Cheltenham Festival Betting

The "greatest show on turf” has arrived

2011-03-14T02:00:00.000-07:00

The time for talking comes to a halt this week as the Cheltenham Festival comes under starter's orders tomorrow.

The great roar that greets the tapes going up for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle as the show opener is the start of four days of drama with 27 highly competitive races to savour.

Hopes in the Supreme for the home brigade very much rest on Cue Card, brilliant, if unexpected, winner of the Champion Bumper 12 months ago.

Two from three since going over obstacles, he remains the apple of Colin Tizzard's eye and few would begrudge him a follow-up success.

Indeed, among those will be fans of Champion Hurdle hope Menorah, conqueror of Cue Card at Cheltenham when they were last seen in December.

This is a vintage Champion, in spite of reigning champion Binocular's unexpected absence. Peddlers Cross is still unbeaten, whilst the Irish will have a major say, too, courtesy of Hurricane Fly and Dunguib, the latter having carried the hopes of a nation in the Supreme last year only to finish third - behind Menorah.

On Wednesday we have the Queen Mother Champion Chase and will discover if Master Minded can regain his winning touch.

The Paul Nicholls-trained superstar is twice a winner of this coveted prize, but lost his crown last year as Big Zeb came out best for Colm Murphy.

Master Minded has looked a different horse again this season, showing the benefit of a wind operation.

The second afternoon sees another of the week's 'bankers' as Time For Rupert - who could have been in the Gold Cup had he not missed a big trial in January - is rightly set to be all the rage in the RSA Chase.

A few weeks ago a third straight World Hurdle on Thursday appeared a formality for Big Buck's, but the emergence of Grands Crus and dark horses Fiveforthree and Mourad makes it an entirely different proposition.

And so to Friday and the jewel in the crown, the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Will it be the old guard of Denman, Kauto Star and Imperial Commander again? Or will the young guns (minus the injured Diamond Harry) hold sway?

Form students will point to Denman's tremendous weight-carrying effort in the Hennessy Gold Cup as evidence his powers have not unduly diminished, but Kauto Star was put in his place by Long Run at Kempton and we have not seen Imperial Commander since the Betfair Chase in November.

So with Long Run on the up, and Irish aces Kempes and Pandorama lurking, not to mention emerging course specialist Midnight Chase, it is all to play for on March 18.

A full schedule of this weeks' races are detailed below, along with some free Cheltenham Festival bets offers from the leading online bookmakers. To read our free race preview and tips for each race, visit our Cheltenham Festival website.

We are now heading down to Cheltenham and wish you all the best of luck, however many bets you place!

THE FESTIVAL 2011

CENTENARY DAY - Tuesday, March 15, 2011 (Old Course)

Time/Race/Distance/Prize Money/TV/Max Decs

1.30 Stan James Supreme Novices Hurdle (Grade One) 2m 110y £100,000 C4/RUK 24

2.05 The Irish Independent Arkle Chase (Grade One) 2m £130,000 C4/RUK 20

2.40 Stewart Family Spinal Research Handicap Chase (Grade Three) 3m 110y £75,000 C4/RUK 24

3.20 Stan James Champion Hurdle (Grade One) 2m 110y £370,000 C4/RUK 28

4.00 Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase (Handicap) 3m 7f £40,000 C4/RUK 16

4.40 David Nicholson Mares Hurdle (Grade Two) 2m 4f £70,000 RUK 24

5.15 Centenary Novices Handicap Chase (Listed) 2m 4f 110y £50,000 RUK 20

Total prize-money £835,000

Will Hill £25 free bet | Bet365 £200 free bet | Skybet £35 free bet | 888sport £25 free bet Victor Chandler £25 free bet | Stan James £25 free bet | Paddy Power £50 free bet Sportingbet £50 free bet | Ladbrokes £25 free bet | totesport £10 free bet

LADIES DAY - Wednesday, March 16, 2011 (Old Course)

Time/Race/Distance/Prize Money/TV/Max Decs

1.30 141st Year Of The National Hunt Chase (Amateurs) 4m £75,000 C4/RUK 20

2.05 Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle (Grade One) 2m 5f £100,000 C4/RUK 24

2.40 RSA Chase (Grade One) 3m 110y £130,000 C4/RUK 20

3.20 sportingbet.com Queen Mother Champion Chase (Grade One) 2m £320,000 C4/RUK 24

4.00 Coral Cup (Handicap Hurdle) (Grade Three) 2m 5f £70,000 C4/RUK 28

4.40 Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (Grade Three) 2m 110y £60,000 RUK 24

5.15 Weatherbys Champion Bumper (Grade One) 2m 110y £55,000 RUK 24

Total prize-money £810,000

Will Hill £25 free bet | Bet365 £200 free bet | Skybet £35 free bet | 888sport £25 free bet Victor Chandler £25 free bet | Stan James £25 free bet | Paddy Power £50 free bet Sportingbet £50 free bet | Ladbrokes £25 free bet | totesport £10 free bet

ST PATRICK'S DAY - Thursday, March 17, 2011 (New Course)

Time/Race/Distance/Prize Money/TV/Max Decs

1.30 Jewson Novices’ Chase (Grade Two) 2m 4f £90,000 C4/RUK 20

2.05 Pertemps Final (Handicap Hurdle) (Listed) 3m £70,000 C4/RUK 24

2.40 Ryanair Chase (Grade One) 2m 5f £260,000 C4/RUK 24

3.20 Ladbrokes World Hurdle (Grade One) 3m £260,000 C4/RUK 24

4.00 Byrne Group Plate (Handicap Chase) (Grade Three) 2m 5f £75,000 C4/RUK 24

4.40 Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Handicap Chase (Amateurs) 3m 1f 110y £50,000 RUK 24

5.15 St Patrick's Day Derby (Charity Race) 1m 5f - RUK

Total prize-money £805,000

Will Hill £25 free bet | Bet365 £200 free bet | Skybet £35 free bet | 888sport £25 free bet Victor Chandler £25 free bet | Stan James £25 free bet | Paddy Power £50 free bet Sportingbet £50 free bet | Ladbrokes £25 free bet | totesport £10 free bet

GOLD CUP DAY - Friday, March 18, 2011 (New Course)

Time/Race/Distance/Prize Money/TV/Max Decs

1.30 JCB Triumph Hurdle (Grade One) 2m 1f £100,000 C4/RUK 24

2.05 Vincent O’Brien County Handicap Hurdle (Grade Three) 2m 1f £70,000 C4/RUK 28

2.40 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (Grade One) 3m £100,000 C4/RUK 20

3.20 totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup (Chase) (Grade One) 3m 2f 110y £500,000 C4/RUK 24

4.00 Christie’s Foxhunter Chase Challenge Cup (Amateurs) 3m 2f 110y £35,000 C4/RUK 24

4.40 Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle 2m 4f 110y £45,000 RUK 24

5.15 Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase (Handicap) (Grade Three) 2m 110y £75,000 RUK 24

Total prize-money £925,000

TOTAL 2011 FESTIVAL PRIZE MONEY £3,375,000 (Average of £125,000 per race)

For all the latest bookmakers free bets & Cheltenham Festival special offers click here.

Prestbury Park will play host to over 500 horses and 200,000 race fans this week

Geraghty to ride Spirit Son in Supreme

2011-03-13T04:26:00.000-07:00

Barry Geraghty has opted to ride Spirit Son instead of his Nicky Henderson-trained stablemate Sprinter Sacre in Tuesday's Supreme Novices' Hurdle, the opening race of the Cheltenham Festival.

A best-price 6/1 (William Hill) shot for the Supreme, Spirit Son is unbeaten in three starts over hurdles, while Sprinter Sacre - available at best price 10/1 (also with William Hill) - will be partnered by champion jockey Tony McCoy.

"I spoke to AP [McCoy] before Barry made his call and he was happy for Barry to make the choice because whatever he decided not to ride can hardly be deemed as a discard," said.

Gibb River, best-price 20/1 (William Hill) for the Supreme, completes Henderson's team for the race and will be ridden by Andrew Tinkler.

For all the latest bookmakers free bets & Cheltenham Festival special offers click here.

Binocular out of Champion Hurdle

2011-03-13T03:25:00.000-07:00

Nicky Henderson has been dealt a hammer blow with the news that Binocular will miss Tuesday's stanjames.com Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham.

The current champion had been heading the ante-post market at around the 7/2 mark just hours before today's declaration time.

The JP McManus-owned gelding was treated for an allergy two weeks ago and did not respond to initial medication and required further treatment.

Unfortunately Binocular then tested positive for a substance and on the British Horseracing Authority's advice, Henderson was forced to withdraw the horse.

In a statement Henderson said: "We have very regretfully had to decide not to declare Binocular for Tuesday's Champion Hurdle.

"He had an allergy two weeks ago that did not respond to initial medication and on veterinary advice and well within normal parameters he required a further treatment the following day.

"As we were getting close to the most important race of the year and also because since that administration to Binocular, another horse had tested positive for the same substance, I thought it prudent to take a precautionary test which not only surprisingly, let alone devastatingly, has also shown to be positive.

"We have therefore reluctantly had to take the BHA's advice this morning that the only reasonable course in everybody's interest is not to confirm the entry and he has consequently been withdrawn from the Champion Hurdle.

"We are all obviously shattered but I am particularly upset for JP (McManus) who has been incredibly understanding as I know how much this horse means to him."

Leading fancies Menorah, Peddlers Cross and Hurricane Fly all stand their ground, with confirmation that Ruby Walsh will ride the last-named.

Paul Towned will ride Willie Mullins' other runner Thousand Stars, whilst Henderson will rely solely on Oscar Whisky.

Last-year's runner-up Khyber Kim and Mille Chief will run, whilst the rest of the field consists of Bygones Of Brid, Clerk's Choice, Dunguib and Overturn.

Menorah has been installed as the new Champion Hurdle favourite after Binocular's shock withdrawal and can currently be backed at best-price 10/3 (Bet365).

Champion Hurdle best-price odds:

To claim a free bet from any of these bookmakers click the links below:

Will Hill £25 free bet | Bet365 £200 free bet | Skybet £35 free bet | 888sport £25 free bet Victor Chandler £25 free bet | Stan James £25 free bet | Paddy Power £50 free bet Sportingbet £50 free bet | Ladbrokes £25 free bet | totesport £10 free bet

BHA spokesman Paul Struthers responded to criticism that the regulatory body did not inform punters about the Binocular situation earlier, despite being fully involved in the testing of the horse. He said the earliest the Authority could have released a statement was two days ago.

"There was a lot of information to gather so the earliest we could have said anthing was Friday afternoon. Secondly, there was a genuine expectation that the levels of the substance would come down as testing went on but it didn't. A key factor was the fact that every bookie was by then NRNB on all Cheltenham races," he said earlier today.

Several firms have offered refunds on ante-post bets placed on Binocular. William Hill, Stan James, Bet365 and Paddy Power have offered full refunds and several others, including Ladbrokes, had been offering non-runner no bet on the race for several months.

Kauto Star trimmed for Gold glory

2011-03-13T03:24:00.000-07:00

Kauto Star was yesterday backed for his fifth attempt at the Cheltenham Gold Cup as dry weather forecasts suggested he would get his ideal good ground.

Kauto has been cut to best-price 6/1 (Victor Chandler) whilst his stablemate Denman has been pushed out half a point to best-price 13/2 (William Hill) as the ground continues to dry out at Prestbury Park.

The two-time Gold Cup winner, who was as big as 12/1 for the race after finishing third in the King George VI Chase in January, has been edging towards the top of the Gold Cup market ever since connections revealed he had been less than 100 per cent at Kempton.

And with the increasing chance conditions will suit him ideally come Friday, he is now on the cusp of usurping Long Run as second-favourite with some bookmakers.

Other moves in the Gold Cup market came for Kempes, now as short as 9/1 but still available at 12/1 with William Hill and What A Friend, whose price was cut to best-price 40/1 (from 50), also with William Hill.

The Morris Mouse-trained China Rock was also the subject of price changes with several bookmakers on the day his trainer said he was hopeful the eight-year-old would make the frame.

He said: "He has been fourth on his two previous appearances at Cheltenham, so we know that he acts round the track. He will be two stone better on a faster surface and realistically I am hoping that he can be placed."

China Rock was one of our Cheltenham Festival ante-post picks at 100/1 and is now available at best-price 33/1 with William Hill.

The major price news yesterday was that Alarazi's wide-margin victory in the Paddy Power Imperial Cup at Sandown resulted in big cuts for the Vincent O'Brien County Hurdle and the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Hurdle.

Victor Chandler offer best-price 8/1 (from 25) for the County Hurdle, which trainer Lucy Wadham said remained the preferred target.

With a maximum field of 28 in the County, it could be touch and go making the cut but a 5lb penalty makes Alarazi look well treated for one of the most competitive Festival handicaps.

For all the latest bookmakers free bets & Cheltenham Festival special offers click here.

Cheltenham Festival 'specials' bets

2011-03-12T13:24:00.000-08:00

With less than 3 days to go, the 2011 Cheltenham Festival is within touching distance and as the excitement mounts for 4 fabulous days next week, we've been taking a look at some of the specials bets on offer from William Hill.

As if 27 races isn't enough to bet on, we'll be having an interest is some of the following - just to give the week a little extra spice.

To claim a free £25 bet from William Hill visit their website here and use promo code: F25. Then go to Horse Racing > Special Markets > Cheltenham Festival Specials:

Who will train more winners at the Cheltenham Festival: Paul Nicholls or Nicky Henderson

Paul Nicholls 10/11
Nicky Henderson 13/8
Tie 4/1

Previous totals:

2010: PN 2 NH 3
2009: PN 5 NH 3
2008: PN 3 NH 0
2007: PN 4 NH 0
2006: PN 3 NH 3

Number Of Irish trained winners at the Cheltenham Festival

Seven 3/1
Six 10/3
Eight 4/1
Five 9/2
Four Or Less 11/2
Nine Or More 6/1

Previous Totals:

2010: 7 Irish trained winners (26 races)
2009: 9 Irish trained winners (26 races)
2008: 7 Irish trained winners (25 races)
2007: 5 Irish trained winners (24 races)
2006: 10* Irish trained winners (24 races)
2005: 9 Irish trained winners (24 races)

(in 2011 there will be 27 races)

Cheltenham Festival total winning favourites (all 4 days)

(25 points if favourite wins, 10 points if favourite is 2nd, 5 points if favourite is 3rd. Thus, if 5 favourites win, 4 finish 2nd and 3 finish third, total points = 125 + 40 + 15 = 180).

Under 190 points 13/8
190 to 225 points 13/8
Over 225 points 7/4

Previous winning Cheltenham Festival favourites:

2010 - 4 (26 races)
2009 - 6 (26 races)
2008 - 2 (25 races)
2007 - 6 (24 races)
2006 - 7 (24 races)
2005 - 5 (24 races)

(in 2011 there will be 27 races)

Cheltenham Festival total distances (all 4 days)

90 to 115 lengths 6/4
under 90 lengths 13/8
over 115 lengths 15/8

World Hurdle match bet

Big Bucks 1/2
Grands Crus 6/4

How many pints of Guinness will be sold at Cheltenham Festival

223,001 or more 6/4
217,001 to 223,000 inclusive 13/8
less than 217,000 2/1

Previous Totals:

2010: 222,000 pints sold
2009: 214,000 pints sold

Cheltenham top jockey

Ruby Walsh 7/4
Barry Geraghty 11/4
Tony McCoy 6/1
Robert Thornton 10/1
Paul Townend 16/1
Richard Johnson 16/1
Tom Scudamore 25/1
Daryl Jacob 33/1
Davy Russell 33/1
Jason Maguire 33/1
Paddy Brennan 33/1
Paul Carberry 33/1
Timmy Murphy 33/1
Dougie Costello 50/1
Graham Lee 50/1
Nick Scholfield 50/1
Paul Maloney 50/1
Sam Thomas 50/1
Sam Twiston-Davies 50/1
Aidan Coleman 66/1

Previous totals (leading two jockeys):

2010: Ruby Walsh 3, Barry Geraghty 3
2009: Ruby Walsh 7, Barry Geraghty 3
2008: Ruby Walsh 3, Robert Thornton 3
2007: Robert Thornton 4, Ruby Walsh 3
2006: Ruby Walsh 3, Tony McCoy 3
2005: Graham Lee 3, Ruby Walsh 2

Cheltenham top trainer

Paul Nicholls 13/8
Nicky Henderson 2/1
Willie Mullins 5/1
Nigel Twiston-Davies 14/1
Philip Hobbs 14/1
Alan King 16/1
David Pipe 16/1
Donald McCain 33/1
Ferdy Murphy 40/1
Jonjo O'Neill 40/1

Previous totals (leading trainer):

2010: Nicky Henderson 3
2009: Paul Nicholls 5
2008: Paul Nicholls 3
2007: Paul Nicholls 4
2006: Paul Nicholls 3
2005: Howard Johnson 3

To claim a free £25 bet from William Hill visit their website here and use promo code: F25. Then go to Horse Racing > Special Markets > Cheltenham Festival Specials.

Voy Por added to Ryanair Chase field

2011-03-12T09:32:00.000-08:00

Voy Por Ustedes is a fascinating supplementary entry for the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham on Thursday.

The Sir Robert Ogden-owned 10-year-old is a dual Festival winner, having enjoyed previous success in the Arkle Trophy and the Champion Chase, and was second to Imperial Commander in this race two years ago.

Voy Por Ustedes was fifth in last year's renewal and has since moved to Nicky Henderson from Alan King, but he has not yet seen a racecourse this season. He is now as short as 10/1 with Ladbrokes and totesport for the Ryanair, although he can currently be backed at a standout best-price of 16/1 with Stan James.

Ante-post favourite Poquelin is also among the 16 confirmations. Paul Nicholls' eight-year-old has won four times at Prestbury Park and was runner-up to Albertas Run in the Grade One contest 12 months ago.

The latter could reoppose, but has been disappointing this season and also has the Cheltenham Gold Cup as a Festival alternative.

Regular partner Tony McCoy said: "If he's 10/1 for the Ryanair, he's definitely good value. But he's still in the Gold Cup and if he runs in that, I probably won't be riding him.

"The Ryanair looks a very open race and there are reasons to believe that if he did run there, he could take a bit of beating."

Following the unveiling of the Grade 1 contest's six-day confirmations, Poquelin hardened as favourite for an event that most observers have suggested appears to be slightly substandard.

A major handicap winner over the course and distance in December, last season's Ryanair runner-up was cut to best-price 5/2 favourite from 3/1 by William Hill.

However, Albertas Run was also popular with punters after the positive comments from Tony McCoy, encouraging the 2010 winner's supporters to pile in and triggering a reduction in his odds to best-price 7/1 (Victor Chandler).

A six-strong Irish entry includes Captain Cee Bee, Golden Silver and J'y Vole. However, Tranquil Sea has been ruled out following an unsatisfactory scope. The nine-year-old, who is unbeaten this season, was a genuine contender for the two-mile five-furlong race. Trainer Edward O'Grady admitted the news was a major blow.

"It's hugely disappointing but we're just not happy with the scope," he said. "He hadn't just been working well, he'd been working brilliantly - his recent work has been better than anything he's ever done."

Ferdy Murphy's Kalahari King is another big challenger and while Somersby remains in the mix, his trainer Henrietta Knight insists the Champion Chase is now his definite target.

Other possible runners include Tartak and Breedsbreeze.

Weird Al to run in Cheltenham Gold Cup

2011-03-11T05:13:00.000-08:00

Weird Al, who suffered his first defeat over fences when disappointing in the Hennessy Gold Cup, will have his chance to put that run behind him in the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup after connections chose the Festival showpiece contest over the Ryanair Chase.

Jason Maguire will ride the Ian Williams-trained horse, who has undergone a wind operation since finishing a well-beaten eighth at Newbury.

"We had a team meeting and felt the Gold Cup was the opportunity we would like to take, particularly with the likelihood of getting better ground on Friday," said Williams today.

Weird Al, currently a best-priced 33/1 (William Hill) for the Gold Cup, was one of last season's leading novice chasers and prime contender for the RSA Chase until ruled out by injury.

He returned to action this season to dead-heat with subsequent Paddy Power Gold Cup winner Little Josh at Carlisle. Weird Al then started second favourite for the Hennessy but later underwent surgery to correct partial paralysis of his larynx.

"We thought he had a decent chance in the Hennessy and he was disappointing that day for reasons that have been well documented since," said Williams. "We'd like to have run him in the build up but we haven't been in a position to.

"He's run very well fresh before. He will need to up his game enormously, but he was very progressive last season. His first race of the season was very good.

"We didn't get the run we expected when we really wanted to test his ability. He's had a wind op since then. It's not been ideal that we haven't been able to run him but having weighed up the pros and cons we decided we'd like have a go at the Gold Cup."

Somersby confirmed for Champion Chase

2011-03-11T04:33:00.000-08:00

Somersby will definitely run in the sportingbet.com Queen Mother Champion Chase next Wednesday, rather than the Ryanair Chase a day later.

Henrietta Knight's seven-year-old will take his chance over two miles at the Cheltenham Festival as his owner, Camilla Radford, is to have chemotherapy on the day of the Ryanair.

Knight said: "The fact is that Mrs Radford is ill at the moment and is having chemotherapy on Thursday next week, so he will run on Wednesday so that she can come and see him. He goes to the race whatever the weather, whether it is raining or snowing or whatever it is."

The handler went on: "It may not be perfect, but it's not influenced by anything other than family misfortunes. I had thought the treatment could be changed if necessary but it has to be booked two or three weeks ahead in London. It's all done very scientifically and it can't be changed.

"If they water the course and then it rains on top, that would certainly suit him as he likes the ground soft."

Meanwhile, William Hill are reporting support for the Irish contingent ahead of the Cheltenham Festival, with Willie Mullins trimmed to 5/1 from 13/2 to take the Thomas Pink Leading Trainer Award, and Paul Townend cut to 16/1 from 25/1 for the Leading Jockey Title.

In comparison, Paul Nicholls has been pushed out to 13/8 from 11/8, whilst Ruby Walsh has also been weak in the market, now 11/8 from 6/5.

Lucy Rhodes, spokeswoman for William Hill, explained: "With Willie Mullins boasting such a strong team, the punters have spied some value away from the market principles Nicholls and Henderson, so we’ve cut him to 11/2 from 13/2 for the title. And with Paul Townend teaming up with the Irish Champion trainer for several top rides, some clearly thought he was overpriced at 25s".

For a free £25 bet with William Hill click here and use promo code: F25

Our Girl Salley out of Mares Hurdle

2011-03-10T03:10:00.000-08:00

Our Girl Salley, third favourite for the David Nicholson Mares Hurdle, has been ruled out of Tuesday's Cheltenham event by trainer Prunella Dobbs.

Speaking this morning, Dobbs said: "Unfortunately, Our Girl Salley won't be going to Cheltenham. She scoped wrong yesterday and we've had to scratch her from the race. It's a shame as we were looking forward to running her.

"You have to have a horse 101 per cent to run at the Festival, so we will just have to give her time to recover and, hopefully, she will be right to run in a mares race at the Fairyhouse Easter meeting."

Our Girl Salley, the winner of three bumpers, is unbeaten over hurdles having won all of her three starts this season.

Another horse that looks set to miss next weeks' Festival is Planet Of Sound, who was as short as 28/1 for the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

The nine-year-old, who won the Grade 1 Punchestown Guinness Gold Cup last season, is suffering with an infection in a hind leg that trainer Philip Hobbs expects to rule him out of his intended run at the Cheltenham Festival.

Hobbs said yesterday: "He is pretty unlikely to get to Cheltenham. There is a tiny hope it can be treated in time for the race but it is very unlikely.

"Yesterday he could hardly put his foot on the ground. Today he could put a bit of weight on it, but you have to get the infection out of it and hope the whole thing doesn't burst and the change of antibiotics works. I am 95 per cent certain he won't get there."

Diamond Harry, this season's Hennessy Gold Cup winner, was officially scratched from the Gold Cup yesterday.

Meanwhile, Bothy, runner-up to Recession Proof in the Totesport Trophy and second favourite for the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle, will contest the Coral Cup at Cheltenham next Wednesday.

Trainer Brian Ellison had made three entries at the meeting for Bothy, also giving the five-year-old an option in the Vincent O'Brien County Hurdle, but has opted for the longer distance of the 2m5f Coral Cup, for which the horse is currently best-price 20/1 (William Hill).

"Bothy goes for the Coral, that's definite," he said. "I honestly don't know if he will get the trip but when he ran in the Fred Winter last year it was too quick for him. I think the step up in distance will help."

Bothy finished seventh in the Fred Winter last year behind Sanctuaire, and ran well on his other start at the course last September when second to Menorah in the Greatwood Hurdle.

Solwhit ruled out of World Hurdle

2011-03-08T08:16:00.000-08:00

Solwhit will not run in next Thursday’s World Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

The six-time Grade One winner, who had been as short as 10/1 for the stayers' hurdle championship, will miss the race and the remainder of the season ahead of an anticipated step up to chasing in the autumn.

Charles Byrnes's seven-year-old, runner-up to Hurricane Fly in his last three starts, all Grade Ones, was due to step up to three miles for the first time in the feature race on day three of the Festival meeting.

"He just wasn't firing on all cylinders so there is no point in going," Byrnes said. "It's disappointing, but it was something of an after thought anyway. We gave him two pieces of work and they weren't satisfactory. It would have been interesting to see how he got on over the trip. It's doubtful he'll run again this season and I think we'll go chasing with him next season."

In other World Hurdle news, connections of Zaynar have decided to aim the six-year-old at the 3 mile race rather than the Stan James Champion Hurdle over a mile shorter.

Part-owner Victor Chandler revealed discussions about which festival race the grey will go for had reached a conclusion today.

Charlie McCann, the bookmaker's spokesman, said: "I spoke to Victor earlier this afternoon and he said, after much discussion, it has been agreed to go for the World Hurdle rather than the Champion.

"Although his stamina must be taken on trust, Victor suggested that both Barry [Geraghty] and Nicky [Henderson] were optimistic that he would get the three miles and as he goes very well fresh, they were looking for a very good run.

"He had a wind operation eight weeks ago."

The market for the World Hurdle (see below) suggests that it's a two-horse race, with Grands Crus set to test Festival hotpot Big Buck's.

However, Grands Crus' trainer, David Pipe, has dismissed the perception that the Grade 1 stayers' hurdle feature was a straight match between the two big guns.

