Best Of Bets

Tag: Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup

  • Cheltenham Festival 2025 | Day Four Selections

    Cheltenham Festival 2025 | Day Four Selections

    Cheltenham. Itā€™s the biggest Festival of the year, where punters on both sides of the Irish Sea make the pilgrimage to the heart of the Cotswolds, in the shadow of Cleeve Hill, for four days of unrivalled racing pleasure. Day Four sees the return of the king, Galopin Des Champs. He looks destined for a third win in the race, can he do it?

    Big Race View

    Starting with the first of three Grade Oneā€™s on day four and there are three very fancied runners. But Iā€™m voting for East India Dock, who has been ultra-impressive in three wins this season, including two at Cheltenham at double figure margins. The latter was considered a ā€œbadā€ performance by James Owen, yet he trounced the field by 10L. He has the beating of the other two, considering Lulambaā€™s form from Ascot has been decimated and Hello Neighbour has never looked that impressive. East India Dock has and bids for that coveted Cheltenham hat-trick.

    Blue Lemons also looks one to side with for the future and could put up a big performance here. Transferred from the flat well to win by 3L at Gowran Park on hurdles debut. Interestingly bred by Blue Point and speed will be key in this race, and he should have plenty.

    Big Race Bet: Triumph Hurdle (Grade One) ā€“ East India Dock @ 9/4 (William Hill), Blue Lemons e/w @ 12/1 (General)

    Excellent at Each-way

    The Albert Bartlett is such a tricky novice hurdle to predict at Cheltenham. Nine of the last 10 winners have been at double-figure prices, so each-way picks often win. Jax Junior gets my vote in this contest at an each-way angle. He won two novice hurdles at Doncaster and Ascot by double digits before just losing at Huntingdon to Califet En Vol in the Listed Sidney Banks. The runner-up has won subsequently and looked as though he wanted more trip that day. Not a bad contender.

    Excellent Each-way bet: Albert Bartlett Noviceā€™s Hurdle (Grade One) ā€“ Jax Junior e/w @ 33/1 (William Hill)

    Handy Handicap Guide

    The final race of the Cheltenham Festival is one full of plot jobs. None more obvious than Kopeck De Mee for Mullins and JP. But another plot job that must be considered is Wodhooh. She blitzed the field over course and distance in December on her only start this season. The form from that race has seen the second, third and fourth placed horses all win subsequently. Itā€™s amazing that she is unbeaten, but sheā€™s showed no signs of weakness and looks to only get better.

    No Questions Asked may benefit from a good run from Jax Junior in the Albert Bartlett, but he passed him in the Listed Sidney Banks before scoring by 2L against a good horse in John Barbour at Ludlow. He remains on the same handicap mark and can deliver another big performance for the Pauling team.

    Minella Sixo has had a busy old season. Finished third in a Grade Two and second in a Grade Three. He fell when making some progress in a Pertemps qualifier at Haydock which is why we see him back down in trip. He placed over this trip on the Old Course back in October behind Potters Charm and will enjoy this ground. Plus the Elliott team will be desperate for a winner at Cheltenham.

    Handy Handicap Bets: Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeyā€™s Handicap Hurdle ā€“ Wodhooh @ 5/1 (William Hill), No Questions Asked e/w @ 14/1 (William Hill, Unibet, Boylesports), Minella Sixo e/w @ 25/1 (William Hill, BetVictor, Boylesports)

    Selections:

    13:20 ā€“ Triumph Hurdle (Grade One) ā€“ EAST INDIA DOCK @ 9/4 (William Hill), Blue Lemons e/w @ 12/1 (General)

    14:00 ā€“ County Handicap Hurdle (Premier Hā€™cap) ā€“ McLaurey @ 7/1 (Unibet), Ndaawi e/w @ 20/1 (Unibet), Cracking Rhapsody e/w @ 50/1 (Unibet)

    14:40 ā€“ Mares Chase (Grade Two) ā€“ Dinoblue @ 11/10 (General)

    15:20 ā€“ Albert Bartlett Noviceā€™s Hurdle (Grade One) ā€“ The Big Westerner @ 5/1 (William Hill, BetVictor), JAX JUNIOR E/W @ 33/1 (William Hill)

    16:00 ā€“ CHELTENHAM GOLD CUP (GRADE ONE) ā€“ GALOPIN DES CHAMPS @ 4/7 (William Hill, BetVictor, Betfred)

    16:40 ā€“ Huntersā€™ Chase ā€“ Angels Dawn @ 100/30 (BetVictor), Bardenstown Lad e/w @ 40/1 (William Hill, BetVictor)

    17:20 – Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeyā€™s Handicap Hurdle ā€“ Wodhooh @ 5/1 (William Hill), No Questions Asked e/w @ 14/1 (William Hill, Unibet, Boylesports), Minella Sixo e/w @ 25/1 (William Hill, BetVictor, Boylesports)

    Best of Luck!

  • Cheltenham 2024 | Gold Cup Day: Selections and Naps

    Cheltenham 2024 | Gold Cup Day: Selections and Naps

    Three Days. 20 Races. 11 Winners. We have been on fire this week. A successful Cheltenham Festival deserves to end on a high, with the 100th Cheltenham Gold Cup in our sights. Plus, some tricky contests both pre and post-race. For the final time this Cheltenham, hereā€™s who I am picking today.

