Yearly Archives: 2011
Ladbrokes World Hurdle
Cheltenham Ladbrokes World Hurdle
Cheltenham Festival race guide – Ladbrokes World Hurdle betting
Where to start with the feature race on race day number three. Well, there can only be one place and that is the hat-trick seeking Big Bucks. Paul Nicholls’ French Import really is the definition of a wonderhorse. The 7yo has tasted defeat only once at Cheltenham and just four times in his progressive career and looks certain to give this years Ladbrokes World Hurdle a really good go. He won the 2009 running at odds of 6/1 and by the time the 2010 Cheltenham festival came around again he had not lost a race and went off the 5/6 favourite. But as good horses do, he justified those odds with ease and many expect him to join Inglis Drever as the most successful World Hurdle horse with a third success in 2011. Can he do it?
Big Bucks or not?
The leading long-distance event in the National Hunt calendar will await Big Bucks amongst others, as they prepare to jump twelve hurdles over three miles exactly. Horses four years plus can qualify for this event and Big Bucks last year scooped a fantastic £260,000 purse. And if the early ante-post market is trusted, then Big Bucks should go close in his attempt of another huge cash windfall. Race sponsors Ladbrokes have him at even money but some bookmakers are as short as 4/5. It is extremely likely he will go off odds against so take advantage of this even money before the price is gone, after all he has the form on paper and is the star performer in the field so what could possibly stop you?
Others to consider….
Well, there are some other good hurdlers being bandied about for this race, none more so than Nicky Henderson’s Zaynar. This 5yo grey won his first five career starts as a 4yo (two of those at Cheltenham) but is yet to get his head in front in 2010 which is a slight worry. Ladbrokes go 6/1 he rediscovers his form in time for the World Hurdle. Quevega is another potential entry and it will be interesting to see whether he goes for this or the David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle on the opening day.
Form, facts and records
The World Hurdle is a real test of a staying hurdler and as Howard Johnson’s Inglis Drever proved on three occasions, the ability to get up the Cheltenham Hill when there’s little left in the tank is the key. Big Bucks has proved his worth at it and we’re all anxious to see whether he repeat his successes and enter his name in the Cheltenham record books. Its worth taking in the trial runs at Cheltenham in January, the Byrne Group Cleeve Hurdle will provide a good idea as to where Big Bucks and other World Hurdlers are in terms of their peak performances. However, it might pay to stay away from the Irish for a change though, they have a dismal record in this Grade 1 and haven’t trained a winner since the 1995 renewal, but could their luck be in this year?
Realistically, it would be nice to pitch up some other potential winners of this race but its just so hard to get away from Big Bucks. And while you may not get big bucks back if you do back him, he’s sure to be one of the most backed horses of the entire festival. We saw punters hopping on at 5/6 last year and that is sure to happen once more although it’s not something punters enjoy – backing horses at odds on. But it does look like his race to lose but if he does fail in his hat-trick bid it will be his own doing and not because he was beaten by a better horse!
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Kim Muir Challenge Cup
Cheltenham Kim Muir Challenge Cup
Cheltenham Festival race guide – Kim Muir Challenge Cup betting
The final race on the penultimate day of the 2011 Cheltenham Festival is the Kim Muir Challenge Cup over three miles and one and ½ furlongs. It presents us with another chance to see the qualities of National Hunt amateur jockeys and those with links to the top yards usually do well in this contest. Nineteen fenced will be taken by these five years plus runners in this handicap race on Cheltenham’s new course. The event, named in memory of cavalry officer Kim Muir who lost his life during World War II, sees £55,000 head to the winning connections.
Kim Muir Challenge Cup odds
Another difficult race to predict but as always the best place to start is with the top trainers who have achieved victories in this contest before. Donald McCain Jnr and Nicky Henderson have shared four successes in the last eight years and it would come as no surprise to see one of these continue their fine record. It was Donald who trained last years winner Ballabriggs to a ½ length victory under the guidance of Richard Harding. It really is a real moment to saviour for these young apprentices, some are riding at Cheltenham for the very first time and the luckier ones can even write their names into festival folklore.