Look what happened in the Gold Cup last year when it was meant to be Kauto Star versus Denman," said Pipe. "It's not a two-horse race with Mourad and Fiveforthree in there."

Pipe admitted to rising excitement after what he described as "a pretty staggering performance" at Cheltenham last time.

He added: "He put the race to bed in a matter of strides and everyone got very excited after that. He has had a good preparation after a break and everything is going well for next Thursday.

"Big Buck's is still the one to beat and we have got to improve again but Grands Crus is young and only had eight races in his life - I think there is a fair bit of improvement in him."

Meanwhile, Nicky Henderson, the favourite with several bookmakers to be the top trainer at the Cheltenham Festival, could saddle the first four horses in the betting for the Imperial Cup Handicap Hurdle at Sandown on Saturday. Victory in the race would set up a chance to chase a £75,000 bonus offered by Saturday's sponsor, Paddy Power, for any horse that can double up in the Imperial Cup and a race at the Festival.

Aegean Dawn, unbeaten in four starts over hurdles, is the general favourite at around 5/1 for Saturday's handicap, for which there are 40 entries. Henderson, who won the race in 2009 with Dave's Dream, is also represented by Eradicate, Giorgio Quercus and Owen Glendower.

Aegean Dawn holds entries in both the Coral Cup and the County Hurdle at next week's Festival, though as yet the only trainers to land the long-running bonus are Martin Pipe – in 1993 and 1998 – and his son, David, in 2007. Pipe has two entries in the Imperial Cup, Arrayan – the second-favourite with some bookies at around 12/1 – and Ronaldo Des Mottes.

For all the latest bookmakers free bets & Cheltenham Festival special offers click here.

William Hill offer Festival Guinness odds

2011-03-07T01:16:00.000-08:00

William Hill have opened betting on how many pints of Guinness will be sold at this year’s Cheltenham Festival.

Last year 222,000 pints of the "black stuff" were sold at Prestbury Park – and Hills believe that total could be surpassed.

223,001 pints or more is the 6/4 favourite with William Hill who also offer odds of 13/8 for 217,001-223,000 pints and 2/1 for 217,000 pints or less.

"There's no better way to celebrate backing a winner at Cheltenham than downing a pint of the black stuff." said Hills spokesman Tony Kenny, "Last year 222,000 pints of Guinness were sold at Prestbury park and we're predicting another busy year for the boys behind the bars at Cheltenham."

Previous Totals:

2010: 222,000 pints sold at Cheltenham
2009: 214,000 pints sold at Cheltenham

To claim a free £25 bet from William Hill click here (use promo code F25). To find the market go to Horse Racing > Special Markets and scroll down to "Cheltenham Festival Specials".

Hills are also offering odds on the number of Irish trained winners at the Festival. Current prices are as follows:

7/1 Four (or less)
9/2 Five
10/3 Six
3/1 Seven
4/1 Eight
5/1 Nine (or more)

Previous Totals:

2010: 7 Irish trained winners (26 races)
2009: 9 Irish trained winners (26 races)
2008: 7 Irish trained winners (25 races)
2007: 5 Irish trained winners (24 races)
2006: 10* Irish trained winners (24 races)
2005: 9 Irish trained winners (24 races)
2004: 4 Irish trained winners (20 races)
2003: 6 Irish trained winners (20 races)
2002: 5 Irish trained winners (20 races)

* Record, although the Festival was previously three days up until 2005. Prior to The Festival’s extension to four days in 2005, the previous record was eight wins in 1958 (when 18 races were run). In 2011 there will be 27 races.

Claim your £25 free bet from William Hill

Hills are offering 6/4 that 223,000+ pints of Guinness are drunk at this years Festival

Riverside out of Ryanair Chase

2011-03-06T03:59:00.000-08:00

Riverside Theatre has today been ruled out of the Ryanair Chase with a hairline fracture to his pelvis.

Owned by the Jimmy Nesbitt Partnership, which includes actor James Nesbitt, the seven-year-old was the general second favourite for the Cheltenham Festival showpiece after winning the Betfair Ascot Chase last month.

He also finished second to stablemate Long Run in the rescheduled King George VI Chase at Kempton in January.

Trainer Nicky Henderson nonetheless remains confident Riverside Theatre will make a complete recovery. He said: "Riverside was lame after exercise on Friday and, as a result, we found he had suffered a hairline fracture to his pelvis.

"Although we hoped the problem was muscular, a scan revealed that to be not the case. He's lucky this has been revealed, rather than anything more serious, as the consequences would have been bad.

"I have spoken to the vets and we are confident he'll be perfectly fine for next season. It's still an enormous shame as he was having a most promising season. He's still young, though, and will hopefully have a huge career."

Poquelin is now best price 7/2 favourite for the Ryanair which takes place on Thursday 17th.

Diamond Harry to miss Gold Cup

2011-03-06T03:09:00.000-08:00

Painful news for those with ante-post bets on Diamond Harry for the Cheltenham Gold Cup as the eight-year-old has been ruled out of steeplechasing's blue riband event.

Winner of the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury in November, when he had Denman behind him, the Nick Williams-trained eight-year-old had been as short as 8/1.

Owner Paul Duffy said: "He's got a suspensory ligament problem as I understand it from Nick. It was diagnosed today by the vet, so unfortunately he is out of the Gold Cup and that will be it for the season.

"Nick reckons he will need to rest for around four months given the nature of his situation. It's not as serious as a tendon injury thankfully, but that's the ups and downs of racing I'm afraid.

"We were very hopeful for him in the Gold Cup. He goes well fresh and we felt it was the right thing to do not to run again after the Hennessy."

Meanwhile, Graham Wylie hopes Tidal Bay can be placed in the Gold Cup. The owner was at Doncaster yesterday to see his enigmatic performer work with stablemate Arcalis after racing.

Tidal Bay produced a typically quirky display to finish second in the Argento Chase at Cheltenham last time and the owner said: "I think he has got a good chance of being placed in the Gold Cup, it depends what Tidal Bay turns up.

"He could go off the pace from the back of the pack and run up the hill like a sprinter. It depends how close Brian (Hughes) can get him at the second-last. He's a frustrating horse, but I'm sure he will give us a good day out."

Carruthers is another on course for another crack at the Gold Cup following a pleasing workout. The eight-year-old, bred and part-owned by Lord Oaksey, was fourth in the race last March and is reported to be in tip-top shape by trainer Mark Bradstock.

"He worked on Friday morning and we were really pleased with him," said Bradstock.

"Hopefully, you will see him in the Gold Cup. He ran a great race in it as year. It's drying up very quickly which would not be to our advantage, but we will see how we get on."

Carruthers, who was fourth to Silver By Nature in the Grand National Trial at Haydock on his latest start, is currently as big as 80/1 to upset the big guns on March 18.

Cue Card - Supreme Novices' money-back offer

2011-03-03T08:03:00.000-08:00

Paddy Power have announced an exclusive promotion for the opening race of this years' Cheltenham Festival.

If Cue Card wins the Supreme Novices' Hurdle on Tuesday 15th, they will refund ALL losing single bets on the race.

Last year Paddy Power offered the same promotion with Dunguib and luckily for them Menorah foiled the odds-on Irish superstar in the first race of the meeting.

This year the firm are hoping that ante-post favourite Cue Card will not win the Festival opener or it will cost them dear.

The five-year-old was a scintillating winner of last season's Champion Bumper and impressed on his first two outings over obstacles.

He lost no caste in defeat when second to Menorah in the International Hurdle at Cheltenham in December and is worthy favourite for the 2011 Supreme Novices' crown.

To open an account with Paddy Power and claim a free £50 bet click here.

Riverside Theatre gets Ryanair ticket

2011-03-03T03:38:00.000-08:00

Riverside Theatre, clear second favourite for the Ryanair Chase, is set to take on Poquelin and co in the championship event after trainer Nicky Henderson described the Grade 1 winner as "more likely than unlikely" to run at Cheltenham.

A major flop in last season's Irish Independent Arkle Trophy, Riverside Theatre coasted to a facile success in last month's Betfair Ascot Chase, after which connections hinted that previous plans to skip Cheltenham in favour of Aintree could be amended.

That about-turn now looks likely to be executed with Riverside Theatre - part-owned by actor Jimmy Nesbitt - currently best-price 11/2 to win the 2m5f event.

Henderson said: "We discussed it the other night and as long as we are happy with Riverside Theatre next week, I'd say he'd be here."

Punchestowns swerves Festival

2011-03-03T01:27:00.000-08:00

With just 12 days to go before the 2011 Cheltenham Festival, Nicky Henderson has effectively ruled Punchestowns out of running at Prestbury Park and is considering giving the chestnut a run at the racecourse which has lent him his name.

Although entered in both the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the World Hurdle, Henderson is looking away from those events. Punchestowns finally managed a win this season with a fairly unconvincing defeat of Pasco at Kempton last month.

"I think we can say Punchestowns won't be here," said the trainer at a Cheltenham press conference yesterday.

"I don't think he'll win a Gold Cup or a World Hurdle so we are better to stay out of it. There's Aintree and we've always said he should run at Punchestown one year. Maybe it could be this year. That would be over fences."

Henderson admitted the publication of the weights for the Festival handicaps yesterday had thrown him into confusion. His Molotof is the top weight for the Fred Winter Juvenile Hurdle while A Media Luz, who was to be diverted to the Triumph Hurdle instead, has 11st 4lb.

He said: "Our plans have rather fallen out of synch, especially with the four-year-olds. What we thought was sorted a fortnight ago has now fallen out of order - some are now in and some are now out - and we need to go away and have a think."

Henderson said it was "more likely than unlikely" that Riverside Theatre would contest the Ryanair Chase after a brief chat with connections this week while he has not made up his mind about a Cheltenham target for French Opera. The Game Spirit Chase winner is top weight of 11st 12lb - 6lb higher than next best Tchico Polos - in the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase.

However much the trainer would like to win the event commemorating his father, he is also considering the sportingbet.com Queen Mother Champion Chase.

He added: "I haven't discussed it with the owner yet. He and Mad Max are in both races. On the one hand it could help horses like Anquetta at the bottom of the weights, and I could claim off French Opera, but on the other they all have different owners."

The unveiling of weights for the Cheltenham Festival handicaps impacted various betting markets.

For Non Stop, the biggest early gamble for a Festival handicap, could carry just 10st 2lb in his bid to land a major plunge in the Coral Cup - but the classy youngster needs a host of horses to defect if he is win a place in the line-up.

A maximum of 28 runners are allowed to compete in the £70,000 contest, for which For Non Stop, recently cut to best-price 8/1 favourite, has been handed a feather weight by the BHA's handicapping team.

However, with 65 entries due to carry more weight than the novice, trainer Nick Williams - who has also entered For Non Stop in the Grade 1 Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle - faces an anxious wait.Blackstairmountain has been cut for the Vincent O’Brien County Hurdle. Willie Mullins’ six-year-old has been allotted 10st 9lb for the two-mile event with Overturn and Celestial Halo topping the weights at 11st 12lb.

Blackstairmountain showed plenty of promise as a novice to be of interest in a race like the County Hurdle and the fact that we’ve only seen him twice this term suggests that this has very much been the plan all season. He can be backed at best-price 16/1 at the time of writing.

In other races, Definity has joined Divers and Quantitativeeasing at the head of the market for the Centenary Novices’ Handicap Chase.

Kilcrea Kim is now 14/1 joint-favourite for the Pertemps Final alongside Barafundle, Chartreux, Mister Hyde and Sivota.

Dynaste is the new 10/1 favourite for the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys Handicap Hurdle, whilst both Williams Wishes and Snap Tie have been trimmed for the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual, which currently has Tanks For That at best-price 8/1 favourite.

For all the latest bookmakers free bets & Cheltenham Festival special offers click here.

Final Festival examinations

2011-02-21T07:55:00.000-08:00

All roads have led to the Cheltenham Festival for some time, but with just over three weeks left between now and the four-day extravaganza, plenty of big guns were set their final examination on Friday and Saturday to ensure they were up to the championship level required.

Peddlers Cross is firmly on course for the Stan James Champion Hurdle after extending his unbeaten record to seven in the Victor Chandler Morebattle Hurdle at Kelso on Friday.

The six-year-old faced just eight rivals as he sealed his Cheltenham Festival preparations with a bloodless 11-length verdict.

Sent off a 1/6 shot, Peddlers Cross travelled sweetly for Jason Maguire on the heels of the leaders, easing into the lead on the run to the last. While he idled on the run-in and was given a couple of reminders by Maguire, Donald McCain's charge had plenty in hand over runner-up Bygones Of Brid.

McCain was relieved to get his stable star back on the track after plans to run at Haydock last month were scuppered by the weather, while a cough ruled him out of a possible outing earlier this month.

McCain said: "He has been switched off a bit at home because he has been on the go for so long. I have not been looking forward to today, all the tests we have done have been clear but I have seen him better.

"We needed to get a run into him though. He travelled well but he looked at the stands on the run-in and I said to Jason not to be afraid to give him a couple of smacks. This race was instead of a racecourse gallop. I was not thrilled when the ground went heavy and he will have a quiet week now, but we have a month to get him ready for Cheltenham."

Maguire added: "He travelled well and jumped well and coped with the ground. He just idled on the run-in and I gave him a few reminders, it was a horse race and there was a job to do."

Peddlers Cross drifted slightly to best-price 11/2 (William Hill) for the Cheltenham test, in what is set to be a cracking renewal (our 2011 Champion Hurdle odds table can be found further down this post).

Also on Friday, at Newbury, What A Friend a potential contender for the Cheltenham Gold Cup, failed to impress in the Grade 2 Aon Chase and was beaten a head by stablemate Noland, three quarters a length in front of third placed Fair Along in a driving finish.

What A Friend came on and off the bridle as the jockey tried to nurse his mount to the front when closing to challenge between the last two flights. Switching inside and out, Skelton was unable to put the eight-year-old’s head in front of his stablemate ridden by AP McCoy who held on with Fair Along closing with a final rally.

What A Friend was making his second racecourse appearance of the season and is still looking to get off the mark after being beaten fourteen-and-a-half lengths by Gold Cup favourite Imperial Commander at Haydock in November.

Speaking after the race, Paul Nicholls indicated that he was considering putting blinkers on for the Gold Cup: "What A Friend's run was adequate. He'll be better on better ground and I might just put a pair of blinkers on him in the Gold Cup.

At Ascot on Saturday, Riverside Theatre boosted his Cheltenham Festival claims with a win in the Betfair Ascot Chase.

Nicky Henderson's charge had previously finished runner-up to Long Run in the King George VI Chase and gave that form a real boost as he draw clear of 14/1 chance Gauvain to score by six lengths.

Pride of Dulcote was the winner's main market rival but he took a crashing fall at the eighth fence.

Riverside Theatre is currently best-price 7/1 for the Ryanair Chase next month.

"He quickened well. He ran in the Arkle last year but that was just a bit sharp for him and this trip is ideal for him/" said rider Barry Geraghty.

Henderson said: "We had a bit of a board meeting this afternoon because I didn't think that was his ground. He's learnt a lot in the jumping department and it's a good compliment to Long Run."

Riverside Theatre is entered in the Ryanair Chase over two miles and five furlongs at Cheltenham and Geraghty added: "He stays all day and it's much slower ground than it was at Kempton. I suppose the Ryanair could be a race for him but it's really up to Nicky."

It was later confirmed that the Paul Nicholls-trained Pride Of Dulcote who had been as short as 12/1 for the Gold Cup had broken a leg in his fall and had to be put down and Nicholls was obviously upset at the loss:

He said: "I believe he broke one of his hind legs and had to be put down. It's a real sickener."

Ryanair Chase leading contender best-price odds:

Will Hill £25 free bet | Bet365 £200 free bet | Skybet £35 free bet | 888sport £25 free bet Victor Chandler £25 free bet | Stan James £25 free bet | Paddy Power £50 free bet Sportingbet £50 free bet | Ladbrokes £25 free bet | totesport £10 free bet

Also at Ascot on Saturday, Master Of The Hall cruised to success in the Prestige Reynoldstown Novices' Chase.

Nicky Henderson’s talented chaser made light work of his task after his rivals seemed to blunder away their chances and connections of the horse will be hoping he can continue his good form in next month’s RSA Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

The bookies cut the potential superstar’s RSA Chase odds to best-price 20/1 and delighted winning jockey Barry Geraghty explained: "He got me there easy. He was maybe a little bit disappointing (at Cheltenham on New Year's Day) but he just wasn't 100% that day."

An equally thrilled Nicky Henderson explained: "In fairness, the main opposition made a hash of one on the back straight. He was really good from there and Barry said it's not often you get to have a school round in a Grade Two. He's had good bit of educating and three miles is helping him.

"The owners won't need persuading to go for the RSA and Burton Port who won this last year nearly won it, so we'll see. I wouldn't put anybody off it."

RSA Chase leading contender best-price odds:

Will Hill £25 free bet | Bet365 £200 free bet | Skybet £35 free bet | 888sport £25 free bet Victor Chandler £25 free bet | Stan James £25 free bet | Paddy Power £50 free bet Sportingbet £50 free bet | Ladbrokes £25 free bet | totesport £10 free bet

Meanwhile, it was revealed by trainer Nick Williams on Saturday that Reve De Sivola will make his third Cheltenham Festival appearance in the Festival Handicap Chase and not the RSA Chase.

A dual Grade 1 winner over hurdles, Reve De Sivola finished sixth in the 2009 JCB Triumph Hurdle and second to Peddlers Cross in last year's Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle.

The six-year-old has been switched to fences this season and posted a win over Wishfull Thinking at Cheltenham in December before running third to Hell's Bay and Medermit in the Grade 2 Tigmi Travel Dipper Novices' Chase last month.

Reve De Sivola holds entries in both the RSA, for which he was as short as 16/1 and the Jewson although Williams said the horse would not be lining up in either:

"He doesn't go for the RSA, he goes for the three mile handicap chase that used to be the William Hill Trophy. I think he's a stayer more than a middle distance horse and I think three miles will suit him better. His run against Wishfull Thinking is very encouraging."

Finally from Ascot this weekend, we witnessed a tremendous finish to the Kingwell Hurdle (Grade 2), a race that has traditionally been a useful trial for the Champion Hurdle.

Victory went the way of Mille Chief, and his jockey Robert Thornton was very happy with the gelding's performance, however in seeing off Celestial Halo by just a nose, it doesn't look good enough form (on paper at least) to win the big one in March.

What was more pleasing however, was the way in which he travelled. As Overturn set a strong gallop, Thornton was content to let his mount work slowly into the race and it was clear from before the turn for home that he was travelling best. He moved into second before the second-last hurdle and moved through to challenge Celestial Halo for the lead before the final obstacle. He cleared the last flight well, but soon found himself in a dog-fight with his older and more experienced rival whom he beat by just a nose.

Bookmakers were understandably not too impressed, although a bigger field at Cheltenham is likely to suit, and with cover for longer, he is not a horse to underestimate. The runner-up ran his best race of the year, although it has been shown before that he isn't good enough to win a Champion Hurdle. Second in the 2009 renewal behind Punjabi, he may well go for the contest again after this showing.

The major disappointments of the race were the well-backed Silvinaco Conti and Overturn. The former tracked the pace throughout, but jockey Tony McCoy looked unhappy with how his mount was travelling before turning in. He was quickly left behind, and whilst McCoy looked after him once defeat was inevitable, it is hard to muster up any enthusiasm for the run despite conceding weight all-round. Similarly Overturn wasn't given a hard time, but the way he dropped out suggested that more may have been up with him than merely setting too strong a tempo. He wasn't as fluent at his hurdles as he has been and has something to prove after this run.

Meanwhile, while some are attempting to enhance burgeoning reputations for Cheltenham, others are attempting to restore theirs - none more so than another Champion Hurdle contender, Dunguib, who made his seasonal reappearance at Gowran Park on Saturday in the Grade 2 Red Mills Trial Hurdle.

Only third in the Supreme Novices' last season when considered by many the banker of the Festival, the eight-year-old then finished sixth behind Hurricane Fly at Punchestown in the Rabobank Champion Hurdle and hasn't been seen since last April.

Luska Lad and Gimli's Rock provided the opposition to Dunguib and Brian O'Connell just had to push Dunguib out from his main rival after the last to reinforce his Champion Hurdle credentials.

Bookmakers were quick to react, shortening the odds of last season's top novice for the Champion Hurdle, now just 10/1 in places though available at best-price 14/1 (William Hill).

Following months of trainer Philip Fenton having to be patient with his eight-year-old, who disappointed when third in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at last year's Cheltenham Festival, he was clearly thrilled with the result, saying: "He's on the way now. It was always going to be a tactical race and he warmed up gradually. Hopefully he'll come on a fair bit for it.

"He's beginning to blossom. Two things need to be said, five weeks ago he was a sick horse and this was his first run of the season. He can only come on leaps and bounds."

Champion Hurdle leading contenders best-price odds:

Will Hill £25 free bet | Bet365 £200 free bet | Skybet £35 free bet | 888sport £25 free bet Victor Chandler £25 free bet | Stan James £25 free bet | Paddy Power £50 free bet Sportingbet £50 free bet | Ladbrokes £25 free bet | totesport £10 free bet

The one other noteable Festival trial on Saturday was the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle at Haydock where Albert Bartlett favourite Court In Motion was sent off at odds-on to repeat his impressive victory at Cheltenham last month.

However, he had his colours lowered as outsider and recent Irish import Back In Focus ran out an easy winner from the odds-on favourite and sent his own odds tumbling for the Albert Bartlett at the Cheltenham Festival.

It was a stunning reverse for Court In Motion, who had been imperious on his previous outing. But the Emma Lavelle-trained six-year-old had no answer to the driven finish Brian Hughes executed on the Howard Johnson-trained Back In Focus.

Hughes said: “He’s a big baby. He jumps really well. We know he loves the ground and he stays every yard of the trip. He’s beat some decent ones.”

The decision to throw Back In Focus straight into a Grade 2 on his British debut and his debut over hurdles clearly indicated stable confidence in the newcomer who came over from Ireland with a big reputation following a smart victory at Kilfeacle point-to-point last month, and by the time he finished six lengths clear of Court In Motion, that reputation will have grown enormously.

Hughes added: "I had a chat with [leading point-to-point rider] Derek O'Connor and he said he's one of the nicest he has ever ridden and he's a good judge."

Bookmaker reaction was to cut Back In Focus's Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle odds to best-price 8/1 (William Hill) from around 66/1.

Court In Motion, meanwhile, was pushed out to best-price 10/1 (William Hill).

There may not be many takers at that price. Even accounting for heavy ground - which he handled last time out - Court In Motion was extremely disappointing, travelling strongly but finding nothing when tackled by Back In Focus.

Albert Bartlett Novices' Chase leading contenders best-price odds:

Will Hill £25 free bet | Bet365 £200 free bet | Skybet £35 free bet | 888sport £25 free bet Victor Chandler £25 free bet | Stan James £25 free bet | Paddy Power £50 free bet Sportingbet £50 free bet | Ladbrokes £25 free bet | totesport £10 free bet

Denman has wind operation

2011-02-21T07:16:00.000-08:00

Denman, one of jump racing’s icons, has undergone a successful wind operation in the build-up to competing at his sixth consecutive Cheltenham Festival.

The 2007 RSA Chase and 2008 Gold Cup winner was operated on soon after he finished a typically courageous third in the Hennessey Gold Cup at Newbury in November, and was returned to trainer Paul Nicholls within days of the surgery, carried out by veterinary specialist Geoff Lane.

Denman, runner-up to Imperial Commander in last year’s Gold Cup, had also been operated on for his wind earlier in his career and is currently best-price 7/1 third favourite for the 2011 renewal.

Owner Paul Barber said: “When Paul suggested him having a wind op, I was happy to have it done. It’s only a little operation, tweaking his wind but Paul thinks it might improve him a few pounds.

“He’s come up the hill at Ditcheat a few times without making a noise, so we’re happy with that.”

Nicholls is preparing a large team for an assault on the Cheltenham Festival and took four of his big hopes - Denman, Big Buck's, Poquelin and Ghizao for a racecourse gallop on Sunday morning.

"They all worked over 2m, going a nice steady gallop, then quickening up in the final furlong. All four went nicely, but it was not a serious gallop. It was just a nice trip out for them" said the Ditcheat handler.

Regarding Denman's performance, Nicholls added: "He went well this morning, and luckily that put Paul Barber, watching the gallop, in a good mood."

2011 Gold Cup leading contender best-price odds:

This table displays the current best-price available for each horse with odds updated in real-time. To claim a free bet from any of these bookmakers click the links below:

Will Hill £25 free bet | Bet365 £200 free bet | Skybet £35 free bet | 888sport £25 free bet Victor Chandler £25 free bet | Stan James £25 free bet | Paddy Power £50 free bet Sportingbet £50 free bet | Ladbrokes £25 free bet | totesport £10 free bet

Cue Card confirmed for Supreme Novices'

2011-02-16T08:44:00.000-08:00

Colin Tizzard has confirmed his stable star Cue Card is an intended runner in the Stan James Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham rather than the Champion Hurdle.

The five-year-old was a scintillating winner of last season's Champion Bumper and impressed on his first two outings over obstacles.

He lost no caste in defeat when second to Menorah in the International Hurdle at Cheltenham in December and unless the Champion Hurdle picture changes dramatically, he will be back against novices on his return to the Festival.

"We had a chat with the owner on Tuesday morning and we've decided he's going to go for the Supreme," said Tizzard.

"We have left him in the Champion Hurdle, but that is just in case maybe three horses go wrong. Things could change but we are fully intending to go for the Supreme as things stand.

"We thought it was sensible to leave him in the Champion Hurdle, just to cover all options. He's doing lovely and we've been stepping up his work for the last fortnight. He's got three weeks of pretty strong stuff ahead of him now."

Cue Card is now generally 9/4 favourite for the traditional curtain raiser of the Festival, although is still available at best-price 5/2 at the time of writing.

Supreme Novices' Hurdle leading contender best-price odds:

This table displays the current best-price available for each horse with odds updated in real-time. To claim a free bet from any of these bookmakers click the links below:

Will Hill £25 free bet | Bet365 £200 free bet | Skybet £35 free bet | 888sport £25 free bet Victor Chandler £25 free bet | Stan James £25 free bet | Paddy Power £50 free bet Sportingbet £50 free bet | Ladbrokes £25 free bet | totesport £10 free bet

Meanwhile, Tom Cooper has removed Forpadydeplasterer from this years' Cheltenham Festival - but his stable star still has a chance of making the Punchestown Festival.

