Best Of Bets

Tag: Cheltenham 2023

  • Galopin De ‘Champion’ in Gold Cup

    Galopin De ‘Champion’ in Gold Cup

    A new age of staying chasers has been cast on horse racing as Galopin Des Champs put in a superb display of equine brilliance to land the Cheltenham Gold Cup on Friday.

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    Willie Mullins’ seven-year-old locked horns with King George-winner Bravemansgame up the famous Cheltenham hill in the blue-ribboned event, but it was the younger competitor who came out on top in a classic renewal of the £625,000 event.

    Having infamously fallen at the final fence in last year’s Grade 1 Turners Novices’ Chase when clear favourite, something that was described as a “fright” by jockey Paul Townend, Galopin Des Champs built on his Irish Gold Cup victory from last month on the biggest stage of them all, running to a ‘Racing Post Rating’ of 184 and being given Timeform rating of 181.

    “We elected him as our Gold Cup horse where as Al Boum Photo sort of happened,” explained Mullins. “With this fellow we thought he was good enough and that puts you under pressure until the actual day when it has happened and now it has happened.”

    “I didn’t realise what pressure I was under. I’m absolutely delighted for Audrey and Greg Turley and for Paul (Townend), who was under huge pressure to, but he gave him a peach of a ride. He had the confidence to drop him in and come through.

    “I just said to him I think you are on the best horse and the fastest horse so as long as he doesn’t get running with you. He said he will tuck him in somewhere and put him to sleep and he did.

    “It just worked out and he give him a brilliant cool ride. We thought that (it was going to be a true test) as everyone was questioning his stamina.”

    It wasn’t all plain sailing for the clear odds-against favourite on the day, however, as he was out of rhythm in the early stages of the race and he dragged his hind legs through a few fences.

    Legendary jockey AP McCoy described the ride Paul Townend gave the Galopin Des Champs as “brilliant a ride as I have ever seen” on ITV Racing and the winning rider had similar comments to share regarding the difficulty of the race.

    “It was messy for me – I couldn’t get a clean passage early, and he started jumping in the air a little bit, but when I got a bit of room, in fairness to him he came back into a rhythm with me and was very, very brave,” the Irish champion jockey said.

    “I think he got me out of a fair hole, to be honest – I was a lot further back than I wanted to be, but it was just the ride I had to give him.

    “He missed one of the fences coming down the hill, and I thought that was going to put me on the back foot a bit again, but no, straight back on the bridle for me. I don’t think the horse understands how good he is, to be honest.

    “I was happy that when I grabbed hold of him and he picked up for me again, got straight at the last and galloped all the way up the hill and through the line. There’s no doubting his stamina now, anyway.

    “He’s matured, he’s grown up, he’s a bit older, a bit wiser [than last year], and I suppose he surprised me how well he settled the first day [his seasonal debut] at Punchestown, and then going to Leopardstown, I was half-afraid to light him up to see what would happen, but I did away from the stands that day and he came back underneath me after a big jump, so he’s just the full package now.”

    Friday’s success adds to the victories in 2019 and 2020 with Al Boum Photo for the ‘Master of Closutton’ and he feels there could be some more improvement to come from the hugely exciting Galopin Des Champs, as he said: “I think so (on seeing more improvement) as he is only seven and horses do improve until they are eight or nine – I’d like to think there is a little bit of improvement there.”

    As for the second, Bravemansgame, he truly lived up to his name as he was a willing partner in what will be known as a classic duel between two masterful horses.

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    Despite finishing second, trainer Paul Nicholls was extremely pleased with the effort, as he said: “What can you say, I’m just super proud of him and everything went right. He jumped well and he travelled well and I could just see Galopin stalking him a little bit. We wouldn’t do any different.

    “I hate coming second, you know me, but I can’t be anything but proud of the horse. He ran a blinding race and we’ll give it another go next year.

    “We’ll see about Aintree – he had a hard race – and the only places he’ll run are Punchestown and Aintree, but we’ll play it by ear and see how he is. If he didn’t run again this season it wouldn’t be the end of the world, but he’s only run once since Christmas so we could go to Aintree.

    “He’s a young horse, so three or four runs a year is plenty and if we don’t run again we’ll go Charlie Hall, King George and again here next year.”

  • Cheltenham Gold Cup Day Handicaps

    Cheltenham Gold Cup Day Handicaps

    It’s the final day of the greatest show in the world and the Cheltenham Gold Cup takes centre stage in a week that has seen incredible performances, heartfelt stories, and joyous crowd affection.

    And if you still need some help with those pesky handicaps on the final day of the Festival, Ash Symonds of Bestofbets is here to help.

    FRIDAY – County Handicap Hurdle

    The County Hurdle is a race I struggle to work out sometimes – last year I couldn’t see the obvious staring me right in the face and even before that I missed the train Dan Skelton of winners.

