARES HURDLE There are plenty of unknowns when it comes to the Mares’ Hurdle as to which horses will
run and there was a little more confusion when Limini turned the tables Apple’s Jade at Punchestown last month. Apple’s Jade was the favourite for the race but looked a little one paced and was outclassed by Limini, who put her credentials on the line. This could mean that Vroum Vroum Mag is rerouted to another race, but if I’m honest I can’t really be doing with playing Willie Mullins bingo. Pretty simple for me, whichever one of Limini or Vroum Vroum Mag Mullins runs, they’ll win. At the prices right now, with Mullins having five of the top six in the betting, Lifeboat Mona makes some appeal as there will be a few horses come out of the race and the 16/1 about this horse is good value. Paul Nicholls runner has won her last three and should go close here. She’s got a great attitude and can run into a place. Other than that, I wouldn’t have much of an opinion at this stage.
Free Racing Tips
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Champ Chase
to go to the novice race. We may just have to wait a year to see these two superstars go up against each other. Douvan has the beating of the Champion Chase field and I can’t wait to see him.
The feature race on day two of the Cheltenham Festival is the Stan James Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy. This race is held over two miles on the Old Course at Cheltenham and has a superb history.
Something has to finish second and third though and there’s certainly an each-way bet in the race. For many, that will be Fox Norton as he is the second favourite (although still a pretty big price) and this horse did look impressive when winning at Cheltenham back in November.
The Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase takes centre stage on day two of the Cheltenham Festival and is always a cracking watch. Seeing these horses go flying over fences over two miles is some sight and last year I witnessed one of the greatest moments I’ve ever seen on a racecourse when Sprinter Sacre regained his title.
What is a real shame is that we won’t be seeing him this season as he is no retired, but we’re making way for a new superstar with Douvan looking just about unbeatable in this.
The horse was unbeatable when at his very best, but also looked gone at the game an extremely vulnerable when being pulled up in the 2015 Champion Chase.
He’s long odds-on for this race and rightly so.
However, Nicky Henderson was patient with him and it was amazing to see him back to somewhere near his best at Cheltenham last year.
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He hasn’t tasted defeat since being with Willie Mullins and has already won a Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and an Arkle Novices’ Chase at the Festival.
Douvan is not a betting option in the Champion Chase as he’s so short but he is the kind of horse you can just watch and enjoy. He jumps with so much efficiency and you get the feeling he could probably win the Champion Hurdle on the Tuesday and then the Champion Chase 24 hours
He suffered quite a nasty cut on that day though and was given a little bit of time to recover by Colin Tizzard and returned with a second place finish to Altior at Newbury. 13 lengths beat him.
later. Of course though, that won’t happen.
He was 11 lengths behind Douvan at the Festival in the Arkle last season and does enjoy it here at the track, so clearly has a big chance of going close.
You get the feeling the only horse that could really put it up to Douvan is Altior, who is favourite for the Arkle on the opening day and is more likely
Un De Sceaux is in the betting
The Top 3 Since 2007 2016
Sprinter Sacre
Un De Sceaux
2015
Special Tiara
Dodging Bullets
2011
Sizing Europe
Big Zeb
Somersby
Big Zeb
Forpadydeplasterer
Henry De Bromhead’s runner will be some sight going round these fences – as always – as he’ll make the running and can be tough to peg back.
You’ve then got God’s Own – who seems to be a horse that always goes well in the spring and it’s no surprise to see that Tom George has given this horse a bit of a winter break.
He was third in the race last year and could be able to fill the frame again.
He won two Grade Ones last season and shouldn’t be too far away in this encounter. Special Tiara is a horse that knows the Champion Chase better than any in this field and he wouldn’t be without a chance.
2014
Special Tiara
Sire De Grugy
2010
Captain Cee Bee
but you’d think more likely to go for the Ryanair Chase, or maybe even the Champion Hurdle so he doesn’t appeal too much ante-post.
Somersby
Master Minded
Well Chief
This ought to be a Walk In The Park for Douvan (see what I did there?!) but Special Tiara can hit the frame at a big price. ANTE-POST TIP: SPECIAL TIARA EW @ 25/1 NRNB
2013
Module
Sprinter Sacre
2009
Kalahari King
Sire De Grugy, Uxizandre and Garde La Victorie are other notable entries at this stage.
Sizing Europe
2012
Wishfull Thinking
Finian’s Rainbow
2008
Petit Robin
Master Minded
Voy Por Ustedes
Sizing Europe
Big Zeb
2007
Fair Along
Voy Por Ustedes
Dempsey
River City
Free Racing Tips
15
2
Day Two:Grade Ones
over fences but was really poor at Leopardstown last time out and was eased in price for this. He is a horse that tends to come good in the spring though and is interesting here. However, he wouldn’t be for me at this stage.