Forpadydeplasterer was removed from the entries for the Ryanair, Queen Mother Champion Chase and Gold Cup today after his journey to Kempton for the rescheduled King George VI Chase left a mark.

The Irish-trained winner of the Arkle in 2009 and runner-up in last year's Champion Chase was pulled up behind Long Run on January 15.

"He came back from Kempton a very sick horse and I think making the two trips to Kempton, first in December and then when the race was rearranged, put paid to him," said Cooper.

"I thought last week we were looking good for Cheltenham but I'd rather not take him over again so soon. I'll keep him over here for the rest of this season and hopefully he'll be ready to run at Punchestown."

For all the latest bookmakers free bets & Cheltenham Festival special offers click here.

Europe to take Champion Chase option

2011-02-15T00:49:00.000-08:00

Last year's Arkle Chase winner Sizing Europe will contest the Sportingbet.com Queen Mother Champion Chase at this year's Cheltenham Festival after being scratched from both the Ryanair Chase and the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Sizing Europe, who raced over 2m last time out, has not won in four starts since completing a five-timer in the Arkle. He now looks set for a return to what many feel is his optimum trip.

Trainer Henry de Bromhead said on Monday: "Having talked things over with his owners, Ann and Alan Potts, and considered all the options, we've decided to run Sizing Europe in the Champion Chase."

The nine-year-old is currently best-price 16/1 which looks like great value for each-way backers because, in finishing in second place in last season's Champion Chase, Forpadydeplasterer became the 12th consecutive winner of the Arkle Trophy, which went to take its chance in the Queen Mother, to finish in the first three 12 months later.

The record of last season's Arkle Trophy winner in the Champion Chase is incredible - of that dozen, five that went on to complete the double the following season (Remittance Man, Klairon Davis, Moscow Flyer, Azertyuiop and Voy Por Ustedes). For the record, the four runners-up joining Forpadydeplasterer were Waterloo Boy, Travado, Or Royal and Well Chief with Nakir and Flagship Uberalles filling third place.

Champion Chase leading contender best-price odds:

Will Hill £25 free bet | Bet365 £200 free bet | Skybet £35 free bet | 888sport £25 free bet Victor Chandler £25 free bet | Stan James £25 free bet | Paddy Power £50 free bet Sportingbet £50 free bet | Ladbrokes £25 free bet | totesport £10 free bet

Another horse to have his Festival target confirmed is last year's Champion Hurdle runner-up Khyber Kim who will bid to go one better in this year's renewal at the Cheltenham Festival after trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies confirmed he'll go for the race.

After a disappointing run on his seasonal reappearance in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton his Festival target was unclear but yesterday Twiston-Davies said: "He's going for the Champion Hurdle. I was slightly disappointed after Kempton but he blew hard afterwards. He wasn't beaten that far, he wasn't that bad, it was just his first run of the season and we'll have him right for the Champion Hurdle."

The nine-year-old is currently best-price 25/1 for the 2011 Champion Hurdle.

Champion Hurdle leading contender best-price odds:

Will Hill £25 free bet | Bet365 £200 free bet | Skybet £35 free bet | 888sport £25 free bet Victor Chandler £25 free bet | Stan James £25 free bet | Paddy Power £50 free bet Sportingbet £50 free bet | Ladbrokes £25 free bet | totesport £10 free bet

Another potential 2011 Champion Hurdle contender is Dunguib who is currently best-price 20/1 (Bet365) and trainer Philip Fenton has ruled the eight-year-old out of running in the Coral Cup.

Dunguib had been a general 14/1 second favourite for the Coral Cup after Fenton announced last month that the horse would be getting an entry in the handicap. However, this plan has been shelved.

He is set to run in Gowran's Grade 2 Red Mills Trial Hurdle on Saturday, with connections hoping for a good run to book his place in the Champion Hurdle. Fenton said: "The Coral Cup is not in the picture. The owners were not too keen on it. We'll see how he performs Saturday and that will give us a fair indication of where we're going."

Meanwhile, a decent card at Navan on Sunday provided some Festival points and yielded a Grade 2 double for trainer Colm Murphy whose Voler La Vedette took advantage of a drop in class to win the Boyne Hurdle.

The talented daughter of King's Theatre had been running with credit behind Huricane Fly and Solwhit lately and found this an easier assignment while the step up to 2m 5f for the first time in her career proved absolutely no problem to her.

From early in the straight she was clearly going best of all and she readily picked off Stonemaster after the last flight for an assured success over a game Rigour Back Bob. Her trainer hasn't completely ruled out a tilt at the David Nicholson Mares Hurdle at Cheltenham in which she was third last year and another good showing there would be entirely possible - the seven-year-old is currently best-price 6/1 (Paddy Power) for the 2011 renewal.

Murphy then picked up the 3m Ten Up Novice Chase with Quito De La Roque who was recording his second Grade 2 success of the campaign. Already firmly established as a classy staying novice chaser, he looked to face a straight forward task and was much too strong for his opponents. It will be fascinating to see how he copes with drier ground later this season and he is a most proficient soft ground performer.

Conceding weight to his four rivals, Quito De La Roque travelled smoothly and jumped soundly for jockey Davy Russell and the pair eased into the lead as The Hurl tired at the top of the home straight.

It was then the simple matter of clearing the last three fences for the seven-year-old, who never looked in trouble as he cleared them all in masterful fashion and after clearing the last, Russell allowed the Gigginstown House Stud-owned runner to coast to the line.

Quito De La Roque's performance saw him cut to best-price 10/1 for the 4m National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival next month, whilst he is also as short as 12/1 for the RSA Chase, although available at a standout best-price 20/1 (Paddy Power) at the time of writing.

National Hunt Chase leading contender best-price odds:

Will Hill £25 free bet | Bet365 £200 free bet | Skybet £35 free bet | 888sport £25 free bet Victor Chandler £25 free bet | Stan James £25 free bet | Paddy Power £50 free bet Sportingbet £50 free bet | Ladbrokes £25 free bet | totesport £10 free bet

RSA Chase leading contender best-price odds:

Will Hill £25 free bet | Bet365 £200 free bet | Skybet £35 free bet | 888sport £25 free bet Victor Chandler £25 free bet | Stan James £25 free bet | Paddy Power £50 free bet Sportingbet £50 free bet | Ladbrokes £25 free bet | totesport £10 free bet

For all the latest bookmakers free bets & Cheltenham Festival special offers click here.

Tragedy mars crucial pre-Festival meeting

2011-02-13T04:26:00.000-08:00

What promised to be a fantastic day's racing ahead of the Cheltenham Festival next month, turned to tragedy with the mysterious death of two horses (Fenix Two and Marching Song) in the paddock at Newbury yesterday, that led to the abandonment of one of racing's biggest jumps meetings of the year.

An investigation has been launched amid fears the horses were electrocuted by underground cabling and although the first race was run, a decision to call off racing was made at the 104-year-old course.

Trainer Nicky Henderson described yesterday's events as "horrific". Henderson, who saddled his 2,000th British jumps winner at Kempton on Friday and has been training for 33 years, added: "It was one of the most traumatic five minutes I think one can ever go through. This game we are in, is all about horses and everybody loves them."

The only race that took place at Newbury was a Novices' Hurdle won by Al Ferof by 15-lengths from the newcomer Oasis Knight. Trainer Paul Nicholls said: "We didn't learn any more about him from that but I was pleased. I'll have a chat to John Hales (owner) about targets."

Hales added: "It's a dilemma as to whether we go two miles or two and a half at Cheltenham."

The six-year-old was cut to as short as 12/1 for the Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle (although still available at best-price 20/1 at the time of writing) and is also currently best-price 25/1 for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle.

Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle leading contender best-price odds:

Bet365 £200 free bet | Skybet £35 free bet | Will Hill £25 free bet | 888sport £25 free bet Victor Chandler £25 free bet | Stan James £25 free bet | Paddy Power £50 free bet Sportingbet £50 free bet | Ladbrokes £25 free bet | totesport £10 free bet

Supreme Novices' Hurdle leading contender best-price odds:

Bet365 £200 free bet | Skybet £35 free bet | Will Hill £25 free bet | 888sport £25 free bet Victor Chandler £25 free bet | Stan James £25 free bet | Paddy Power £50 free bet Sportingbet £50 free bet | Ladbrokes £25 free bet | totesport £10 free bet

While a number of trainers, including Paul Nicholls, Alan King and Philip Hobbs, urged Newbury to re-arrange the abandoned six races with the Festival fast approaching, at Warwick Finian's Rainbow notched an important win.

However it wasn't the most impressive performance from leading Arkle Chase fancy, despite the official winning distance of 11 lengths. He was keen early on and made a slight mistake at the second fence, before a more serious one at the third. He winged the next but then fiddled the next and it's that pattern which won't instil confidence into those who already hold vouchers for the Arkle.

Despite the unconvincing nature of this victory, winning rider Andrew Tinkler was more than happy with his mount's effort:

"He learnt an awful lot," he said. "It probably wasn't the tidiest round, but the objective with Cheltenham in mind was to drop him in and not be so gung-ho."

Finian's Rainbow will attempt to become the third horse in the last 12 years to complete the Kingmaker/Arkle double next month, seeking to follow in the footsteps of Flagship Uberalles (1999) and Voy Por Ustedes (2006) and most bookmakers left the Arkle favourite unchanged in ante-post markets, for which he is as short as 7/2, although the Nicky Henderson-trained eight-year-old is only second-favourite with Ladbrokes who currently offer a standout 5/1.

Arkle Chase leader contender best-price odds:

Bet365 £200 free bet | Skybet £35 free bet | Will Hill £25 free bet | 888sport £25 free bet Victor Chandler £25 free bet | Stan James £25 free bet | Paddy Power £50 free bet Sportingbet £50 free bet | Ladbrokes £25 free bet | totesport £10 free bet

Meanwhile, in Ireland, at least two winners on yesterday's Leopardstown card emerged as a significant challengers for Cheltenham next month.

With its four Grade One events, this meeting always marks the moment when Irish punters start to crystallise their betting strategies for Cheltenham, and sift possible bankers from mere hopefuls.

In the first race Unaccompanied comfortably took the Grade One Juvenile Hurdle on her second start over hurdles, to advance to joint-favouritism for the Triumph Hurdle with some bookies.

The way that this strapping four-year-old filly cantered into contention before the last flight, and then ran on well to the line, reeked of class. She wasn't 100% fluent at all of her hurdles but she jumped fairly well in the main. However, it is worth noting that fillies haven't fared too well in the Triumph Hurdle since Mysilv and Snow Drop in the 90's.

The daughter of Danehill Dancer is now a best-price 8/1 for the extended two-mile novice contest and impressed trainer Dermot Weld, who is more accustomed to success at the highest level on the flat: "The Punchestown race she won was weak and she had to do what she did today. I told Paul to go and see if she stayed, he kicked on before the last as planned and she ran all the way to the line. She's got to be Triumph Hurdle bound after that."

The filly was lightly raced on the flat as a three-year-old, and after winning two modest contests at Galway and Killarney the horse ran a respectable race in the Irish Cambridgeshire, before embarking on a National Hunt career. Only Grandouet, at best-price 6/1, is a shorter price for the JCB sponsored contest, and in what looks a fairly weak renewal Unaccompanied is likely to go off much shorter than his current price on the day of the race.

Triumph Hurdle leader contender best-price odds:

Bet365 £200 free bet | Skybet £35 free bet | Will Hill £25 free bet | 888sport £25 free bet Victor Chandler £25 free bet | Stan James £25 free bet | Paddy Power £50 free bet Sportingbet £50 free bet | Ladbrokes £25 free bet | totesport £10 free bet

Oscars Well was equally impressive in the Deloitte Novice Hurdle. This race has fallen to the subsequent Festival winners Like-A-Butterfly and Brave Inca in the last 10 years, and also to the beaten "bankers" Aran Concerto and Dunguib. Willie Mullins's Zaidpour, sent off favourite at even-money, was expected to get his season back on track after defeat at 1/4 last time out, but he was starting to struggle after the second-last flight, and had no answer when Oscars Well cruised into contention on the turn for home.

"The market never seems to fancy mine, but it didn't matter," Jessica Harrington, Oscars Well's trainer, said. "We've always fancied him, quietly. He travelled really well, jumped well the whole way, and I couldn't believe how well he was travelling when Robbie [Power] pulled him out just before the last. He just went away under hands and heels."

Oscars Well was cut to best-price 7/1 for the Neptune, while Zaidpour is now as big as 14/1 the Supreme Novices' (see odds tables above).

Harrington was completing a Grade One double after Bostons Angel beat Magnanimity and another Mullins-trained favourite, Mikael D'Haguenet, in the Dr PJ Moriarty Novice Chase.

It was certainly a race of incident, with Quel Esprit taking a crashing fall three fences from home. Having been front rank throughout, he was the first of the leading trio to come under pressure and although proven over further, and certainly capable of rallying, it's fair to say that he was starting to look vulnerable.

His fall had a secondary impact on the race however, as he interrupted Mikael D'Haguenet's progress. Having been deliberate at the first few fences, he continued to jump out to his right throughout the race but to his credit he managed to drag himself back into contention turning for home. However he looked a tired horse late on and once again a poor jump at the last (when out of contention) was always on the cards, especially after losing several lengths when his stablemate fell.

Back to the horses who dominated the finish however, and it was a terrific battle. Both had been prominent throughout, but a good jump at the last fence from Bostons Angel saw him back in-front and he ran on all the way to the line. It appeared with 50 yards to run that he might get overhauled on the line by Magnanimity, but he deserved this win and looks a major player for the RSA at Cheltenham. The runner-up falls into that bracket as well, and his sturdy and sure-footed jumping is a major asset. He wouldn't be the flashiest, but he looks as solid as a rock and he boosts the claim of Jessies Dream (who he beat last time) for similar targets.

Bostons Angels is now as short as 10/1 for the RSA Chase, although available at a standout 25/1 with Victor Chandler at the time of writing, whilst Mikael D'Haguenet, a former Festival winner over hurdles, is still as short as 12/1 for the same race despite having failed to win in three starts over fences to date - although Stan James currently offer a standout 20/1.

RSA Chase leading contender best-price odds:

Bet365 £200 free bet | Skybet £35 free bet | Will Hill £25 free bet | 888sport £25 free bet Victor Chandler £25 free bet | Stan James £25 free bet | Paddy Power £50 free bet Sportingbet £50 free bet | Ladbrokes £25 free bet | totesport £10 free bet

Mullins rescued his afternoon when Kempes took the Hennessy Gold Cup, and while he is a best-price 16/1 outsider for next month's Gold Cup, there was enough in this display to suggest that a place in the first three is not beyond him.

Ground was not expected to suit Kempes, but he travelled easily in mid-division and made smooth progress towards the leaders after jumping the third-last. He had too much speed for his rivals after the last, and should probably do better still if the going at Cheltenham is good.

"The surprises are the best ones, aren't they?" Mullins said. "I'm delighted for the owner [JP McManus] and especially for David Casey, he gave it a terrific ride. I just asked him to go out and get him jumping around and if he had any chance after that, to take it.

"David knew that if he got around he would have more speed than any of the rest, so tactically he said to me he even got there too soon. I'd imagine now that we have to go across for the Gold Cup. That will be the next plan and the better ground over there will suit him too.

Cheltenham Gold Cup leading contender best-price odds:

Bet365 £200 free bet | Skybet £35 free bet | Will Hill £25 free bet | 888sport £25 free bet Victor Chandler £25 free bet | Stan James £25 free bet | Paddy Power £50 free bet Sportingbet £50 free bet | Ladbrokes £25 free bet | totesport £10 free bet

For all the latest bookmakers free bets & Cheltenham Festival special offers click here.

A Media Luz aimed at Fred Winter Hurdle

2011-02-10T13:15:00.000-08:00

The exciting A Media Luz went some way to restoring her reputation when she strolled home in a juvenile hurdle at Huntingdon today.

However, punters considering her as a possible JCB Triumph Hurdle winner will have to rethink their views with trainer Nicky Henderson keen to run the Kelvin Hughes-owned filly in the Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle, for which she is as short as 5/1 favourite, although currently available at best-price 8/1.

She was also shortened for the Triumph, but Henderson said: "We'll see what the handicapper does, but I don't really want to run her in the Triumph.

"The Fred Winter has always been the plan and I'm worried she looked impressive today as I don't think it was a good race. I hope the handicapper sees that."

Henderson also trains Triumph favourite Grandouet, who beat A Media Luz at Newbury in December.

"I think the Fred Winter is her best chance," Henderson added. "Grandouet has already beaten her comfortably and I think that says it all. There was no reason to doubt what he did at Newbury."

Always held in high regard by Henderson, A Media Luz, placed at Group 3 level on the Flat in France, was beaten on her first two British starts and fell last time when in contention at Kempton.

However, ridden by Barry Geraghty, she travelled strongly on this occasion and eased to a comfortable victory from Pantxoa.

Fred Winter Novices' Hurdle leading contender best-price odds:

This table displays the current best-price available for each horse with odds updated in real-time. To claim a free bet from any of these bookmakers click the links below:

Bet365 £200 free bet | Skybet £35 free bet | Will Hill £25 free bet | 888sport £25 free bet Victor Chandler £25 free bet | Stan James £25 free bet | Paddy Power £50 free bet Sportingbet £50 free bet | Ladbrokes £25 free bet | totesport £10 free bet

Another winner at Huntingdon today was Cork All Star, who already has a Festival success on his CV, and he could return to Prestbury Park to bid for more glory after today's success in a hunter chase. The 2007 Weatherbys Champion Bumper winner is now as short as 7/1 for the Christie's Foxhunter Chase, although is available at a standout 12/1 with William Hill.

Foxhunter Chase leading contender best-price odds:

Bet365 £200 free bet | Skybet £35 free bet | Will Hill £25 free bet | 888sport £25 free bet Victor Chandler £25 free bet | Stan James £25 free bet | Paddy Power £50 free bet Sportingbet £50 free bet | Ladbrokes £25 free bet | totesport £10 free bet

Also today, Brampour staked his JCB Triumph Hurdle claim with a convincing victory in the Bravo Company 40 Cdo Royal Marines Maiden Hurdle at Taunton.

In an incident-packed race which saw two fallers at the last hurdle, the winner made several mistakes throughout, but jockey Harry Skelton looked to have matters in hand before the drama unfurled.

"It was good for him to get his head in front and he has obviously improved from his last run," said Skelton.

"I don't know how strong the race was but he stayed on from the last and did it well.
He was running over a mile and seven (furlongs) on the Flat, so he is a horse who obviously stays well and he was just getting going after the last really."

Well thought of by trainer Paul Nicholls, Brampour was cut to 10/1 (from 16) by Ladbrokes, however other bookmakers were less impressed and the four-year-old was still available with some at best-price 16/1 at the time of writing.

Triumph Hurdle leading contenders best-price odds:

Bet365 £200 free bet | Skybet £35 free bet | Will Hill £25 free bet | 888sport £25 free bet Victor Chandler £25 free bet | Stan James £25 free bet | Paddy Power £50 free bet Sportingbet £50 free bet | Ladbrokes £25 free bet | totesport £10 free bet

The other noteable market mover today was Wayward Prince, who was cut from 16/1 for the RSA Chase to best-price 12/1. The Ian Williams-trained seven-year-old's Cheltenham Festival credentials were boosted last weekend when he maintained his unbeaten record over fences by winning the Towton Novices' Chase at Wetherby, despite hitting a flat spot in the second circuit.

RSA Chase leading contender best-price odds:

Bet365 £200 free bet | Skybet £35 free bet | Will Hill £25 free bet | 888sport £25 free bet Victor Chandler £25 free bet | Stan James £25 free bet | Paddy Power £50 free bet Sportingbet £50 free bet | Ladbrokes £25 free bet | totesport £10 free bet

Meanwhile, Cheltenham Festival regular Garde Champetre confirmed his well-being ahead of next month's meeting when readily justifying favouritism in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase at Punchestown yesterday.

Held up in rear in testing conditions on the Bank Course, the Enda Bolger trained twelve-year-old was gradually eased into contention by regular pilot Nina Carberry, before picking up Lord Nellerie between the final two fences and being ridden out to score a shade cosily.

Frank Berry, owner JP McManus' racing manager, said: "Garde Champetre got the job done but wasn't as sharp as usual. He isn't getting younger but jumped adequately and while we'll see how he comes out of this, the Cross Country race at Cheltenham will be his next step."

Garde Champetre relinquished his Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase crown at the Festival last year having landed the prestigious prize in 2008 and 2009.

Cross Country Chase leading contender best-price odds:

Bet365 £200 free bet | Skybet £35 free bet | Will Hill £25 free bet | 888sport £25 free bet Victor Chandler £25 free bet | Stan James £25 free bet | Paddy Power £50 free bet Sportingbet £50 free bet | Ladbrokes £25 free bet | totesport £10 free bet

Saturday's Totesport Trophy at Newbury will almost inevitably offer some more Cheltenham clues - the race has been the most significant handicap in terms of featuring Cheltenham Festival winners the following month, Spirit River being the latest when winning last year's Coral Cup at 14/1, having finished 17th at Newbury following a terrible mistake at the third-last flight when travelling strongly.

Spirit River became the 11th Festival winner to have contested the Totesport Trophy from its last 20 runnings. Keep a note of any top-four finisher on Saturday, as seven of those then made the frame or won at Cheltenham, with Make A Stand and Spirit Leader following up their Newbury successes with another at the Festival, in the Champion Hurdle and Coral Cup respectively. Of those 11 Festival winners to run in the Totesport Trophy, six won the Vincent O'Brien County Hurdle, three took the Coral Cup and two went on to win the Champion Hurdle.

For all the latest bookmakers free bets & Cheltenham Festival special offers click here.

Hughes keen on Tidal chance

2011-02-10T02:18:00.000-08:00

Jockey Brian Hughes is confident mercurial talent Tidal Bay can make his presence felt in next month's Cheltenham Gold Cup.

The 10-year-old came from the clouds to chase home Imperial Commander in the Betfair Chase at Haydock back in November and again looked likely to be tailed off at one stage in Cheltenham's Argento Chase.

However, he again consented to run on in the home straight to finish a close second behind Neptune Collonges and his big-race jockey feels the stronger pace he should get in the Gold Cup will bring out the best in him.

"Tidal is in great form and we're looking forward to Cheltenham," Hughes said.

"It's great for me to have a ride in such a big race and to have the ride on a horse with a lot of ability. Everyone calls him names but tell me another horse who can give Imperial Commander 20 lengths and catch him?

"I felt the last day had they gone a bit quicker, I'd have won. The Paul Nicholls horse (Neptune Collonges) was tired at the finish and he had it all his own way early on.

"No disrespect to Mon Mome and Carruthers, but they were third and fourth in the Gold Cup last year and Tidal Bay has more ability than the two of them put together.

"It's a Gold Cup and I'm sure they'll go a good gallop. We'll drop in behind them and hunt away and we deserve to be there. Hopefully we'll be staying on at the end."

2011 Gold Cup best-price odds:

This table displays the current best-price available for each horse with odds updated in real-time. To claim a free bet from any of these bookmakers click the links below:

Bet365 £200 free bet | Skybet £35 free bet | Will Hill £25 free bet | 888sport £25 free bet Victor Chandler £25 free bet | Stan James £25 free bet | Paddy Power £50 free bet Sportingbet £50 free bet | Ladbrokes £25 free bet | totesport £10 free bet

For all the latest bookmakers free bets & Cheltenham Festival special offers click here.

Tidal Bay finished 4th in the 2009 Ryanair Chase, won by Imperial Commander

McCoy still in Big Buck's camp

2011-02-10T00:50:00.000-08:00

Tony McCoy believes Big Buck's is still the one to beat in the World Hurdle next month, despite Grands Crus' impressive win in the Cleeve Hurdle.

The champion jockey has been lucky enough to partner Paul Nicholls' dual World Hurdle winner in both of his races this season in the absence of the injured Ruby Walsh.

Andy Stewart's eight-year-old has not come off the bridle in maintaining his unbeaten record over timber in England, but plenty of judges have suggested he will face his stiffest test next next month against David Pipe's exciting youngster.

However, McCoy believes the grey's free-running style could be a disadvantage at the Festival:

"To me, if you look at the best stayers, they always race behind the bridle. Horses like (dual winner) Baracouda and (three-time winner) Inglis Drever never travelled through their races the way Grands Crus did in the Cleeve Hurdle.

"I could be wrong, but he'd have to be some horse to have enough in reserve to beat Big Buck's."

The form of Grands Crus was given a boost at Carlisle yesterday as Knockara Beau won the Pertemps Handicap Hurdle off top-weight.

Grands Crus shot towards the head of the betting for the World Hurdle with an imperious display in the Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham last month and Knockara Beau came home best of the rest.

The 21lb extra that Knockara Beau was carrying yesterday was not enough to stop the eight-year-old in the Pertemps qualifier and gives supporters of Grands Crus, his ten-length conqueror in the Cleeve Hurdle, reason to be cheerful.

Knockara Beau will now head for the Pertemps Final at the Festival. His trainer George Charlton had considered reverting back to the larger obstacles with his stable star but has had a change of heart:

"He'll go for the Pertemps Final. After his last run we thought this would be the best route and he did it well with his big weight. He knows his way round Cheltenham and the chases look pretty hot so we'll go for the hurdle."

World Hurdle leading contender best-price odds:

This table displays the current best-price available for each horse with odds updated in real-time. To claim a free bet from any of these bookmakers click the links below:

Bet365 £200 free bet | Skybet £35 free bet | Will Hill £25 free bet | 888sport £25 free bet Victor Chandler £25 free bet | Stan James £25 free bet | Paddy Power £50 free bet Sportingbet £50 free bet | Ladbrokes £25 free bet | totesport £10 free bet

Pertemps Final leading contender best-price odds:

Bet365 £200 free bet | Skybet £35 free bet | Will Hill £25 free bet | 888sport £25 free bet Victor Chandler £25 free bet | Stan James £25 free bet | Paddy Power £50 free bet Sportingbet £50 free bet | Ladbrokes £25 free bet | totesport £10 free bet

For all the latest bookmakers free bets & Cheltenham Festival special offers click here.

Big Buck's is currently best-price evens for the 2011 World Hurdle

Mullins reveals Festival plans for novice pair

2011-02-09T11:10:00.000-08:00

So Young is being be aimed at the Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle at the Festival after an easy victory at Punchestown today confirmed him as a horse with a big future.