Amateur impression
In previous years this race has seen the likes of Robert ‘choc’ Thornton, David Crosse and Robert Walford claim victory and they have all since gone on to make a big impression as National Hunt racing jockeys. So could the 2011 Challenge Cup winning jockey be another star of the future. While it may be too early to predict this, look out for the jockey bookings of the top yards particulary Nicky Hendersons mount. He has another outstanding record in this race taking the spoils in 2002 and 2005 respectively. While some of the amateur jockeys’ names might seem unfamiliar, we can go on the expectation of their trainers. Very rarely do you see top yards employing poor or incapable apprentices and the fact that these trainers have entrusted these youngsters speak volumes about their navigating abilities.
There is no great form to look at and ponder when taking in this final race on day three. Winners at various prices ranging from 9/2 to 40/1 have been cheered into the winning enclosure at Cheltenham in recent years. And although form could still point towards the right direction, horses with experience at Cheltenham and wins over this distance hold the greatest chances.
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Kauto Star and Denman Preview
Are Kauto Star and Denman past their best ?
Cheltenham Festival Gold Cup preview
They have tasted success in the Cheltenham Gold Cup in three of the last four years, but 2010 has been a year both Kauto Star and Denman will want to forget in a hurry. The Paul Nicholls’ trained duo have won the hearts of the horse racing nation over the last five years with some scintillating performances on the biggest of stages.
Arguably, Denman’s career highlight came in the 2008 running of the Cheltenham Festival showpiece at the expense of his stablemate Kauto Star. His excessive weight in the Hennessey Gold Cup prevented him from completing a memorable three-timer, but with 14 lengths to find giving away almost two stone, are his doubters right to believe age has finally caught up with him? Will it be the chance for the likes of Imperial Commander and Long Run?
Kauto Star on the other hand, the most successful chaser in recent years will be gunning for a remarkable third success in the most valuable non-handicap chase in Britain. A faller in the event last time, Clive Smith’s gelding had his sights set on an unprecedented fifth successive King George VI win in the rearranged chase at Kempton Park. A workmanlike performance in the Champion Chase at Down Royal seemed to have the 10-year-old primed for an assault on Desert Orchid’s long standing record of four King George’s. Sent off at 4/7, Kauto Star looked a shadow of his former self when he badly blundered 2 out almost unseating Tony McCoy. Taking nothing away from the impressive Long Run, can Nicholls’ star performer rise to the challenge of another Gold Cup tilt at the age of eleven?
Nevertheless, both Kauto Star and Denman’s failure to notch their targeted races have seen the pair pushed out in the ante-post betting for the big March showdown. Punters were quick to snap up the revised odds after these respective defeats when Kauto Star was pushed out to as high as 10/1 and Denman trading around the 6/1 mark. Rather unsurprisingly, this excellent value didn’t last long and now Kauto is 7/1 across the board with his stablemate remaining solid at 6s. Regardless of their latest blips, if both horses can recover in time for Cheltenham and their shrewd trainer is adamant they can, they’re nigh on a certainty to back as each-way propositions.
Somewhat worryingly, Kauto Star was reported to have had a minor bleed from both nostrils after returning to his stable after the King George. But connections refused to make excuses for his below-par run, but he certainly needs to be putting his best foot forward at Cheltenham and his experience will be vital such is his vulnerability to a young and upcoming improver. Similarly, Denman falls into the same bracket and he will also be eleven by the time the Gold Cup comes around. However, his run in the event last time left a lot to be desired considering he seems to save his best runs for the festival. The horse goes well fresh and a good gallop from the off could get a few of these panicking in behind such is his aggressive and gallant style of running.
