Yearly Archives: 2011
Cheltenham Tips
Cheltenham Betting Tips
Picking winners at the Cheltenham Festival is tough with some many great horses competing against eachother on one of the toughest tracks in British horse racing. Our team of expert betting pundits provide their free betting tips here for each day of the Cheltenham Festival.
Cheltenham Festival day 1 tips
1:30: Supreme Novices Hurdle – WIN – Darlan 11/2 Blue Square
Each Way – Prospect Wells 16/1 with BoyleSports
2:05: Arkle Challenge Trophy – WIN – Al Ferof 10/3 Blue Square
Each Way – Cue Card 15/2 Stan James
2.40: JLT Handicap Chase – WIN – Our Mick 10/1 William Hill
Each Way – The Package 13/2 Blue Square
3:20: Champion Hurdle – WIN – Hurricane Fly 10/11 Paddy Power
Each Way – Oscars well 14/1 Bet Victor
4:00 Cross Country Handicap Chase – WIN – Garde Champetre 10/1 Boylesports
Each Way – Balthazar King 14/1 Boylesports
4:40: OLBG Mares Hurdle – WIN – Quevega 1/2 William Hill
Each Way – Violin Davis 25/1 Stan James
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Victor Chandler
Bet 365
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Champion Hurdle
Cheltenham Champion Hurdle
Cheltenham Festival race guide – The Champion Hurdle
The highlight of the first day of racing, and a return to Cheltenham for last year’s winner – Hurricane Fly. Willie Mullins’ representative made an eye-catching reappearance when winning at Leopardstown in January and he must go close again in his bid to defend his crown. He’s currently odds against with all bookmakers to land this championship race for the second consecutive year, although 2010 victor Binocular will prove no pushover after missing the Festival twelve months ago. Zarkandar stayed on well under pressure to take last month’s Betfair Hurdle and he should make a bold bid too.
Champion Hurdle Form
The form in the run up to this race can prove a good starting point when analysing the chances of each runner. Irish horses have a decent record in this one so it might be worth monitoring the Irish Champion Hurdle which is scheduled to take place at Leopardstown in late January. Many horses who competed in the 2010 Champion Hurdle at the festival will tackle this trip once more so be sure to analyse their performances from twelve months ago. Still unsure what to back? Take in other trial runs such as the International Hurdle at Cheltenham in December, which in essence is a dress rehearsal of the big race in March where horses can sample course and conditions.
In the past runnings of this event, longshots have defied their odds. The aforementioned Punjabi held on gamely in 2009 scoring by a neck at 22/1, he was also third the previous year at 25/1. Sublimity in 2007 won at 16/1 also, so there is value to be had in the Champion Hurdle but just a word on those gunning for Binocular – he was a beaten 6/4 favourite in 2009 and is likely to go off market leader after his win last year. McCoy rode him to victory last time, but how will the horse fair this time?
Victor Chandler
Bet 365
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Champion Bumper
Cheltenham Champion Bumper
Champion Bumper betting verdict
The most prestigious National Hunt Flat Race concludes the day’s action on Wednesday where Willie Mullins will hope to repeat his 2006 success with Cousin Vinny, when he saddles Champagne Fever. But Royal Guardsman could play a part for Colin Tizzard following his eye-catching seven-length win in an Ascot bumper last month. The winner of the Champion Bumper often develop into leading performers over the obstacles and it would be no surprise to see this year’s winner make that transition. Get a free £25 bet with William Hill.
Champion Bumper odds
Champion Bumper Irish Influence
But he isn’t the only Irish racehorse trainer to be feared in this event, after all they have displayed a great deal of dominance over their British rivals taking eight of the last twelve runnings. Dunguib won it in 2009 and the Philip Fenton trained 7yo was backed into 4/6 for the Supreme Novices where it seemed the whole of Ireland were banking on him. He fluffed his lines that day, but it spoke volumes of the type of horses that come out of the Champion Bumper and it will be interesting to see a whole new batch of recruits in March.