The Willie Mullins-trained five-year-old, who is best-price 11/1 (Stan James) for the Neptune, is likely to be kept apart from stablemate Zaidpour, who the trainer said is set to be aimed at the Supreme Novices' Hurdle, for which he is now best-price 7/1 (Bet365).

Zaidpour is set to run in Saturday's Deloitte Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown and Mullins said: "We'll keep our options open and see what happens on Saturday, but my feeling is So Young will go for the Neptune and Zaidpour will go for the Supreme."

Mullins added: "So Young shows more on the track than at home. It looked like he had plenty of gears there."

Two horses than won't be heading to the Festival this year are last year's impressive Coral Cup winner, Spirit River, and Champion Bumper fancy Bold Optimist.

Spirit River fell on both his starts over fences this season before disappointing behind Grands Crus when reverting to hurdles last time out. He held an entry for the World Hurdle and was as short as 25/1 for the race.

Trainer Nicky Henderson revealed today that he won't be running at the Festival this year: "He's not going to win a World Hurdle and his two runs over fences have ended in falls. I still think he's a chaser in the making and there is no point in losing your novice status at this time of year."

Bold Optimist, disputing favouritism at 10/1 for the Weatherbys Champion Bumper at Cheltenham, will also miss the Festival.

The five-year-old's trainer Gordon Elliott said: "Unfortunately, Bold Optimist has had a slight setback and won't make the bumper at Cheltenham. He's a horse we think a lot of and we're already looking forward to him going hurdling next season."

The Patrick Gleeson-owned son of Oscar has raced only once, justifying favouritism when landing a bumper by two and a half lengths at Leopardstown in December.

Supreme Novices' Hurdle leading contender best-prices:

This table displays the current best-price available for each horse with odds updated in real-time. To claim a free bet from any of these bookmakers click the links below:

Bet365 £200 free bet | Skybet £35 free bet | Will Hill £25 free bet | 888sport £25 free bet Victor Chandler £25 free bet | Stan James £25 free bet | Paddy Power £50 free bet Sportingbet £50 free bet | Ladbrokes £25 free bet | totesport £10 free bet

Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle leading contender best-prices:

Bet365 £200 free bet | Skybet £35 free bet | Will Hill £25 free bet | 888sport £25 free bet Victor Chandler £25 free bet | Stan James £25 free bet | Paddy Power £50 free bet Sportingbet £50 free bet | Ladbrokes £25 free bet | totesport £10 free bet

For all the latest bookmakers free bets & Cheltenham Festival special offers click here.

Zaidpour is second favourite for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle

Menorah primed for Champion Hurdle bid

2011-02-09T06:41:00.000-08:00

Menorah was described by his trainer, Philip Hobbs, yesterday as "one of those few horses where there's no faults" as the six-year-old continued his preparation for the Champion Hurdle next month with a "brilliant" piece of work on the gallops.

Menorah, winner of the 2010 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, is one of a significant number of Cheltenham Festival contenders who will line up without a previous outing in 2011, and he has done so well since winning the International Hurdle in early December that Hobbs has already accelerated his exercise programme with just under five weeks left until the Champion Hurdle on the first day of the Festival meeting.

"He worked brilliantly this morning," Hobbs said. "We've stepped up his work earlier than anticipated due to the fact that he's put on a bit of condition having had an easy time in December. That is a good fault as I'd much rather have him that way so that we can now work him hard and get him fitter and better.

"I couldn't be more happy with him and I think there's still room for improvement but this is surely one of the best Champion Hurdles we've had for some time. Menorah is one of those few horses where there's no faults. He's got the most fantastic temperament, he works well and enjoys his work on a daily basis.

"He's still a potential improver and the worst situation, which isn't too bad, is that he gets beaten in the Champion Hurdle and then we go novice chasing next year."

The six-year-old is one of the horses included in a treble in our ante-post Cheltenham Festival tips this year and is best-price 5/1 (888sport and Paddy Power) for the Champion Hurdle.

Alternatively he can be backed at 9/2 with race sponsors Stan James who are currently offering four places instead of three for each-way backers (offer ends at noon on 28th February).

When asked to single out a rival he fears most Hobbs added: "They are all potentially very good but if I had to have one not to run against in the Champion Hurdle I suppose it would be Peddler's Cross."

Champion Hurdle leading contender best-price odds:

This table displays the current best-price available for each horse with odds updated in real-time. To claim a free bet from any of these bookmakers click the links below:

Bet365 £200 free bet | Skybet £35 free bet | Will Hill £25 free bet | 888sport £25 free bet Victor Chandler £25 free bet | Stan James £25 free bet | Paddy Power £50 free bet Sportingbet £50 free bet | Ladbrokes £25 free bet | totesport £10 free bet

Hobbs also revealed that would not be against running his classy duo Captain Chris and Wishfull Thinking against each other in the new Jewson Novices' Chase at the Festival.

Captain Chris filled the runner-up spot for the third successive time when narrowly held by Medermit at Sandown on Saturday, while Wishfull Thinking impressed in a Cheltenham handicap on his latest start.

"We wouldn't mind running the two in the same race and I think the fact that they're in the same ownership actually makes it easier," said Hobbs.

"What you don't want in any race really is to finish first and second with different owners, so that the second owner is beaten by his own stable.

"I think it's going to have to be very soft to run Captain Chris in the Arkle, but Richard Johnson (jockey) probably disagrees with me as he thinks he could be equally effective in either race.

"I'm learning towards the two-and-a-half-mile race (Jewson) for Captain Chris and if the ground was good, Wishfull Thinking would go for the RSA. But if it's soft, he would run in the Jewson as well."

Hobbs has no intention of trying Captain Chris at a lesser level in order to get his head in front as he is quite happy for him to remain a novice for next season if that is how things pan out.

The trainer continued: "We decided a while ago that we're only going to run Captain Chris in these high-class novice chases. We could have gone for an ordinary novice chase somewhere rather than run in the Scilly Isles on Saturday and he would have won.

"But he only had his first race a year ago and he'd probably be the best novice chaser in the country next season if he's still a novice. If he doesn't win a race this year, he doesn't - but I hope he's got a very good chance at Cheltenham.

"He had the breathing operation early in December and he might have just lacked fitness at Newbury when he was second. He might run in the Pendil Novices' Chase at Kempton (February 26)."

Jewson Novices' Chase leading contender best-prices:

RSA Chase leading contender best-prices:

These tables display the current best-price available for each horse with odds updated in real-time. To claim a free bet from any of these bookmakers click the links below:

Bet365 £200 free bet | Skybet £35 free bet | Will Hill £25 free bet | 888sport £25 free bet Victor Chandler £25 free bet | Stan James £25 free bet | Paddy Power £50 free bet Sportingbet £50 free bet | Ladbrokes £25 free bet | totesport £10 free bet

For all the latest bookmakers free bets & Cheltenham Festival special offers click here.

Trainer Philip Hobbs is very pleased with the progress being made by his Champion Hurdle hope Menorah

Megastar still in Supreme reckoning

2011-02-08T04:50:00.000-08:00

Gary Moore reports Megastar to be well on the road to recovery from injury and hopes to get a run into him ahead of the Cheltenham Festival.

The West Sussex trainer is looking at a race at Ascot on February 19 for the six-year-old, who was second to Minella Class in the 32Red hurdle, formerly known as the Tolworth, at Sandown a month ago.

"He had quite a nasty cut in the pastern that took a while to heal up and we're still giving him laser treatment for it every day now for it to heal up properly," Moore said.

"He's in good form with himself and hopefully he'll have a run on the 19th at Ascot. If that goes well he'll go to Cheltenham I think for the Supreme."

Megastar is generally available at 20/1 for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle, although, at the time of writing, Ladbrokes are offering a standout best-price 33/1.

Supreme Novices' Hurdle leading contender best-prices:

This table displays the current best-price available for each horse with odds updated in real-time. To claim a free bet from any of these bookmakers click the links below:

Bet365 £200 free bet | Skybet £35 free bet | Will Hill £25 free bet | 888sport £25 free bet Victor Chandler £25 free bet | Stan James £25 free bet | Paddy Power £50 free bet Sportingbet £50 free bet | Ladbrokes £25 free bet | totesport £10 free bet

Meanwhile, Colin Tizzard is looking forward to running Hell's Bay in the new Jewson Novices' Chase at the Festival next month.

The Dorset trainer believes his horse should head the ante-post betting for the two-and-a-half-mile contest instead of being a best-price 10/1 (Bet365) chance.

Hell's Bay advertised his Festival claims when beating Medermit on his latest start at Cheltenham on New Year's Day, with the runner-up boosting the form when winning the Grade One Scilly Isles Novices' chase at Sandown on Saturday.

"I think he should be favourite. He's going straight for the Jewson," said Tizzard.

"He goes well fresh this horse so we are purposely going to wait until the Festival with him. He's been brilliant."

Jewson Novices' Chase leading contender best-prices:

This table displays the current best-price available for each horse with odds updated in real-time. To claim a free bet from any of these bookmakers click the links below:

Bet365 £200 free bet | Skybet £35 free bet | Will Hill £25 free bet | 888sport £25 free bet Victor Chandler £25 free bet | Stan James £25 free bet | Paddy Power £50 free bet Sportingbet £50 free bet | Ladbrokes £25 free bet | totesport £10 free bet

Tizzard also reported Cue Card's preparation for Cheltenham had stepped up a gear. Last season's Champion Bumper victor is set to run on the opening day of the Festival in either the Supreme Novices' Hurdle or the Champion Hurdle.

"He's just started his fast work now and he's well on course for the Supreme or the Champion - one of them," he added.

Cue Card is best-price 5/2 (see market above) for the Supreme at the time of writing and best-price 33/1 (Stan James) for the Champion Hurdle.

Champion Hurdle leading contenders best-prices:

This table displays the current best-price available for each horse with odds updated in real-time. To claim a free bet from any of these bookmakers click the links below:

Bet365 £200 free bet | Skybet £35 free bet | Will Hill £25 free bet | 888sport £25 free bet Victor Chandler £25 free bet | Stan James £25 free bet | Paddy Power £50 free bet Sportingbet £50 free bet | Ladbrokes £25 free bet | totesport £10 free bet

For all the latest bookmakers free bets & Cheltenham Festival special offers click here.

Joe Tizzard rides Hell's Bay to the last en route to winning at Cheltenham in January. He is best-price 10/1 for the Jewson Novices' Chase next month

Stablemates win Champion Hurdle trials

2011-02-07T14:56:00.000-08:00

Regrettably we missed out on seeing various Festival hopefuls this weekend, with yesterday's meeting at Leopardstown, featuring the Irish Hennessy Gold Cup, postponed due to waterlogging.

Pride Of Dulcote, a best-price 20/1 (Victor Chandler) chance for the Gold Cup, was ante-post favourite for the Irish Hennessy but is now likely to stay on home soil for his prep for the Gold Cup, in the Ascot Chase.

Last year's winner Joncol, a best-price 50/1 (Stan James) shot for the Gold Cup, was also among the 10 horses due to contest one of the key races in the Irish fixture list.

As well as the Hennessy, Sunday afternoon's fixture was also due to feature three other Grade One events, including Mikael D'Haguenet in the Dr PJ Moriarty Chase and Zaidpour in the Deloitte Hurdle. However, the four Grade One races have now been rescheduled for this Saturday (12 February).

Whilst Leopardstown was a wash-out yesterday, there were Festival pointers on Saturday with Champion Hurdle trial races at both Sandown and Ffos Las, both won by Nicky Henderson runners, although in contrasting fashion.

Binocular was far from impressive against moderate rivals in the Contenders Hurdle at Sandown, whilst Oscar Whisky hacked up in the Welsh Champion Hurdle at Ffos Las, suggesting he is ready to line up against his stablemate in the real thing at the Festival.

Binocular was sent off at 1/10 to beat three horses, but came off the bridle before the final flight, at which point he still trailed his pacemaker, Ruthenoise, by a couple of lengths. The race was then handed to him when the leader made a hash of the last, though Binocular would surely have won in any case.

"He wasn't impressive at all," said Tony McCoy, who added that his mount had jumped to the left down the back straight. But Binocular put up a similarly uninspired performance in this race last year before hammering the Champion Hurdle field last March.

In between, he had been whisked over to Ireland by his owner, JP McManus, where Binocular spent 10 days getting intensive examination and treatment from McManus's vets. There are no plans to do anything similar this time, according to Frank Berry, the owner's representative.

Tom Symonds, Henderson's assistant, did his best to strike an upbeat note, saying: "It looked like, before, he'll come on another step for that. The next step is to give him a bit of time and then crack on towards Cheltenham in March."

Asked about Binocular's lack of sparkle, Symonds said: "It's been well documented that he doesn't do an awful lot at home and he can be quite idle."

Bookmakers reacted by easing the reigning champion to best-price 10/3 (888sport) for the 2011 Champion Hurdle.

Meanwhile, Oscar Whisky is a best-price 14/1 (Bet365) after his Ffos Las success.

The six year-old had lost his unbeaten record over hurdles when fourth in the Supreme Novices' on his final start of last season but returned to winning ways on his reappearance when showing an impressive turn of foot over an extended two and a half miles at Cheltenham.

This race had been his target all season (he carries the colours of Ffos Las owner Dai Walters) and the 2/7 shot cruised into the lead under Barry Geraghty after the third-last flight and soon saw off his four rivals.

There were plenty of positives to be taken from his performance as he travelled strongly and jumped well and whilst success may have proved little, it did at least produce clarity as to his Cheltenham target, Henderson all but ruling out a tilt at the World Hurdle.

"I think we'll stick to the Champion Hurdle route," the trainer said. "I wouldn't have thought he would go three miles. There's some improvement there, Barry said he gave a blow. He'll come on a good bit and I think that [the Champion Hurdle] is what we will do."

Also featured at Sandown on Saturday, was The Totescoop6 Heroes Handicap Hurdle over 2m6f. This race has been a significant guide to the Festival over the last 20 years as the only handicap to have featured more winners at Cheltenham during that period has been the Totesport Trophy at Newbury (this Saturday).

The winners of eight Festival races have contested this prize over the last two decades and not just the same Festival races either as winners of the Pertemps Final, Coral Cup, World Hurdle and Ryanair Chase have first lined up for this Grade Three handicap, as indeed did Beech Road who then dropped down six furlongs in trip to win the Champion Hurdle.

Winner Kilcrea Kim justified strong support to maintain his trainer's excellent record in this contest and connections mooted a possible tilt at the Albert Bartlett for their progressive Irish point winner who can currently be backed at best-price 20/1 (totesport) for the three-mile novices' hurdle.

He travelled and jumped well and rallied gamely when joined close home by Alfie Spinner having got a little lonely out in front. He should stay three miles but didn't exactly see his race out strongly over that trip in a competitive handicap at Cheltenham on his previous start.

Alfie Spinner is progressing well and looks sure to appreciate a step back up to three miles having been left behind by the winner from the turn for home. He looked rather laboured in making the ground but dug deep to record another career best and has earned a rest having had two quite hard races in the space of three weeks; he could be freshened up for the Pertemps Final at the Festival for which he is best-price 20/1 (Bet365).

Finally, Medermit also put down a Festival marker on Saturday when he held off Captain Chris to win the Scilly Isles Novice Chase, with the field finishing well strung out. After sleeping on the choice, his trainer Alan King has chosen to aim the grey at the two-mile Arkle Chase rather than the meeting's newest addition, the two-and-a-half mile Jewson Chase:

"Choc [Thornton, his stable jockey] and I had a long chat," said King, "and we feel the way he travelled and jumped on Saturday, he deserves a shot at the big one. Short or long, he was brilliant at his fences, very professional, and did everything we could have asked in what looked a proper race."

Medermit is now best-price 6/1 (Ladbrokes) for the Arkle and it's worth noting that all but 2 of the last 11 Arkle Trophy winners, were rated 142+ over hurdles and half of the last 10 Arkle winners (Tiutchev, Moscow Flyer, Azertyuiop, My Way De Solzen and Tidal Bay) entered the race as the highest-rated hurdler in the line up, a position Medermit (158) comfortably holds over those who appear to be his chief rivals, Finian's Rainbow and Ghizao, both rated more than a stone behind Alan King's grey over hurdles. Starluck (160) is currently the highest-rated hurdler amongst the Arkle entries but he has yet to jump a fence in public and it seems highly unlikely that he would turn up in that race, whilst next best behind Medermit is Rock Noir (152) and then Captain Chris (146).

Captain Chris deserves plenty of credit for finishing second on Saturday, as he wasn't fluent at a number of fences and made a bad mistake at the fifth, when appearing to take off too soon, causing Richard Johnson to take one hand of the reins. His best form over hurdles came on good spring ground and better can be expected when he gets those conditions which may help his jumping too; like the winner, he has the option of the Arkle, but may head for the Jewson for which he is best-price 10/1 (Skybet).

Bet365 £200 free bet | Skybet £35 free bet | Will Hill £25 free bet | 888sport £25 free bet Victor Chandler £25 free bet | Stan James £25 free bet | Paddy Power £50 free bet Sportingbet £50 free bet | Ladbrokes £25 free bet | totesport £10 free bet

For all the latest bookmakers free bets & Cheltenham Festival special offers click here.

Binocular, left, was helped by a bad mistake from Ruthenoise at the final hurdle in the feature race at Sandown on Saturday

Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle entries - analysis

2011-02-06T17:34:00.000-08:00

A bumper 103 entries were announced this week for the seventh running of the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle, including 33 trained in Ireland.

Emma Lavelle has entered Court In Motion, who swept aside the Brian Ellison trained Neptune Equester to win the Grade Two Neptune Investment Management Leamington Novices’ Hurdle at Warwick on January 15. The six-year-old had previously finished second to the Jonjo O’Neill-trained Backspin in the Grade One Challow Hurdle at Newbury in December.

Backspin was fourth to the Nicky Henderson-trained Bobs Worth in the Grade Two Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham on January 29, and the third that day, the Alan King-trained Habbie Simpson, is also engaged.

O’Neill and King have won the race previously; O’Neill with Black Jack Ketchum (2006) and Wichita Lineman (2007) and King with Nenuphar Collonges (2008). Also among King’s entries is Pride In Battle, twice successful at Newbury.

Martin Keighley saddled Champion Court to defeat the Nigel Twiston-Davies trained Sybarite in the Grade Two Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle over two miles, five furlongs at The Open in November but was a below-par ninth to Bobs Worth at the course last month.

Mossley defeated the Paul Nicholls-trained Join Together in the Grade Two Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle over the course and distance in December but suffered his first defeat under Rules when only fifth to Court In Motion at Warwick last time. Join Together was third to Court In Motion on debut at Exeter in November.

Willie Mullins has 10 entries including Grade One Royal Bond Hurdle winner Zaidpour, So Young, Punchestown winner Raptor, dual Grade Two winner Gagewell Flyer, and Thurles victor Bishopsfurze.

The Mouse Morris-trained First Lieutenant held Zaidpour to win the Grade One Future Champion Novice Hurdle over two miles at Leopardstown in December, while Jessica Harrington has entered Oscars Well, the easy winner of his last two races, most recently when eight lengths superior to the Michael O’Hare-trained Sweet Shock in the Grade One Navan Novice Hurdle in which the Noel Meade-trained Fully Funded was third.

Dermot Weld has engaged the 2008 Grade One Punchestown bumper runner-up Endless Intrigue, second on his only start over hurdles behind the Edward O’Grady trained Shot From The Hip, while Ballyadam Brook, trained by Terence O’Brien, was third to Cue Card in the Grade Two Sharp Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham in December.

Charles Byrnes took the prize with War Of Attrition in 2009 and has entered the
useful Fists Of Fury, while the Donald McCain-trained Lively Baron and Tornado Bob have made good impressions with a brace of hurdles victories apiece, and the Nick
Williams-trained For Non Stop was runner-up to Grands Crus at The Open before finishing fourth to Backspin in the Challow hurdle.

The Rebecca Curtis-trained Teaforthree was third to Mossley at Cheltenham in December, while others include the Charlie Swan-trained Start Me Up, the Henderson trained State Benefit, another from the Lavelle yard in the form of Highland Valley and the Evan Williams-trained Fiulin, who was seventh to Menorah in the Grade One Supreme Novices’ Hurdle over two miles at The Festival in 2010.

Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle leading contender best-prices:

This table displays the current best-price available for each horse with odds updated in real-time. To claim a free bet from any of these bookmakers click the links below:

Bet365 £200 free bet | Skybet £35 free bet | Will Hill £25 free bet | 888sport £25 free bet Victor Chandler £25 free bet | Stan James £25 free bet | Paddy Power £50 free bet Sportingbet £50 free bet | Ladbrokes £25 free bet | totesport £10 free bet

For all the latest bookmakers free bets & Cheltenham Festival special offers click here.

Emma Lavelle believes her juvenile, Court In Motion, could develop into a future Gold Cup contender

Neptune Novices' Hurdle entries - analysis

2011-02-06T09:18:00.000-08:00

96 entries were revealed this week for the Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle, which has in recent times produced two horses that went on to win five Champion Hurdles between them - the great Istabraq (1997) and Hardy Eustace (2003).

Amongst the entries is the Nicky Henderson-trained Bobs Worth who landed a four-timer over an extended two and a half miles at the course on Festival Trials Day, defeating the Paul Nicholls-trained Rock On Ruby by two and a quarter lengths with the previously undefeated Jonjo O’Neill-trained Grade One Challow Hurdle victor Backspin in fourth and the Alan King-trained Habbie Simpson third.

Henderson, seeking a first success in the race, has 11 entries in all. Minella Class easily landed the Grade One Tolworth Hurdle at Newbury, while Chablais made a winning hurdles debut at Kempton in January, Mossley took the three-mile Grade Two Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham in December when Prince Of Pirates was also successful, Problema Tic is unbeaten in four outings and Sprinter Sacre is a dual bumper winner.

The Emma Lavelle-trained Court In Motion was runner-up to Backspin in the Challow Hurdle but then slammed the opposition to land the Grade Two Neptune Investment Management Leamington Novices’ Hurdle at Warwick in January.

Willie Mullins landed back-to-back wins in 2008 and 2009 with Fiveforthree and Mikael D’Haguenet, respectively. He has entered 14 contenders, headed by Grade One
Royal Bond Hurdle winner Zaidpour, as well as recent Thurles winner Bishopsfurze, dual Grade Two winner Gagewell Flyer and impressive maiden hurdle victors So Young, Day Of A Lifetime, Dare To Doubt and Cottrelsbooley.

Also among the 39 Irish-trained entries is the Mouse Morris-trained First Lieutenant, victorious from Zaidpour when winning the Grade One Future Champions Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown on December 29.

Hidden Universe won the Grade One Champion Bumper at Punchestown in April and Dermot Weld’s charge made an easy winning debut over hurdles at Leopardstown in December, while Prunella Dobbs has entered the prolific mare, Our Girl Salley.

Jessica Harrington saddled Oscar’s Well to easily land the Grade One Navan Novice Hurdle over two and a half miles in December, while other Irish-trained contenders include the Terence O’Brien-trained Ballyadam Brook, Patrick Neville’s Grade Three winning mare Macville and the Morris-trained Grade Three juvenile hurdle winner Tillahow.

Philip Hobbs has entered Dare Me, unbeaten in two outings over hurdles, and the useful Dunraven Storm, while Nicholls has also entered recent Doncaster winner King Of The Night, Challow Hurdle third Al Ferof and Grade Two JCB Triumph Hurdle Trial third Indian Daudaie.

Megastar was a high-class bumper horse, winning a Grade Two contest at Aintree in April, and after making a winning debut over hurdles the Gary Moore-trained six-year-old has taken second to Rock On Ruby at Newbury and to Minella Class in Sandown’s Grade One Tolworth Hurdle. Stablemate Captain Kirkton has also been entered.

The King stable could run two-time Newbury winner Pride In Battle and Grade One Future Champions Finale Juvenile Hurdle third Smad Place.

Others of note include the Tim Vaughan-trained Bottman and Spirit Of Adjisa, as well as Tornado Bob, whose trainer Donald McCain took the spoils in 2010.

Neptune Novices' Hurdle leading contender best prices:

This table displays the current best-price available for each horse with odds updated in real-time. To claim a free bet from any of these bookmakers click the links below:

Bet365 £200 free bet | Skybet £35 free bet | Will Hill £25 free bet | 888sport £25 free bet Victor Chandler £25 free bet | Stan James £25 free bet | Paddy Power £50 free bet Sportingbet £50 free bet | Ladbrokes £25 free bet | totesport £10 free bet

For all the latest bookmakers free bets & Cheltenham Festival special offers click here.

Bobs Worth (left) powers home to beat Rock on Ruby at Cheltenham in January and is best-price 11/2 to win the 2011 Neptune Novices' Hurdle

Triumph Hurdle entries - analysis

2011-02-06T08:13:00.000-08:00

77 entries were unveiled earlier this week for the JCB Triumph Hurdle, which included 23 trained in Ireland and one potential French raider.

Grandouet is the ante-post favourite with bookmakers to give trainer Nicky Henderson a third consecutive victory in the two-mile, one-furlong contest and sixth in total, following on from First Bout (1985), Alone Success (1987), Katarino (1999), Zaynar (2009) and Soldatino (2010).

The gelding has won his latest two starts easily at Ascot and Newbury, having failed to live up to his lofty reputation on his first two outings.

The Paul Nicholls-trained Sam Winner handed Grandouet a 15-length defeat when in receipt of 8lb in the Grade Two JCB Triumph Hurdle Trial at Cheltenham’s The Open in November and then defeated the Brendan Powell-trained Pullyourfingerout over the course and distance in December.

Sam Winner was only fourth on his latest outing behind the victorious Brian Ellison trained Marsh Warbler in the Grade One Future Champions Finale Juvenile Hurdle at Chepstow in January, a race in which the Venetia Williams-trained Houblon Des Obeaux was second and the Alan King-trained Smad Place third.

Local Hero emerged as a serious contender when winning the Grade Two JCB Triumph Hurdle Trial over the course and distance on Festival Trials Day last month. Steve Gollings’ charge held the Colin Tizzard-trained Third Intention, with the Nicholls-trained Indian Daudaie back in third.

Among the Irish entries is the Edward O’Grady-trained Sailors Warn who took the Grade Two Bord Na Mona Fire Magic Juvenile Novices’ Hurdle easily from the Ado McGuinness-trained Fearless Falcon, with the Charles O’Brien-trained Accidental Outlaw third and Grade Three winner Toner D’Oudairies fourth.