If age was no barrier, surely Kauto Star and Denman would be all the rave once more going into the 2011 Gold Cup renewal. But statistics in the race make grim reading for older runners – no horse older than 10 has triumphed since 1969 when 12-year-old What a Myth claimed victory. The recent trend is crystal clear that the race often serves up winners nine years or younger although Desert Orchid did manage to place in 1991 at the age of twelve. Therefore, the writing isn’t necessarily on the wall for Paul Nicholls’ coveted pair especially at such excellent each-way value with most firms paying a ¼ of the odds for the first three home. Denman has finished second in this race in the previous two years and on that evidence cannot be discarded as he and Kauto Star bid to cement their names in Cheltenham Gold Cup history!
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Jockeys to Follow
Jockeys to follow at the Cheltenham Festival
Cheltenham Festival jockeys
In their efforts to beat the bookies, many punters will sway towards a selection based on which jockey will be aboard the horse. A whole host of top jockeys will contest all of the races at the Cheltenham Festival as they all bid to ride the most winners and thus claiming the jockey’s title award. But who should one keep their beady eye on and monitor closely come the big March showdowns?
AP McCoy
There can be no place to start other than the fifteen-time champion jockey – Tony McCoy. Since riding his first winner in 1992 aged just seventeen, arguably the finest jump jockey to date has saddled over three thousand winners and one can be sure he is still hungry for success in the latest renewal of the Cheltenham Festival. His record at Prestbury Park can only be described as immaculate; listing the Gold Cup, Champion Hurdle and the Queen Mother on his glittering CV. One can only see him entering Cheltenham’s winning enclosure on a few more occasions in 2011 granted the top rides he will be given. Riding predominantly for the Jonjo O’Neill stable owned by JP McManus, AP can be noticed by his owner’s distinctive green and gold hooped jersey complete with a white cap. And while he may pick up rides for other top yards; Nicky Henderson and Willie Mullins to name just two; it’s always a good idea to keep a close eye on him as some racing enthusiasts say he can do no wrong on a horse. He would be an eye-catching jockey booking for any smaller stable, so monitor his mounts over the four days and one looks sure to be rewarded.
Ruby Walsh
Winner of two of the last four runnings of the Gold Cup, Ruby Walsh looked destined for the top after his father Ted was a champion amateur jockey. Perhaps it runs in this Irish families’ blood because Ruby’s younger sister Katy is an up and coming apprentice star of the future. But Ruby remarkably was leading jockey at the Festival five times in the last seven years (including twelve months ago) and is sure to give it another huge crack in March. Being the top, established jockey Walsh is it comes as no surprise that he is given the very best chances of winning races from the top stables. And there are none better than master-trainer Paul Nicholls who has sent out an endless number of winners at Cheltenham, including three winners of the Gold Cup. Any horse which pairs this deadly duo together must be at the head of the market and their record at Cheltenham justifies it. Ruby will pick up other rides elsewhere for Irish trainer Willie Mullins and representing top yards is a given now for the Irish National Hunt champion. After all, he does have that small matter of the most wins in Cheltenham Festival history to his name!
Richard Johnson
Probably the best chance of an Englishman taking the jockeys’ title accolade is Richard Johnson. He has had great success at the Cheltenham Festival in the last decade and took the opener in the Supreme Novices’ at Prestbury last year aboard Menorah. He is one of only two jockeys riding today that has won all Cheltenham’s four championship races and is certainly one to follow closely. Johnson and top trainer Philip Hobbs have combined frequently to land success at Cheltenham and looks sure to do the same this time around.
Barry Geraghty
This former Irish champion jump jockey will be teaming up with the powerful Nicky Henderson yard at the festival and one is sure to see the pair take several notable races. Since 2002, Geraghty has ridden nineteen winners at Cheltenham and became the first jockey to win all four championship races and the Grand National. He collected three wins last time at the festival and is one to keep on your side once more.
Paddy Brennan
Go on Paddy! Go on Paddy! That was the roar from the Cheltenham crowd as Paddy Brennan delivered Imperial Commander late to take last years Gold Cup. The highlight of his racing career was this victory but can he continue in the same vein and bang in more winners at Cheltenham. Well, he already six wins to his name since 2006 and won another major race aboard Inglis Drever in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle almost four years ago. Brennan will once more be riding for the Nigel Twiston-Davies yard and is sure to be saddled with some good rides from this shrewd trainer.