     

    NAP: Mares Chase (Grade Two) ā€“ Dinoblue @ 11/8 (Unibet)

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    Itā€™s safe to say that the best two-miler chaser this season, bar the obvious, has been Dinoblue. Ever since her second in last yearā€™s Grand Annual, sheā€™s been ultra-consistent. She picked up two valuable handicaps at both Leopardstown and Punchestown, then was thrown into open company this season.

    She paid back Willie Mullinsā€™ confidence in her when she won Barberstown Castle Chase, then routing the field in the Paddy Rewards Club Chase over Christmas.

    Dinoblue may have finished second to El Fabiolo at the Dublin Racing Festival, but she was six lengths in front of the Champion Chaser 2024, Captain Guinness. She faces a step up in trip, but she should answer the doubters much like Lossiemouth on Tuesday.

     

    E/W BET: 100TH Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup (GRADE ONE) ā€“ Bravemansgame @ 16/1 (BetVictor, Boylesports)

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    Itā€™s a bit insulting last yearā€™s Gold Cup second at this price. He hadnā€™t been his fluent self over fences early on this season but showed a better display and a fantastic rally to just edge second ahead of Allaho. We saw the true Bravemansgame that day and Paul Nicholls still believes this horse has it in him to win the Blue Riband race. He wonā€™t mind the soft ground, but 16/1 is odds-on you should never associate with a Grade One winner, and last yearā€™s second.

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    I also fancy a couple of small each-way stakes on both Gentlemansgame and Monkfish. Gentlemansgame beat Bravemansgame at Wetherby and hasnā€™t been seen since. Trainer Mouse Morris has said heā€™s been quite hard to train, but this race wouldā€™ve been the target for the season. 22/1 (BetVictor, BetUK).

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    Monkfish, anyone remember him? Originally thought he would be going to the Stayersā€™ Hurdle, Rich Ricci and co suddenly remembered he can jump a fence. He was one of the shortest-priced winners of the 2021 Festival, winning the Brown Advisory at 1/4. His odds were slashed for the Gold Cup the year after, but sadly he picked up an injury that rules him out until the end of last season. This horse has been destined to win a Gold Cup and could produce the comeback of all comebacks at 33/1 (William Hill).

    Having said all of that, Galopin Des Champs wins his second Gold Cup at a canter. 11/10 (William Hill).

     

    Handicap Best: County Handicap Hurdle (Premier) ā€“ Lā€™Eau Du Sud @ 4/1 (General)

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    The king of the Cheltenham plot jobs made it two handicap wins with 25/1 outsider Monmiral winning the Pertemps. Lā€™Eau Du Sud runs in the same colours and ran a blinder in the Betfair Hurdle last time out. He was six lengths of the next placed horse and goes up six pounds. A fair rise, but still puts him in great position on the weights. The British are also 5-2 up in the handicap races, which shows you how well theyā€™ve been treated this week.

    King Of Kingsfield comes into the race on a super boost. On his last start he finished behind the Supreme winner Slade Steel and the Gallagher winner Ballyburn. Some form line to come into handicapping for the first time. Heā€™s on the same mark as last time out, which shows that heā€™ll have to prove heā€™s just as good as the other two today. Heā€™s got a great chance at 11/2 (Unibet).

    A big-priced shot could be Mr Freedom. Reading Sheena Westā€™s comments, she is extremely bullish about his chances and the form backs it up. Heā€™s finished in the top three of every race heā€™s completed since June 2023. Some record. Even with a five-pound penalty, he still looks well-treated and will not mind that ground. Small each-way stakes at 40/1 (General).

     

    Selections:

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    13:30 ā€“ Triumph Hurdle (GRADE ONE) ā€“ Majborough @ 7/2 (Unibet, Betfred, Boylesports), Kargese e/w @ 6/1 (Boylesports), Salver e/w @ 10/1 (General)

    14:10 ā€“ County Handicap Hurdle (Premier) ā€“ Lā€™EAU DU SUD (HB) @ 4/1 (General), King Of Kingsfield e/w @ 11/2 (Unibet), Mr Freedom e/w @ 40/1 (General)

    14:50 ā€“ Albert Bartlett Novicesā€™ Hurdle (GRADE ONE) ā€“ Dancing City @ 8/1 (Unibet, Betfred, Boylesports), Chigorin e/w @ 11/1 (General)

    15:30 ā€“ 100TH CHELTENHAM GOLD CUP (GRADE ONE) ā€“ GALOPIN DES CHAMPS @ 11/10 (William Hill), BRAVEMANSGAME E/W @ 16/1 (BetVictor, Boylesports), Gentlemansgame e/w @ 22/1 (BetVictor, BetUK), Monkfish e/w @ 33/1 (William Hill)

    16:10 ā€“ Hunterā€™s Chase ā€“ Premier Magic @ 6/1 (General), Billaway e/w @ 9/1 (Unibet), Dā€™Jango e/w @ 66/1 (Unibet)

    16:50 ā€“ Mares Chase (Grade Two) ā€“ DINOBLUE (NAP) @ 11/8 (Unibet), Allegorie De Vassy (R/F)

    17:30 ā€“ Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle ā€“ Quai De Bourbon @ 7/2 (William Hill), Better Days Ahead e/w @ 9/1 (BetVictor, Unibet, Boylesports), Yeats Star e/w @ 18/1 (Unibet)

    The very best of luck!

  • Cheltenham 2024 | The Cheltenham Triple | Galopin Des Champs

    Cheltenham 2024 | The Cheltenham Triple | Galopin Des Champs

    For Galopin Des Champs, legend beckons as he looks to retain the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup.