Every day of the Cheltenham Festival is special and we’ll see some world class racing on the Wednesday this year. There’s two Grade One Races for us to look into at this stage. NEPTUNE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT NOVICES’ HURDLE
As with day one, the action gets underway with a novice hurdle, but this time it is for horses with a bit more stamina as the Neptune is held over two miles and five furlongs. Horses that win this can go onto be really top class staying chasers, but they also have a great record when stepping down in trip to the Champion Hurdle next year. Faugheen won the Neptune in 2014 before landing the Champion the following year.
One of the main fancies for this year’s race is Finian’s Oscar, who has been really progressive
for Colin Tizzard this season. He was an expensive purchase for Anne and Alan Potts after winning a point to point in October and since then has won three races comfortably, including the Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown. That Grade One probably wasn’t the strongest there has been, but it was still comfortable and he showed he was still in good order when winning at a canter over at Exeter last month. Despite being a Grade One winner, I still find it quite tough to see how good this horse is or could be. He’s unexposed but wouldn’t be for me at this stage. He could be tempting
on the morning of the race, however. Neon Wolf is three from three for the Harry Fry team this campaign and is another to come out of the point to point circuit. He was really impressive when winning a Grade 2 at Haydock last time and his jumping was what stood out for me.
Bacardys would be the most interesting after his Grade One win last time out. Messire Des Obeaux has done nothing wrong this season and is a Grade One winner for Alan King.
The horse was miles clear in a Grade One at Kempton on Boxing Day before falling at the last after a disagreement with Daryl Jacob.
He’d ideally like a bit of cut in the ground and Harry Fry sees this horse as an exciting chaser in future, so he wouldn’t be an ante-post play for me right now but would be respected if he turns up on the day. Let’s Dance represents Willie Mullins and has a few options but could be in with a big chance in this.
It looks a decent Neptune and with so much up in the air, make sure you’re getting nonrunner no-bet.
The five-year-old is still improving and put in possibly her best performance when bolting up at Leopardstown last time out. This trip looks ideal and the mare would be really interesting with a seven pound allowance. Mullins also has live contenders The Horse’s Mouth
Might Bite has been a talking horse for this for some time now and it’s no surprise to see him lead the way in the betting.
He lost nothing in defeat t Huntingdon last time out but you do just wonder if he maybe lacks that touch of class needed to compete here at Cheltenham. If he’s involved come the final hurdle though, this horse is sure to be tough to pass.
The horse has won her last four races and although she’s been odds-on on each occasion, you have to be impressed with the way she’s done it.
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in the shape of Bacardys, Invitation Only and Augusta Kate but all might have different targets.
ANTE POST TIP: LET’S DANCE EW @ 8/1
RSA NOVICES’ CHASE One of the favourite races of the week is the RSA Chase. It is a three mile contest and sees horses with Gold Cup dreams for the following season compete. We’re sure to see a few superstars in action here.
The time he was about to put up was superb and many punters were looking to back him at decent prices for the RSA. I always like to see a horse after a crushing fall though and was really pleased to see Might Bite win – as he should have – at Doncaster last time. His jumping was good and his confidence was back. He’s the one to beat. Alpha Des Obeaux has had a strange season. I was really looking forward to him as a chaser this campaign and he won a couple of nice races, but was then disappointing in two Grade Ones in December.
The horse I am keen on right now is Coney Island for Eddy Harty and JP McManus. He was a winner at Fairyhouse a couple of starts ago, getting the better of Anibale Fly and that is strong form. He was then ½ length behind Our Duke at Leopardstown last time out but lost little in defeat and should be better on a sounder surface at Cheltenham. He should also relish this test of stamina. American, Acapella Bourgeois and Whisper are other interesting contenders right now, along with Disko.
ANTE POST TIP: CONEY ISLAND EW @ 8/1
However, you know that Mouse Morris will have him at his peak for the Cheltenham Festival and there is no better trainer at getting a horse ready for the big day. Bellshill is a horse that is tough to predict. He looked pretty impressive on his two starts
Free Racing Tips
17
Stayers Hurdle
expensive to follow, but returned to form with a nice win at Gowran Park last time out, beating the likes of Snow Falcon and Clondaw Warrior, which looks pretty strong form.
