Kim Muir Challenge Cup

June 17, 2011
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Cheltenham Festival
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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.