Timmy Murphy
Timmy is a jockey who must always be taken seriously. Riding for David Pipe on a regular basis he is a trusted jockey who is held in high regard by those who watch him. Another one from across the sea, he will occasionally pick up rides from other top stables and will head into the festival with as good a chance as most. He seems to ride winners with notable regularity during the season and must be feared come March.
Others not to overlook….
It would be unskilled and foolish to suggest just those mentioned above will dominate the 2011 Cheltenham Festival and if this article passed without the ratification of other top jump jockeys, well it wouldn’t be worth writing. And those others to look out for include Colin Tizzard who will take the rides for his father Joe and the early ante-post suggests they could have a winner with their impressive Cue Card, who could go for a number of races including the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle opener. Jason Maguire is another jockey to follow after his win aboard Donald McCain Jnr’s Peddler’s Cross in the Neptune Novices last year. Sam Thomas, Noel Fehily and Paul Carberry are other notable jockeys to follow while Sam Twiston-Davies (son of Nigel) looks sure to go well in the amateurs amongst others!
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Jewson Novices Handicap Hurdle
Cheltenham Jewson Novices Handicap
Cheltenham Festival race guide – Jewson Novices Handicap betting
More novice chasing kicks off day three and Sir Des Champs and For Non Stop are both prominent in early ante-post market. The latter readily won the Betfair Novices Chase at Newbury last month and a similar performance would put him bang there for trainer Nick Williams and as for Sir Des Champs, he holds an entry for the Jewson, the RSA Chase and the Arkle.
Jewson Novices Handicap odds
Copper Bleu took the spoils in 2010 for Richard Johnson and Philip Hobbs at a creditable 12/1. And horses at the lower end of the betting have defied their odds at the expense of favourites. Only one favourite has tasted success in this event and that was James Fanshawe’s Reveillez (9/2) almost five years ago, but these novice handicaps do not flatter in serving up some hot-priced winners. So be sure to explore the market thoroughly and looking for those runners who have placed in their previous runs is always a good place to start. That experience can bring novices’ on and with improvement likely it makes a good all round contest.
This race is a bit of a mismatch in the sense that novices’ who are not quite Arkle quality and do not get the extended three mile trip are often entered. But that’s not to say these large field races lack class because many have gone on to become Grand National runners. The £80,000 purse on offer though, is sometimes enough to lure these handicapped horses for an event like this and steer them clear of the National. Many of those who are entered for the Jewson Novices’ will fancy their chances and the market promises to be active before the off. The fact that five different jockeys and trainers have been victorious in the race makes for a very open contest and potentially another new winner will find its way into the record books.
Facts and stats
Seven year-olds have an 80% strike rate in this race and those carrying around ten stone have impressed in this race. The youngest winner of the race was Paul Nicholls’ Chapoturgeon in 2009; he won at the tender age of five but expect this one to go to one of the older more experienced novices. Mature horses that are unexposed after a light National Hunt season should be feared. The late January Cheltenham Festival trials are always good races to take in with potential novices’ entered for the Jewson Handicap appearing. This opener on day three is a very difficult one to predict but if you do get it right your in for a healthy reward with the average wining price around the 9/1 mark.
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How Many Horses Retain Cheltenham Championship Races
How many horses retain the Championship races at the Cheltenham festival?
Cheltenham Festival betting
A number of horses that have basked in the glory of winning a championship race at the festival before will often head back to Cheltenham to contest the race the following year. The likes of Big Buck’s and Kauto Star will be bidding to land major honours for the third time. The former will be looking to retain the World Hurdle for the third successive year while the latter will be aiming to get back to winning ways after last year’s blip in the Gold Cup.
