The Festival is over for another year, but what a magnificent four (three!) days we had.
Everyone will have their own individual highlights, but for us there was a period of just over an hour on Thursday afternoon when we were reminded of exactly why we make the pilgrimage to Cheltenham every year.
First up was the awesome performance of Master Minded in the Queen Mother. His was a quite exceptional display of speed and fluent jumping and, as there is no reason to think that Voy Por Ustedes was below his best, it was as good a Festival performance as there has been for many, many years. It was simply breathtaking.
If that wasn’t enough, two races later we saw the hugely popular Inglis Drever complete a unique hat-trick of wins in the World Hurdle. There was nothing flashy about his effort as it was grit, determination and a fierce will to win that saw Howard Johnson’s horse scythe through the field on the punishing Cheltenham hill to get his head in front where it mattered and secure his place in the history books. The immense joy on the face of his stable lass was shared by all of us lucky enough to be at Prestbury Park on a magical afternoon of national hunt racing.
We hope you enjoyed the action as much as us and thank you for reading our Blog over the past few weeks. We’ll be back again at the end of the year to start building up to the 2009 Festival. It can’t come around quick enough!
For those of you who can’t wait, log on to our sister site, www.grandnational.org.uk for all of the build up to this year’s National.
Monday, 17 March 2008
Friday, 14 March 2008
Frasier v Ali, McEnroe v Borg, now its Kauto v Denman
At last it's here.
After yesterday experiencing the brilliance of Master Minded in the Champion Chase and the emotion of Inglis Drever winning his third World Hurdle the stage is set for the greatest show on turf.
After all the build up, let's just hope both horses have luck in running and we find out once and for all who the champion is. May the best horse win!
Here are today's updated selections:
County Hurdle: Wanango could have run in one of the handicap chases, so it significant that he lines up here instead. Missis Potts and Mon Michel are next best.
Grand Annual: Not the strongest race and My Petra stands out at the bottom of the weights in a race Nicky Henderson would love to win again. If the ground dries out enough, Enlightenment can follow the selection home whilst Tramantano is a lively outsider.
After yesterday experiencing the brilliance of Master Minded in the Champion Chase and the emotion of Inglis Drever winning his third World Hurdle the stage is set for the greatest show on turf.
After all the build up, let's just hope both horses have luck in running and we find out once and for all who the champion is. May the best horse win!
Here are today's updated selections:
County Hurdle: Wanango could have run in one of the handicap chases, so it significant that he lines up here instead. Missis Potts and Mon Michel are next best.
Grand Annual: Not the strongest race and My Petra stands out at the bottom of the weights in a race Nicky Henderson would love to win again. If the ground dries out enough, Enlightenment can follow the selection home whilst Tramantano is a lively outsider.
Thursday, 13 March 2008
The best day's racing ever?
After the huge disappointment of yesterday, today brings possibly the best day's jump racing ever held with the Champion Chase, World Hurdle and Ryanair Chase all being run within the space of a couple of hours.
The ground at Cheltenham is drying out, but it is still likely to be sticky after the rain we've had so stamina is the key.
Here are the updated tips for day 2/3!
Ryanair: Tamarinbleu goes for the Champion Chase so the selection is Racing Demon in the hope that he can jump well, and straight, enough to stay in touch.
Fulke Walwyn: Bob Bob Bobbin is interesting at a big price, with My Immortal and Jaunty Times next best.
The ground at Cheltenham is drying out, but it is still likely to be sticky after the rain we've had so stamina is the key.
Here are the updated tips for day 2/3!
Ryanair: Tamarinbleu goes for the Champion Chase so the selection is Racing Demon in the hope that he can jump well, and straight, enough to stay in touch.
Fulke Walwyn: Bob Bob Bobbin is interesting at a big price, with My Immortal and Jaunty Times next best.
Wednesday, 12 March 2008
Day Two Update - Gutted!
Like all racegoers, we awoke this morning to the hugely disappointing news that, due to high winds and the risk of structural damage to the temporary enclosures at the racecourse, day two of this year's Festival has had to be abandoned.
Looking on the bright size, it does at least give us some extra time to study the form for the mamouth ten and nine race cards to be held tomorrow and Friday.