The feature race on day three of the Cheltenham Festival is the Sun Bets Stayers’ Hurdle. This race is held over three miles on the New Course at Cheltenham and should be a cracking watch. The Stayers’ Hurdle can get a bit of stick at times but I think it is an excellent race and has provided me with some superb memories. Seeing Thistlecrack beat the field by half the track last season was one of my highlights of the Festival. It may just be that we have a new star stayer in town now as well as Unowhatimeanharry has gone from strength to strength for Harry Fry and has become somewhat of a winning machine. He’s a shade of odds against at the moment and probably a bit of a good thing for the Stayers’, but you’ll get a better price on the morning of the race. This horse really does show just how good Harry Fry is as a trainer. He joined the yard in October 2016 and was rated 123. Since then, he has won eight straight races and is now over forty pounds higher in the ratings.
He’s not the flashiest of horses but always does enough and does seem to love it here at Cheltenham.
That was quite a tactical event but the horse seemed to enjoy being ridden prominently and he could even make the running here. Ruby Walsh may even ride the horse in this as well and the current price could be quite big.
then disappointed when second at Gowran Park last time.
He was a winner of the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle over then course and distance last time and gave weight to all when running out a convincing winner of the Cleeve Hurdle in January.
It’s tough to see Unowhatimeanharry losing this if I’m honest but as I said, there isn’t much interest in backing him at the current prices and it does look a decent EW betting heat. This looks the most likely target for Jezki, who made a really impressive reappearance when winning at Navan in January and
However, you can make excuses for that day and I’d expect the horse to come good on some better ground and once stepped up in distance.
Cole Harden won the World Hurdle in 2015 and has been largely disappointing since then. However, his second behind Unowhatimeanharry last time out was a good performance and he will improve for running on some better ground.
The juice in his price looks to have gone though and he did make appeal to me at around 16/1 during the winter months, but not so much at these prices.
Warren Greatrex can get him ready for a big day, but he was getting weight from the favourite last time and it could be tough to see him reversing the form in this contest.
Shaneshill looks like the most likely runner for Willie Mullins, as I’d expect his stable and ownermate Nichols Canyon to go for the Champion Hurdle.
Ballyoptic is another to have plenty of ability, but perhaps not show it all this campaign and he needs to improve his jumping if he’s to land a Stayers Hurdle.
Shaneshill has run some good races at the Festival and was second in both the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle in 2015 and the RSA Chase last year.
Clondaw Warrior is perhaps a horse that falls in-between a class handicapper and a genuine Grade
The horse was becoming a little bit
The Top 3 Since 2007 2016
Thistlecrack
Alpha Des Obeaux
2015
Bobs Worth
Cole Harden
2011
18
Big Buck’s
The Horse’s Mouth
Grands Crus
Saphir Du Rheu
2014
Zarkandar
More Of That
2010
Mourad
Big Buck’s
Time For Rupert
Annie Power
One horse. He has a chance here but may struggle to come out on top. The likes of More Of That, Snow Falcon, Zarkandar and Lil Rockerfeller are all lively outsiders but have a little bit to prove against some of these.
I’d fully expect Unowhatimeanharry to land the Stayers’ Hurdle this year but wouldn’t be
Big Buck’s
Punchestowns
The one for me right now is Shaneshill, who does have that touch of class and clearly likes it here around Cheltenham.
When a few of these come out of the race, Shaneshill could be a much shorter price that the 10/1 on offer and this does look the target.
2013
At Fishers Cross
Solwhit
2009
Powerstation
interested in the current prices ante-post.
Celestial Halo
Smad Place
2012
Big Buck’s
2008
Powerstation
Inglis Drever
Kasbah Bliss
Voler La Vedette
Smad Place
2007
Kazal
Inglis Drever
Mighty Man
Blazing Bailey
Free Racing Tips
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3
Day Three: s e n O e d a Gr Day three of the Cheltenham Festival starts with another novice race, but this time it will be the JLT Novices’ Chase over the larger obstacles and this intermediate distance is always a popular race, but can be tough ante-post. Horses that are entered in the Arkle and the RSA Chase are often given an entry in the JLT as well, so it’s tough to know exactly what will run.