It is these runners that usually go off as market leaders the following year and rightly so. The championship races at the festival often sees horses that have won the contest previously go on to score in the race the following year. This now becomes their target for the whole National Hunt season and Imperial Commander will be looking to demonstrate consistency by retaining the Gold Cup this year. Kauto Star has already tasted success in the Cheltenham showpiece twice before and was subsequently priced at 8/11 odds on as he attempted a hat-trick of wins. Paul Nicholls’ star performer fell and failed to justify favouritism but will be back for another crack in 2011. Those who retain the Cheltenham championship races though are usually favourite for a repeat, so the aforementioned Imperial Commander is likely to go off market leader in March – but can he retain it?
Gold Cup
Only a select handful of horses retain the four feature races at the festival and thus are deserving of their tags as the very best of their time. If we take a look at those who have retained the major races in recent times; one will come across Best Mate. Henrietta Knight’s classy performer won the retained the Gold Cup twice after winning it in 2002 and scoring the following two years. For the most successful Gold Cup horse ever one must trawl through the record books way back to the 1930s where Golden Miller won it for five consecutive years. Arkle was another successful Gold Cup horse that retained the coveted trophy twice winning it on three successive occasions in the 1960s.
World Hurdle
The World Hurdle has been dominated in the last twenty-four months by one horse in particular – Big Buck’s. After his first win in 2009 at odds of 6/1 this star hurdler has gone from strength to strength over obstacles and was sent off 5/6 favourite for the following year’s World Hurdle. Big Buck’s will be bidding to equal Inglis Drever’s record of three wins in this race and is sure to go off shorter than his 2010 victory. It would come as no surprise to see the Paul Nicholls’ trained horse go off at significant odds against which some punters might regard as unbackable odds. Inglis Drever took this event in 2005, 2007 and 2008 and his odds fluctuated dramatically. The Howard Johnson trained gelding first took the spoils as a six-year-old at odds of 5/1 and after missing the race the following year he made up for lost time scoring again at the same odds in 2007. The bookmakers shortened him up somewhat in 2008 but he went in again at 11/8 and his successes previously went someway towards shaping the betting. Big Buck’s is the one to beat this year and it’s hard to see him not emulating this success; certainly he holds a great chance of retaining the World Hurdle.
Champion Hurdle
The last horse to retain the Champion Hurdle was Dessie Hughes’ Hardy Eustace who after his success in 2004 followed it up twelve months later with another commanding display. Binocular won it last time and will be well fancied to retain the race but he has chinks in his armoury that were exposed in the 2009 running. He finished only third that day and despite franking that form with his victory last time – is he a horse who is capable of retaining this championship race? The Nicky Henderson trained French import was sent off at 9/1 for his Champion Hurdle success and one can be sure he goes off much shorter in March’s renewal. Henderson has a most impressive record in this contest and won it three times in as many years with See You Then in the late 1980s.
Queen Mother Champion Chase
The Queen Mother Champion Chase is a race which has been won and retained by a number or horses. Badsworth Boy is the most successful horse in this winning it on three occasions although several other runners have won this chase twice. And one of those is Master Minded who will be gunning to equal the record number of wins in 2011 after claiming the cash prizes in both 2008 and 2009. He won his first Queen Mother at odds of 3/1 and went off at an unprecedented 4/11 odds against favourite twelve months later, which he duly obliged. A healthier price will be available for him this year but can he shrug off last year’s disappointment? Or will Big Zeb return to the winner’s enclosure for the second year running?
The Coral Cup and The Fred Winter are two of the races which have been dominated by winners who had won last time out. In fact from 2005-2010, nine of the last ten winners of both these events all had winning form before heading to the Cheltenham festival. This is a statistic that cannot be overlooked in 2011 and one which might just be further reinforced after the four-day period in March. With some of the handicap races being relatively new additions to the Cheltenham festival card, often there is precious little to go regarding form from the race the previous year. This is true of the Fred Winter Novices’ Handicap Hurdle, and although there’s not a lot to go on yet, that statistic keeps appearing – three of the past four winners of this race were successful last time out. So keep it at the forefront of ones mind and hopefully it will pave the way for a profitable 2011 Cheltenham festival!