The ground was riding soft yesterday, but the strong winds will be drying it out all the time and if we don't get any more rain the going could be genuinely good by the time the next race gets underway at 12.30pm on Thursday.
One of our initial tips for today's card isno longer running, so here is the updated prediction for that race:
Ballymore Properties: Fiveforthree looks the one to be on following his switch to this race in preference to the Supreme Novices. Breedsbreeze is respected, whilst Venalmar is interesting at bigger odds.
Looking on the bright size, it does at least give us some extra time to study the form for the mamouth ten and nine race cards to be held tomorrow and Friday.
The ground was riding soft yesterday, but the strong winds will be drying it out all the time and if we don't get any more rain the going could be genuinely good by the time the next race gets underway at 12.30pm on Thursday.
One of our initial tips for today's card isno longer running, so here is the updated prediction for that race:
Ballymore Properties: Fiveforthree looks the one to be on following his switch to this race in preference to the Supreme Novices. Breedsbreeze is respected, whilst Venalmar is interesting at bigger odds.
Tuesday, 11 March 2008
Day One Update
With Fier Normand and Free World both non runners, here are our updated selections:
William Hill Chase: Abragante could lead home a David Pipe one, two with An Accordion being the next best. Monkerhostin should also run well.
Fred Winter: Ashkazar can land the bonus for the Pipe yard which is on offer to any horse winning the Sunderlands Imperial Cup and a race at the Festival. Prince Erik and Indian Spring are interesting at bigger prices.
In addition, Binocular is now an interesting runner in the Supreme Novices Hurdle, whilst Tony Martin is worth a bet each way for top Festival trainer.
William Hill Chase: Abragante could lead home a David Pipe one, two with An Accordion being the next best. Monkerhostin should also run well.
Fred Winter: Ashkazar can land the bonus for the Pipe yard which is on offer to any horse winning the Sunderlands Imperial Cup and a race at the Festival. Prince Erik and Indian Spring are interesting at bigger prices.
In addition, Binocular is now an interesting runner in the Supreme Novices Hurdle, whilst Tony Martin is worth a bet each way for top Festival trainer.
Monday, 10 March 2008
Let's Get Ready To Rumble!
At 2pm tomorrow, the waiting will finally be over and a roar will ring out from the stands at Prestbury Park, signaling the start of the Cheltenham Festival.
Here are a few last minute tips and tit-bits to bear in mind:
The Maserati or the Tank? Well, rumour has it that Ruby Walsh made up his mind to ride Kauto Star after he’d ridden Denman to victory at Leopardstown over Christmas. Make of that what you will!
Leading bloodstock agent, Anthony Bromley, purchased all three of the leading contenders for this year’s Queen Mother Champion Chase – Voy Por Ustedes, Master Minded and Twist Magic. He’s pick of the three………..Master Minded.
The three single most important factors to bear in mind when trying to select winners this week are previous Festival form, ground conditions and trainer form.
Trainers currently inform, who also have good recent Festival records, include Alan King, Paul Nicholls, Philip Hobbs, Tony Martin and Venetia Williams. The Henry Daly yard is also showing welcome signs of a rival, whilst there are still doubts over the wellbeing of horses from the Jonjo O’Neill, Peter Bowen, Evan Williams and Howard Johnson yards.
As far as the going is concerned, a horse’s breeding, as well as its form, can often be a guide to the type of ground it prefers. Horses with the influence of Turtle Island, Roselier, Sadler’s Wells, In The Wings, Cyborg and Gunner B in their bloodlines tend to prefer soft ground, whilst those descended from the likes of Beneficial, Accordion, Presenting and Supreme Leader often enjoy a quicker surface.
The overnight storms have failed to make too much difference to the ground at Cheltenham. A total of 10mm of rain has eased the going on the Old course to good, good to soft in places and on the New course to good to soft, good in places. The cross-country is still good.
Mick Fitzgerald was shocked when he saw Sublimity down at the start of his only race so far this season - at Cheltenham in November. Why was he shocked? Because he couldn’t believe how fat the horse was! He ran like he was short of fitness that day and if, as is likely, he is tuned to the minute to defend his Champion Hurdle crown, he will surely leave that early season form far behind.
The full race previews that appear on our website will be update via the Blog once the final declarations for each race are known.
Finally, all that is left for us to do is wish you an enjoyable, exciting and profitable Festival!