There’s a really short price favourite at the moment though and that comes in the shape of Yorkhill. I wouldn’t go near him right now as you’re sure to get a better price on the day, but I can see just why he is a short price. This horse won the Neptune in the style of a world beater last season and has gone onto take both his starts over fences. Plenty of people were not convinced by his victory at Leopardstown last time out and the horse didn’t jump
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The Horse’s Mouth
with the fluency you’d like. I do get the feeling this is a horse that will peak at Cheltenham though, much like last year, and he’s clearly got a big engine. He’s a worthy favourite but, as I say, not one to back right now. Top Notch is only a little horse but he has so much heart and talent and will come into Cheltenham in search of a five timer. The horse was fifth in the Champion Hurdle last year but seems to relish jumping over fences and was really impressive when landing the Grade One Scilly Isles Novice Chase at Sandown last time. This is 100% the target for Top Notch and he’s sure to run his race again. I do think he might just be a
little bit short in the betting, though. Disko has the option of two races as he’s entered in both the JLT and the RSA Chase. He put in some fantastic leaps to land the Flogas at Leopardstown last time out and made all on that day in the hands of Sean Flanagan. That was an extended two miles and five furlongs – so I would suspect they’d go up in trip rather than stepping back down. If he turns up here though, the horse will have a big chance. Paul Nicholls doesn’t have the superstars in his yard that he once did but he does have Politolouge, who is a really exciting novice chaser. He’s three from four over fences
this season and jumps really well. His second to Waiting Patiently at Haydock, which was a decent performance and the horse, had a nice spin over Kempton Park last time. He can go close here, as the race looks ideal. Coney Island, Whisper, Bellshill, Charbel and Identity Thief all have entries here but other races may be more likely. ANTE POST TIP: POLITOLOUGE EW @ 7/1
RYANAIR CHASE The Ryanair Chase is one of the biggest of the week and this two and a half mile contest will attract a strong field. It is another race which gets a fair bit of stick and I’ve known some to call it the “Not good enough for the Champion Chase, Gold Cup bottling Chase” but that’s harsh! Vautour was the winner of this last year and it’s a real shame we won’t see him light up Cheltenham this campaign. This does look the most likely race for Un De Sceaux, who produced a great performance to win at Cheltenham in the Clarence House Chase last time out. He should have no problems stepping up in trip here as Willie
Mullins’ runner was a winner in France over two miles and five furlongs. Quicker ground wouldn’t be ideal, but you could see this horse shortening a fair bit between now and the Festival. That’s because the likes of Douvan, Sizing John and Vroum Vroum Mag are all entered and towards the top of the market, but aren’t likely to run. Empire Of Dirt would be a big player if turning up here and with Giggingstown having Don Poli and Outlander in the Gold Cup, this is the likely target for him. Gordon Elliot’s runner was second in the Irish Gold Cup last season and won a handicap in style here last season. The 5/1 on offer could be generous. Uxizandre brought the house down when winning this race in 2015 as the horse provided AP McCoy with a winner on his final Cheltenham Festival. The horse was then off the track until January this year, where he ran a blinder to finish second behind Un De Sceaux. The two mile trip would have been a little bit sharp for the gelding as well and Alan King’s runner could be given an attacking ride here and at around 6/1, he could be a bit of an EW bet to nothing. It could be tough to see the horse out of the frame. Josses Hill will go for this race
and has had a decent season with a couple of wins and he was then outclassed in the King George. He’s been placed in a supreme and an Arkle, but was eighth in this last year and may struggle to get close. Black Hercules is another Willie Mullins runner who won the JLT Novices’ Chase last year and has been thrashed on all three races this campaign. He might just improve for some better ground and a return to this sort of distance at Cheltenham. He could be a big price. It’s then tough to know what else goes here and as mentioned, it is quite a confused ante-post market. ANTE POST TIP: UXIZANDRE EW @ 6/1 NRNB
Free Racing Tips
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Gold Cup 2017
runner-up finishes in the last two years and he is still only an eightyear-old, so has a massive chance. I was pretty keen on this horse ante-post at double figure prices during the winter and he may be another one that the price has gone.
The Timico Gold Cup will take centre stage on the fourth and final day of the Cheltenham Festival and of course, this is the biggest race of the week. Held over a distance of three miles and two furlongs, the Gold Cup is the ultimate test of a racehorse and it’s always a thrilling spectacle. Just a day before I wrote this article though the race was turned on its head as long term antepost favourite and perhaps the most exciting horse in training – Thistlecrack – was ruled out for the season. He has suffered a tendon injury and needs time to recover. It’s a massive shame as we’ve really been hit with some high profile injuries in the sport this year, but there’s still a cracking field set to compete and it’s a very competitive Gold Cup. Usually when a trainer has a favourite ruled out of a race like the Gold Cup you’d think they would have no chance of taking the prize, but such is the power in the Colin Tizzard stable right now that he still has the two market leaders in the shape of Cue Card and Native River.
Looking at Native River to begin with, he’s still just a seven-year-old and continues to improve.
eleven-years-old now and looked as good as ever when bolting up in the Ascot Chase last time out.
He won the Hennessey well back in November and then carried top weight to thrash the field in the Welsh National – which was a fine performance.
I’ll be slightly controversial here and say he’s not a horse I absolutely “love” and that’s mainly from never quite being able to catch him on the right day.