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David Nicholson Mares Hurdle
Cheltenham David Nicholson Mares? Hurdle
Cheltenham Festival race guide – David Nicholson Mares? Hurdle
Quevega. The wondermare who has dominates this Mares’ hurdle for the last three years. Many people’s banker of the festival, it is hard to see anything troubling Willie Mullins’ eight-year-old as she bids for her fourth consecutive success at the Cheltenham Festival. Dermot Weld’s Triumph Hurdle runner-up Unaccompanied still holds an entry for the race over 2m4f and rates best of the rest. Swincombe Flame will represent Nick Williams and she must be respected.
Ante- post Quevega’s to lose?
It’s really difficult to envisage Quevega not completing the hat-trick here should connections enter him in March. Willie Mullins’ 6yo mare took the £90,000 prize money last year by a comfortable four-and-a-half length margin and was more even more impressive twelve months earlier bolting up by fourteen lengths. However, the flip side is that she’ll be no sort of price such is her record in this race. She previously justified odds of 6/4 (2009) and 2/1 (2008) so it would be no surprise to see her go off at odds on this time – definitely the one they all have to beat. If you are cautious about taking Quevega on at odds against, by all means chance on a longshot because 20/1 Whiteoak rewarded those value punters in the first ever David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle.
Facts and Stats
Stats for this race are obviously few and far between because there has only been three runnings. But as ever keep a look out for horses from the top stables, Jonjo O’Neill and Donald McCain Jnr are just two to have on your side. Horses from these yards rarely lack the rigours and demands of any race and it is more than likely they will go in search of the £90,000 on offer for the winner. Trial races for this hurdle are worth noting and the Festival Hurdle at Punchestown provided a warm-up for French import Quevega last time so it will be interesting to see if she can make this another stepping stone towards success. She looks a real star of the future this horse and a good showing in this and she could certainly go onto bigger and better things.
The race, named in memory of former National Hunt jockey and trainer David Nicholson, will be the first of the 2011 festival to be ran on Cheltenham’s new course. The runners will still turn left-handed as they head towards the stand finish. This trappy affair will be the final chance to win some of your money back but it should also put the gloss on a terrific inaugural day’s racing.
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Cross Country Handicap Chase
Cheltenham Cross Country Handicap Chase
Cheltenham Festival race guide – Cross Country Handicap Chase
The first of three cross-country chases held annually at Cheltenham provides the basis for fifth race of day one at Prestbury Park. Irish-trained winners have dominated this race since its inception in 2005, and Scotsirish could well be horse to continue that trend. The eleven-year-old trained by Willie Mullins currently heads the betting following his Punchestown victory in February, where he beat market rival and 2008 and 2009 Cross Country Chase winner Garde Champetre.
The spoils could however go to Poker De Sivola, who has had an interrupted preparation this year with just a run on the all weather at Southwell to his name this season, but his win at the Festival last year marked him down as a smart stayer and he could have too many gears for many of his rivals here.
Cross Country Handicap Chase odds
The farthest distance of the festival so far will await runners and riders in this one. Three miles and seven furlongs is the trip, which will also include thirty-two obstacles for these five years and older horses. The chase seems to see favourites in the winning enclosure – they have won no fewer than three times in the six times this race has been ran. For this reason, it would be foolish to discount the favourite at post time but Handicaps can be funny renewals. Many were quick to draw a line through the chances of the unfancied Irish chaser, A New Story last year but Michael Hourigan’s 12yo went in at a massive price.
The popularity amongst punters for this race has been high since it’s introduction, but what trends and statistics have been reoccurring in this race? Well, older horses have tended to fair better than their slightly younger rivals – 12yos have had a 50% strike rate since the race was introduced. The Irish contingent of horses will be well fancied to maintain their 100% record in this Handicap Chase so it’s a no-brainer to focus on the entries from across the water. Cheltenham form as ever is also a big advantage, and those with course and distance wins should enter calculations. So ideally, if you piece the stats together you’re looking for an Enda Bolger trained 12yo from Ireland so good luck finding one of those!