The last-named is trained by Gordon Elliott, whose Plan A was third to Sam Winner at The Open and won a Gowran Park maiden hurdle on the bridle last month.

Dermot Weld has engaged easy Punchestown maiden hurdle winner Unaccompanied, while the Pat Flynn-trained Louisville Lip defeated the Noel Meade trained Maxim Gorky on his hurdles debut at Thurles recently, and the Mouse Morris trained Tillahow held Fearless Falcon and third-placed Chaperoned, trained by Jessica Harrington, to land a Grade Three at Punchestown on January 8.

Henderson’s 10-strong entry also includes promising French imports Celtus and Molotof, as well as useful Flat runner Moose Moran, who is yet to debut over hurdles.

The David Pipe-trained Kazzene made a good impression on his first start over hurdles since arriving from France when seeing off the Alison Thorpe-trained Kuilsriver and the Nicholls-trained Brampour.

Nicholls took the prize in 2008 with Celestial Halo and has also entered Doncaster winner Empire Levant, Pau Hurdle winner Tonic Mellysse and Zarkava’s half-brother Zarkandar who is yet to make his bow over hurdles.

The Tim Vaughan-trained First Fandango is unbeaten in two hurdles starts, the Philip Hobbs-trained Tony Star held the Charlie Longsdon-trained Paintball on his hurdles debut, while the Pipe-trained Trop Fort is two from two in French bumpers.

The last French-trained winner was the Francois Doumen-trained Snow Drop in
2000 and the French entry this year is the Guillaume Macaire-trained Tout Rouge, who defeated Sam Winner by a length and a half in an Auteuil maiden hurdle in April and was most recently third in the Grade Two Prix Congress over fences at Auteuil on November 6.

Triumph Hurdle leading contender best-price odds:

This table displays the current best-price available for each horse with odds updated in real-time. To claim a free bet from any of these bookmakers click the links below:

Bet365 £200 free bet | Skybet £35 free bet | Will Hill £25 free bet | 888sport £25 free bet Victor Chandler £25 free bet | Stan James £25 free bet | Paddy Power £50 free bet Sportingbet £50 free bet | Ladbrokes £25 free bet | totesport £10 free bet

For all the latest bookmakers free bets & Cheltenham Festival special offers click here.

Grandouet is favourite for the 2011 Triumph Hurdle

Supreme Novices' Hurdle entries - analysis

2011-02-05T15:03:00.000-08:00

86 entries were unveiled this week for the 2011 Supreme Novices' Hurdle, including 36 trained in Ireland.

Cue Card gave trainer Colin Tizzard a thrill at last year’s Festival when winning the Grade One Weatherbys Champion Bumper and after a debut success over hurdles at Aintree in October, went on to defeat Dunraven Storm in the Grade Two Cheltenham Collection Sharp Novices’ Hurdle at The Open in November. On his latest start, he ran a gallant second to last year’s Supreme Novices’ Hurdle victor Menorah in the Grade Two StanJames.com International at Cheltenham on December 11.

Nicky Henderson saddled River Ceiriog (1986) and Flown (1992) to victory and has 14
entries, including impressive Grade One Tolworth Hurdle victor Minella Class, the unbeaten French Listed winner Spirit Son, classy bumper winner Sprinter Sacre and Gibb River, impressive when winning both his starts over hurdles.

Paul Nicholls’ eight entries includes the talented four-year-old Sam Winner, impressive when winning twice at Cheltenham in November and December but below that form on soft ground in a Chepstow Grade One on January 8, when fourth to the Brian Ellison-trained juvenile Marsh Warbler.

Nicholls has also engaged Rock On Ruby, whose impressive winning streak ended when runner-up to Bobs Worth in the Grade Two Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham on Festival Trials Day (January 29), Indian Daudaie, who was third to Local Hero in the Grade Two JCB Triumph Hurdle Trial on the same card and Tolworth Hurdle third Toubab.

Nicholls’ Al Ferof was third to the Jonjo O’Neill-trained Backspin in the Grade One Challow Hurdle at Newbury in December. Backspin lost his unbeaten tag when fourth to Bobs Worth on Festival Trials Day.

Ireland’s champion trainer Willie Mullins took the spoils with Tourist Attraction in 1995 and Ebaziyan in 2007 and has 11 entries headed by Zaidpour, winner of the Grade One Royal Bond Hurdle at Fairyhouse on December 15. Later that month, the five-year-old went down by a neck to the Mouse Morris-trained First Lieutenant in the Grade One Future Champions Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown.

The Mullins contingent also includes dual Grade Two victor Gagewell Flyer who held stablemate Earlson Grey by a neck to win the Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle on January 30 and recent Leopardstown maiden hurdle winner Day Of A Lifetime.

Hidden Universe won the Grade One Champion Bumper at Punchestown in April and Dermot Weld’s charge made an easy winning debut over hurdles at Leopardstown on December 30. The four-year-olds Tillahow from the Morris yard and Toner D’Oudairies from the Gordon Elliott stable have both landed Grade Three contests this term.

Another trainer with two Supreme Novices’ Hurdle wins is Edward O’Grady (1978 Golden
Cygnet, 2003 Back In Front) whose five entries include Grade Two Bord Na Mona Fire Magic Juvenile Novice Hurdle winner Sailors Warn and unbeaten four-time winner The Real Article, while Noel Meade, also with two winners (2002 Sausalito Bay, 2009 Go Native), has engaged Dilshaan’s Prize and Prima Vista.

As well as Dunraven Storm, last season’s winning trainer Philip Hobbs has entered Dare Me, unbeaten in two starts over hurdles, while Donald McCain could saddle Sedgefield winner Charminster and the useful Drill Sergeant and Alan King’s entries include Iolith, winner of his last two starts.

The Gary Moore-trained Megastar landed the Grade Two bumper at Aintree in April, made a winning debut over hurdles and has since been runner-up in two further starts, behind Rock On Ruby at Newbury and Minella Class in the Grade One Tolworth Hurdle.

Supreme Novices' Hurdle leading contender best-price odds:

This table displays the current best-price available for each horse with odds updated in real-time. To claim a free bet from any of these bookmakers click the links below:

Bet365 £200 free bet | Skybet £35 free bet | Will Hill £25 free bet | 888sport £25 free bet Victor Chandler £25 free bet | Stan James £25 free bet | Paddy Power £50 free bet Sportingbet £50 free bet | Ladbrokes £25 free bet | totesport £10 free bet

For all the latest bookmakers free bets & Cheltenham Festival special offers click here.

Cue Card is ante-post favourite for the 2011 Supreme Novices' Hurdle

Cue Card's Festival target undecided

2011-02-05T05:40:00.000-08:00

Connections are still considering whether Cue Card will contest the Supreme Novices' Hurdle or Champion Hurdle at next month's Cheltenham Festival.

The five-year-old features amongst 86 entries for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle, although a decision on his participation in the race will not be made until close to the meeting.

Impressive winner of the Champion Bumper at last season's Festival, Cue Card captured his first two races over hurdles before finishing second to Menorah when stepping outside novice company to contest the StanJames.com International Hurdle on his last start.

His trainer Colin Tizzard said: "We're going to make a decision when we get to the Festival, I'm happy with him and we're just starting to warm him up again now. This week he's just cantering away and then we'll start him on some faster stuff."

Cue Card's leading market rivals for the Supreme all feature among the entries, headed by Zaidpour and Hidden Universe, who are set to contest the Grade 1 Deloitte Hurdle tomorrow.

Cue Card is currently best-price 5/2 (Bet365) favourite for the Supreme, whilst Zaidpour is best-price 8/1 (888sport) and Hidden Universe best-price 12/1 (Victor Chandler).

Meanwhile, Chablais is unlikely to feature at the Cheltenham Festival next month despite featuring in the 96 entries for the Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle released on Thursday.

One of 11 entries in the Neptune for trainer Nicky Henderson, Chablais is still as short as 12/1 for the 2m5f Grade 1 race after making a winning debut for new connections when part of Henderson's five-timer at Kempton on William Hill King George day last month.

However, Henderson has revealed that Chablais, who cost owners Richard and Lizzie Kelvin-Hughes £260,000 last April, has not taken the race well:

"He's only a baby and hasn't taken the race terribly well. To be honest it would be truthful to say I may give it [Cheltenham] a miss this year" Henderson said, and the six-year-old can now be backed at best-price 20/1 (Stan James).

Henderson's Neptune entry is headed by favourite Bobs Worth, who is best-price 11/2 (Sportingbet) favourite, whilst main market rivals Rock On Ruby and Zaidpour also feature in the list at best-price 8/1 (Bet365) and 10/1 (Ladbrokes) respectively.

For the latest bookmakers free bets and Cheltenham Festival special offers click here.

Chablais has not taken his first hurdles outing well and drifted in the Neptune market

Big Buck's odds against!

2011-02-05T04:16:00.000-08:00

Today (Saturday 5th February) StanJames.com are offering best-industry price on Big Buck's for the World Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

Big Buck's is on a 10-race winning streak and was available at a best-price of just 4/7 for the stayers' hurdling championship a few weeks ago. Still viewed by many as the banker of the Festival, Stan James are today offering odds of 11/10...until midnight.

The recent perfomances of Mourad and most notably Grands Crus led to Big Buck's price drifting slightly. However, as reported here earlier this week, champion trainer Paul Nicholls is unconcerned about the emergence of Grands Crus as a legitimate threat to his charge in the World Hurdle, saying: “With the way he runs, it will be nice to have something to aim at.”

Victor Chandler currently have the eight-year-old Big Buck's at evens. Thus, by promising to be best-industry price today, Stan James have to offer a very tempting 11/10 - a price which is likely to be hammered by punters all day.

World Hurdle leading contender best-prices:

This table displays the current best-price available for each horse with odds updated in real-time. To claim a free bet from any of these bookmakers click the links below:

Bet365 £200 free bet | Skybet £35 free bet | Will Hill £25 free bet | 888sport £25 free bet Victor Chandler £25 free bet | Stan James £25 free bet | Paddy Power £50 free bet Sportingbet £50 free bet | Ladbrokes £25 free bet | totesport £10 free bet

For all the latest bookmakers free bets & Cheltenham Festival special offers click here.

Big Buck's is primed to win his third World Hurdle at Cheltenham next month

Peddlers Cross to miss Champion Hurdle trials

2011-02-02T16:09:00.000-08:00

Leading Champion Hurdle hope Peddlers Cross will miss his intended warm up for Cheltenham this weekend having coughed after working this morning.

The unbeaten hurdler had been due to tackle either the Contenders Hurdle at Sandown or the Welsh Champion Hurdle at Ffos Las, but trainer Donald McCain described the unbeaten horse as "highly unlikely" to run in either: "We will have to let him tell us what the next move is," he said.

In all probability, the plans for the horse are unlikely to be disrupted too much by the news, although McCain will obviously still be hoping to get a run into the horse before the Festival, the trainer having made it clear before that he is not the sort of horse who wants to be too fresh before a big race.

Peddlers Cross beat the 2010 Champion Hurdle winner Binocular into third place when winning the rearranged Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newbury in November and is currently best-price 13/2 (Stan James and Paddy Power) for the 2011 Champion Hurdle.

Stablemate Overturn, who, like Peddlers Cross, is owned by Tim Leslie, was also entered for the Welsh Champion Hurdle, but he may not run either.

"I have always been leaning to either the Kingwell [at Wincanton] or the Morebattle [at Kelso] next week and that probably remains the case," McCain added.

Overturn is currently best-price 33/1 (Stan James) for the 2011 Champion Hurdle.

Meanwhile, Barry Geraghty hopes Finian's Rainbow has one more run over fences before the Cheltenham Festival.

Nicky Henderson's charge is two from two over fences and is disputing favouritism for the Irish Independent Arkle Trophy next month, available at best-price 9/2 (888sport).

"We thought he was very good over hurdles and were hoping he'd make the transition to fences the way he has, he's done everything right so far," the jockey said.

"The first day he won at Newbury was probably a better race than the second day. The second horse came out and franked the form by beating Medermit at Cheltenham and that reads well.

"In an ideal world you'd give him another run to get some more experience but he's a lovely horse and I'd be looking forward to him. He has the option of going to Warwick or Kempton for the Pendil so there are races for him and all being well he'll go for one of them."

The jockey also high hopes for Saturday winner Bobs Worth:

"He was a little novicey at a couple down the back on Saturday but at the business end he really came alive and seemed to pick up well after the last. He won well and is a horse who is improving all the time," Geraghty added.

The Nicky Henderson-trained six-year-old was promoted to best-price 5/1 (Bet365) favourite for the Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle at the Festival following the Grade Two triumph at Cheltenham, but it is worth reflecting on his trainer's very poor record in the race (0-21).

It is not just the fact that the Henderson yard are 0-21 in the Neptune that should set alarm bells ringing but that Finian's Rainbow's fifth placing last season was just the second time since 1990 that any of their runners had even finished in the first ten.

Only Travado had previously mustered a top-ten finish in the previous 20 runnings and the subsequent Arkle Trophy winner could only manage seventh himself. In addition to Bobs Worth, the Grade One Tolworth Hurdle winner, Minella Class, and the expensive and exciting former point-to-point winner, Chablais, who won a warm novice hurdle at Kempton on King George VI Chase Day, are also well to the fore in this particular market for the Henderson team.

Peddlers Cross is best-price 13/2 for the Champion Hurdle

Time For Rupert on course for Festival

2011-02-02T15:44:00.000-08:00

Paul Webber is confident the setback that ruled Time For Rupert out of the Argento Chase on Saturday will not hinder his Cheltenham Festival preparations.

The RSA Chase favourite was set to test his mettle against seasoned campaigners at Prestbury Park but a minor infection ruled him out.

"The RSA is his target and he just had a very mild infection on his trachea wash on Thursday. Although the wash looked clean it showed high white cells and it meant we couldn't go on Saturday," the trainer said.

Webber isn't concerned about missing a potential prep-race for the Festival given his rising star's experience at the track.

"The early plan was to get plenty of experience round there, his first two runs this season were at Cheltenham and we know he loves the track. We knew with the weather there was every chance we may not have had racing last week anyway."

The RSA is the Festival target despite an entry in the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup.

"He had a Gold Cup entry in case for some horrible reasons the first three in the betting disappeared in the ten days leading up to the race and we might have looked silly if we didn't have an entry," Webber added.

"The last novice to win was Midnight Court so it would make more sense to stick to his route and who knows, the cast for the Gold Cup may change next year."

Time For Rupert is currently best-price 5/2 (Victor Chandler) favourite for the 2011 RSA Chase.

Meanwhile, Paul Nicholls is dismissive of the notion that he might have sleepless nights over the emergence of Grands Crus, whose stunning performance at Cheltenham on Saturday surely announced him as a legitimate threat to Big Buck's in the World Hurdle:

“With the way he runs, it will be nice to have something to aim at,” the champion trainer said breezily.

Bookmakers Victor Chandler aren't quite so sure however and now offer the two-time World Hurdle winner at best-price 10/11 for the 2011 renewal. Grans Crus is best-price 5/2 (888sport) after sustained support or can be backed at best-price 10/11 (William Hill) "without Big Bucks".

Ladbrokes are now offering just 4/1 that none of the 2010 Champions: Big Buck's, Big Zeb, Binocular and Imperial Commander manages to retain their crown — and 125/1 that all four can do so.

For the latest bookmakers free bets and Cheltenham Festival special offers click here.

Time For Rupert remains on course for the RSA Chase

Champion Chase special offer

2011-01-31T10:25:00.000-08:00

As part of their countdown to the Cheltenham Festival, tomorrow Stan James are going to be offering top industry price on every single runner in the Queen Mother Champion Chase.

This means that Stan James will not be beaten on any price on any runner in the Champion Chase throughout the day. This promotion runs for a full 24-hour period from midnight to midnight on Tuesday 1st February.

The offer heralds a month of Cheltenham Festival offers from the bookmaker, throughout February, to help whet the appetite of punters. On Thursday February 3rd, for example, they will be offering 4 places instead of the industry-standard 3 on their Cheltenham Gold Cup ante-post market.

Both Kauto Star and Denman are currently trading at 8/1 with Stan James and 4 places instead of 3 offer could look very attractive for supporters of each horse.

Other great Cheltenham Festival daily offers coming up this month with Stan James include offering 6 places on the Coral Cup ante-post market on Sat 5th, and offering top price on every single runner in the Ryanair Chase for the day on Wed 10th.

For a free £25 bet with Stan James click here.

Stan James February Cheltenham Festival Countdown:

4th Feb - 4/1 Nicky Henderson to win the Triumph
5th Feb - 1/4 1,2,3,4,5,6 The Coral Cup
6th Feb - Special price Enda Bolger to win the Cross Country
7th Feb - Big Buck's enhanced price World Hurdle
8th Feb - Happy Hour (RSA) Special price Paul Nicholls to win the Gold Cup
9th Feb - Special price Irish trained winner of the Champion Bumper
10th Feb - Top Price every runner in the Ryanair Chase
11th Feb - Willie Mullins Festival winners to 100% (Under/over 2.5?)
12th Feb - Kauto Vs Denman (100%)
13th Feb - Irish Winners at the Festival to 100%
14th Feb - Time For Rupert enhanced price RSA
15th Feb - Supreme Novices Happy Hour, Selected jockeys Festival wins

Stan James are also offering a couple of unique markets for the Festival - you can bet on the "Going On First Day" with odds currently:

Good-Soft: 2/5
Good: 3/1
Soft: 9/2
Heavy: 50/1

Given the going on the first day at recent Festival's, the Good-Soft seems like a pretty sure thing:

2010: Good to Soft
2009: Good to Soft
2008: Good to Soft
2007: Soft, Good to Soft in places
2006: Good to Soft
2005: Good

You can also bet on the number of Cheltenham Festival Irish Trained Winners this year (from 27 races):

Under 5.5: 13/8
Over 7.5: 13/8
5.5 - 7.5: 7/4

For reference, the number of Irish trained winners in the last few years at the Festival is as follows, although there is an extra race to consider this year:

2010: 7 (26 races)
2009: 9 (26 races)
2008: 7 (25 races)
2007: 5 (24 races)
2006: 10 (24 races)
2005: 9 (24 races)

For a free £25 bet with Stan James click here.

Last year's Champion Chase Winner, Big Zeb, is currently best-price 7/2 for the 2011 renewal

Noble Prince aimed at Jewson Novices Chase

2011-01-31T06:04:00.000-08:00

Noble Prince is now best-price 10/1 (Victor Chandler) favourite for the inaugural running of the Jewson Novices' Chase after trainer Paul Nolan confirmed the 2m4f contest as the exciting chaser's Festival target.

Prominent in the betting for both the Jewson and the two-mile Arkle, Nolan is eyeing the longer race at the Cheltenham for Noble Prince, who has finished second on his last two starts to Realt Dubh, both at Grade One level, most recently in the Arkle Novice Chase at Leopardstown.

However, those runs were over two miles and Nolan has decided to step him up in trip. The trainer said: "Noble Prince is going for the Jewson and not for the Arkle and the step up in trip is what we've decided.

"I was very encouraged by his last run and I hope that better ground will suit. The last day, we thought that he would go past Realt Dubh but that fellow rallied.

"I would hope that he can use his speed better on better ground and that the step up in trip will help him avoid a flat spot in a race when the others quicken and he should be able to travel sweeter. I've always thought that he is a middle-distance horse."

The Des Sharkey-owned seven-year-old was fifth in the County Hurdle at last year's Festival.

Meanwhile, connections of Champion Hurdle third Zaynar are hoping that a wind operation will revitalise the galloping grey – but they are still unsure of his Cheltenham Festival target.

The six-year-old, who won the 2009 JCB Triumph Hurdle, has failed to shine in two runs this season and trainer Nicky Henderson decided an operation was needed to help the horse breath better.

Zaynar, who is part-owned by bookmaker Victor Chandler, was a distant fourth to Karabak in the Grade 2 Relkeel Hurdle at Cheltenham in December, a race he won with ease last year before going on to finish a fine third to Binocular in the Champion Hurdle.

Chandler said: "The partnership that owns Zaynar will meet in the next week to discuss future running plans. The horse has had a recent wind operation that has gone very well and he has been back in light work and going well.

"Nicky Henderson is also very pleased with him. No firm decision about his next run has yet been made and consequently no firm decision about his festival aim will be made until he has had that next run. Generally, the horse is fit and well."

Connections hope Zaynar can win for a second time at the Cheltenham Festival

Golden Silver cut for Champion Chase

2011-01-31T03:21:00.000-08:00

Some interesting races at Punchestown yesterday, where Willie Mullins enjoyed a red-letter day with a 950/1 five-timer, highlighted by Golden Silver's victory over Big Zeb in the Grade 2 Tied Cottage Chase.

It was fifth time lucky for Golden Silver against Big Zeb and he had to overcome some poor early jumping to collar the Champion Chase winner close to the finish.

In contrast, Big Zeb and Sizing Europe were fluent and graceful over the fences and it was Big Zeb who hit the front with three fences remaining.

Sizing Europe suddenly found the pace too strong on this drop in trip and Big Zeb kicked clear approaching the final two fences with victory in sight. But in behind, Golden Silver was jumping soundly again and hurtling after the leader. An excellent leap at the last brought him almost level under jockey Paul Townend.

And, with his new-found momentum, Golden Silver ran on strongly to gain his revenge. Sizing Europe was third.

Mullins said: "We're keeping our options open as regards Cheltenham. I was thinking about the Ryanair more than the Champion Chase but after that maybe a strongly run two miles and waiting tactics is better.

"He's had plenty of races but seems to be thriving on it and I'm not ruling out running him again [before Cheltenham]."

Townend added: "I just let him find his way and he flew the last two. At Navan and Leopardstown we were always coming at Big Zeb at the line and we said we'd follow him today.

"I thought they'd gone turning in, but he picked up well. He got his head down and winged the last."

Big Zeb's trainer Colm Murphy said: "The plan remains the same [to go to Cheltenham], the only problem today was the result! I'm a little disappointed but he flew the third and fourth-last and he was possibly in front too soon."

The winner was slashed in price to as short as 8/1 by many bookmakers for the Queen Mother Champion Chase although Skybet were less impressed and offer Golden Silver at best-price 12/1. Meanwhile, the vanquished Big Zeb was pushed out to best-price 7/2 (Bet365).

The Ryanair Chase is also a Cheltenham option, however, and he was cut to best-price 12/1 (William Hill) for that race.

The added significance of the race is that Somersby's connections now appear more tempted to try the Champion Chase than the Ryanair. The longer race had been Somersby's expected target for much of the season until, he ran Master Minded to a short-head at Ascot eight days ago.

"With Big Zeb getting beaten, the race does look a little more open and I'd say that's where he'd be heading," said Terry Biddlecombe, the husband of Somersby's trainer, Henrietta Knight. "He's absolutely bouncing and I think he can go there and run a very big race.

"That was the just seventh start of his life over fences and he's still improving all the time. Although he stays two miles well and looks as if he will get further, I'd hate to run him in the Ryanair and look stupid when he doesn't get the trip.

"If they don't go quick enough for him at Cheltenham, he could always help to make [the running] himself. He's done that before and it would help to give him a good look at his fences."

Somersby is as short as 7/1 for the Champion Chase but available at best-price 10/1 with 888sport.

Mullins five winners yesterday were recorded from just eight runners with Paul Townend's win on Golden Silver one of four for the jockey, while the trainer's son Patrick was aboard Celtic Folklore in the finale.

Gagewell Flyer was given a best-price quote of 33/1 (Victor Chandler) for the Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle after maintaining his unbeaten record over timber in the Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle.

Townend made all of the running and although he put the race to bed some way out on the 13/8 favourite, stablemate Earlson Gray closed to within a neck on his first run for the yard.

Mullins said: "I'm delighted with both horses. I brought Gagewell Flyer back to two miles to get more experience of a fast-run race into him and to get him jumping faster. He'll probably go for the Neptune Novice Hurdle at Cheltenham now."

Another with possible Festival aspirations is Some Target, who easily landed the Grand National Trial on his handicap debut. He is now quoted at as short as 16/1 for the four-mile National Hunt Chase at the Festival, but is still available at standout best-price 33/1 with Skybet.

Raptor was the fourth winner for Mullins and Townend in the Mianach Venture Capital Maiden Hurdle. Mullins said of his debutant: "I saw him in the parade ring in France and I thought he was a beautiful horse.

"At the same time, my wife Jackie saw him on the television and rang to ask me what the beautiful grey horse was, so we ended up buying him. He deserves an Albert Bartlett entry after that - he was only getting going at the end there."

Raptor can be backed at best-price 25/1 (Stan James) for the Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle.

Mullins will be hoping his red-hot form can continue to next Sunday when Kempes and Cooldine will line up in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Leopardstown.

After racing at Punchestown, they chased Dr PJ Moriarty Chase-bound Mikael D'Haguenet who also jumped nine fences under Townend.

Mullins said: "I was delighted with that and they all jumped well and the riders were very happy. Kempes and Cooldine will run next Sunday and the plan is to run Mikael D'Haguenet in the Moriarty along with Quel Esprit."

Away from the action, connections of Forpadydeplasterer yesterday revealed that they are still hopeful that their superstar chaser can return to the track in time for the 2011 Cheltenham Festival.

The Grade One-winning Irish raider pulled up in the King George VI Chase at Kempton two weeks ago and has been sick ever since, but trainer Tom Cooper believes that there is still hope for the 2009 Arkle winner.

Despite being found clinically abnormal after the King George, Cooper explained:

"He's very good this week. He's trotting round the roads now. Hopefully we'll see him run again this season, but we'll just sit tight for the minute. We'll keep the options at Cheltenham open for the time being."

Forpadydeplasterer has been entered in the Sportingbet.com Queen Mother Champion Chase, Ryanair Chase and totesport Gold Cup as the team behind the popular horse keep their Cheltenham Festival options open.

For the latest bookmakers free bets and Cheltenham Festival special offers click here.

Somersby may now be aimed at the Champion Chase following Big Zeb's defeat in Ireland yesterday

Festival Trials Day summary

2011-01-30T06:36:00.000-08:00

Yesterday saw the final meeting at Prestbury Park before the 2011 Cheltenham Festival that takes place in just over 6 weeks (Tue 15th - Fri 18th March) and a near record crowd for the fixture of 17,086 witnessed some excellent racing.

As the name indicates, Festival Trials Day acts as a warm up for the main event and whilst many of the main protagonists for the Festival are already wrapped in cotton wool for their big day, it still provided plenty of clues for March. Below we review yesterday's big race action and the Festival market movers.