The horse then had a lovely prep for the Gold Cup with a convincing victory at Newbury in the Denman Chase last month. What I liked from the horse that day is the speed he showed. He seems to have a decent turn of foot and one thing you know with Native River is that he’ll also relish the Gold Cup trip. He was placed in the four miler at the Festival last year and will be tough to pass if in contention come to closing stages.
I fully respect the eleven-year-old though and make no doubt about it; he’s a massive player in the Gold Cup this year. A bit of cut in the ground might be ideal for him now he’s getting on a bit, but you know he’ll travel well into the race and hopefully this year he can complete the race so we knew if he truly does get up that Cheltenham hill in a Gold Cup.
As for Cue Card, what an outstanding horse he is. He’s
Djakadam has been the nearly horse in recent years with two
Willie Mullins’ charge has a big chance here though as he’s a genuine Gold Cup horse and still isn’t fully exposed being just an eight-year-old. Sizing John has been the horse best known for seeing Douvan’s backside more than anyone over the last couple of seasons but Jessica Harrington has turned this horse into a classy stayer this campaign and his Irish Gold Cup win does show he’s a player here at Cheltenham. Owners Alan and Ann Potts always want Gold Cup horses and this is their main chance this year. There would still be doubts about his stamina over the Gold Cup trip in a race where they are sure to go a good gallop but if he does stay, Sizing John could outclass a few of these. He has a chance but would be a little bit short in the betting for me right now. I’d be pretty keen on the chances of Champagne West, who has
improved plenty since going to the Henry De Bromhead yard and this horse’s win in the Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park last time out was outstanding. He won one of the most competitive handicaps of the season by seven lengths and didn’t come off the bridal. Jumping has always been the issue with this horse but De Bromhead is excellent with his chasers and looks to have ironed out a few creases with this gelding. At around 16/1 right now I can see him hitting the frame and running a big race.
You can’t rule out the likes of Outlander and Don Poli either and if we get some soft ground, Bristol De Mai could have a massive chance, although I’m not sure he completely loves Cheltenham. More Of That and Minella Rocco both have class, but also plenty to prove if they are going to be involved here. It might not be the highest standard Gold Cup, but it’s still going to be an enthralling contest and a fitting feature on the final day of the 2017 Cheltenham Festival. ANTE POST TIP: CHAMPAGNE WEST EW @ 16/1 NRNB
The Top 3 Since 2007 2016
Don Cossack
Djakadam
2015
Don Poli
Coneygree
2011
22
Long Run
The Horse’s Mouth
Denman
Djakadam
2014
Road To Riches
Lord Windermere
2010
Kauto Star
Imperial Commander
Denman
On His Own
2013
The Giant Bolster
Bobs Worth
2009
Mon Mome
Kauto Star
Denman
Sir Des Champs
2012
Long Run
Synchronised
2008
Exotic Dancer
Denman
Kauto Star
The Giant Bolster
Long Run
2007
Neptune Collonges
Kauto Star
Exotic Dancer
Turpin Green
Free Racing Tips
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4
Day Four: s e n O e d a Gr The Gold Cup dominates the fourth and final day of the Cheltenham Festival, but there are a couple of other excellent Grade Ones on the afternoon. JCB TRIUMPH HURDLE
The Juvenile horses have their moment in the limelight in the Triumph Hurdle and this race, although held over the shortest distance of two miles, is usually an encounter that requires a horse that stays really well.
Two miles at Cheltenham with a strong pace on is a tough race for the four-year-olds and some course form can often be key.
The current favourite in the betting is Defi Du Seiul, who runs for Phillip Hobbs and JP McManus and should take all of the beating here. He is five from five this season and won three times at the track this campaign.
His jumping sees to be improving all the time and Hobbs believes that the horse might even be better on a sounder surface. If it does come up soft though, Defi Du Seuil will have no problems with the conditions.
He’s a rock solid favourite and should be involved coming over that final hurdle. 24
The Horse’s Mouth
There will be plenty of schooling for this horse between now and Cheltenham you’d think and he should be able to progress further. The likes of Coeur De Lion, Forth Bridge and Project Bluebook are lively outsiders from the UK and Solider In Action looked impressive at Doncaster last time for Nicky Henderson. It looks a decent Triumph Hurdle this season.
ANTE POST TIP: DINARIA DES OBEAUX @ 14/1 EW NRNB
Mega Fortune looks to be the strongest of the Irish challengers for Gordon Elliot and this horse won nicely at Leopardstown last time. That was a Grade One and the horse turned the form around with Bapaume. Davy Russell is sure to ride the four-year-old and will be really positive on him. He may just want some soft ground, but has to have a big chance. Bapaume – as mentioned – was turned over by Mega Fortune last time out but there were a few excuses on that day and the horse may prefer a bigger field and some better ground. He’s still had just the three runs in Ireland and Willie Mullins is sure to have him ready for the day. This Rich Ricci runner could be a little bit overpriced.