    As the roar builds ahead of this year’s National Hunt pilgrimage to Gloucestershire, the countdown to Cheltenham 2024 is almost at an end.

    Despite the wholly deflating news that Constitution Hill will not be running this year, this year’s edition promises again to bring classic competition.

    So, with one giant void to fill, could Paul Townend and his trusty steed become the punters’ big favourite?

     

    Greatness beckons

    Whilst it may be true that Galopin Des Champs has not enjoyed the rousing success of his last run-up to the Festival, the past 12 months have still brought glitter.

    Once again the king of Leopardstown, the 8yo gelding comes to Cheltenham having defended his Irish Gold Cup crown last month.

    However, unlike Cheltenham 2023, the toast of the Willie Mullins crop has been beaten twice in build-up; both at Punchestown in Grade 1 company.

    But Galopin Des Champs is nothing if not a comeback king.

    Set to make it a Cheltenham double in 2022 after his win in the Martin Pipe Conditional Handicap, Galopin and Townend suffered agony in the Turners Novices’ Chase.

    With a 12-length lead and further glory beckoning, his fall at the last was a stunner.

    Yet, one year on, his sterling finish in front of the stands was the ultimate redemption story.

     

    Fastorslow heads rivals

    Though a considerable favourite for back-to-back wins – 5/4 with William Hill at time of writing – Galopin Des Champs has his hooves full and is in a very familiar Gold Cup crowd.

    His main rival in the antepost looks to be 5/1 Fastorslow and for very good reason.

    Indeed, the slate against Martin Brassil’s 8yo stands at 1-2, with defeat in both Punchestown Gold Cup and Chase either side of the summer jumps break.

    Then finally coming out on top last time out in winning a second Irish Gold Cup, has that win now tipped the balance in Galopin’s favour?

    Then of course, there is the enigma that is Shishkin.

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    Second to 13/2 Rachael Blackmore and Envoi Allen in the Ryanair last year, it feels like the now 10yo has unfinished business at Cheltenham.

    Forced to pull-up in the Champion Chase in 2022, his prior two visits to the Festival saw victories in the SkyBet Supreme and the Arkle as overwhelming favourite.

    Shishkin will be reliant on rain in the coming week, but remains a 13/2 punt with BetUK.

    Ready to spoil all three parties, Gerri Colombe is poised in the shadows.

    Runner-up to Galopin Des Champs in the Savills Chase over Christmas, the Gordon Elliott-trained son of Saddle Maker is looking himself to go one step further from last year’s Brown Advisory.

    A race dominated by the Irish in the last five years, Elliott is yet to taste Gold Cup glory. Could Cheltenham 2024 be his time?

     

    Outsiders

    Of the bigger price punts, Hewick must be worth an e/w gamble.

    Though the ground at Cheltenham is currently soft, with little rain in the forecast, if the ground does firm up a bit more, the King George VI winner will fancy his chances of a golden Grade 1 double.

    Hewick’s only Cheltenham trip to date was as a faller in last year’s edition, but well in contention with four to jump, his chances are there.

    Certainly, don’t count out Hewick if he’s in the shake-up at 20/1 with 888sport.

    Two other contenders could complicate matters for the favourite.

    Firstly, ahead of defending his Grand National crown next month at a heavier weight, Corach Rambler returns to the Festival seeking a third successive victory after a two-year stint in the Ultima Chase.

    In his two trips in stepping down from the 4m trek since, Derek Fox came home in 5th and 3rd the last two outings, showing evidence of real progression in the Grade 1 Betfair Chase at Haydock last November.

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    But will Corach Rambler be a tad rusty ahead of this big Aintree date? Perhaps, but the Ramblers-owned runner has already proven a liking for good to soft ground at 20s with BetVictor – the potential going come Friday.

    One final interest, at an even steeper 50/1 shot with BetFred, might Nassalam carry his form over the Welsh border from Chepstow?

    A winner in both the Welsh National Trial and National proper, Gary Moore’s stable has been in rare form this winter.

    There will be serious questions over his position in far more elite company and over this trip, but other 50/1 shots have looked bigger punts.

     

    Galopin Des Champs defends his crown in The Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup on Friday 15 March at 15:30 GMT.Ā 

  • 12/1 Chester Cup Fancy: Ante-post analysis

    12/1 Chester Cup Fancy: Ante-post analysis

    So, about last week. A story of hard luck.

    The best bet of the week, GET AHEAD, probably saw his best chances diminish when the lashing of rain came down though his sixth behind the runaway winner Vadream was still good and the handicapper has dropped him two pounds for the run. One to watch on better ground.

    And with LITTLE BIG BEAR, the Guineas experiment, plus the fact he was struck into and found to be lame post-race, saw his chances of a Classic disappear as well. A shame, but that is horse racing.

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    Despite that, we kick on into the Chester May Festival that is on ITV this week, and alongside Lingfield Derby and Oaks Trials on Saturday, this week is one to be excited by.

     

    No Bluff with his chances

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    Iā€™m starting with the Chester Cup this week and although it may not be an ante-post play by the time this goes up, it still warrants me putting him up as CALL MY BLUFF at 12/1 is top of my shortlist.

    For starters, he is a proven horse around Chester thanks to his second in the Watergate Cup behind Emiyn last September on good to soft ground and his win at Chester in June 2021 also builds on the idea that he can handle the course well.

    That form on Good to Soft from September is also useful information as it is set to be slow ground throughout the meeting thanks to the rain expected on Thursday and Friday.