Without doubt the performance of the day was potential superstar Grands Crus who turned the competitive Grade 2 Cleeve Hurdle into a procession.

Trainer David Pipe's normally docile grey has a habit of being keen in his races and jockey Tom Scudamore’s hardest job was restraining the six-year-old, who cruised alongside the front-running Knockara Beau at the second-last and then came right away from the field to win by 10 lengths, although it could just as easily have been double that.

Knockara Beau battled on well after the final fight to keep second place, whilst Restless Harry also emerged with credit and a place in the World Hurdle is not a pipe-dream, especially in a truly run race.

Hitherto, Big Buck’s has looked invincible in the staying hurdle division, but even he might know he has been in race when he meets Grands Crus on St Patrick’s Day.

Pipe is not given to hyperbole, but he could not disguise the liking he has for the gelding owned by Roger Stanley and Yvonne Reynolds.

“Most dreams are shattered here, but he did it very nicely,” he said. “Roger will tell you, I’ve always had the highest regard for this horse and he’s proved it today.

"That was the World Hurdle without Big Buck’s and let’s hope they both get there in good form. I wouldn’t swap my horse for anything.”

The authoritative nature of his win (never off the bridle) resulted in bookmakers taking evasive action, with Grands Crus now best-price 3/1 (Bet365 and totesport) for the World Hurdle, whilst Stan James were impressed enough to push Big Buck’s out to best-price 5/6...what looked like a one-horse race is now a fascinating clash.

Bensalem is one other to take out of the race, with Alan King's talented performer a very solid fifth. He travelled well for a long way, hugging the inside rail, but just seemed to be caught a bit flat-footed coming down the hill. Connections will be delighted with the way he kept on and he looks sure to strip a lot fitter for the run; better awaits at the Festival, whether over hurdles or fences. He was travelling well when falling in the William Hill Chase 10 months ago and the corresponding race this year (now the Festival Handicap Chase) could be his target again.

The Grade 2 JCB Triumph Hurdle Trial used to be a shocking guide to the Festival race until Katchit completed the double in 2007, as the previous 16 winners to line up in the Triumph were beaten. Since Katchit however, two of the three winners were then second in the Triumph, so the trial is proving more effective these days and was won yesterday by Local Hero

Steve Gollings' gelding had beaten nothing of note in two hurdling runs at Wetherby and Doncaster but he had impressed on both occasions. He didn't jump spectacularly well here, making a bad mistake at the fifth flight and at the last, but he responded very gamely under pressure up the run-in.

He had actually jumped to the front at the last but found himself in a scrap with runner-up Third Intention, and he will have learnt plenty from the final fifty yards, the last twenty of which he quickened two lengths clear.

His trainer described him as a bit of a know-it-all, but it looks like he will have the services of McCoy, who has now won on all three starts on the juvenile and the best-price 20/1 (Victor Chandler) might therefore be seen as value by some, especially given the recent record of Triumph Hurdle trial winners.

Runner-up Third Intention is best-price 25/1 (totesport and Stan James) for the March renewal.

The big race of the day was the Grade 2 Argento Chase which featured five Gold Cup entries. However it should be noted that, despite a golden spell between 1995 and 2000 during which the race signposted three Gold Cup winners, 11 years have now passed since Looks Like Trouble, the last horse to run here before winning the big one at the Festival.

Yesterday it was won by Neptune Collonges, the veteran of three Gold Cups, under a canny ride from AP McCoy, who was allowed an easy lead. He appeared to have the race won three out when Punchestowns, came under pressure, but it proved far from the case.

Tidal Bay had been subjected to a charm offensive by Brian Hughes throughout the race. However, while the gelding’s response, as it was behind Imperial Commander in the Betfair Chase, came soon enough to make it interesting, it came too late to secure victory. Having been 100 yards behind the winner four out, he finished like a steam train up the hill to narrow the gap to a fast-dwindling length and a quarter at the line.

Third behind Denman in 2008 and fourth behind Kauto Star in 2009, Neptune Collonges can be backed at best-price 40/1 for the 2011 Gold Cup.

Tidal Bay is also now best-price 40/1 (Victor Chandler and William Hill) and funnier things have happened - Imperial Commander was also a narrow second in the Betfair Chase before he won the Gold Cup.

Punchestowns, the most likely Gold Cup contender before yesterday, finished 30 lengths back in third and is another who can be backed at best-price 40/1 (William Hill) for the 2011 renewal.

Another who really stamped his Festival claims yesterday was Bobs Worth who shortened to best-price 5/1 (Bet365) favourite for the Neptune Novices' Hurdle after beating Rock On Ruby by two and half lengths in the Neptune Novices’ Hurdle Trial.

It wasn't the fact that he won, but that he travelled with so much purpose, took being hampered in his stride, and then fended off a determined challenger after the last having been headed.

The runner-up, Rock On Ruby, also deserves a lot of credit - he still had several lengths to find after making a mistake two-out but, taking the step up in trip in his stride, he made up the ground and even jumped into the lead at the last with a flying leap.

However, Paul Nicholls' six-year-old then hung left throughout the run-in whilst the winner was aided by the rail. Had the runner-up kept to a truer line the margin of victory would have been significantly decreased.

Backspin, who lost his unbeaten record, travelled well at the head of affairs for a long way. He was generally very slick at his obstacles but he paid the price for being too keen early on (including on his way down to the start) and can now be backed at best-price 14/1 (totesport) for the Neptune, whilst Rock On Ruby is best-price 8/1 (Victor Chandler).

The Giant Bolster will head for the RSA Chase a fresh horse following his brave victory in the Timeform Novices' Handicap Chase. The six-year-old regained winning form after a fall in a race won by Time For Rupert at Prestbury Park last time out

David Bridgwater's flag-bearer made short shrift of top weight in an intriguing handicap over two miles and five furlongs to initiate a return to Cheltenham in March. He stayed on strongly under Rodi Greene to show why his trainer rates him so highly.

Bridgwater is keen to keep The Giant Bolster champing at the bit, however, and will resist the urge to run him again before the Festival.

"He's a lazy horse that needs to be kept interested, but we'll not go to the well before Cheltenham. I don't want to run him into the ground as he's best fresh," said the Stow-on-the-Wold handler, whose 466 winners as a jockey included five at the Festival.

He has now won two of his three races over fences, having gained an easy success at Worcester on his seasonal bow in October and Bridgwater thinks he has the potential to compete at the highest level in the long term, including the Cheltenham Gold Cup:

"He's a very, good horse. When he fell here last time, I'm not saying he would have beaten Time For Rupert – they think he's brilliant – but I think he'd definitely have been second to him.

"He's a brilliant jumper and was just travelling so well in behind last time that he just took his eye off the ball and tipped up, but there you go and we're back on track now."

"I don't have many runners here because I don't believe in running horses at a place like this if they're not good enough. But this horse will really really mix it and personally I think he'll go to the RSA with a right shout...he'll be a bigger price than he should be.

"He's not really an Aintree horse, so we'll probably just have one run and put him away. He's definitely got a future, though, and in a couple of years' time he should be some horse."

The Giant Bolster can currently be backed at best-price 25/1 for the RSA (Bet365).

Finally, Wishfull Thinking is now favourite for the new Jewson Novices' Chase at the Festival after his authoritative success in the Grade 3 Murphy Group Chase. The eight-year old is best-price 10/1 (Victor Chandler and totesport) for the Jewson although he can also be backed at best-price 16/1 (Victor Chandler) for the RSA Chase.

For the latest bookmakers free bets and special offers click here.

Grands Crus crushed his rivals in Cheltenham's Cleeve Hurdle yesterday

Mourad cements World Hurdle claims

2011-01-29T04:42:00.000-08:00

Mourad cemented his position as Ireland's leading contender for the Ladbrokes World Hurdle when he blitzed his five rivals in the Galmoy Hurdle at Gowran Park yesterday.

Ridden by Paul Townend, the Willie Mullins-trained Mourad, who returned as 4/9 favourite, stormed clear at the last to defeat 25/1 outsider Moskova by six lengths.

Two-time winner Big Buck's remains a firm favourite for the World Hurdle, but Mourad was clipped to best-price 10/1 (Paddy Power) for the race.

Stan James, perhaps a little more impressed, offer only 8/1 on Mourad but are now offering the best-price available for Big Buck's at 4/6.

The firm's Charlie McCann said: "After Mourad's win in the Galmoy and with the progressive Grands Crus bidding to make the transition from handicapper to pattern-race performer in the Cleeve Hurdle [at Cheltenham] tomorrow, perhaps the World Hurdle is not the one-horse race some would have us believe."

Mourad, who was third to Zaynar in the 2009 Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, was having his third run over 3m and his record now reads two wins and one third.

Mullins, who had never won the Galmoy, said: "He seems to be improving and looks to be getting stronger with age. He did that on ground that I don't think he particularly likes and he'll be better on better ground.

"Paul was very cool on him. It looks like we are on track for the World Hurdle."

Meanwhile, Tony McCoy is looking forward to teaming up with Binocular in the Contenders Hurdle at Sandown next weekend ahead of his bid to retain his crown in the Stan James Champion Hurdle.

The 15-times champion jump jockey believes this season's renewal at the Cheltenham Festival is the best for many a year - and realises Nicky Henderson's charge will have to be at the top of his game if he is to record back-to-back wins in the big race.

He said: "I'm very much looking forward to it. I've won a Champion Hurdle on him, I love the horse and hopefully he can go back and win another one, but it won't be easy for him this time."

Binocular's preparation has gone well so far this winter, with the JP McManus-owned gelding following the same route as he did in the last campaign.

McCoy continued: "Cheltenham is getting close. Hopefully all the horses will get there in one piece.

"Binocular is a horse that won the Champion Hurdle last year. He's running in probably the best Champion Hurdle there has been for a long, long time.

"He's been pretty good since Kempton, touch wood. All is going well and the plan is to run him at Sandown before he goes to Cheltenham.

"He'll have run in the same three races (Fighting Fifth, Christmas Hurdle and Contenders Hurdle) he did before he won at Cheltenham last year. The plan is for him to go to Sandown and all being well he'll do that."

Binocular is currently best-price 3/1 (Bet365) for the Champion Hurdle.

Mourad is now clear second-favourite for the 2011 World Hurdle

Novices Chase entries - analysis

2011-01-27T05:59:00.000-08:00

Entries for the Festival novice chases, including the new Jewson Novices’ Chase, were announced earlier today and we take a look at the leading contenders for all four races:

ARKLE CHASE

Finian’s Rainbow and Ghizao head the ante-post markets ahead of the Grade One Arkle Chase on Tuesday, March 15, and both are among the 34 entries for the championship contest for two-mile novice chasers at the Festival.

Finian’s Rainbow, impressive in his two victories at Newbury this term, is one of five entries for trainer Nicky Henderson, who is seeking a fourth win in the race following on from the brilliant Remittance Man (1991), Travado (1993) and Tiutchev (2000).

The trainer has also engaged the mare Nadiya De La Vega and fellow French import Surfing, who was third to Ghizao at Newbury in December.

Ghizao saw off the Philip Hobbs-trained Captain Chris to easily win the Grade Two Independent Newspaper Novices’ Chase over the course and distance at The Open in November and was again superior to that rival when winning over an extended two and a quarter miles at Newbury in December.

The seven-year-old is one of three entries for champion trainer Paul Nicholls, along with Robinson Collonges and Pepe Simo. Nicholls saddled Flagship Uberalles (1999) and Azertyuiop (2003) to land the prize.

The last two renewals have gone to Irish-trained runners and the Noel Meade-trained Realt Dubh has taken Ireland’s two-mile novice division by storm this season. The Derek Sharkey-owned seven-year-old is seeking a Grade One hat-trick after seeing off the Paul Nolan-trained Noble Prince to win both the Bord Na Mona With Nature Novices’ Chase and the Frank Ward Solicitors Arkle Novices’ Chase, and is one of 10 entries from the Emerald Isle.

Willie Mullins has engaged Mikael d’Haguenet, winner of the Grade One Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle at the 2009 Festival but yet to make an impact over fences, as well as Quel Esprit, Grade Three winner Blazing Tempo and Morning Supreme.

Edward O’Grady was successful with Ventana Canyon in 1996 and has Bord Na Mona With Nature Novices’ Chase third, Torphichen, entered this year.

Surrey trainer Alan Fleming has an interesting entry in the form of top-notch hurdler Starluck, who is yet to jump a fence in public and was last seen finishing third to reigning Stan James Champion hurdler Binocular in the Grade One Christmas Hurdle at Kempton.

Alan King enjoyed back-to-back Arkle Chase glories with Voy Por Ustedes (2006) and My Way De Solzen (2007). The Barbury Castle trainer has entered high-class hurdler Medermit, runner-up to Hell’s Bay in the Grade Two Tigmi Travel Dipper Novices’ Chase over two miles, five furlongs at Cheltenham on January 1.

The Colin Tizzard-trained Kilmurry defeated Ghizao by 11 lengths at Cheltenham’s The Showcase in October but was only fourth to that rival at The Open on his latest start.

Mamlook won the totesport Chester Cup on the Flat in May and opened his chase account at the first attempt at Fakenham on January 17 for trainer David Pipe, while the Jonjo O’Neill-trained Rock Noir held the Hobbs-trained Keki Buku to score his second chase win at Warwick on December 31.

Evan Williams has entered three of his string, headed by the well-regarded Phidippides, a winner at Ludlow in November but found wanting over three miles at Leicester this month.

West With The Wind completed a hat-trick of novice chase wins at Ffos Las in the summer, while William’s Wishes is two from two over fences after victories at Leicester and Ludlow in the autumn.

Arkle Chase leading contender best prices:

Finians Rainbow 5/1 (totesport)
Ghizao 11/2 (Sportingbet)
Realt Dubh 12/1 (Victor Chandler)
Medermit 14/1 (Victor Chandler)
Captain Chris 20/1 (Victor Chandler)
Noble Prince 20/1 (William Hill)
Mikael DHaguenet 20/1 (totesport)
Surfing 25/1 (Sportingbet)
Quel Esprit 25/1 (William Hill)
Nadiya De La Vega 28/1 (Sportingbet)
Starluck 33/1 (William Hill)
Rock Noir 33/1 (totesport)

For the latest bookmakers free bets and special offers click here.

NATIONAL HUNT CHASE

Staged over four miles for amateur riders, the 141st Year Of The National Hunt Chase on Wednesday, March 16, is the oldest race at The Festival and this year the contest has attracted 76 entries.

Jonjo O’Neill has saddled five winners of the race (1995 Front Line, 2002 Rith Dubh, 2003 Sudden Shock, 2004 Native Emperor, 2007 Butler’s Cabin) and is well-represented among the entries with the promising quartet of Aberdale, recent Wetherby scorer Alfie Sherrin, Born Again, and Galaxy Rock.

Ian Williams has entered the exciting Wayward Prince, a Grade One winner over hurdles at Aintree last season who has won both his starts over fences, defeating Aberdale at Huntingdon and Balthazar King at The Open at Cheltenham.

Chicago Grey is prominent in the ante-post betting for trainer Gordon Elliott. The eight-year-old saw off the Paul Nicholls trained Picture This to land a novice chase at Cheltenham in October, was runner-up to Time For Rupert at the course in December and finished a close fifth to Bostons Angel in a Grade One at Leopardstown last time.

Elliott has also entered Ballymak and smart Down Royal winner Tharawaat, while also among the 27 Irish-trained entries is the Charles Byrnes-trained Alfa Beat, aiming for a six-timer after winning the Guinness Kerry National in September.

Magnanimity defeated Grade One winner Jessies Dream when winning the Grade Two Killiney Novice Chase at Leopardstown on January 9 for trainer Dessie Hughes, while the Willie Mullins-trained Quel Esprit saw off Torphichen at Limerick last time and the Colm Murphy-trained Quito De La Roque annexed the Grade Two Woodlands Park 100 Club Novices’ Chase from Western Charmer, having finished runner-up to Bostons Angel at Leapardstown in December.

Ferdy Murphy, who has twice saddled the winner (2006 Hot Weld, 2010 Poker De Sivola), could bid for another victory with the experienced Nine De Sivola, still a maiden over fences in Britain but third in the race two years ago, and Only The Best.

The Charlie Longsdon-trained Minella Boys was a fine second to West End Rocker in the Grade Three Classic Chase at Warwick on January 15, while the David Pipe-trained Sona Sasta is unbeaten in two starts over fences following easy wins at Taunton and Newbury.

Beshabar, from the Tim Vaughan stable, was a classy hurdler and was unlucky to have been brought down on his chase debut at The Open, in the race won by Wayward Prince.

The Nicky Henderson-trained Quantitativeeasing scored at Fontwell on January 7, while Nigel Twiston-Davies, successful in 2009 with Tricky Trickster, could run Major Malarkey, who held the Paul Nicholls-trained Promising Anshan to win at Newbury in December.

Henry Daly took the National Hunt Chase with Relaxation in 2000 and he has engaged a promising contender in the form of Hereford beginners’ chase winner Pearlysteps.

Donald McCain has entered Glenwood Knight, victorious on heavy going at Uttoxeter in December, and recent Towcester scorer Chamirey, while the Philip Hobbs trained Triggerman could line up alongside stablemate Voramar Two, runner-up to Aiteen Thirtythree in the Grade Two GPG Novices’ Chase at Newbury in November.

Also among the entries are the Nicholls-trained Watamu Bay, the Paul Nolan-trained Sam Adams, the Howard Johnson trained On His Own and the Kim Bailey trained pair of Regal Approach and Sonny Mullen.

National Hunt Chase leading contender best prices:

Chicago Grey 7/1 (Skybet)
Alfa Beat 10/1 (Bet365)
Aiteen Thirtythree 10/1 (Victor Chandler)
Magnanimity 14/1 (William Hill)
Quito De La Roque 14/1 (Bet365)
Beshabar 14/1 (William Hill)
Watamu Bay 14/1 (Skybet)
Wayward Prince 14/1 (Stan James)
Chamirey 16/1 (William Hill)
Alfie Sherrin 16/1 (Paddy Power)
Gonebeyondrecall 16/1 (Paddy Power)
Quantitativeeasing 16/1 (Victor Chandler)
Quel Esprit 16/1 (Victor Chandler)

For the latest bookmakers free bets and special offers click here.

RSA CHASE

The Grade One RSA Chase is the premier staying contest for novice chasers at the Festival and has been won in recent times by the likes of 2008 Cheltenham Gold Cup
winner Denman (2007) and last season’s Ryanair Chase hero Albertas Run (2008).

The 51 entries for this year’s race, run on Wednesday, March 16, are of the highest standard yet again.

Last season’s Grade One World Hurdle runner-up Time For Rupert, trained by Paul Webber, has made a great start to his chasing career with an eight-length debut victory over Hell’s Bay at Cheltenham’s The Open in November and an equally smooth success from Chicago Grey over an extended three miles and a furlong at the track on December 11 during The International.

Another potential star of the British scene is the Ian Williams-trained Wayward Prince, a Grade One-winning novice hurdler last term, who is also two from two over fences, his most recent win coming over an extended three miles at The Open.

The Colin Tizzard-trained Hell’s Bay franked Time For Rupert’s form with success in the Grade Two Tigmi Travel Dipper Novices’ Chase over two miles, five furlongs at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day, a race in which Reve De Sivola was third. The latter had previously defeated Grade Two Rising Star Novices’ Chase winner Wishfull Thinking in the Injured Jockeys’ Fund Oaksey House Novices’ Chase over the same distance at Cheltenham in December.

Jessies Dream defeated subsequent dual Grade One winner Realt Dubh when winning he Grade One Drinmore Novice Chase over two and a half miles at Fairyhouse in December for trainer Gordon Elliott, but was unable to concede 7lb to Magnanimity when less than a length second to Dessie Hughes’ charge in the Grade Two Killiney Novice Chase at Leopardstown on January 9.

The Jessica Harrington-trained Bostons Angel is another Grade One winner among the 3 Irish-trained entries, having won the Fort Leney Novice Chase over three miles at eopardstown in December from the subsequent Grade Two Woodlands Park 100 Club Novice hase winner Quito De La Roque, trained by Colm Murphy.

Berties Dream tasted Festival glory last season in the Grade One Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle, while Mikael D’Haguenet looked to be a superstar in the making when winning the Grade One Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle at The Festival in 2009. Neither horse has as yet made an impact over fences.

Willie Mullins has landed the RSA Chase three times (1998 Florida Pearl, 2004 Rule
Supreme, 2009 Cooldine) and as well as Mikael D’Haguenet, his five entries include the promising Quel Esprit and the mare Blazing Tempo, whose unbeaten record over fences consists of a brace of Grade Three wins.

Paul Nicholls has engaged five candidates including The Minack, who defeated Bouggler on his chase debut at Wincanton on January 8, as well as Aiteen Thirtythree, victorious in the Grade Two GPG Novices’ Chase at Newbury in November from Voramar Two.

Donald McCain has entered the well-regarded Wymott, who defeated Wayward Prince in a Grade Two novice hurdle last term and also boasts a perfect record over fences, alongside Glenwood Knight and Chamirey, while Nicky Henderson has engaged recent Towcester victor Rackham Lerouge.

Others of note include the J P McManus-owned Alfie Sherrin and Bob Lingo, as well as the Jim Dreaper-trained Royal De La Thinte, Thegreatjohnbrowne from the Noel Meade yard, the Elliott-trained Ballymak and Tharawaat, the Hughes-trained Western Charmer, the Paul Nolan-trained Sam Adams, The Giant Bolster from David Bridgwater’s stable and the Hobbs trained Tarablaze.

RSA Chase leading contender best prices:

Time For Rupert 11/4 (Sportingbet)
Jessies Dream 14/1 (Sportingbet)
Quel Esprit 14/1 (Bet365)
Wymott 16/1 (Paddy Power)
Mikael DHaguenet 16/1 (Stan James)
Wayward Prince 20/1 (Sportingbet)
Reve De Sivola 20/1 (Skybet)
Hells Bay 20/1 (totesport)
Magnanimity 20/1 (Sportingbet)
Beshabar 20/1 (totesport)
Aiteen Thirtythree 20/1 (Sportingbet)
Quito De La Roque 20/1 (William Hill)

For the latest bookmakers free bets and special offers click here.

JEWSON NOVICES CHASE

The inaugural Grade Two Jewson Novices’ Chase sees a fantastic 65-strong entry for the two-mile, four-furlong contest, which takes place on St Patrick’s Day, Thursday, March 17.

Two of Ireland’s top novices are among those entries. The Gordon Elliott-trained
Jessies Dream held the Noel Meade-trained Realt Dubh when landing the Grade One Drinmore Novice Chase at Fairyhouse in December, and the latter has gone on to collect a brace of top level triumphs at two miles in the Bord Na Mona With Nature Novice Chase and the Frank Ward Solicitors Arkle Novice Chase.

There are 19 Irish-trained entries in total with Ireland’s champion trainer Willie
Mullins responsible for six, including Grade Three victor Blazing Tempo and the useful Quel Esprit, who defeated the Edward O’Grady-trained Torphichen at Limerick in November.

Meade’s Thegreatjohnbrowne held Elliott’s Tharawaat in a Punchestown Grade Three contest in November but the latter scored at Down Royal on his latest start, while the Michael Hourigan-trained Grade Two winner Mr Cracker was third to Realt Dubh in the Irish Arkle at Leopardstow last time and the Henry de Bromhead-trained Loosen My Load was fourth in the Bord Na Mona With Nature Novice Chase.

Wymott was a Grade Two-winning novice hurdler last term and is unbeaten in two starts over fences at Exeter and Bangor this season for trainer Donald McCain, while the Philip Hobbs-trained Wishfull Thinking benefited from the fall of the Paul Nicholls-trained Robinson Collonges to win the Grade Two Rising Stars Novices’ Chase at Wincanton in November.

Wishfull Thinking was subsequently beaten by the Nick Williams-trained Reve De Sivola, a dual Grade One-winning novice hurdler last season, over the course and distance at Cheltenham in December.

Reve De Sivola was in turn no match for the Colin Tizzard-trained Hell’s Bay, who landed the Grade Two Dipper Novices’ Chase over two miles, five furlongs at Cheltenham on January 1, with the Alan King-trained Medermit second and Williams’ charge back in third.

Tizzard has also entered Kilmurry, who defeated Ghizao over two miles at Cheltenham in October.

Nicholls saddled Royal Charm to land a brace of novice chase wins at Exeter and the British champion trainer’s five entries also include The Minack, who made a pleasing chasing debut with victory over the Emma Lavelle-trained Bouggler at Wincanton on January 8.

The Jonjo O’Neill-trained Alfie Sherrin was impressive when opening his chasing account at Wetherby on January 24, while stablemate Rock Noir has won two of his four starts over fences.

Nicky Henderson has his powerful string in cracking form this season and he has
eight entries including Newbury handicap chase winner Aigle D’Or, impressive recent Huntingdon scorer Mr Gardner, easy Towcester victor Rackham Lerouge, useful French import Surfing and Nadiya De La Vega, victorious over Pepe Simo at Kempton on January 15.

The Paul Webber-trained Cois Farraig was below par behind Hell’s Bay on New Year’s Day but had previously seen off the Alan Fleming-trained On Borrowed Wings to win a Grade Two contest at Newbury in November.

Others of note include Songe, Hidden Keel, Sarando, Pearlysteps, The Giant Bolster, the Evan Williams-trained trio of Phidippides, West With The Wind and
William’s Wishes, and the Ado McGuinness-trained Beau Michael.

Jewson Novices Chase leading contender best prices:

Medermit 10/1 (Bet365)
Noble Prince 14/1 (Stan James)
Loosen My Load 14/1 (totesport)
Captain Chris 14/1 (Stan James)
Hells Bay 14/1 (Paddy Power)
Quel Esprit 14/1 (Victor Chandler)
Reve De Sivola 16/1 (totesport)
Nadiya De La Vega 16/1 (Victor Chandler)
Realt Dubh 16/1 (Paddy Power)
Jessies Dream 16/1 (totesport)
Rebel Du Maquis 16/1 (Victor Chandler)
Alfie Sherrin 20/1 (Stan James)
Surfing 20/1 (Bet365)
Wymott 20/1 (Bet365)

For the latest bookmakers free bets and special offers click here.

Medermit is best-price 10/1 favourite for the new Jewson Novices Chase

Grandouet new favourite for Triumph Hurdle

2011-01-26T15:03:00.000-08:00

Nicky Henderson's promising novice hurdler Grandouet has got jockey Barry Geraghty excited ahead of the Cheltenham Festival.