Here are a few last minute tips and tit-bits to bear in mind:
The Maserati or the Tank? Well, rumour has it that Ruby Walsh made up his mind to ride Kauto Star after he’d ridden Denman to victory at Leopardstown over Christmas. Make of that what you will!
Leading bloodstock agent, Anthony Bromley, purchased all three of the leading contenders for this year’s Queen Mother Champion Chase – Voy Por Ustedes, Master Minded and Twist Magic. He’s pick of the three………..Master Minded.
The three single most important factors to bear in mind when trying to select winners this week are previous Festival form, ground conditions and trainer form.
Trainers currently inform, who also have good recent Festival records, include Alan King, Paul Nicholls, Philip Hobbs, Tony Martin and Venetia Williams. The Henry Daly yard is also showing welcome signs of a rival, whilst there are still doubts over the wellbeing of horses from the Jonjo O’Neill, Peter Bowen, Evan Williams and Howard Johnson yards.
As far as the going is concerned, a horse’s breeding, as well as its form, can often be a guide to the type of ground it prefers. Horses with the influence of Turtle Island, Roselier, Sadler’s Wells, In The Wings, Cyborg and Gunner B in their bloodlines tend to prefer soft ground, whilst those descended from the likes of Beneficial, Accordion, Presenting and Supreme Leader often enjoy a quicker surface.
The overnight storms have failed to make too much difference to the ground at Cheltenham. A total of 10mm of rain has eased the going on the Old course to good, good to soft in places and on the New course to good to soft, good in places. The cross-country is still good.
Mick Fitzgerald was shocked when he saw Sublimity down at the start of his only race so far this season - at Cheltenham in November. Why was he shocked? Because he couldn’t believe how fat the horse was! He ran like he was short of fitness that day and if, as is likely, he is tuned to the minute to defend his Champion Hurdle crown, he will surely leave that early season form far behind.
The full race previews that appear on our website will be update via the Blog once the final declarations for each race are known.
Finally, all that is left for us to do is wish you an enjoyable, exciting and profitable Festival!
Sunday, 9 March 2008
More Preview Night Tips
The Festival previews and stable open days continue a pace and here are some of the most interesting tips from those held during the past week:
Alan King: Group Captain (Ballymore Properties), Prideus e/w (Fred Winter)
Mick Fitzgerald: Aigle D’Or (Ballymore Properties)
Nina Carberry: Jered (County Hurdle)
Tom Taaffe: Zaarito (Bumper)
Ruby Walsh: AP McCoy to be top jockey
Timmy Murphy: Franchoek (Triumph Hurdle)
Conor O’Dwyer: Leg Spinner (Coral Cup)
Brendan Powell: Noland (Arkle)
Corky Browne (Nicky Henderson’s head lad): Khyber Kim (Supreme Novices)
Paddy Flood: Velnamar (Ballymore Properties)
Davey Russell: River Laine (Fred Winter)
Alan King: Group Captain (Ballymore Properties), Prideus e/w (Fred Winter)
Mick Fitzgerald: Aigle D’Or (Ballymore Properties)
Nina Carberry: Jered (County Hurdle)
Tom Taaffe: Zaarito (Bumper)
Ruby Walsh: AP McCoy to be top jockey
Timmy Murphy: Franchoek (Triumph Hurdle)
Conor O’Dwyer: Leg Spinner (Coral Cup)
Brendan Powell: Noland (Arkle)
Corky Browne (Nicky Henderson’s head lad): Khyber Kim (Supreme Novices)
Paddy Flood: Velnamar (Ballymore Properties)
Davey Russell: River Laine (Fred Winter)
Thursday, 6 March 2008
No Runner, No Bet
Ladbrokes, the main betting partner of our Festival website, have now gone non runner no bet on all Cheltenham markets, a move that’s opened up a whole new range of betting opportunities for punters.
With so many fancied horses currently having multiple entries at the meeting, we can now, for example, have a bet on a horse in the Supreme Novices Hurdle without fear that he might run instead in the Ballymore Properties.
Given the huge fields at the Festival, there was also previously the chance that your selection wouldn’t make the cut and you would lose your money as a result.