    Furthermore, his run last time out behind a Novel Legend, the ante-post favourite for the race who has missed out on a run by one place, reads well as the winner was race-fit coming into the contest while the six-year-old was coming off a 195-day break.

    His trainer, Dominic Ffrench Davis, has a 25% strike rate currently and John Egan, his rider when second at Chester three starts ago, is booked to do the steering.

    Taking that all in, 16/1 is a fair price.

    Ā 

    Sweet as a Rose

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    I have just the two horses to highlight this week and Iā€™m going to Lingfield for the Oaks Trial on Saturday for my final fancy as SEA OF ROSES at 5/1 holds lots of interest.

    The field is full of unknowns and this Sea The Moon three-year-old is one of them having finished a good second behind the exciting Pensee Du Jour at the start of April in the Group 3 Prix Penelope.

    That run was very encouraging over 1m2f and she was running well to the wire on soft ground, hopefully meaning the 1m3f on Saturday in worsening conditions should be fine.

    Furthermore, she beat Infinite Cosmos at the backend of last season at Doncaster over a mile, form that looks very good after the Sir Michael Stoute three-year-old bolted up at Newmarket on her next start and is now the 7/1 second favourite.

    The Andrew Balding team like this three-year-old, who is very closely related to Chris Wallerā€™s Group 3 winner Desert Icon, and with the in-form Oisin Murphy set to get the leg-up, SEA OF ROSES is a good play at 5/1.

  • Punchestown Festival Day One & Two Bets

    Punchestown Festival Day One & Two Bets

    Last week was a good week for the ante-post analysis column.

    SAIL AWAY at 6/1 duly obliged in some style at Ayr thanks to a brilliant Bridget Andrews ride and both MILKWOOD and EMPIRE STEEL had good spins in their relative races.

    With Scotlandā€™s big day now behind us, we head to Punchestown for the final big spring festival of the national hunt season and although Willie Mullins looks to have a stronghold on all five days, there are a few interesting bets.

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    Here are my angles into the first two days of the Punchestown Festival.

     

    Hopes with PaulĀ 

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    The opening race of the week is one of the most interesting contests of the whole five-day event with the market at 11/4 the field.

    Runners who have gone to Cheltenham and Fairyhouse collide with contenders who come into this fresh and itā€™s Martin Brassilā€™s WALK WITH PAUL at 9/1 that holds my biggest interest.

    Plenty in here – Shecouldbeanything, Nikini, and The Model Kingdom ā€“ all come into the race from having run at the Maresā€™ Novicesā€™ Hurdle at Cheltenham and the form has taken a bit of a whacking since, so Iā€™d be weary to be looking at these runners.

    WALK IN PAUL arrives at Punchestown having finished very close to the useful Deeply Superficial at Limerick on her last run while giving two pounds away to the winner ā€“ Deeply Superficial did run a good race at Cheltenham considering she came back lame having pulled up after the second-last.

    If you can forgive the run behind Corbetts Cross and Find A Fifty at Naas in February, a race that looks good on form anyway, then her maiden hurdle win in January was very promising, displaying a good level of speed and jumping throughout.

    Martin Brassil is a trainer whom I rate highly and he has been good at these spring festivals so far this year thanks to his two close seconds at Cheltenham, so with her in receipt of three pounds from some of the field, she could be there at the finish.

     

    A Classic winnerĀ 

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    The first Classics of the flat season are just around the corner with the Guineas at Newmarket occurring next weekend, however, my mind is on another Classic in the form of a Cheveley Park runner today as CLASSIC GETAWAY at 7/2 is the way I want to play the Dooley Insurance Group Champion Novice Chase.

    The seven-year-old hasnā€™t been seen since his beginnersā€™ chase win in November, however, on bare form alone, he had JOURNEY WITH ME, a horse who reappears here, beaten at the second-last before he fell as well as finishing ahead of stablemate MINELLA COCOONER who was a runner-up twice in two Grade 1 hurdle races last season.

    I think there is plenty of scope to take on his owner and stablemate Sir Gerhard in the fact that Iā€™m not convinced that he is a true stayer or as good as people think he is and his run behind Flame Bearer over 2m4f at Fairyhouse last time out, just 16 days ago, looked very laboured to my eye.

    Journey With Me is the worthy favourite in the fact that he is very consistent but we are still yet to see him perform in Grade 1 company and the rest of the field, bar JAMES DU BERLAIS who looks to be overpriced at 12/1, wouldnā€™t be to my liking.

    If he is 100% for today, which would be a small concern considering he has had more setbacks than runs in the last 12 months, I think he will take a lot of beating with the mustard man Danny Mullins in the saddle.

     

    Royalty to retain thrownĀ 

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    And finally, day two at the Punchestown Festival is difficult in the Grade 1s but Iā€™m turning to the 2m5f handicap chase at 7:05 for a scummy each-way play as I think ROYAL RENDEZVOUS looks very interesting back in the race he won 12 months ago.

    The 11-year-old was very good last year to sneak up the nearside rail under Paul Townend and win off a five-pound higher mark than he will have to carry this time around and it seems to be great placing from the team at Closutton to get him down from a high-mark of 165 by running him in three Graded races since ā€“ their hand was slightly forced due to his rating, however.

    Youā€™d have to say that even though he has yet to show too much promise in his three runs since, a good pipe-opener last time out at Fairyhouse should have him spot-on for the ā‚¬100,000 contest and with William Hill going 6/1 about him on a very workable mark, he sets the standard in this nine-runner field and looks to be a sneaky each-way play on a tough day of racing at Punchestown.