The Seven Barrows resident suffered defeat on his first two starts following his move across the English Channel. However, after winning at Newbury, the progressive four-year-old was then impressive at Ascot last Saturday and is now clear Triumph Hurdle favourite at best-price 7/1 (Bet365 and Victor Chandler).

Henderson has attributed the use of ear plugs as part cause for his steady improvement. The trainer said: "You'd have to like what he's done. At first he was far too keen, so we put the earplugs that he wore in France back in and now he's much more settled."

And Geraghty has no fears about Grandouet encountering quick ground at Cheltenham in March despite his both his wins at Ascot and Newbury being on rain-softened ground.

His three runs in France also came on very soft and heavy ground and the only time he has finished out of the front three in seven starts was when he was fifth at Wetherby on his British debut on good ground.

"He has plenty of pace so he would go on any ground - he is very versatile," Geraghty said. Reflecting on Saturday's performance, when he came home six lengths clear of his nearest rival, Geraghty continued: "I think he was very good. He settled beautifully - he has been keen in the past.

"He jumped very professionally and won as easy as you have ever seen him win - he could do no more than win and that is all he did.

"It was very easy for him and he is definitely going the right way. I think he has improved since he was second to Sam Winner at Cheltenham so he is definitely going the right way."

Meanwhile, Mr Moonshine looks to have guaranteed himself a run at the Cheltenham Festival after turning in a most impressive performance in the Pertemps Handicap Hurdle at Huntingdon earlier today.

Sue Smith has enjoyed just one previous success at National Hunt racing's showpiece meeting, with Mister McGoldrick's determined victory back in 2008 leaving the Bingley trainer holding back the tears.

Sent off at 16/1 having been beaten in a novice chase on his last start in November, the front-running Mr Moonshine had most of his rivals in trouble a long way from home and was heavily eased by Henry Oliver in scoring by four lengths.

"If it hadn't been for all the bad weather in the North and all the abandonments, he probably would have been novice chasing," said Smith.

"But because of all that we thought we'd run him back over hurdles and he's done it so well I think he deserves to take his chance in the Pertemps Final in Cheltenham. It wasn't the most competitive qualifier in the country, but he could do more than go and win like he has."

The seven-year-old can be backed at best-price 20/1 (Paddy Power) for the Triumph Hurdle in March. For the latest bookmakers free bets and special offers click here.

Grandouet is clear 7/1 favourite for the Triumph Hurdle

Dunguib to get Festival handicap option

2011-01-26T13:59:00.000-08:00

Stan James Champion Hurdle hope Dunguib may be entered in the Coral Cup, trainer Philip Fenton revealed today.

Dunguib is as short as 14/1 for the Champion Hurdle despite having not raced since last April, after missing his intended seasonal reappearance in last Sunday's Irish Champion Hurdle through a slight illness.

Connections intend to start him in the Red Mills Trial Hurdle at Gowran Park on February 12, but Fenton indicated today that he might not even be ready for that contest:

"He will do a bit of work on Saturday, but we're beginning to panic a little bit that he won't be ready for the Red Mills and we won't be able to run him before Cheltenham," he said.

Added to that worry, Fenton also said that his charge, who won the 2008 Weatherbys Champion Bumper impressively and finished third in last year's Spinal Research Supreme Novices' Hurdle, may not even run in the Champion Hurdle.

He said: "The form of his runs last year is still fairly solid. Whether it's Champion Hurdle form is another question but all along we've had great belief in this horse.

"Two and a half miles in the Red Mills will be the furthest he has gone and we could go for the Coral Cup [over 2m5f] after."

The eight-year-old has been added to the Coral Cup markets by Bet365 and William Hill who both offer odds of 14/1.

Elsewhere today, trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies revealed that Gold Cup champion Imperial Commander is working perfectly towards the defence of his crown in March.

Last year's winner is to head direct to the Cheltenham Festival after just the one race this season, November's Betfair Chase, after missing the King George VI Chase due to an infection which took hold in a near-fore cut sustained in the Betfair.

After the December 26 King George meeting was lost to frost Twiston-Davies said Imperial Commander could have made the rearranged January 15 date, but with the race not being re-opened has instead focused on getting his charge ready for the Festival.

Twiston-Davies said: "He's 100 per cent, not a bother on him. There's nearly seven weeks to the Gold Cup and he is bang on course."

Imperial Commander is best-price 7/2 (Bet365) favourite for the Gold Cup on Friday 18th March.

Another Gold Cup hopeful, Pandorama, is a doubt for the blue-riband event after x-rays revealed that he had bruised a hock after getting cast in his box earlier this week.

Pandorama's condition will be re-assessed by trainer Noel Meade's vets on Monday and the trainer said: "He appears to be comfortable and we are all very hopeful that he will be okay to resume training in the near future."

Because of the setback Pandorama, winner of the Grade 1 Lexus Chase at Leopardstown last month and Ireland's leading hope for the Gold Cup, will miss the Hennessy Gold Cup, for which he was favourite, at Leopardstown on February 6.

The eight-year-old is still as short as 12/1 for the Gold Cup but can be backed at best-price 20/1 (888sport).

One horse who will certainly missing the Festival is Flat Out, who has been ruled out for the remainder of the season by trainer Willie Mullins after sustaining an injury at Leopardstown on Sunday.

The six-year-old had been as short as 10/1 with for the Arkle Chase at the Cheltenham Festival after making a successful chasing debut at Punchestown.

However, his second start in the Irish Arkle on Sunday ended with him hitting the penultimate fence and unseating his jockey when still travelling well. And after investigation by the vet, Flat Out was found to have injured a hind leg.

Mullins said: "He has a little chip fracture on a hind leg and is out for the season."

Meanwhile, connections of Dare Me face a race against time in an attempt to get another run into him before the Festival.

Philip Hobbs' seven-year-old is unbeaten over hurdles after finishing sixth behind Cue Card in the Champion Bumper last March and second in the Aintree equivalent.

He is likely to be given entries in both the Supreme Novices' Hurdle and the Neptune Investment Novices' Hurdle, but whether he runs beforehand is unclear.

"I'm not sure if he'll go straight there. He had a bit of a muscle problem behind and he's back cantering now," said Michael Meagher, owner Trevor Hemmings' racing manager.

"He's back in training and we'll try to get a run into him beforehand if we can, but we'll just have to see."

Dare Me is best-price 25/1 for both the Supreme (Paddy Power) and Neptune (totesport). For the latest bookmakers free bets and special offers click here.

2009 Champion Bumper winner, Dunguib, may contest the Coral Cup in March

Hurricane Fly cut for Champion Hurdle

2011-01-24T03:50:00.000-08:00

An eventful Irish Champion Hurdle day at Leopardstown yesterday provided plenty of clues for Cheltenham with various winners on the card cut for their Festival targets.

Chief among them was Hurricane Fly in the Irish Champion Hurdle, whose victory over four rivals resulted in him closing in on Binocular at the head of the market for the Stan James-sponsored Champion Hurdle.

It could be argued that in winning the Irish Champion, Hurricane Fly didn’t tell us anything new. Indeed, he has beaten Solwhit in their last four meetings now, and he will face an altogether sterner test when locking horns with the likes of Binocular, Menorah and Peddlers Cross in the spring.

However, it was hard not to be impressed with the gelding, as he is a slick hurdler who possesses a potent turn of foot and whilst most of his racing has been on easy surfaces, he has shown great verstatility by winning on going ranging from good to firm right through to heavy. He has a fairly quick action and possesses so much natural speed, therefore if the ground is on the fast side of good at the Festival he could be seen in an even better light.

The seven-year-old is now best-price 9/2 (Bet365 and Victor Chandler) for the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham, which takes place in just 50 days.

Another horse that impressed on the card at Leopardstown was Realt Dubh, who delivered a spirited display to see off Noble Prince in the Arkle Novice Chase, registering his second Grade 1 win over fences in the process.

Last spring when both Realt Dubh and Noble Prince were plying their trade over hurdles, the latter was rated around 13lb superior to Noel Meade’s charge, which serves as an illustration of how much Real Dubh has improved since switched to fences.

The pair were cut for the Cheltenham equivalent, with Realt Dubh now best-price 14/1 (Paddy Power) and Noble Prince best-price 20/1 (888sport) for the Arkle.

Earlier on the card, Day Of A Lifetime's success in the opener saw him earn a best-price quotes of 20/1 (Stan James) for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle.

Willie Mullins' charge, a major disappointment in the Championship Bumper last March, was making his debut over timber in the Frank Conroy Memorial Maiden Hurdle and ran out a smooth winner.

Mullins said: "He blew it at Cheltenham but has always shown a lot at home. He needs to improve his jumping which was not fast enough. We'll try to get another run into him before Cheltenham but it may not be possible to run him again before the Festival."

Realt Dubh holds off Noble Prince in a Leopardstown thriller yesterday

Master Minded on the drift

2011-01-23T07:34:00.000-08:00

Master Minded drifted for the sportingbet.com Queen Mother Champion Chase after a narrow victory under Tony McCoy in the Victor Chandler Chase at Ascot yesterday.

A short-head margin over Somersby was enough for Paul Nicholls' star to drift to best-price 5/2 (Victor Chandler), with many promoting Big Zeb into favouritism.

Master Minded scraped home by the skin of his teeth as Somersby, who was in front just yards after the line, came of age with a career best performance. Master Minded had travelled comfortably behind the early pace setters and produced a fine leap to jump alongside the leaders at the eighth and was in front at the ninth at which stage he could have been expected to go further and further clear and McCoy did take a look between his legs going into the second last.

He looked leg-weary going to the last though and it was to his credit that he was able to produce a fine leap at that fence and that probably made the difference between victory and defeat as he was all out to the line. This was far from impressive but the yard has been going through a quieter spell than usual whilst McCoy felt that he made too much use of him coming out of Swinley Bottom and that Master Minded tired on the ground.

Arkle runner-up Somersby ran his best race of the season with a sterling performance that bodes well for the future. He had made mistakes in the Haldon Gold Cup on his reappearance and made a bad mistake when third behind Master Minded at Cheltenham last time but he jumped fluently here and landed running after the last to throw down a sustained challenge with his customary strong finishing effort.

His performance certainly caught the eye and he is now best-price 10/1 (888sport) for the Champion Chase. Henrietta Knight's charge also has the Ryanair Chase as an option at the Festival for which he is as short as 7/2, although he can still be backed at standout best-price 6/1 (Skybet) for that race.

Kalahari King was almost carried off the track a riderless horse, but he stayed on really well to take fourth place and Ferdy Murphy is targeting the Ryanair Chase for his stable stalwart. Having finished third behind Big Zeb in the Queen Mother Champion Chase last March, Murphy feels the step up in trip will suit:

"He was unlucky at Ascot. We're not sure where he would have finished up, but Graham (Lee) said they got racing too soon at Swinley Bottom and he still had plenty of horse under him," said the West Witton trainer.

"He reckoned he lost about 40 lengths when the horse carried him across the track. He has really run on up the straight and we're very pleased with him. Graham said it was the best feel he got off him since he won at Doncaster last February. He jumped fantastic. Graham said he travelled great.

"He's grand. We had him in the indoor school at seven o'clock on Sunday morning and he had a nice roll. I'd imagine he'd go straight for the Ryanair now."

Kalahari King is currently best-price 16/1 (totesport and Paddy Power) for the Ryanair.

Meanwhile, Grandouet is now a clear favourite for the JCB Triumph Hurdle after winning earlier on the Ascot card.

Nicky Henderson's French import has looked a vastly improved performer since settling better having been re-fitted with the earplugs that he wore in France. He eased alongside the front-running Two Kisses between the last two hurdles and came six lengths clear without being extended.

The four-year-old is set to run in the Adonis Hurdle at Kempton next month before heading to Cheltenham and is now best-price 7/1 (Bet365) for the Triumph Hurdle.

Also at Ascot, Sparky May continued her relentless progress with a Grade Two victory.

Pat Rodford's star was unbeaten in three novice hurdles this term coming into the Mares' Hurdle and simply ran her rivals ragged under Keiran Burke.

In in complete command turning in and despite beginning to tire going to the final hurdle, found plenty on the run-in to slam even-money favourite Carole's Legacy by four lengths.

Rodford said: "She must be a freak. Her mother raced in the US where she was unsuccessful, and owner Bill Muddyman sent me her (Glassy Appeal) and two other mares to breed from.

"Just occasionally you get a horse that defies all logic and here you have one. We will now go for the David Nicholson race at Cheltenham."

She can now be backed at best-price 8/1 (888sport) for the David Nicholson Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham in March.

Away from Ascot, earlier in the week, last season's Champion Bumper second Al Ferof made it third time lucky over hurdles in impressive style at Taunton to set himself up for a crack at the Cheltenham Festival.

The six-year-old, who runs in the colours of John Hales and is trained by Paul Nicholls, can be backed at best-price 20/1 (Bet365) for the Neptune Novices Hurdle and best-price 16/1 (Stan James) for the Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle.

Master Minded beat Somersby at Ascot but drifted to best-price 5/2 for the Champion Chase

World Hurdle entries - analysis

2011-01-21T01:39:00.000-08:00

A bumper 46 entries were revealed for the World Hurdle yesterday and Big Buck's is on course to emulate Inglis Drever and become only the second horse to win the Ladbrokes World Hurdle three times and the first to win the contest in three consecutive years.

The Paul Nicholls-trained eight-year-old has made the three-mile hurdling division his own over the past two years, having been undefeated in 10 starts over the smaller obstacles since unseating Sam Thomas in the 2008 Hennessy Gold Cup.

All bookmakers are running scared of Big Buck's with only 4/7 available across the board, aside from Sportingbet who offer best-price 3/5. A bet of £500 to make £300 profit might still be seen as buying money by many punters.

Nicky Henderson has already spoiled the party for one of Nicholls’ stable stars this season as he saddled Long Run to beat Kauto Star in last weekend’s William Hill King George VI Chase and a quartet of entries from the Seven Barrows handler includes the 2009 runner-up Punchestowns, who has gone on to Grade One glory over fences, and the 2009 Grade One JCB Triumph Hurdle hero Zaynar.

Punchestowns is best-price 12/1 (totesport) and Zaynar best-price 16/1 (Stan James).

Last year’s Grade Three Coral Cup victor Spirit River and impressive recent Cheltenham winner Oscar Whisky may also line up for Henderson, who has previously landed the Ladbrokes World Hurdle with Rustle (1989) and Bacchanal (2000).

Spirit River can be backed at best-price 40/1 (Victor Chandler), whilst Oscar Whisky is best-price 14/1 (Paddy Power).

A quartet from the stable of Alan King, successful in 2006 with My Way De Solzen, includes Karabak, who got the better of the Donald McCain-trained Any Given Day in the Grade Two Unicoin Homes Relkeel Hurdle at The International in December. The eight-year-old is currently best-price 16/1 (Bet365).

King has also entered Irish Grade One runner-up Bensalem, the Relkeel Hurdle third Shalone and Walkon, who triumphed in a Grade One Hurdle at Aintree on his latest start in April, 2009. They are best-price 25/1 (Bet365), 66/1 (Bet365) and 40/1 (Victor Chandler) respectively.

Madison Du Berlais was the last horse to beat Big Buck’s in the 2008 Hennessy Gold Cup and his owners Roger Stanley and Yvonne Reynolds will be hoping that lightning can strike twice with their progressive hurdler Grand Crus, who followed up an impressive handicap hurdle success at The Open in November with a facile victory in a Listed fixed brush handicap hurdle at Haydock later the same month. The six-year-old is currently best-price 12/1 (Bet365).

The six-year-old’s trainer David Pipe may also be represented by Grade Two winner Ashkazar, who returned to form with a game success in a Cheltenham handicap hurdle on New Year’s Day and can be backed at best-price 25/1 (Paddy Power).

A record 15 Irish-trained entries includes six contenders from the stable of Willie Mullins, headed by a three previous Festival winners. Quevega has posted a pair of impressive wins in the previous two renewals of the Grade Two David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle and took the Grade One Ladbrokes.com World Series Hurdle on her latest start at Punchestown in April. She can be backed at best-price 12/1 (Sportingbet) for the World Hurdle.

Fiveforthree also triumphed in the Punchestown showpiece for staying hurdlers in 2009 and the injury-plagued nine-year-old had previously scored in the Grade One Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle at The Festival in 2008, a race that Mullins also captured with Mikael D’Haguenet the following year. They can be backed at best-price 33/1 (Stan James) and 20/1 (totesport) respectively.

Last season’s Grade One Punchestown Champion Novice Hurdle winner Blackstairmountain, Grade Two Leopardstown Christmas Hurdle victor Mourad and Thousand Stars, successful in the Grade Three Vincent O’Brien County Handicap Hurdle at last year’s Festival, complete the formidable potential challenge from the Irish champion trainer.

The Charles Byrnes-trained Solwhit, whose six Grade One victories include when successful over two and a half miles in the John Smith’s Aintree Hurdle in April, 2009, may step up to three miles for the first time in his career, while Paul Gilligan has entered last season’s Grade One Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle winner Berties Dream.

Three-time Grade Two victor Luska Lad may line up for John “Shark” Hanlon and he could be joined by perennial Cheltenham raider Powerstation, who has been third in the past two renewals of the Ladbrokes World Hurdle for trainer Eamon O’Connell.

Paul Nolan has given an entry to Shinrock Paddy, who landed a Grade One Hurdle as a novice last season, while Edward O’Grady, who has twice been successful in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle with Flame Gun (1978) and Mountrivers (1980), may be represented by the 2008 Grade One Hatton’s Grace Hurdle winner Catch Me and Grade Two victor Rigour Back Bob.

Fellow Hatton’s Grace Hurdle scorer Oscar Dan Dan, from the stable of Tom Mullins, and the Dessie Hughes-trained Rick complete the potential Irish challenge.

Khyber Kim, trained locally by Nigel Twiston-Davies, found only Binocular too strong in last year’s Stan James Champion Hurdle and the nine-year-old could step back up in trip after ending last term with a facile win over two and a half miles in the Grade One Aintree Hurdle.

Apart from Big Buck’s, Nicholls may also run Organisateur, runner-up to the Nick Williams-trained James De Vassy in Kempton’s Lanzarote Handicap Hurdle last weekend, and Celestial Halo, who won the 2008 JCB Triumph Hurdle and went down by a neck to Punjabi in the following year’s Champion Hurdle.

Arcalis may return to the scene of his greatest triumph for trainer Howard Johnson, having triumphed in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle in 2005, while Cheltenham specialist Fair Along could make a sixth consecutive appearance at the Festival for trainer Philip Hobbs, who has also entered Duke Of Lucca.

Restless Harry has shown good form around Prestbury Park for Robin Dickin, scoring in the Grade Two Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle at last year’s Festival Trials Day, while the Peter Bowen-trained Souffleur also boasts Grade Two-winning form, having triumphed in the Rendlesham Hurdle at Haydock last season.

Restless Harry is currently best-price 33/1 (Bet365) and Souffleur can be backed at best-price 40/1 (Skybet).

French import Cristal Bonus, a Grade One runner-up at Auteuil in November, was fifth behind Menorah in the Grade Two StanJames.com International Hurdle on his debut for Evan Williams. The Emma Lavelle-trained Highland Valley was fourth in the Grade Two Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at the same meeting.

Mobaasher was third behind Katchit in the 2007 JCB Triumph Hurdle prior to joining Venetia Williams and he may line up against another horse formerly trained by Paul Nicholls, Beshabar, who won a Grade Three handicap hurdle for the champion trainer before moving on to the stable of Tim Vaughan.

A pair of entries from Jennie Candlish consists of Barafundle and Cross Kennon, who took the Listed Jardine Lloyd Thompson Handicap Hurdle at The Open, while last year’s JCB Triumph Hurdle fifth Barwell Bridge could also return to Cheltenham for Warren Greatrex.

The Martin Keighley-trained Benbane Head, The Giant Bolster, from the stable of David Bridgwater, and Le Beau Bai, third in the 2009 Welsh National for Richard Lee, complete the entry.

Big Buck's is best-price 3/5 to win the 2011 World Hurdle

No Long Run before Cheltenham

2011-01-19T11:30:00.000-08:00

It is "highly unlikely" King George VI Chase hero Long Run will run again before the Cheltenham Festival.

The youngster dethroned multiple champion Kauto Star with a brilliant display at Kempton on Saturday and the official handicapper believes the horse improved on his previous performance by about a stone, though he is in any case a young and improving animal.

Long Run wore blue ear plugs for the first time on Saturday, prompted by the feverish adulation that Kauto Star was expected to attract:

"L follows K, so we were going to be right after Kauto Star in the parade," said Long Run's owner, Robert Waley-Cohen, "and we thought that would mean there was a lot of noise from the crowd as he walked past.

"And sure enough there was a great cheer for Kauto Star. One of the problems we've had with him is that, although he's very calm in the stabling area, he gets very excited and wound up in the paddock and we thought the ear plugs might help to keep him calm,"

Long Run came home 12 lengths clear in Saturday's race and Nicky Henderson is now aiming to have him back at the peak of his powers for the Cheltenham Gold Cup in March.

"He's come out of it really well. He's been out in the paddock for a bit and it went really good," said Henderson.

"I can see why the earplugs would help on him on a big day with a big crowd like at Kempton, and they (earplugs) will be there come March, all being well.

"It's highly, highly unlikely that he'll run before Cheltenham. In fact, it's almost certainly improbable."

Long Run can still be backed at best-price 7/1 (Stan James) for the Gold Cup, whilst Kauto Star is now best-price 10/1 (totesport).

With all the plaudits having been afforded to Long Run, the excellent performance of stablemate Riverside Theatre to fill the runner-up spot in the King George has gone slightly under the radar.

He does not have an entry in the Gold Cup, and Henderson believes his main target could be Aintree's Melling Chase in April.

"When you see what he did on Saturday over three miles, you can see why it went wrong in the Arkle last season," Henderson added.

"Two miles was just purely and utterly too short or him, but now you see the stamina he has got. I think if he goes to Cheltenham he'll go for the Ryanair, but much more likely he'll wait for the Melling Chase at Aintree."

Riverside Theatre is as short as 8/1 for the Ryanair Chase but available at a standout best-price 16/1 with Sportingbet.

Long Run (left) now heads Kauto Star (right) in the 2011 Gold Cup market

Champion Hurdle entries - analysis

2011-01-19T08:21:00.000-08:00

Entries for the Grade One Stan James Champion Hurdle have been announced and Binocular heads a superb entry of 31 for this year’s renewal.

The Nicky Henderson-trained seven-year-old stormed to a decisive three and a half length victory over subsequent Grade One Aintree Hurlde scorer Khyber Kim, from the stable of Nigel Twiston-Davies, in the two-mile championship contest last year, having gone down by a neck and a head to Punjabi and Celestial Halo the previous season.

He also ran an excellent race at the 2008 Festival when coming second to Captain Cee Bee in the Grade One Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and is now best-price 3/1 (William Hill) to win a second Champion Hurdle this March.

After only finishing third on his seasonal return in the Grade One StanJames.com Fighting Fifth Hurdle, which was this season run at Newbury, Binocular returned to his brilliant best when comfortably taking the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton on January 15.

A strong quintet from Henderson also includes Oscar Whisky, who announced himself as a genuine contender for Stan James Champion Hurdle honours when routing his rivals in the Cheltenham & Three Counties Club Hurdle at Prestbury Park on New Year’s Day. Oscar Whisky can be backed at best-price 14/1 (Bet365).

The previous two winners of the Grade One Triumph Hurdle, Zaynar (2009) and Soldatino (2010), also feature among the Seven Barrows team alongside exciting French import Solix, who has yet to make his debut for Henderson.

Zaynar is best-price 50/1 (Bet365), Soldatino best-price 33/1 (Sportingbet) and Solix best-price 66/1 (Bet365).

Menorah has been victorious on all three of his starts at Cheltenham. The Philip Hobbs-trained six-year-old posted a head verdict over Get Me Out Of Here, from the stable of Jonjo O’Neill in last season’s Supreme Novices’ Hurdle before returned to triumph in both the Grade Three Greatwood Handicap Hurdle and the Grade Two StanJames.com International Hurdle this season.

Menorah is currently a best-price 5/1 (Victor Chandler).

Trainer Donald McCain saddled Peddlers Cross to take the Grade One Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle at The Festival last term and the six-year-old, who is unbeaten in six racecourse appearances, got the better of the Alan Fleming-trained Starluck and Binocular in the StanJames.com Fighting Fifth Hurdle. He is strongly-fancied by many for the Champion Hurdle and a best-price 6/1 (Bet365).

The Cheshire handler has also entered talented dual code performer Overturn, who won the Northumberland Plate and Galway Hurdle in the summer before chasing home Binocular at Kempton last weekend. Overturn is best-price 25/1 (Stan James).

Paul Nicholls has yet to win the Stan James Champion Hurdle but the champion trainer may have a strong contender this year with Silviniaco Conti, who was an impressive winner of the Grade Two Coral Hurdle at Ascot in November prior to coming home third behind Menorah in the StanJames.com International. He is currently best-price 25/1 (Paddy Power)

Nicholls may also be represented by the 2009 runner-up Celestial Halo, who scored in the JCB Triumph Hurdle at The Festival in 2008 and can be backed at best-price 66/1 (Stan James).

A potential Irish challenge of seven is spearheaded by the Willie Mullins-trained Hurricane Fly, who has six Grade One victories to his name, including when posting an effortless success over Solwhit, himself a six-time Grade One winner for trainer Charles Byrnes, in Leopardstown’s Festival Hurdle at the end of December. Both horses are set to re-oppose in this weekend’s Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown and can be backed at best-price 5/1 (Paddy Power) and 33/1 (Bet365) respectively for the Cheltenham Champion Hurdle.

Mullins may also be represented by Blackstairmountain, winner of last year’s Grade One Punchestown Champion Novice Hurdle, and Thousand Stars, who triumphed in the Grade Three Vincent O’Brien County Handicap Hurdle at The Festival in 2010.

The Robbie Hennessy-trained Sublimity, who captured the 2007 Champion Hurdle for former handler John Carr, last year’s JCB Triumph Hurdle third Alaivan, from the stable of Edward O’Grady and Philip Fenton’s stable star Dunguib, who was a stunning winner of the Grade One Weatherbys Champion Bumper at The Festival in 2009 prior to coming third in the Grade One Supreme Novices’ Hurdle 12 months later, complete the Irish-trained contingent. Sublimity is best-price 100/1 (totesport) whilst Dunguib is an interesting contender at best-price odds of 20/1 (Stan James).