Here are some horses to consider backing on a non runner no bet basis, together with their latest odds at Ladbrokes (as at 3pm on 6 March):
Supreme Novices Hurdle: Breedsbreeze, 25-1, Binocular, 16-1
Arkle: Tidal Bay, 7-1
Fred Winter: Double Guest, 16-1
Ballymore Properties: Fiveforthree, 12-1
Sun Alliance Chase: Scotsirish, 25-1, Finger On The Pulse, 33-1
Coral Cup: Missis Potts, 14-1
Ryanair: Tamarinbleu, 8-1
Triumph Hurdle: Five Dream, 20-1, Grand Schlem, 33-1
David Nicholson: Missis Potts, 16-1
County Hurdle: Jered, 10-1
Click here to claim an exclusive £25 free bet with Ladbrokes
With so many fancied horses currently having multiple entries at the meeting, we can now, for example, have a bet on a horse in the Supreme Novices Hurdle without fear that he might run instead in the Ballymore Properties.
Given the huge fields at the Festival, there was also previously the chance that your selection wouldn’t make the cut and you would lose your money as a result.
Here are some horses to consider backing on a non runner no bet basis, together with their latest odds at Ladbrokes (as at 3pm on 6 March):
Supreme Novices Hurdle: Breedsbreeze, 25-1, Binocular, 16-1
Arkle: Tidal Bay, 7-1
Fred Winter: Double Guest, 16-1
Ballymore Properties: Fiveforthree, 12-1
Sun Alliance Chase: Scotsirish, 25-1, Finger On The Pulse, 33-1
Coral Cup: Missis Potts, 14-1
Ryanair: Tamarinbleu, 8-1
Triumph Hurdle: Five Dream, 20-1, Grand Schlem, 33-1
David Nicholson: Missis Potts, 16-1
County Hurdle: Jered, 10-1
Click here to claim an exclusive £25 free bet with Ladbrokes
Tuesday, 4 March 2008
Great odds for Ladbrokes Hurdle Day tickets
You still have a GREAT chance to win a pair of fantastic Club Enclosure tickets to Ladbrokes World Hurdle Day next Thursday (13th March) at the Festival - provided by the race sponsor Ladbrokes. So far only 3 people have entered the draw and currently have a 3/1 chance of winning 2 tickets worth £65 each!
To enter the prize draw for these tickets, simply open an account with Ladbrokes by clicking here and then email your new Ladbrokes account username (not password) to us at: info@bookmakers.tv before midnight this Sunday (9th March).
Entry to this draw is free and anyone opening a new account with Ladbrokes via this link will be eligible for a free £25 bet on the Cheltenham Festival. Winner will be notified by email next Monday (10th March).
Click here for Terms and Conditions
To enter the prize draw for these tickets, simply open an account with Ladbrokes by clicking here and then email your new Ladbrokes account username (not password) to us at: info@bookmakers.tv before midnight this Sunday (9th March).
Entry to this draw is free and anyone opening a new account with Ladbrokes via this link will be eligible for a free £25 bet on the Cheltenham Festival. Winner will be notified by email next Monday (10th March).
Click here for Terms and Conditions
Monday, 3 March 2008
Full Race Previews Online Now
The waiting is nearly over and with little more than a week to go until the start of the greatest sporting event of the year we have now begun posting our full race previews on the site: Cheltenham Festival Tips and Previews
As for day one, we think Pigeon Island could get punters off to a flyer in the tradional Cheltenham curtian raiser, the Supreme Novice Hurdle.
Our most confident selection on Tuesday is Noland in the Arkle, whilst we think reigning champion Sublimity has what it takes to join legends of the sport like Istrabraq, See You Then and Sea Pigeon by winning back to back Champion Hurdles.
For those looking for a bit more value, Freneys Well looks interesting in the Cross Country Chase.
Around half of the previews are now available, with the rest being posted throughout the remainder of this week.
As for day one, we think Pigeon Island could get punters off to a flyer in the tradional Cheltenham curtian raiser, the Supreme Novice Hurdle.
Our most confident selection on Tuesday is Noland in the Arkle, whilst we think reigning champion Sublimity has what it takes to join legends of the sport like Istrabraq, See You Then and Sea Pigeon by winning back to back Champion Hurdles.
For those looking for a bit more value, Freneys Well looks interesting in the Cross Country Chase.
Around half of the previews are now available, with the rest being posted throughout the remainder of this week.
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