Flat Jockeys have saddled runners in this race in previous years and often compete in the hope of riding a Cheltenham festival winner. Jamie Spencer was the last out and out flat jockey to taste victory in this contest in 2002 but since the flat riders have been out of luck. Whichever jockey becomes victorious; the horse that wins this race is destined for a big future over obstacles. Previous winners of this Bumper have developed into leading hurdlers and chasers but who will make the transition this year?
Victor Chandler
Bet 365
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Bryne Group Plate
Cheltenham Byrne Group plate
Cheltenham Festival race guide – Byrne Group plate betting
Whether you are counting your winning returns after the success of Big Bucks or staring at your empty wallet – the Bryne Group Plate provides yet another chance to make some more profit from those bookies or in the worst case scenario a chance to recoup some of your losses! Ran over a distance over two miles and five furlongs and with seventeen flights of fences to be negotiated, this handicap steeplechase is a tough one to get right and previous market vibes have proved inconclusive with 66/1 and 33/1 winners arriving home first in both 2008 and 2009. And the big prices didn’t stop there, Great Endeavour under a good ride from Danny Cook was an 18/1 winner the last time this race was ran. That’s an enormous average winning price of 39/1 in the last three runnings alone!
Byrne Group plate odds
Handicap steeplechases always draw large fields and last year saw twenty-four horses five years or older waved on by the starter’s orders and we can expect a similar number contesting the 2011 renewal. A long list of runner’s means there will be ample chances to pick out the winner but it may be best to stay clear of the favourite, one hasn’t won since the 1980s. And it’s very difficult to iron out any reoccurring trends in this race as horses with a range of different ages have been successful although in the 2000s at least Venetia Williams has had two 8yos in the winning enclosure. The 2009 Grand National winning trainer with Mon Mome won this in 2007 and 2009 but can she keep this sequence going with another in 2011? Nicky Henderson is another like Venetia who has tasted Plate success on two occasions during the last decade so keep an eye out for runners from both yards.
Byrne Group plate Form
Analysing the form of runners in this race has proved fruitless in recent renewals but look for those horses that have had previous Cheltenham Festival experience and maybe those that have had a relatively light National Hunt racing season. The best horse in the race probably won’t win the 2011 Byrne Group Plate as past results have shown, so as a general rule of thumb look for those who have the necessary chasing attributes – jumping technique, good pace and stamina. They should all be firmly embedded in ones mindset.
Your guesses for this one are probably as good as mine – the top yards and stables always deserve respect and those are the horses to keep on your side. Look back at your picks form and if improvement is likely there is a good chance it may come in this race as the jumping season enters full swing.
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Biggest Shocks and Upsets
Cheltenham Festival biggest shocks and upsets
Cheltenham Festival race history
The Cheltenham Festival would lose its tag as the most prestigious meeting in the National Hunt calendar if it wasn’t for the shocks and upsets that test the wallet strings of so many punters. Time and time again winners, some as large as 100/1, have defied their odds to put on a Cheltenham masterclass and arrive first home. So let’s take a trip down memory lane and take a look at those unexpected few that have landed major honours at major prices over the last decade.
Handicap shocks
Twelve months ago it was the Champion Bumper that threw up the largest price winner of the 2010 Cheltenham Festival. Colin Tizzard’s Cue Card romped home by eight lengths to defy odds of 40/1 and now looks a future star in the making. When winners go in at such large prices, some would class it as a one-off but with Cue Card it seems the festival have unearthed a real gem. It will be interesting to see which race he is entered for in March but is certain to go off at single figure odds.
It is usually handicap races that throw up the most unexpected winners. With all horses weighted accordingly and by the letter of the law, all should hold an even chance of winning a handicap contest. And this is partly the reason why we witness horses so weak in the market causing tremendous upsets on the largest of stages. The largest price winner of the last ten years was David Elsworth’s Mister McGoldrick that won the Racing Post Plate Handicap Chase at 66/1 in 2008. He stormed home by a whopping thirteen lengths and put punters firmly in their place in the process.