     

  • 14/1 Scottish Grand National Tip: Ante-post analysis

    14/1 Scottish Grand National Tip: Ante-post analysis

    This weekend sees us go from Aintree to Ayr as we turn our attention to a Scottish rendition of the Grand National, a race brilliantly won last year by Christian Williams’ Win My Wings.

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    After the high-drama issues and performances both on and off the track over the weekend at horse racingā€™s biggest singular day, the Scottish Grand National homes into view to draw our attention away from the regular debates occurring between us and those of an opposing view.

    With that being said, I have three horses at 6/1, 14/1, and 14/1 to highlight for BestofBets.com that are set to run in Scotland on Saturday.

    Letā€™s dive in.

     

    Sailing to success

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    My first fancy for the weekend comes in the Novices’ Champion Handicap Chase and Iā€™ll be taking a swing at Dan Skeltonā€™s SAIL AWAY at 6/1 to continue his progression.

    Having finished second when giving six pounds away to the future two-time Ultima winner and Grand National successor, Corach Rambler, in October 2021, this gallant grey looks like heā€™ll relish a good three miles at a course that promotes precise jumping, something Sail Away has locked down.

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    When receiving his correct conditions of better ground and three miles, the Martaline gelding has finished second to Dusart in a novice chase at Leicester, third in a competitive handicap chase at Aintree, and easily won a three-runner Warwick contest.

    His second to Jetoile last time out reads well considering it was over the wrong distance on slow ground and that run last month should have him 100% for Ayr on Saturday.

    At 6/1, taking into account the horses he has run into and the performances he has consistently been putting in for nearly two years, Sail Away looks like a solid proposition in the second race of the day.

     

    The former champion is back

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    Iā€™m going to the Scottish Champion Hurdle at 2:25 for the second ante-post fancy of the weekend and it looks to be a very competitive field thanks to Colonel Mustard, Nemean Lion, and Iceo.

    Before I give my fancy, I think ANNA BUNINA at 8/1 has got a good chance. She has constantly been improving from her win in this race last year and back on better ground, her form with Gaelic Warrior and Queens Brook reads well off a mark of 142.

    However, itā€™s the 2021 champion MILKWOOD who gets the nod from me at 14/1.

    He pulled up on his last start in the County Hurdle on ground that wouldnā€™t have been too favourable and with the surface set to be quick enough on Saturday, he should get his correct conditions.

    Neil Mulhollandā€™s nine-year-old won this race two years ago off a four-pound higher mark and was a not-too-distant fifth in the 2022 renewal of the contest off a 12-pound higher mark.

    He has been performing well this season and looked to be going well in the competitive Swinton Handicap Hurdle at Haydock in May before falling two-out, so at a course he seems to thrive off, on ground that will be suitable, and with a workable handicap mark, 14/1 seems a reasonable price for this former winner.

     

    A Steel of a price

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    And finally, following his victory over Coral Gold Cup victor Le Milos last time out,Ā EMPIRE STEELĀ is the horse for me in the feature race of the weekend, the Scottish Grand National, at 14/1.

    I always thought this horse was waiting to land a big handicap event so to see him win a Listed race when beating the Dan Skelton runner at Kelso when seven pounds wrong at the weights was surprising, however, the handicapper has potentially let him off with one by only raising him four pounds for the effort.

    This gallant grey was second to the useful Potterman in March 2022 off a one-pound higher mark in a race that was run over 3m2f on good ground; he kept on at the finish that day which shows promise that he could handle a marathon trip on decent ground.

    Furthermore, not too long ago, this nine-year-old beat Protektorat in a novice chase at Kelso in the same year that he fell at the fourth-last in the 2021 Rowland Meyrick at Wetherby when clearly going the best.

    Empire Steel is in the best form of his life and off a mark of 145, he is capable of producing a career-best effort when he needs it the most.

  • Grand National 2023: Ante-post analysis

    Grand National 2023: Ante-post analysis

    Well, Cheltenham has been and gone like the revolving circus that it is and the national hunt season is slowly, but surely, dwindling away as we head into the height of the summer.

    Royal Ascot and the Epsom Derby seem like they are arriving quicker than anyone would like, however, we still have Aintreeā€™s Grand National extravaganza to look forward to.

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    With the meeting becoming its own mini ā€˜Festivalā€™ now, here are the horses from the three-day event that Ash Symonds of BestofBets.com will be looking to keep on the side of.

     

    Grand National: Roi Mage 50/1Ā 

    We are starting with my captain of the meeting, the horse that will be leading the troops into battle, and the competitor that if it wins, Iā€™ll be talking about for many years to come.

    Thatā€™s right, I will be on the side of Patrick Griffinā€™s ROI MAGE for the blue-ribboned event, the Grand National.

    Now, I wouldnā€™t blame you for not knowing this horse very well, however, there is a strong case to be made.

    Before this 11-year-old moved to Griffin in 2022, he ran some very good races over the water in some of the top races in France for his previous trainer, a stint that included a good fourth in the 2021 Grade 2 Grand Steeple-Chase de Compiegne when giving weight away and a facile win in the Listed Prix The Stomp Chase at Compiegne.

    Since moving over to Ireland, he beat Augusta Gold and Samcro at Down Royal in March 2022 when wrong at the weights, finished a good third in the 2022 Grand Steeple-Chase-Cross-Country de Compiegne, was running a good race at Cheltenham Trials Day before falling at the 20th, and he gave five pounds away to Longhouse Poet and Burrows Saint at Down Royal when finishing a close second.