Landofhopeandglory started the season really well with three straight wins for Joseph O’Brien but was then beaten by Bapaume at Leopardstown last time out. He was rated 100 on the Flat for Aidan O’Brien and some better ground would surely suit him as well. He might just struggle to get the better of the two leading Irish fancies though and shouldn’t have enough to beat these. The horse from Ireland that interests me right now is Dinaria Des Obeaux for Gordon Elliot and Giggingstown. This juvenile won by a street on his debut at Cork and was then third behind Mega Fortune and Bapaume last time out. On that day though he made a shocking error two out and did well to get as close as he did.
ALBERT BARTLETT NOVICES’ HURDLE Also known as the “Potato Race” the Albert Bartlett is for novice hurdlers with bundles of stamina and is usually an attritional three-mile encounter. There are plenty of horses in with a chance here but Death
Duty does look to be rock solid at the top of the market.
was well beaten by the current market leader for this race.
He has won all four races this season and looked impressive when doing so. Gordon Elliot’s runner won a Grade One at Naas last time of soft ground and the one question mark would be the softer ground.
He’ll need to improve to turn the tables, but is capable of running into a place and should also enjoy the stamina test of the Albert Bartlett.
He’s the one to beat, but worth taking on at this stage. Bacardys has options in all three of the novice hurdles at Cheltenham, but with the way he won at Leopardstown last time out it might be that this stamina test is the way for him to go. He won the Aintree bumper last time out and those top quality bumper horses do tend to want a trip. Invitation Only won two bumpers last season and then took his maiden hurdle in decent style back in November. He was then sent off the even money favourite when taking on Death Duty at Navan but
Nicky Henderson represents the best chance of a Britishtrained winner in this if you look at the market as he has Constantine Bay entered. He won at Doncaster over three miles last time out and although the margin of victory was small, there was a lot to like about it. He’s only had three runs for Henderson and still looks pretty green with plenty to work on. Improvement is all but assured in this race for me and he’s a big price. Monalee runs for Henry De Bromhead and was beaten by Death Duty a couple of starts ago, but improved for stepping up in trip and bolted up at Clonmel last time. He’s a big player but may want cut in the ground. JP McManus has Bon Papa, Castello Sforza and Jerrysback all entered in this and all three would have a chance of placing if lining up. Bon Papa is probably the most interesting contender. It’s then big prices about the rest.
ANTE POST TIP: CONSTANTUNE BAY @ 14/1 EW NRNB
Free Racing Tips
25
CHELTENHAMs Course
Over the four days at Cheltenham, there will be two courses– the Old and the New Course. Although many see them as similar, there are quite a few differences. The Old Course is used on the opening two days of the Festival and the New Course on the final two days. It can be worth checking if horses have better form on one of another of the courses. Here you’ll see the differences between the two of them.
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The Horse’s Mouth
CHELTENHAM FIXTURES Time 13.30 14.10 14.50 15.30 16.10 16.50 17.30
Race The Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle Race The Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy Steeple Chase The Ultima Handicap Steeple Chase The Stan James Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy The OLBG Mares’ Hurdle Race The J T McNamara National Hunt Steeple Chase Challenge Cup The Close Brothers Novices’ Handicap Chase
Distance 2m ½f 2m 3m 1f 2m ½f 2m 4f 4m 2m 4½f
Type Hurdle Chase Chase Hurdle Hurdle Chase Chase
Time 13.30 14.10 14.50 15.30 16.10 16.50 17.30
Race The Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle Race The RSA Steeple Chase The Coral Cup Hurdle (A Handicap Hurdle Race) The Betway Queen Mother Champion Steeple Chase The Glenfarclas Cross Country Steeple Chase The Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle Race The Weatherbys Champion Bumper (A Standard Open NH Flat Race)
Distance 2m 5f 3m ½ f 2m 5f 2m 3m 6f 2m ½f 2m ½f
Type Hurdle Chase Hurdle Chase Chase Hurdle Bumper
Time 13:30 14.10 14.50 15.30 16.10 16.50 17.30
Race The JLT Novices’ Chase The Pertemps Network Final (A Handicap Hurdle Race) The Ryanair Steeple Chase The Sun Bets Stayers’ Hurdle The Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Stable Plate (A Handicap Steeple Chase) The Trull House Stud Mares Novices’ Hurdle The Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Handicap Steeple Chase
Distance 2m 4f 3m 2m 5f 3m 2m 5f 2m 1f 3m 2f
Type Chase Hurdle Chase Hurdle Chase Hurdle Chase
Time 13.30 14.10 14.50 15.30 16.10 16.50 17.30
Race The JCB Triumph Hurdle The Randox Health County Handicap Hurdle Race The Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle Race The Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup Steeple Chase The St. James’s Place Foxhunter Steeple Chase Challenge Cup The Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle Race
Distance 2m 1f 2m 1f 3m 3m 2½ f 3m 2½ f 2m 4½ f 2m ½ f
Type Hurdle Hurdle Hurdle Chase Chase Hurdle Chase
The Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Handicap Steeple Chase Challenge Cup
Free Racing Tips
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Mullins and Walsh to dominate again?