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    Skelton has a nice hand with Pembroke this year, certainly a horse that fits the progressive style, and has course form.

    However, I’d be willing to take a different British horse with a similar profile, and that would be GIN COCO at 10/1. This is a horse I have liked since last season having finished second at the Punchestown Festival in April 2022.

    Since then, an easy novice hurdle win in October started his season well, but it’s his Greatwood Hurdle second that really took me back.

    Personally, I didn’t like his trip through the Greatwood – he was a bit too far back, was rushed along (using up plenty of energy) down the Cheltenham hill, and had to come wide around I LIKE TO MOVE IT, a horse who has since won the Kingwell Hurdle and improved 15 pounds, when trying to make his winning run.

    I think when ridden a touch more prominently on the new course, which should suit a tonne better, he could be very dangerous.

    I’ll also give a shout to another British runner in the field and that’s MILKWOOD for Neil Mulholland.

    This is simply because he is handicapped to be very competitive based on his old form.

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    Let me read you off a list: he was third in the 2021 renewal of this race off 140, won the Scottish Champion Hurdle off 142, was second in a Galway Hurdle off 147 to the very good Saldier, and was second in the most recent Welsh Champion Hurdle off 148.

    Following a fairly average run in the Elite Hurdle in November and a decent performance over the wrong trip in February off the back of a 102-day break, the handicapper has given Milkwood a chance off 141 in this year’s County Hurdle, a race that doesn’t look to have a standout performer.

    He is a fiercely good traveler into his races and Mulholland is a brilliant target trainer, so if he continues to run in this rich vein of form, he could be right there at 33/1.

    And to complete the trio of County Hurdle horses, it could be a first Festival success for trainer Richard Spender as at 20/1, WONDERWALL could cause a small upset.

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    His bumper form with Knappers Hill from December 202 reads very well and he was seven seventh in the 2021 Champion Bumper behind Sir Gerhard.

    Fast forward to January 2022 and he beat City Chief while showing plenty of speed at Doncaster and was running a very good race behind Elle Est Belle a month later at Huntington before falling.

    Following a respectable effort behind Sebastopol and Stage Star, the now Turners Novices Chase winner, at Newbury over fences, he returns back to two miles and hurdles off a mark of 134.

    He could be very dangerous if on song at a course he shouldn’t have any issues with.

     

    FRIDAY – Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle

    The Martin Pipe. The race that caused a mass sing-song before flag fall 12 months ago, and the final piece of the puzzle for Ireland to complete their clean sweep on the final day of the Cheltenham Festival last year.

    The horse who has been at the top of my list for a while is IMAGINE for Gordon Elliott, a trainer who loves to have a winner in this race.

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    The five-year-old Montmartre gelding has been running into nice horses all season: Hunters Yarn and Inothewayurthinkin are the main two. The former is a Supreme hope for Willie Mullins and Imagine actually reversed the form with the latter on his most recent start.

    Coming into this race off a British mark of 139, Elliott highlighted this horse as one of his main handicap fancies of the week at the recent Cheltenham Festival Handicap Weights Lunch, so at 6/1, he has all the capabilities to go close.

    His stable and owner mate FIRM FOOTINGS could be the one overpriced at 20/1 in the field.

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    Having run into Deep Cave and Grangeclare West this season, the British handicapper has left him on a mark of 134 which could be very lenient.

    He won over the wrong distance last time out and a return to 2m4f should suit well with the mustard Shane Fitzgerald on board to do the steering.

  • Cheltenham Day 4: Selections and Naps

    Cheltenham Day 4: Selections and Naps

    It’s not been the greatest week of tipping, but BestOfBet’s Oliver Holmes is giving it one last go to win big on Gold Cup day at Cheltenham.

    NAP: STATTLER – Gold Cup – 14/1 William Hill

    I love Stattler. He took the eye on New Year’s Day when he rallied, but failed to beat Minella Indo at Tramore. He finished way behind Galopin Des Champs last time out, but Leopardstown isn’t a stayers’ track, and the Irish Gold Cup fell apart. The ground will be deep at Cheltenham, and I think there’s enough doubts to Galopin’s name, and Stattler can stay on remorselessly.

    E/W BET: Magic Daze – Mares’ Chase – 10/1 Boylesports

    There’s been a lot of talk about this mare in the preview’s circuit, and with good reason. She’s been consistent this season, and has run at the track twice. She was disappointing in last year’s Arkle, but finished second in the Mares’ Novice Hurdle in 2021. She can handle soft ground fine and she’s worth a shot.

    Handicap Best: Cool Survivor – Martin Pipe – 5/1 BetUK

    Novice’s do really well in this race and Cool Survivor has been on my watchlist for a while. He brings Graded form, although they haven’t worked out great. But he seems to be chucked in here and the soft ground helps him. Sam Ewing deserves a Festival winner, and, along with Michael O’Sullivan, he’s a name to look out for in the future.