    The form looks very favourable in my eyes and will carry 10-8, his lowest racing weight for five years.

    All things considered, 50/1 is massive and connections are quite sweet on his chances, as shared by assistant trainer James Griffin in the recent Only Fools Love Horses video sponsored by us at BestofBets.com (23:30-36:00).

     

    Liverpool Hurdle: Champ 7/1

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    Iā€™m interested in CHAMP for the Liverpool Hurdle due to the power of deduction.

    Time and time again, we see horses who have had hard races at the Cheltenham Festival underperform at Aintree ā€“ looking at just last year, Lā€™Homme Presse, Thyme Hill, Protektorat, and even Champ all ran well below their best having performed at a good level the month before.

    Looking at the Grade 1 Liverpool Hurdle, Teahupoo, Flooring Porter, Sire Du Berlais, Dashel Drasher, and Home By The Lee all ran in the Stayers Hurdle whilst Marieā€™s Rock ran in the Maresā€™ Hurdle and Thyme Hill ran in the Brown Advisory Novicesā€™ Chase.

    All of these horses could show up at Aintree for the three-mile Grade 1 hurdle having run at Cheltenham which leaves just Champ who hasnā€™t run since his third to Paisley Park in the Long Walk Hurdle on Boxing Day.

    The Nicky Henderson-trained gelding has an impeccable record when fresh, a stat that reads 1, 2, 1, 1, 2, 1, 1, 2, 1, 1 when running after a 70+ day layoff.

    With that in mind, this relatively lightly-raced 11-year-old could outrun his odds of 7/1 if he is on song again, however, I would be fearful of Teahupoo from the market rivals as he is probably the best horse in the race and if he turns out well from Cheltenham, a Stayersā€™ Hurdle that was run in attritional conditions, he could be the one to upset Champā€™s party and if you are happy to back both in the same race, I wouldnā€™t put you off that.

     

    Aintree Bowl: Conflated 9/2

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    This yearā€™s Aintree Bowl over three miles could be one of the hottest renewals of the contest for the last few years as Shishkin, Ahoy Senor, Bravemansgame, Conflated, and A Plus Tard are all prominent in the betting market at the time of writing.

    The former would be stepping up to this distance for the first time in his career and all of the others ran in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, with Bravemansgame finishing a good second to Galopin Des Champs.

    All will go to the race with live chances, but Iā€™d be keen to give Conflated a chance at 9/2.

    Taking in the conditions of the race, Iā€™d say Gordon Elliottā€™s runner is the second-best horse of the group and is still improving, as shown by his good third in the blue-ribboned event at the Festival when finding a bit of trouble in running under Sam Ewing, a jockey who only knew he was going to be riding him 20 minutes before the race after Davy Russell stood himself down for the day.

    The one query Iā€™d have about his run last time out is I wasnā€™t sure how well he saw out the 3m2f of the Cheltenham test, but back to three miles on a flat track in a race he was second in last year (he should have won if he was more prominent), I think all things lead to him running a good race.

    The only horse that might just have the edge over him is Bravemansgame and it seems like connections are lining up this contest for their King George winner, however, Iā€™d have a small query about how hard a race he had in the Gold Cup and whether he can bounce back to that form again.

    Conflated should be fine reappearing at Aintree so soon after Cheltenham as he did the same last year when falling in the Ryanair at the penultimate fence before finishing second in this race.

    So, itā€™s my cliff horse that gets the nod for me.

     

    Mersey Novices’ Hurdle: Letsbeclearaboutit 14/1

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    To finish off my Grade 1 fancies, I’ll be taking a swing at Letsbeclearaboutit for Gavin Cromwell in the Mersey on Saturday.

    He is trying 2m4f for the very first time having won a bumper nicely as a six-year-old over two miles as well as a good second to American Mike over 2m6f in 2022.

    Since then, he has ran into the top staying novices in the hurdling division this season over three miles and he ran a great race in the Albert Bartlett for all he maybe didn’t truly see out the trip.

    He has shown plenty of gears from his bumper victory and throughout all his races this season and even in his 22-length victory two starts ago, there is obviously a good power unit there.

    At this new trip that I think could bring out improvement, I’ll be siding with him alongside DARK RAVEN at 13/1 for Willie Mullins who has been crying out for a step up in trip and he ran a belting race in the Supreme for 80% of the race before being caught for a bit of speed at the finish.

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    An extra four furlongs will be perfect for him, in my opinion, so those two horses are where I’ll be keeping my faith with.

    Handicap fancies

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    There are also a few in handicaps that are grabbing my interest.

    In the Topham Handicap Chase over the national fences, Iā€™ll be chancing PHOENIX WAY at 16/1 for JP McManus.

    Heā€™s down to a low mark of 138 having finished second to Annsam in December 2021, a horse who has now improved 15lbs since, before an easy win at Ascot in January 2022 off 140.

    Back to a middle-distance trip of the Topham and off this low mark, he should be very competitive at 16/1.

    And finally, and stick with me on this one, I think that JASON THE MILITANT could be ready to step back to his former glory in the William Hill Handicap Hurdle at 2:20 on Friday.

    Having been a Grade 1 horse at one point in his career, he moved from Henry de Bromhead to Philip Kirby at the start of the year and has now dropped down to a mark of 146.

    Joe Williamson is set to claim five pounds off his back and if the ground turns up soft, something that could happen with the incoming rain on Thursday, this horse off an effective mark of 141, having run a super race on Trials Day off an eight-pound higher mark over the wrong distance, is big enough at 66/1 for me to take a swing.