Charli Parcs last month at Kempton.
The JP McManus rides will now be shared out you’d think between a number of jockeys, but Mark Walsh could ride plenty of the main horses for the owner as he is a big part of the operation. Perhaps at 20/1 he could be worth a small bet in this against Ruby, but the market wouldn’t be one to go mad in as it’s now unknown who will ride the likes of Yanworth, Buveur D’Air, Unowhatimeanharry and Defi Du Seiul.
The top jockey and trainer markets at the Festival are not usually the best to have a look into and over the last few years, it’s been long odds-on for both Ruby Walsh and Willie Mullins to take their respective titles.
Now, both are favourites this time out, but with the setbacks they have had and the horses missing, it might not be quite as straightforward. Walsh is currently around the 10/11 mark for the top rider and I think you could argue that’s a decent price, if you like to bet on these sorts of markets. He may not quite have the firepower he
usually does, but you’d expect Ruby to have strong rides in all of the big races and he does have what looks a certainty in Douvan, who will take the Champion Chase you’d think. Walsh will also be on board Mullins’ main runners in both the Mares’ Hurdle and the Mares’ Novice Hurdle and he will be on a short priced favourite for both of those races. You’d expect him to be on a single figure priced runner in each of the Grade One races and Walsh should be able to go close in this market. Walsh did have a serious rival in the market with Barry Geraghty booked for some top rides for JP McManus, but he was unfortunately ruled out of the Festival after suffering an injury when falling on
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The Horse’s Mouth
The likes of Bryan Cooper, Sam TwistonDavies and Nico De Boinville are sure to win this title in the future but may not quite have the firepower this year. Cooper would have the best chance of the three – who are all around 14/1. When it comes to the top trainer, Willie Mullins is being offered at 8/11 to take the crown yet again and he is still going to have a very strong team. Mullins may not be able to hit the seven or eight winners that he has over the years in 2017, but he is still the one to beat and will have plenty of strength in depth.
threat in terms of the betting to Mullins in this market and the Lambourn trainer has a really strong squad this campaign. He’s got a certainty in Altior you’d think and a number of big chances with the likes of Charli Parcs, Buveur D’Air, Top Notch and Might Bite. Henderson also has a good record in some of the handicaps and will fire a few at some of those races. At 11/4 he’s probably the value here and worth chancing, again in the hope he gets off to a flyer on the Tuesday. Gordon Elliot is around 9/2 and will bring a big squad over as always. Death Duty would be his best chance of a winner, but what Elliot has is a number of second, third and fourth favourites in races. He may not be the bet for this race, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the Irish trainer produced a couple of big priced winners. These wouldn’t be markets I got too involved in, but it’s interesting to see where the trainers are at and the two odds-on pokes look worth taking on this year.
When his first string doesn’t fire, Mullins has often won races with his so called second and third string and the likes of Paul Townend – who is a superb jockey in his own right – could pick up some nice rides. Nicky Henderson is the biggest Free Racing Tips
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LOOKING AHEAD March
March 1st Wed
Ffos Las Musselburgh Newcastle (AW)(Eve) Wincanton
2nd Thu
Chelmsford City (AW)(Eve) Ludlow 12th Sun Newcastle (AW) Taunton Clonmel
The Cheltenham Festival will of course take centre stage during the month of March, but there are plenty of other big races taking place throughout March. Saturday 4th March – Doncaster
By this day, everyone is wishing the weekend away and looking forward to the Tuesday as Cheltenham is just around the The Grimthorpe Chase is corner, but Sandown Park the main race of the day at Doncaster on this afternoon and always provides good racing and this afternoon is a good this should be a cracker. watch. The race is held over three miles and two furlongs and was The feature race on the card is the Imperial Cup, which is a taken by the excellent The Last Samuri last season, which then really valuable hurdle held over two miles. went onto finish second in the Grand National at Aintree. Some horses that win this can go onto compete in the With the weights for the County Hurdle on the Friday at National already out, this is a Cheltenham under a penalty. race that many trainers target Flying Angel did just that last with one eye on Aintree, as it’s year, but wasn’t able to land a the ideal prep. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see The Last Samuri blow at the Festival. turn up here again and he’d probably take all of the beating. Horses aged four and five have won this race on nine occasions since 2001, so you usually get Saturday 11th March – an unexposed horse come out Sandown Park on top. Also, no horses carrying
over eleven stone has taken the race since 2003.