Mille Chief was forced to bypass last year’s Festival through injury but the Alan King-trained five-year-old returned to form with an easy victory in a Sandown handicap hurdle on January 8, while Salden Licht and Walkon, not seen since emphatically taking a Grade One Hurdle at Aintree in April, 2009, could also line up for the Barbury Castle handler.

Mille Chief is best-price 25/1 (Victor Chandler) for the Champion Hurdle, whilst Salden Licht and Walkon can be backed at best-price 100/1 (Bet365) and 50/1 (Bet365) respectively.

Other notable entries include the Colin Tizzard-trained novice Cue Card, who was an impressive winner of the Weatherbys Champion Bumper at last year’s Festival and found only Menorah four and a half lengths too strong in the StanJames.com International Hurdle. Cue Card can be backed at best-price 25/1 (Stan James) but is more likely to run in the Supreme Novices Hurdle.

Clerk’s Choice gave permit holder Michael Banks one of his biggest wins as a trainer when romping to a 21-length success in the sportingbet.com Hurdle at Cheltenham’s Open Meeting in October, while Evan Williams may be represented by the third from that race, Irish Grade One winner Barizan and Cristal Bonus, a Grade One runner-up in France for previous connections.

David Pipe also has a pair of entries courtesy of last year’s Grade Three Fred Winter Juvenile Novices’ Handicap Hurdle second Notus de la Tour and Ronaldo des Mottes, while the entry is completed by the progressive Tocca Ferro, from the stable of Emma Lavelle, and the Karen McLintock trained Bygones of Brid.

Binocular is now best-price 3/1 to win back-to-back Champion Hurdles

Binocular shortens for Champion Hurdle

2011-01-17T02:04:00.000-08:00

Binocular is back at the head of the betting to retain his Champion Hurdle crown after winning the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton on Saturday and is now best-price 7/2 (William Hill) for the blue-riband hurdling event in March.

Binocular looked in a different class to his rivals and won by three and a quarter lengths from Overturn, with seemingly plenty in hand. Trainer Nicky Henderson confirmed afterwards that Binocular will next go for the Contenders Hurdle at Sandown in February, a race he won last year prior to winning the Champion Hurdle.

Donald McCain, trainer of Overturn, would not have been too disappointed, especially as his stable star Peddlers Cross is reckoned to be significantly better than Overturn.

Peddlers Cross is now best-price 6/1 (Bet365) for the Champion Hurdle, whilst Overturn can now be backed at best-price 25/1 (Victor Chandler).

As well as Long Run and Binocular, Henderson had three other three Kempton winners on Saturday, two of which - novice chaser Nadiya De La Vega and 260,000gn novice hurdler Chablais — are also Cheltenham Festival possibles.

Nadiya De La Vega is as short as 16/1 in places for the Arkle Chase and a standout best-price 25/1 with Paddy Power, whilst Chablais can be backed at best-price 16/1 (Victor Chandler) for the Neptune Novices' Hurdle.

Away from Kempton this weekend, the excellent mare Our Girl Salley was on show at Fairyhouse as she defended her unbeaten record over timber. She once again emerged victorious but she was made to work somewhat for victory in what looked a lesser race than the one she triumphed in so emphatically last month. The very testing ground probably wasn't ideal for the Prunella Dobbs-trained mare who remains a novice hurdler of considerable stature.

Our Girl Salley is now best-price 12/1 (Bet365) for the David Nicholson Mares' Hurdle in March.

Also at Fairyhouse, Golden Silver notched up another graded race success in the Norman's Grove Chase. Whilst not his best here, Golden Silver's class saw him through and he should again provide Big Zeb with a meaningful test at Punchestown later this month where the pair are scheduled to clash ahead of the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham in March.

Big Zeb is currently best-price 7/2 (888sport) for the Champion Chase, whilst Golden Silver can be backed at best-price 16/1 (Bet365).

Binocular has shortened to best-price 7/2 to retain his Champion Hurdle crown

Ryanair Chase entries - analysis

2011-01-16T13:14:00.000-08:00

Earlier this week it was revealed that the Ryanair Chase has attracted a classy entry of 46. Since being introduced at The Festival in 2005, the two-mile, five-furlong contest has firmly established itself as one of the season’s premier contests for chasers.

Our Vic landed the race in 2008 before going on to claim the scalp of Kauto Star in the totesport Bowl at Aintree the following month, while the 2009 winner Imperial Commander returned to The Festival last year to triumph in chasing’s pinnacle, the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Albertas Run powered to a four and a half-length success over Poquelin last season before going on to further Grade One glory in Aintree’s John Smith’s Melling Chase. The Jonjo O’Neill-trained 10-year-old is set to bid to become the first dual winner of the Ryanair Chase and can be backed at best-price 12/1 (Bet365).

Poquelin, a four-time winner at Cheltenham, is also due to bid to avenge last season’s defeat and add to the excellent record of trainer Paul Nicholls, who has been successful with Thisthatandtother (2005) and Taranis (2007). He is currently best-price 5/1 (Paddy Power) to go one better this year.

A quintet of entries from the Ditcheat handler also includes the dual sportingbet.com Queen Mother Champion Chase winner Master Minded, who made an impressive winning seasonal return over two miles and three furlongs in a Grade Two chase at Ascot in November before winning the Grade One Keith Prowse Hospitality Tingle Creek Chase over two miles at Cheltenham on December 11.

Grade Two scorer The Nightingale and dual Grade One winners Noland and Breedsbreeze may also represent the champion jump trainer.

Somersby stayed on take third behind Master Minded at Cheltenham in December and the Henrietta Knight-trained chaser boasts an excellent record at The Festival, having come home third in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle in 2008 and finished second to the Henry de Bromhead-trained Sizing Europe in last season’s Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase. Somersby is best-price 8/1 (totesport) for the Ryanair, whilst Sizing Europe is standout best-price 20/1 (William Hill) and as short as 12/1 in places.

Knight could also run Calgary Bay, whose finest hour came when winning the Grade Two Dipper Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham in January, 2009.

Nicky Henderson, successful with Fondmort in 2006, has entered three-time Grade One winner Long Run, winner of the King George VI at Kempton yesterday, as well as Punchestowns, a Grade One winner over fences last term, last season’s Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase fifth Riverside Theatre and Jack The Giant, who took third in the same race in 2007.

An Irish-trained horse has yet to win the Ryanair Chase but a strong entry of 18 from across the Irish Sea is headed by the Edward O’Grady-trained Tranquil Sea, who broke another Irish hoodoo last season when becoming the first Irish-trainer winner of the Paddy Power Gold Cup for 29 years.

The nine-year-old has since gone on to Grade One glory in the John Durkan Memorial Chase at Fairyhouse on December 15, when beating J’y Vole (Willie Mullins), Roberto Goldback (Jessica Harrington) and Glencove Marina (Eoin Griffin).

Forpadydeplasterer may bid for his first victory since getting the better of the Ferdy Murphy-trained Kalahari King in the 2009 Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase, having finished second on all seven of his subsequent starts for trainer Tom Cooper, while a sextet of entries from Willie Mullins also includes Grade One winners Barker and Kempes, Grade Two victor Quiscover Fontaine as well as Golden Silver and Scotsirish, who filled the places behind Big Zeb in the Grade One Paddy Power Dial-A-Bet Chase at Leopardstown on December 29.

The 2008 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle winner Captain Cee Bee may line up for trainer Edward Harty, while fellow Grade One scorer Joncol, could represent Co Wexford handler Paul Nolan. Recent Thurles Grade Three victor Psycho, from the stable of Tony Martin, Rare Bob, who landed a competitive Leopardstown handicap chase for trainer Dessie Hughes on January 9, could also make the trip across the Irish Sea.

The Tony Mullins-trained Made In Taipan, Zaarito, from the stable of Colm Murphy, and Rubi Light, representing Robbie Hennessy, complete the potential Irish challenge.

A pair of entries from Tom George consists of Grade Two winners Nacarat and Tartak, while Imperial Commander’s trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies could rely on this season’s Paddy Power Gold Cup hero Little Josh and Mahogany Blaze.

Colin Tizzard may also be double-handed courtesy of recent Grade Two Tigmi Travel Dipper Novices’ Chase scorer Hell’s Bay and Hey Big Spender, who beat the Paul Webber-trained Edgbriar in a novices’ handicap chase at Cheltenham last season.

The Emma Lavelle-trained Crack Away Jack also thrives around Cheltenham, having triumphed in the Fred Winter Juvenile Novices’ Handicap Hurdle at The Festival in 2008 and come home a fine fourth in the Stan James Champion Hurdle 12 months later, while Gauvain scored on his first start for new handler Nick Williams when taking the Sinbad Testimonial 2010/2011 Chase at The Open on November 14.

Deep Purple recorded a pair of Grade Two success last season before finishing fourth behind Albertas Run at The Festival, while Weird Al enjoyed an unbeaten novice season over fences last term, including a brace of victories at Cheltenham and a Grade Two triumph at Wetherby.

Exciting novice Medermit, runner-up in the 2009 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, may represent trainer Alan King and the entry is completed by Prince De Beauchene from the stable of Howard Johnson and the Gary Moore-trained pair of Panjo Bere and Vino Griego.

Last year's runner-up, Poquelin, is currently best-price 5/1 favourite to go one better in this years' Ryanair Chase

Long Run heads for Gold Cup

2011-01-16T10:26:00.000-08:00

Long Run is likely to go straight for the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup following his impressive victory in the King George VI Chase at Kempton yesterday.

No horse as young as six has captured chasing's blue riband since the great Mill House in 1963, but the Nicky Henderson-trained French import could now try to emulate him. To be fair, only three six-year-olds have contested the race in the last 40 years, of which The Fellow was only inched out of the 1991 renewal by a short-head and Gloria Victis looked set for a place until suffering a fatal fall in 2000. Both were earlier-maturing French-breds like Long Run.

The Ryanair Chase had been mooted as an alternative at the Festival for Long Run, but owner Robert Waley-Cohen admits the Gold Cup has to be on the cards after he summarily dismissed his rivals that included four-time King George hero Kauto Star.

"I would think we would find it hard to resist going for the Gold Cup. He probably won't run again before then," said Waley-Cohen.

"We probably lost a race in between because of the three-week delay otherwise he might have gone for the Aon Chase. He'd been kept on the buzz a long time and Nicky was saying on Saturday night he might calm him down for a couple of weeks and go straight to Cheltenham.

"I think he'll stay. He didn't seem to be running out of stamina yesterday. You need plenty of stamina to win that race because they go pretty quick and there's no time for a breather. There's no mercy out there."

Long Run's only two defeats in this country have come at Cheltenham but the owner believes there were valid excuses both times.

"He hasn't quite lived up to expectations in two runs. It was right at the end of the season in the RSA Chase when he finished third after he'd been running in serious Grade One races since the previous May," Waley-Cohen added.

"In the Paddy Power, he was third carrying a big weight and, in fairness, Nicky's horses weren't winning at that time."

Meanwhile, Paul Nicholls is relishing the challenge of preparing Kauto Star for the Gold Cup.

A mistake at the second-last fence finally put paid to his chance to win the William Hill King George VI for a fifth time and Tony McCoy, replacing the injured Ruby Walsh, did well to keep the partnership intact. But it was an overall performance that has led to a view in some quarters that Kauto Star's best days are behind him.

Connections remain undaunted, however, and trainer Paul Nicholls will now prepare Kauto Star for a fifth successive tilt at the Gold Cup, which he won in 2007 and 2009.

The champion trainer said: "I have just spoken to Clive (Smith). We agreed that yesterday now gives us a bit of challenge with the horse - and hopefully we, and most importantly, the horse will rise to it.

"He will be prepared for a tilt at a third Gold Cup victory in March - different ground, different track, different day - and we would like to aim him for a third victory at Down Royal in the autumn, too. As long as he is enjoying his racing and running well, then he will continue - he is 11, not 13.

"Yesterday, was undoubtedly a big disappointment. He was never travelling or jumping with any real fluency, but it wasn't as if he ran a poor race. Without his blunder at the second last, he probably would have been a fair second to a very good horse. But that clearly wasn't his best form.

"I am not making excuses but I can reveal that when he got back last night and stuck his head in the water bucket, he bled from both nostrils. He has never done it before, and will probably never do it again.

"It wasn't a big bleed but it indicates that he probably bled during the race (possibly after his mistake at the second last, which meant he had to dig deep to get home), which would not have aided his cause."

Owner Clive Smith certainly disagrees with the view that age may have caught up with Kauto Star, and is looking forward to the top-class chaser making his annual appearance in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

"We think he's OK and don't think age has caught up with him," said Smith.

"He didn't quite get to his fences in his usual way. I'm not criticising Tony McCoy, he's a wonderful chap and a great jockey, but he's got a different style to Ruby Walsh and maybe that showed.

"It was his first ride on him. It's very hard to get on a horse like Kauto and ride to suit him. I thought Tony did very well and we also think the horse may have had an off day.

"He didn't come out of his box so early on Saturday morning, according to his lad Nick Child - he's normally on his toes and running around his box a bit.

"He was a bit more docile, but in the paddock he looked fine and looked very good as though he was going to enjoy himself, so I might not be right there. I think he's still got a good chance in the Gold Cup."

John McCririck believes Long Run's victory in the King George has signalled the dawn of a new generation. However, the Channel 4 Racing pundit believes it could be folly to dismiss Kauto Star in the Cheltenham Gold Cup on the back of just one poor run, especially with his trainer Paul Nicholls not quite firing on all cylinders in January.

"I think the torch has been passed to a new generation. It does look like that," said McCririck.

"The only thing you might be able to say is that Paul Nicholls is out of form and looking back that could well be a factor. January isn't his month. It wasn't the Kauto Star we knew.

"It looks like the torch has been passed and all credit to Sam Waley-Cohen (jockey) taking on the very big boys and showing no signs of nerves. The horse jumped beautifully. He loves Kempton, having won the Feltham.

"Unless it was an off-day for Kauto, it could be a generation thing and it points to Denman as well, whether he'll be able to hack it in the top class as well. That's the fascination of racing.

"It was sad to see. The crowd came and you could feel it was a bit of a letdown, an anti-climax, though it was a magnificent day for the punters and a great day of entertainment with a nine-race card.

"You wouldn't rule Kauto Star out of the Gold Cup yet though on the back of one disappointing run. There was that mistake and I don't know how McCoy stayed on at the second last.

"I wouldn't back Long Run at Cheltenham, but he was hugely impressive yesterday. If Kauto Star had won like that we'd be saying he's the Gold Cup favourite and all's well.

"Long Run has shown weaknesses before and this was by far his best run. When you think Timeform had him about 26lb behind, it shows how much he has improved or how disappointing Kauto Star was.

"Riverside Theatre puts the race into perspective. It wasn't one of the great King George's if you rule out the failure of Kauto Star."

Kauto Star can now be backed at best-price 12/1 (Stan James and William Hill) for the Gold Cup, whilst Long Run can be backed at best-price 7/1 (Stan James).

Kauto Star, right, finished a well-beaten third behind Long Run in the King George VI Chase at Kempton, sponsored by William Hill

Champion Chase entries - analysis

2011-01-14T15:03:00.000-08:00

The 21 entries for the Queen Mother Champion Chase have been revealed and following a pair of breathtaking victories in 2008 and 2009, Master Minded will this year bid to become only the second horse to triumph in the two mile championship on three occasions.

Clive Smith’s chaser became the first five-year-old to win the Champion Chase when beating Voy Por Ustedes by 19 lengths in 2008 and returned to Cheltenham 12 months later for another comprehensive success, posting a seven-length verdict over Well Chief.

After only finishing fourth in last season’s contest, Master Minded underwent a breathing operation over the summer and the eight-year-old has looked back to his brilliant best this term, following up a facile win in a Grade Two chase at Ascot in November with a clear-cut victory in the Grade One Tingle Creek Chase, which was this year run at Cheltenham on December 11 following the abandonment of Sandown.

A quartet of entries from Master Minded’s trainer Paul Nicholls, who also saddled Call Equiname (1999) and Azertyuiop (2004) to victory, includes Woolcombe Folly, who announced himself as a live contender for the sportingbet.com Queen Mother Champion Chase with a convincing success in the Jenny Mould Memorial Handicap Chase at The International.

Tataniano, victorious in the Grade One John Smith’s Maghull Novices’ Chase at Aintree in April, and Grade Two totesport.com Haldon Gold Cup Chase winner Tchico Polos complete the potential challenge from the champion Jump trainer.

Irish-trained horses have enjoyed an excellent record in the Champion Chase in recent years, courtesy Moscow Flyer (2003 & 2005), Newmill (2006) and Big Zeb, who took the spoils last season. The Colm Murphy-trained 10-year-old has beaten the Willie Mullins-trained Golden Silver on both his appearances this season, including when scoring in the Grade One Paddy Power Dial-A-Bet Chase at Leopardstown on December 29.

Last season’s runner-up and winner of The Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase in 2009, Forpadydeplasterer, could also make the trip across the Irish Sea once more for trainer Tom Cooper, while Henry de Bromhead has entered Sizing Europe, who triumphed at last year’s Festival in The Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase.

Captain Cee Bee gave trainer Edward Harty a first Cheltenham Festival success when beating subsequent Stan James Champion Hurdle winner Binocular in the 2008 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and the J P McManus-owned 10-year-old went on to capture the Grade One Ryanair Novice Chase at Punchestown in April.

Grade One scorer Barker, dual Grade Two victor Scotsirish and last year’s Ryanair Chase third J’y Vole, who are all stable companions of Golden Silver, complete the Irish contingent.

Nicky Henderson sent out Remittance Man to land the Queen Mother Champion Chase in 1992 and the Lambourn handler has entered Petit Robin, who took third behind Master Minded in 2009, alongside Grade Two winners Mad Max and French Opera.

Henrietta Knight has also enjoyed success in the two-mile championship with Edredon Bleu (2000) and the three-time Cheltenham Gold Cup winning-trainer has entered Somersby, whose excellent record at Cheltenham includes when going down by three quarters of a length to Sizing Europe at last season’s Festival.

A pair of entries from Nick Williams consists of recent Sandown winner Cornas and Gauvain, who had the likes of Forpadydeplasterer and Tataniano behind him scoring in the Sinbad Testimonial 2010/2011 at The Open, while David Pipe may be represented by Grade Two Celebration Chase victor I’m So Lucky.

The Emma Lavelle-trained Crack Away Jack has performed admirably on both his previous visits to The Festival, following up victory in the Fred Winter Juvenile Novices’ Handicap Hurdle in 2008 with a fine fourth in the Champion Hurdle 12 months later.

The entry is completed by the talented but quirky Herecomesthetruth, who won a Grade One chase as a novice for Paul Nicholls before joining current handler Chris Gordon.

The best-price available for each of the 21 entrants are detailed below:

Master Minded 7/4 (Bet365)
Big Zeb 7/2 (Paddy Power)
Woolcombe Folly 8/1 (Totesport)
Sizing Europe 10/1 (Bet365)
Tataniano 12/1 (Victor Chandler)
Golden Silver 14/1 (Stan James)
Captain Cee Bee 16/1 (888sport)
Forpadydeplasterer 16/1 (William Hill)
Somersby 25/1 (Sportingbet)
Gauvain 28/1 (Victor Chandler)
Mad Max 33/1 (Bet365)
Petit Robin 33/1 (Paddy Power)
French Opera 40/1 (Stan James)
Crack Away Jack 50/1 (Stan James)
JY Vole 50/1 (Stan James)
Barker 50/1 (888sport)
Im So Lucky 66/1 (Skybet)
Cornas 66/1 (Victor Chandler)
Scotsirish 66/1 (Bet365)
Tchico Polos 66/1 (Skybet)
Herecomesthetruth 150/1 (William Hill)

Master Minded is best-price 7/4 to win the 2011 Champion Chase

Gold Cup entries - analysis

2011-01-13T12:47:00.000-08:00

It was announced yesterday that the 2011 Cheltenham Gold Cup has attracted
34 entrants, including the last three winners of chasing’s Blue Riband.

Imperial Commander is the reigning champion, having stormed to a seven-length victory over Denman in 2010. Trained locally near Naunton by Nigel Twiston-Davies, the 10-year-old made a winning seasonal return in the Betfair Chase at Haydock Park in November.

Denman, successful in 2008 and one of seven entries for champion trainer Paul Nicholls, is also entered again this year along with the 2010 third Mon Mome, the fourth Carruthers and the fifth Cooldine.

Kauto Star, who took the spoils in 2007 and 2009, is also among the Nicholls-trained contingent.

Kauto Star’s 2009 Cheltenham Gold Cup victory, when Denman took the runner-up spot, was an historic moment as he became the first horse to regain the prize and he will also have history to overcome if he is to prevail this year as no 11-year-old has triumphed since Mandarin in 1962, while the last winner older than 10 was the 12-year-old What A Myth in 1969.

A faller in last year’s race, the Clive Smith-owned chaser will bid for an historic fifth victory in the rescheduled King George VI Chase at Kempton Park on Saturday (January 15th).

Denman is set to head straight to The Festival, having finished a gallant third under top-weight in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury in November behind the impressive Nick Williams-trained winner Diamond Harry.

Nicholls’ other representatives could also include Neptune Collonges, who took third in 2008 and fourth in 2009, Noland, whose finest hour came when taking the 2006 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, What A Friend, who landed Grade One victories at Aintree and Leopardstown last season, and the exciting duo of Pride Of Dulcote and The Nightingale.

In addition to Imperial Commander, four other winners at The Festival in 2010 have been entered. Albertas Run was triumphant in the Grade One Ryanair Chase, while Festival Trophy Handicap Chase winner Chief Dan George and Sizing Europe, who scored over two miles when taking The Arkle Challenge Trophy, are also engaged.

David Pipe has entered Byrne Group Plate victor Great Endeavour, whilst Jonjo O’Neill, trainer of Albertas Run, also provides an intriguing entry in Synchronised, who was last seen out at Chepstow on January 8 when taking the Coral Welsh National.

Another trainer doubly represented is Nicky Henderson, who has entered Long Run and Punchestowns. Long Run, an import from France, emerged as one of the brightest young talents on the scene when successful in the Grade One Feltham Novices’ Chase at Kempton in December 2009, and subsequently took third behind Weapon’s Amnesty in the RSA Chase at The Festival.

After finishing third on his seasonal reappearance in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham on November 13, the six-year-old is set to take on Kauto Star at Kempton Park on Saturday.

Punchestowns, a high-class staying hurdler, was a disappointing fifth in last season’s RSA Chase and came second on his seasonal reappearance to Pride Of Dulcote at Newbury on December 29.

There is a strong potential challenge of nine from Ireland including Pandorama, who entered the reckoning for the Cheltenham Gold Cup with a facile six-length success over Money Trix in the Grade One Lexus Chase at Leopardstown on December 28, a race in which Joncol finished third, Glencove Marina fourth and The Listener fifth.

The Irish entry also includes the aforementioned Cooldine, trained by Willie Mullins and winner of the RSA Chase at The Festival in 2009 as well as Sizing Europe.

Mullins could also be represented by the Grade One scorers Barker and Kempes. Mouse Morris provided the last Irish-trained winner of the Cheltenham Gold Cup when War Of Attrition prevailed in 2006 and his potential representative is China Rock, who got the better of Sizing Europe at Punchestown in October before taking fourth behind Kauto Star in the Grade One JNwine.com Chase at Down Royal on November 6.

Along with last year’s The Arkle Trophy victor Sizing Europe, another horse which could step up in trip is Forpadydeplasterer, winner of the same race at The Festival in 2009. The Tom Cooper-trained nine-year-old has finished runner-up on his last seven starts, most recently when second to Gauvain in the Sinbad Testimonial 2010/2011 Chase at Cheltenham on November 14.

If one horse has made Cheltenham his second home so far this season it is Midnight Chase. The Neil Mulholland-trained nine-year-old has won three competitive handicap chases in succession at the course, rising almost two stone in the handicap in the process.

No novice has prevailed in the Cheltenham Gold Cup since Captain Christy in 1974 but one horse who might seek to change that statistic is the Paul Webber-trained Time For Rupert, runner-up to the mighty Big Buck’s in the World Hurdle at The Festival in 2010 and a comfortable winner of his two chasing starts, both of which have come at Cheltenham.

Also entered are the Philip Hobbs-trained Planet Of Sound, a Grade One winner at Punchestown in April and third on his latest start behind Imperial Commander at Haydock Park in November and the enigmatic Tidal Bay, winner of The Arkle Trophy in 2008 and a staying-on second in the same Haydock contest.

Weird Al was forced to miss last year’s Festival with a late setback but the eight-year-old, a dual winner over fences at Cheltenham, could represent Ian Williams this time around. Completing the entry is the Rebecca Curtis-trained Carronhills, formerly a smart hunter chaser in Ireland but not seen out for almost two years.

The best-price available for each of the 34 entrants are detailed below:

Imperial Commander 4/1 (Bet365)
Kauto Star 5/1 (Stan James)
Denman 8/1 (Paddy Power)
Diamond Harry 10/1 (888sport)
Pandorama 14/1 (Victor Chandler)
Pride Of Dulcote 20/1 (Skybet)
Midnight Chase 20/1 (Paddy Power)
Punchestowns 25/1 (Bet365)
Long Run 25/1 (Stan James)
Sizing Europe 28/1 (Sportingbet)
What A Friend 33/1 (William Hill)
Time For Rupert 33/1 (Skybet)
Joncol 33/1 (Bet365)
Planet Of Sound 40/1 (Victor Chandler)
Albertas Run 40/1 (888sport)
The Nightingale 40/1 (Bet365)
Cooldine 40/1 (Paddy Power)
Weird Al 50/1 (Bet365)
Tidal Bay 50/1 (Totesport)
Forpadydeplasterer 50/1 (Sportingbet)
Kempes 50/1 (Victor Chandler)
Carruthers 50/1 (Bet365)
Synchronised 50/1 (Stan James)
China Rock 66/1 (Skybet)
Neptune Collonges 66/1 (Skybet)
Money Trix 66/1 (Bet365)
Noland 100/1 (Paddy Power)
Great Endeavour 100/1 (Victor Chandler)
Glencove Marina 100/1 (William Hill)
The Listener 100/1 (Stan James)
Mon Mome 100/1 (Skybet)
Barker 100/1 (Bet365)
Chief Dan George 150/1 (888sport)
Carronhills 200/1 (Victor Chandler)

Imperial Commander is the favourite to win the 2011 Cheltenham Gold Cup