Shocks in the championship races
If we take a look at the biggest shocks in the four major championship races, probably the biggest upset came in the 2004 Champion Hurdle. The Dessie Hughes trained Hardy Eustace defied odds of 33/1 to land the spoils in the feature on day one. In fact 2004 had its fair share of upsets and on day three the Kim Muir and Pertemps Handicap Hurdle were won by 40/1 and 50/1 shots respectively. The Gold Cup has predominately been landed by those at short prices and War of Attrition was the largest price victor at 15/2 in 2006 since the turn of the millennium. However the 1990 Gold Cup arguably provided the greatest Cheltenham festival shock ever when Norton’s Coin ridden by Graham McCourt arrived first home at an unprecedented 100/1. And what a stage to deliver it! Since, there have been no triple price winners but could that change in 2011?
The handicaps are most likely to seek out large price winners such is their unpredictability. Grade races generally go to those who take up a kind position in the market but anything can happen in a handicap, literally anything! So if one is fancying a punt on a friendless horse in the market, try your hand at one in a handicap where stranger things have happened!
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Arkle Challenge Trophy
Cheltenham Arkle Challenge Trophy
Cheltenham Festival race guide – The Arkle Challenge Trophy
Captain Chris displayed Arkle-winning credentials for Phillip Hobbs and Richard Johnson in this same race last year, and Sprinter Sacre looks to hold all the aces this time around. After failing to get up the Cheltenham hill in the Supreme Novices’ a year ago, Nicky Henderson’s stellar performer has made the transition to chasing look easy, such was the nature of his three victories over the larger obstacles this season. Perhaps one of the bankers across the four days, Sprinter Sacre’s main danger may well come from Al Ferof who got the better of him in the aforementioned Supreme Novices’ twelve months ago. Peddlers, Cue Card and Menorah could also make the frame should they tilt towards the Arkle.
Finian’s Rainbow has only beaten seven horses home all season but that hasn’t’ stopped him waiting all three races. They are likely to go a breakneck pace here and his jumping will come under plenty of scrutiny, he may not be quite up to that test. If there is a horse capable of running a big race at big odds it’s Mikael D’Hauguenet who won at last year’s Festival, it looked as though he has a big future but things haven’t dropped into place this season, he remains capable of much better.
Arkle Challenge Trophy odds
This is another race for novice chasers on the old course at Cheltenham; where they will swing left-handed once more before descending towards home. Named after one of it’s most famous competitors, Arkle, the race will find out those horses who lack fluency over the obstacles. The two-mile distance is the minimum trip at the festival but emphasis is very much on speed and good jumping. Nicky Henderson certainly knows how to ready a horse for this race, the shrewd trainer has won it three times but his most recent win was over a decade ago in 2000. Paul Nicholls and Alan King also have good records over the years in this race any horse from these top stables must be taken seriously in the betting.
What happened last year?
Sizing Europe pipped Somersby by ¾ of a length to take the corresponding race at last years festival and trends suggests horses that won last time out perform well in this one. Henry de Bromhead’s Sizing Europe had won its four previous starts and Somersby its last two, and it would be no surprise to see this year’s winner have form already in the book. As the new jumps season gets underway, it will be interesting to see how potential runners for this race fare in their trial runs. Paul Nicholls’ Celestial Halo who has fallen in his last two runs with Ruby Walsh aboard has been mooted as a possible entrant but the ante-post is relatively low key at this very early stage.
Arkle Challenge Trophy 2011?
The 2011 Arkle promises to be an eye-catching affair and all entries will be looking to end their respective jumping seasons on a high. Jump jockeys will also be aiming to cram in the winners at the festival and it wouldn’t be jump racing without Tony McCoy riding a boat load of winners. The 15-times Champion jockey has tasted Arkle success three times before and his mount will sure come in for money if the McCoy factor can loom large.