What to look for when picking the winner of the Cross Country Handicap Chase
Sixteen runners took to the obstacles last year so there will be plenty with chances as they negotiate their way through the trip. Stamina once more is paramount at this extended distance and the horse must jump creditably on the day to hold any chance of winning. But the fact that there are only three Cross Country Chase’s in the jumps calendar means any race of this nature is worth keeping a watchful eye on. Certain trainers will be in and out of form in the run up to March’s festival but any Enda Bolder chaser he readies for this race must hold the greatest chance of winning. So this race might just be one for all those favourite backers out there!
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County Handicap Hurdle
Cheltenham County Handicap Hurdle
County Handicap Hurdle betting verdict
A large field for this handicap could see Dirar share his hand and some useful form on the flat recently. Gordon Elliott has his stable in fine fettle although this horse is unraced on the Prestbury turf. Therefore, it could pay to shade with ALAIVAN who can continue the good record of horses aged six in this contest. His biggest threat could stem from Via Galilei who looks a progressive type for Gary Moore and is on an upward curve. Get a free £25 bet with William Hill.
All conquering Paul Nicholls
Another one of those handicap races which are ever so difficult to call, and this one is certainly up there with the Pertemps Final Handicap and the Fred Winter from a betting angle. Twenty-eight ran in the contest last years and the first four placing were all filled by horses priced 20/1 bar. This goes to show that market confidence in this race should be taken with a pinch of salt and despite the huge Irish gambles that take place, those from across the water do have a poor record in this hurdle. But the ever present Paul Nicholls’ record isn’t quite so bad. He is the leading trainer for this country handicap readying winners in 2004, 2006 and more recently in 2009. Ruby Walsh took all three rides and they cannot be ruled out once again.
Form guides
The race, which honours retired Irish racehorse trainer Vincent O’Brien, has seen the younger horses perform better than their older rivals in the past decade. Five and six-year-olds have won six of the last eight runnings of this event and one might conclude that older horses have lacked the stamina to see out the two miles and a bit trip. But Pedrobob was an exception to this trend when he won by a length in 2007 as a 9yo gelding. The fluctuation in past results means the form guides for this race are uncertain to pinpoint a potential winner. An improving consistent sort could prove a good place to start when scouring down the card for the County Handicap Hurdle. The large field means there will be plenty of avenues to explore, it’s just picking the right one!
Perhaps, a little sigh of relief for those favourite backers in this race though – three market leaders have won this since the turn of the millennium. The last of those was in fact Paul Nicholls’ Desert Quest in 2006 who went of 4/1 joint favourite. But will the 2011 Handicap Hurdle go to one of those at the head of the market or will another blockbuster price winner send the bookies into delirium?
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Bet 365
Victor Chandler
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Coral Cup
Cheltenham Coral Cup
Coral Cup betting verdict
Another puzzling handicap in the shape of the Coral Cup provides us with the fifth race on day two of the Cheltenham Festival. At likely bigger odds, the winner of the Coral Cup is traditionally hard to predict and the early market signals suggest the Jonjo O’Neill-trained Get Me Out Of Here could be a possible contender along with last year’s winner Carlito Brigante. Get a free £25 bet with William Hill.
Coral Cup odds
Favourite backer?
Favourites once more have underperformed in this one, only two have won since the race was introduced in 1993. The last of those was Xenophon in 2003 and we must take the 2011 favourite with a pinch of salt if recent results are anything to behold. Big price horses have gone in at this race (some as big as 33/1) and the lottery of the race could well continue in March should we see an unfancied outsider steal the headlines. Trends for the handicap are few and far between but horses at the to pend of the weights and with relatively low handicap marks have filled the placings in recent events, but it remains to be seen whether this will be the way forward again.
Chancing on an outsider with solid form and potential is probably your best bet in the Coral Cup. As far as favourites go, well to be perfectly honest they don’t go. Well, they don’t go well anyway, so it might be best to overlook them and fork out some value in the field. You’ll have your hands full however because you won’t be short of choice because twenty-eight runners contested the 2010 running.
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