  • Only Fools Love Horses: Easter Weekend Racing Preview

    Only Fools Love Horses: Easter Weekend Racing Preview

    This weekā€™s Only Fools Love Horses YouTube video is sponsored by us over here at BestofBets.com, a video that covers racing action from top to bottom over the Easter period.

    Ash Symonds, Harry Beard, and Lee Gibson take a look at the all-weather finals that are taking place at Newcastle on Friday before moving onto the ITV Racing action from Musselburgh for the Queenā€™s Cup Heritage Handicap in Scotland.

    Here’s why you should watch the channel, from Ash.

    If you aren’t familiar with us Only Fools Love Horses lads, we are three enthusiastic racing fans who have been doing YouTube for just over a year and our big Cheltenham Festival Preview had some brilliant guests that included Upping The Ante’s Johnny Dineen, Emma Nagle from Irishracing.com, and Paul Callaghan from The Irish Field.

    Our big aim is to try and get a new audience into horse racing because this is a sport that we love and a sport that we hope others can begin to enjoy.

    This week, Harry has a massive 50/1 fancy in the feature race on Saturday, Lee has set his eyes on Leopardstown as a certain Allegorie De Vassy could be making her first start since the Cheltenham Festival and I’ve made a strong case for an ex-Aidan Oā€™Brien sprinter in the Scottish Sprint Cup that could still be unexposed.

    Moving on to Sunday and itā€™s full steam ahead to the Grade 1 action at Leopardstown as I’m still keeping the faith in the market leader for the very competitive Honeysuckle Maresā€™ Novice Hurdle whilst also sharing an interesting each way angle into the race at a massive 20/1.

    Finally, the trio of us have a good look at the ā‚¬500,000 Boylesports Irish Grand National that headlines the bank holiday weekend. The team throw up double-figure prices left, right, and centre and Lee gives a good word for an 80/1 shot that could outrun its odds in a big way.

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    Make sure to check out the video, like, comment, and subscribe and use the link in the description to check out our exclusive Grand National page at BestofBets.com to see brilliant analysis and tips ahead of Aintree.

  • Irish Grand National Weekend: Ante-post analysis

    Irish Grand National Weekend: Ante-post analysis

    For the opening week of my ante-post column for BestofBets.com, Iā€™m happy with how things turned out with the Irish Grand National just around the corner.

    Saga wasnā€™t declared ā€“ but if anyone followed me on my Twitter (@ASymondsJourno) they would have found the Lincoln winner with Migration -, Sleeping Lion ran okay but couldnā€™t get past fifth, and Fast Response, put up at 12/1, went off the 4/1 joint-favourite and finished second to Vadream.

    All in all, a fair weekend.

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    With this in mind, while many will be on Easter egg hunts all weekend, I have been on the hunt for a few ante-post winners and I have a few horses leading the line.

    However, I did take a deep look into all of the action over on the latest Only Fools Love Horses video, which was sponsored by BestofBets.com.

    So, letā€™s dive in.

     

    All hail the King

    HORSE: King Of Bavaria

    RACE: tote World Pool Scottish Sprint Cup (Saturday, 3:00)

    PRICE: 12/1

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    This is a very nice race and Iā€™ve had to wait until Wednesday to pull the trigger as he was entered for the all-weather finals at Newcastle, however, connections have not declared him, and it looks like they are set to run him on the turf up at Musselburgh instead.

    With 6-10mm of rain predicted across Wednesday and Thursday, the already Good to Soft ground could end up being soft by the time racing starts.

    With that in mind, KING OF BAVARIA looks to be unexposed off a mark of 97 for Michael Appleby.

    The former Aidan Oā€™Brien gelding was a $300,000 yearling and sold to Craig & Laura Buckingham for one-sixth of that price four months ago.

    For the master of Ballydoyle, he won his first two starts on the track on soft ground and ran a good race in defeat when looking a bit green in the Listed Committed Stakes at Navan behind New York City, Cadamosto, and Straight Answer, all horses who are rated between 105 and 110.

    Following an average autumn in handicaps over in Ireland and one appearance in the Group 3 Renaissance Stakes, he moved over to the UK this winter.

    Two conservative runs at Southwell and Lingfield preceded a nice run over six furlongs last time out at Newcastle off Saturdayā€™s handicap mark and a return to five furlongs on turf should see him at his best.

    For reference, he won a Naas handicap on heavy ground on his second start off a two-pound lower mark and he looked impressive then, so for this former 105-rated gelding, I hope he can be competitive on Saturday.

     

    Grand price in the National

    HORSE: Champagne Platinum

    RACE: Boylesports Irish Grand National

    PRICE: 33/1

    There are two horses heading my fancies for the Irish National, both at varying ends of the handicap.

    The main selection is CHAMPAGNE PLATINUM for Enda Bolger in the famous green and gold silks of JP McManus.

    Having finished a staying-on eighth last year off a three-pound lower mark, this nine-year-old ran a super race behind a trio of Gigginstown horses in the Grand National Trial at Punchestown in February.

    The ground is set to be very testing at the Irish track on Monday and this gelding has good form in softer conditions having finished second to Death Duty last year off a one-pound higher mark after beating Ainā€™t That A Shame, the now 146-rated horse, in a beginnersā€™ chase the start before.

    All of the reasons mentioned above would point to a big run, itā€™s a competitive race, but Iā€™m willing to side with the gallant grey for the ā‚¬500,000 contest.