Victor Chandler
Bet 365
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Albert Barlett Novices Hurdle
Cheltenham Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle
Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle betting verdict
A relatively new race on the Cheltenham festival card so recent trends as expected are difficult to go by. Nevertheless, COURT IN MOTION absolutely bolted up in a competitive Warwick handicap two starts ago and has a leading chance on that evidence. Bu t it is arguable that he didn’t beat much that day and Gagewell Flyer has an excellent chance of going in as a 7-year-old – who incidentally have a 50% strike rate in this event. Kilcrea Kim, Back in Focus and Join Together can also enter the fray on their recent good form. Get a free £25 bet with William Hill.
Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle odds
This race is ideal for the staying novice hurdles that are probably just below par for the Ladbrokes World hurdle but are certainly adept at this lesser level. Only recently has this race held Grade 1 status so a lot of quality will go to post for this eagerly anticipated contest. It has grown in stature and prestige amongst Cheltenham racing enthusiasts since its launch and it is a real eye-opener to some of the top staying novice hurdlers. Previous winners include Weapons Amnesty who won this in 2009 and twelve months later went on to blitz the RSA Chase by seven lengths. Davy Russell’s mount went in at odds of 10/1 which suggests there is value to be had in this field for those very shrewd betting folk.
Trial paths
Despite it being a relatively new race on the card, certain trends have become evident. Seven year old horses have a 50% strike rate in the race and both Robert Thornton and AP McCoy have won it on two occasions. McCoy rode his two winners for JonJo O’Neill and the second of those Wichita Lineman has been a real success story since his victory in 2007. He was sent to contest the Ballymore Properties Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival trials in January before scoring in the Albert Bartlett just two months later. So this race is worth keeping an eye on with possible entrants choosing to go down this route. Wichita Lineman subsequently went on to find the Ladbrokes World Hurdle too much but did find success in the 2009 running of the William Hill Handicap Chase. Therefore, the 2011 race winner might just go on to become to claim a few more festival accolades.
Berties Dream for Paul Gilligan yard tasted success in this last year at a massive 33/1. But prior to that, this race had not seen any winner go in higher than 9/1. So despite this anomaly, the betting could guide for the Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle although the trip could catch a few of these out. It is important that when the runners are declared that you seek out horses that are proven over this trip and not only stay the trip, but stay it well. The long run-in could hamper the chances of some, so stamina is the key as they prepare to be greeted close home by that famous ‘Cheltenham Roar’!
Victor Chandler
Bet 365
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Foxhunter Chase
Foxhunter Chase Betting Preview
The Christie’s Foxhunter Chase Challenge Cup is run over 3 miles 2 furlongs and is a race that is traditionally won by shorter price horses who have the trait of winning last time out. The 2009 affair of the Foxhunter Chase looks set to be a tight race, with the likes of Cappa Bleu, Juveigneur and Amicelli all making plenty of appeal.
Foxhunter Chase Tip – Juveigneur 5/1 – Free £25 bet at Tote Sport
Juveigneur is a former top class handicapper and has already finished as a runner up at the Cheltenham Festival. This experience should put him in great stead to go one better this time out at good odds. Bet now at Tote Sport for the best odds and £25 free bet
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Victor Chandler
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Derby Trial Stakes
Totesport Derby Trial Stakes betting and odds
Totesport.com Derby Trial Stakes betting preview
After Frankel blew his rivals out of the water in the 2000 Guineas last week, attentions switch to preparations for the Epsom Derby and the Totesport.com Derby Trial Stakes at Lingfield Park on Saturday. The race over a mile and three furlongs is open to 3-year-olds and the early market signs suggest there’s little between all seven runners. Richard Hannon’s Measuring Time could go off paper jolly although the Mark Johnston trained pair Hurricane Higgins and Dordogne should take up a prominent position in the betting ring.
Derby Trial Stakes odds
A lot was expected of Measuring Time twelve months ago where he flourished as a 2-year-old winning his first two career starts over six and seven furlongs respectively. He then came up against Native Khan in the Solario Stakes at Sandown and only failed by half-a-length. The Hannon and Hughes combination found another too good in a listed event at Haydock next time and Measuring Time has failed to land a blow in 2011 with two second-place efforts. His inability to get his head in front might put off a few punters and this horse could be vulnerable should he be scrapping it out a furlong from home. Richard Hughes will again be in the saddle but 5/2 looks a little short for a horse who hasn’t won since his first two appearances on a racecourse.