Saturday 18th March – Uttoxeter We can usually cure some Cheltenham Blues with a decent card at Uttoxeter on this day and the Midlands Grand National is always a cracking contest. It’s held over four miles and a furlong and is worth around £130,000. A true stayer is required in this race and it David Pipe won it four times in a row from 2011 to 2014. He’s hadn’t had much luck over the last couple of years, but is sure to have something lined-up for the race and it will be respected.
The feature is a Grade 2 Mares’ Hurdle, which is worth plenty of money and will have a strong field. There’s also a £40,000 Juvenile Handicap Hurdle.
The Horse’s Mouth
4th Sat
Doncaster Lingfield Park (AW) Newbury Newcastle (AW)(Eve) Dundalk (AW)(Eve) Doncaster Kelso Lingfield Park (AW) Newbury Newcastle (AW)(Eve) Navan
5th Sun
Huntingdon Sedgefield Leopardstown
6th Mon
Lingfield Park Southwell Wolverhampton (AW)
7th Tue
8th Wed
Saturday 25th March – Newbury The final Jumps card of the season from Newbury takes place towards the end of the month and it will be a decent afternoon of racing.
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3rd Fri
9th Thu
10th Fri
11th Sat
Chelmsford City (AW)(Eve) Chepstow Plumpton
14th Tue
Cheltenham Sedgefield Southwell (AW) Wolverhampton (AW)(Eve)
15th Wed
Cheltenham Huntingdon Newcastle (AW)(Eve) Southwell (AW)
16th Thu
Chelmsford City (AW)(Eve) Cheltenham Hexham Towcester Dundalk (AW)(Eve)
17th Fri
Carlisle Newcastle (AW)(Eve) Southwell (AW) Wincanton Thurles Ayr Leicester Newcastle (AW)(Eve) Sandown Park Dundalk (AW)(Eve)
18th Sat
19th Sun
22nd Wed
Haydock Park Newcastle (AW) Warwick Kempton (AW)(Eve)
23rd Thu
Chelmsford City (AW)(Eve) Chepstow Ludlow Wolverhampton (AW) Cork
24th Fri
Lingfield Park (AW) Musselburgh Newbury Newcastle (AW)(Eve) Dundalk (AW)(Eve)
25th Sat
Bangor-on-Dee Kelso Lingfield Park (AW) Newbury Wolverhampton (AW)(Eve) Thurles
26th Sun
Hereford Wincanton Downpatrick Naas
27th Mon
Market Rasen Plumpton Wolverhampton (AW)
28th Tue
Hexham Southwell Wolverhampton (AW)
29th Wed
Lingfield Park (AW) Sedgefield Southwell (AW) Kempton (AW)(Eve)
30th Thu
Chelmsford City (AW)(Eve) Taunton Warwick Wolverhampton (AW) Limerick
31st Fri
Fontwell Park Lingfield Park (AW) Newcastle (AW)(Eve) Wetherby Dundalk (AW)(Eve)
Market Rasen Warwick Naas
13th Mon
Exeter Newcastle Southwell (AW) Catterick Fontwell Park Lingfield Park (AW) Kempton (AW)(Eve)
Ayr Chelmsford City (AW)(Eve) Hereford Sandown Park Wolverhampton (AW) Gowran Park
Cheltenham Fakenham Lingfield Park (AW) Wolverhampton (AW)(Eve) Wexford Fontwell Park Newcastle Uttoxeter Wolverhampton (AW)(Eve) Limerick Kempton Carlisle Ffos Las Limerick Navan
20th Mon
Southwell Taunton Kempton (AW)
21st Tue
Exeter Southwell (AW) Wetherby Clonmel
Free Racing Tips
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CHELTENHAM Across 1. Trainer of Native River and Cue Card 2. 2006 Champion Chase winner 6. 2015 Gold Cup winner 11. Jockey with 5 wins in Champion Chase 12. 2016 Albert Bartlett winner 13. Winner of 2015 Champion Bumper
Down 1. 2016 Stayers Hurdle winner 3. Rode Big Bucks in all Festival wins 4. Won 2012 Gold Cup on Synchronised 5. Won 2010 Supreme Novice Hurdle 7. 1/3 favourite for the Arkle 8. Twice in last two Gold Cups 9. Entries in 6 Grade 1s at Cheltenham Festival 10. 2008 World Hurdle winner 13. Favourite to be top trainer
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