    However, flying the flag for the British in the race, 25/1 about ROYALE PAGAILLE is extremely interesting to me.

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    What are the defining factors that this Venetia Williams-trainer nine-year-old needs? A marathon trip. Check. Bottomless ground. Check. A handicap. Check.

    Believe it or not, Royale Pagailleā€™s official mark of 160 is his lowest handicap rating for two years and having bolted up in the 2022 Peter Marsh Handicap Chase on soft ground off 163, he looks to be well-in.

    A 16-length victory in the 2021 renewal of the formerly mentioned Peter Marsh off just a four-pound lower rating on heavy ground also reads extremely well and he holds a 100% record in handicaps, a stat that not many horses can reel off.

    I wouldnā€™t put anyone off backing both horses each way at 33/1 and 25/1 respectively, and the more I look at it, the more Iā€™m getting excited about the latter.

  • Lincoln Handicap Weekend: Ante-post analysis

    Lincoln Handicap Weekend: Ante-post analysis

    Hello all!

    For those of you who may have missed this, I began writing for BestofBets just before and during the Cheltenham Festival, and having put on a flawless display of handicap fancies throughout the week (they all lost), Bestofbets has brought me back to redeem myself with my weekly column previewing the weekendā€™s racing from an ante-post perspective.

    Now, in my defense, four of the horses picked up each-way money with online bookmakers, but still, a disappointing effort nonetheless at jump racingā€™s Olympics.

    And what a week to bring me back as itā€™s the start of the flat season proper with Doncasterā€™s Lincoln Handicap taking centre stage.

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    I canā€™t wait for the flat season, not because I hate the jumps (I am actually a jumps man through and through), but as with every new season, the excitement of seeing what these horses can do on the big stage is a feeling that canā€™t quite be described.

    So, without any more delay, here are three horses Iā€™m keen on for the Lincoln weekend beginning Saturday, April 1st.

     

    Quick into stride

    HORSE: Fast Response

    RACE: Pertemps Network Cammidge Trophy Stakes (3:00 Doncaster)

    PRICE: 14/1 with William Hill

    Itā€™s only taken me until the third race of the turf season to nail my colours to the mast and those colours happen to be the black and white of Nick Bradley Racing as FAST RESPONSE is of good interest to me.

    The four-year-old Fast Company offspring is one of three fillies in the line-up, so she receives a five-pound allowance from the boys, however, having won a Listed race after August 31st, 2022, she has a three-pound penalty on top of that.

    Looking closer at her last run, she was very good on heavy ground over course and distance to win by two lengths.

    She was officially nine pounds wrong at the weights the third, Art Power, and 12 pounds wrong with Commanche Falls, the fifth who reappears here, because of her three-year-old and fillies allowances.

    She has yet to lose on ground slower than soft from her four runs in the conditions with one of those occurring on just her second start, a Winsdor maiden over six furlongs when she beat El Bodegon, now trained by Chris Waller, who was a Grade 1-winning juvenile.

    All form points to her and at 14/1, I will be siding with her.

     

    For King and country in the feature

    HORSE: Saga

    RACE: Pertemps Network Lincoln Handicap (3:35 Doncaster)

    PRICE: 14/1 with William Hill

    John & Thady Gosdenā€™s SAGA is a horse I have had a mixed relationship with over the last season as I was an unfortunate backer of his when he was second by a head in the Britannia Stakes at Royal Ascot last year.

    It maybe wasn’t Frankie Dettoriā€™s finest ride that day, but he was still brandished with an eight-pound hike in the weights for his next run, the Porsche Handicap, where he was eighth.

    Following a mediocre Clipper Logistics run and a promising run behind Algiers, the now Dubai World Cup runner-up, at York in October, the four-year-old is now down to a mark of 102 and has the brilliant Benoit De La Sayette claiming three pounds off his back, so on Saturday, he will effectively only be two pounds higher than his Royal Ascot second.

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    The softer conditions at Doncaster for the Lincoln may not be to his absolute liking, but the team at Clarehaven Stables in Newmarket has given him a gelding operation over the winter and his form from last season to run into three eventual Guineas winners in Maljoom, Coroebus, and Modern Games reads very well.

    Iā€™ll be in his camp for the feature.

    However, and this is a big however, if ISLA KAI gets into the race (he currently needs nine to come out ahead of him to get a run) then I will also be backing him.

    He loves softer conditions and is down to a mark of 92 ā€“ he is good first time out and if he gets a run, 40/1 is massive about this Nigel Tinkler five-year-old.

    If he doesnā€™t get a run, he will most likely take in the Spring Mile (the Lincoln consolation race) earlier on the card and I will be backing him for that race as soon as markets open after declarations.

     

    All-weather action

    HORSE: Sleeping Lion

    RACE: Racing TV Queenā€™s Prize Handicap (3:15 Kempton)

    PRICE: 12/1

    My final thoughts come from the decent action at Kempton on the all-weather and SLEEPING LION looks to have a good chance off a mark of 99.

    This eight-year-old beat Roberto Escobar, Nayef Road, and Earlofthecotswolds last year in an All-Weather Championship Qualifier over course and distance when wrong at the weights with Nayef Road by nine pounds and Roberto Escobar by five pounds.

    Harry & Roger Charltonā€™s gelding had a good reappearance at Kempton last month to blow the cobwebs off when he wasnā€™t fancied so back into handicap company off 99, I think he has the chance of running a big race.