Cheltenham week is one of the great spectacles in world racing. The roar of the crowd, the famous hill, and four days where fortunes are made or lost in the jumping game’s biggest theatre. The betting reaches fever pitch as well. Punters from around the globe pile in hoping to find a winner at Cheltenham, where landing a result can be as satisfying as it is lucrative.
For the festival this week we are leaning on a source who is right in the thick of it on the ground in Old Blighty. They have asked to remain anonymous due to their professional role within the industry, but we can vouch for the quality of the intel. Their mail at recent festivals has been outstanding and comes from someone who lives and breathes the UK and Irish jumps scene. Consider this genuine Cheltenham intelligence, not recycled form, delivered to Betsy readers straight from the source.
13:20 (12.20 am AEST) – Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (4yo+)A superb opening race to the week which makes it unbelievably difficult. Old Park Star has headed the betting for some time and deservedly so but over time some real potential has entered the fray including Mighty Park who is said to be Mullin’s next superstar. Its hard to back him at the current price because its not clear how good he is but he’ll have to be to beat some of these. Talk The Talk was excellent in getting up close home at the DRF so he definitely has a chance whilst Mydaddypaddy was short at times through the winter also. More recently Sober Glory entered the mix and if you forgive him his blip on a bog at Sandown at double figure prices he is the only one you could back at current odds. Its setup to be a crackerTip – Sober Glory EW @ 14/114:00 (1am) – Singer Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (5yo+)This is a race between the front two but they arent bombproof given Kopek is only having his 2nd run over fences and Lulamba has had an issue recently14:40 (1.40am) – McCoy Contractors Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) (Registered As The Fred Winter) (GBB) (Class 1) (4yo)The front end is dominated by JP McManus but they are in danger of being overbet and in an open renewal its worth looking elsewhere. The Mighty Celt ran a nice prep behind Manlaga at Haydock on his first start for Skelton which is sure to have brought him on and a good turn around at the weights. Quinta Do Lago has run in better races through the winter and cant be dismissed but the most interesting imo is Harwa who won very easily on his forst start for Paul Nolan a few weeks ago and could be open to any amount of improvement.Tip – Harwa @ 25/115:20 (2.20am) – Trustmarque Ultima Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (5yo+)JP has the front end again and they deserve to be there and hard to ignore. Throw in Johnnywho, who was touched off last year in the longer race he holds a strong hand btu the market hasnt missed them. Horses worth talking about are Hyland who loves better ground, pieces fitted down to a good mark, it feels like hes ready for a big run. Quebecoise has been trained with one sole aim all season which is to win this and the step up will suit him from a good mark whilst Knight Of Allen cna go well from out of the handicap.16:00 (3am) – Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy (Grade 1) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (4yo+)The Champion Hurdle is an interesting race despite it being poor in quality. For me the Irish mares are some way ahead of anything but the problem you have is Lossiemouth excels here whereas Brighterdayshead has been beaten twice here. I would have said given that you should side with Lossie but the difference in price between the two is too big so its hard to know which way to play. The New Lion, whilst he will have been trained all year solely for this, he has somethign to find on what he has done on the track this year and even last year really.16:40 (3.40am) – Sun Racing Plate Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (5yo+)Madara has clearly been prepped up for this and Mclaurey the same but again they are short in a competitive handicap. There is one horse in here I can see faring well and that is Midnight It Is for the resurgent Cromwell yard. This better ground and trip can see some improvement from him and it would be a huge surprise to see Cromwell’s other runner, Will The Wise show up better.Tip – Midnight It Is @ 25/117:20 (4.20am) – National Hunt Challenge Cup Novices’ Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (Class 2) (5yo+ 0-145)An open looking last race but one certainly stands out and sadly it isnt mine! Iceberg Theory looks like he is rapidly improving and the yard go well here so think he has an outstanding chance. The other interesting runner is One Big Bang for James Owen who is stepping back up in trip and has plenty going for him. Tip – Iceberg Theory @ 9/1 NAP (Best Bet)