Shrewd trainer Mark Johnston looks sure to play a big hand in this Derby Trial with the aforementioned Hurricane Higgins (4/1) probably his best hope. Stable jockey Joe Fanning opted for this lightly raced runner over Dordogne after his maiden victory in a Grade 5 event at Lingfield over 1m2f in January. Hurricane Higgins was a non-runner in the Classic Trial at Sandown last month so it will be interesting to see if connections already had one eye on this race. His chances are taken on trust though after only one career start. Dordogne (9/2) on the other hand will be ridden by Neil Callan in the Sheikh Hamdan colours although he will need to forget his last run in the Classic Trial where he hung badly and finished last of nine runners. If that run can be excused, Dordogne was a game winner at Newmarket just over a month ago and a similar effort would put him in the frame.
Marhaba Malyoon is an interesting runner for the David Simcock yard having won over slightly shorter at Bath last September in his only run to date. It’s unlikely he beat much apart from strong favourite El Mansour that day but he should stay the trip for William Buick and with scope for improvement, a big run can be expected at 6/1. Godolphin run American import Borug who finished second in a similar Derby Trial three weeks ago. Frankie Dettorii fresh from his 1000 guineas success aboard Blue Bunting will be hoping for a nice run and Saeed Bin Suroor’s runners are always high on the list. He is currently an 11/2 chance.
War is War and Laughing Jack complete the line-up and both colts are not without a chance in a wide open contest. Ed Dunlop transferred the latter from Michael Bell’s stable after his 5th in his racecourse bow at Newmarket last year and he repaid the faith shown to him by landing a competitive maiden at Windsor in April. War is War is another with little racecourse time but could enter the fray if recapturing his form as a 2-year-old. Both horses are 10/1 chances to scoop the £65,000 purse.
Betting Verdict
By Mikey Mumford
Coral Eclipse Betting Preview
Coral Eclipse betting preview
The Coral Eclipse Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race for thoroughbred horses aged three years old and up. It is run over a distance of 1 mile, 2 furlongs and 7 yards at the Sandown Park Racecourse in Surrey during early July.
It seen as a highly intriguing race, due to the fact that it is the first time that the established four and five year old horses take on the three year old newcomers who have performed well at the Classics. It is a hugely exciting race as it attracts some of the best flat racing thoroughbred horses in the world and it always a favourite for horse racing betting punters. Age does not appear to be a huge factor in determining the winner; since 1990, there have been six winners apiece from the three year old group, four year old group and five year old group.
With the 2009 Coral Eclipse Stakes just around the corner, expectations are already high due to fact it is expected to be a highly competitive field, and horse racing betting for this race appears a difficult proposition.
Sea the Stars, the winner of the 2,000 Derby and the Epsom Derby is currently favourite for the Coral Eclipse at best odds 5/6 with Blue Square. His record speaks for itself and the fact that he has won short and long distance races demonstrates that he has speed as well as stamina. Another factor in favor of Sea the Stars is that he was a late withdrawal for last week’s Irish Derby due to the soft ground. This should put him in perfect condition for the Coral Eclipse and it’s easy to see why he is an odds on favourite.
Rip Van Winkle, the three year old trained by Aiden O’ Brien certainly has the pedigree to prevail at the Coral Eclipse Stakes. He finished a respectable 4th at the recent Epsom Derby and it is thought that a mile and a quarter race like the Coral Eclipse Stakes should suit him more due to the speed in the female line of his pedigree. His odds of 4/1 with Paddy Power will be of interest to a lot of punters.
Amongst the older horses, the four year olds Cima de Triomphe and Conduit are expected to do well, as is the five year old Archipenko. It is important to remember that the line up is not yet confirmed for the Coral Eclipse Stakes, so odds could fluctuate wildly. It is therefore important to keep an eye on which horses are confirmed as runners.
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