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    Selections:

    13:30 – Blood Destiny

    14:10 – Pembroke (Path D’Ouroux e/w)

    14:50 – Favori De Champdou (Sandor Clegane e/w)

    15:30 – STATTLER (NAP)

    16:10 – Vaucelet (No Bet)

    16:50 – Impervious (MAGIC DAZE E/W)

    17:30 – COOL SURVIVOR (Iroko e/w)

    The very best of luck!

    For more information and in-depth coverage, please head to Best of Bets’ Cheltenham Specials where you will find extensive coverage of all of today’s horse racing from the 4th and final day of Cheltenham.   

  • Henry de Bromhead glory at Cheltenham Festival

    Henry de Bromhead glory at Cheltenham Festival

    Three is the magic number for Envoi Allen as the nine-year-old comfortably took the Grade 1 Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival for Henry de Bromhead.

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    The former Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and Champion Bumper winner had finished 51 lengths behind Bravemansgame in the King George at Christmas, however, the fan-favourite bounced back to form on Thursday to take secure his eighth Grade 1 contest.

    The victory gave trainer de Bromhead his third winner of the week following success with Honeysuckle on day one and Maskada on day two.

    “I kept saying it to Richard (Thompson, owner) that he was good as he was before going to Kempton (for the King George) and I was really happy with him but he just never showed up,” explained the Gold Cup-winning trainer.

    “I had three, A Plus Tard, himself, and Arctic Bresil that came over here (earlier in the season) and they were all disappointing, but he was in such good form at home (ahead of today) and everyone was delighted with him – I was hoping he would put his best foot forward and he duly did.”

    The future is still very much open as to what they do with Envoi Allen next, as he continued: “I’m not sure what we do – he stayed three miles and the Gold Cup is the race. I’d say if A Plus Tard wasn’t in it, he would have possibly run in it, but we will see what we do next and just enjoy today.”

    The day of surprises continued into the following race as two-time Cheltenham Festival winner Sire Du Berlais returned to his glorious self and won the Grade 1 Stayers’ Hurdle.

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    He beat Dashel Drasher by just under a length, however, the placings between the second and third were reversed after the stewards’ deemed there to have been an interference between the third-placed Teahupoo, who went off as the 9/4 favourite.

    “We were kind of training him for the Pertemps but he came over here to qualify and for some reason, he didn’t run,” said owner JP McManus. “I don’t think he travelled over well or something so Gordon didn’t run him and as a result, he has ended up in the Stayers’ Hurdle. I thought he had a little chance.

    “I’ve not had too many 33/1 winners old but old Creon (2004 Pertemps Final 50/1) won at a big price and Kadoun (2006 Pertemps Final 50/1) but this one I’m afraid went unbacked but still we will just enjoy it just the same.

    “You better ask somebody else why he is so good around Cheltenham and Gordon has done some job on him.”

    Despite a 5-2 thrashing from the Irish on the day, British champion trainer Paul Nicholls began the day in flying form by landing the Grade 1 Turners Novices’ Chase with Stage Star for the Owners Group and jockey Harry Cobden.

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    The success was Nicholls’ first win in three renewals of the Festival and he enjoyed every minute of the race, as he said: “We’ve had a great time here over the years but it is hard to get those horses back but we are building them up again.

    “We have got heaps like him to come through and I think the next few years will be positive. It is hard to win here and we haven’t got the numbers the Irish trainers have and we are up against it all the time but we can only do our best.

    “I thought travelling into the straight he was going well and I knew what Harry (Cobden) was doing but to go and win like that from a horse that we started in bumpers, which is a new thing we do to bring horses through, was fantastic. It is good for everybody at home and Harry.

    “He will be aiming for the Ryanair next year and that is what I’ve always thought – he would get three miles but he has got plenty of boot and he jumps well – but I was always hoping he might be a Ryanair horse after his last run but he had to win today to be a Ryanair horse.”

    The only other British winner on the day came through Jamie Snowden’s You Wear It Well in the Grade 2 Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle, a horse that Snowden admitted he was looking forward to running and she duly obliged for connections.

    A tilt at the Mares’ Hurdle next year could be on the cards, as he said: “We have followed the Love Envoi route so far, Honeysuckle is retiring, and she is going to want a trip.

    “She will jump a fence in time – she jumps great – but we will enjoy today and see where we go.”

  • Cheltenham Festival: Day three handicaps

    Cheltenham Festival: Day three handicaps

    We are past the halfway stage and Ash Symonds has taken a look at the three handicap races on the Thursday of the Cheltenham Festival for Bestofbets.

    THURSDAY – Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle

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    I’m with the British in this race as I think Nicky Henderson could be starting off the day extremely well.

    WALKING ON AIR (10/1) was my Ballymore horse last season from an ante-post perspective before being ruled out of the race – a disappointment at Aintree at the end of the season and two further poor performances in December this season had me questioning whether he was as good as I once thought.

    However, his victory in a Pertemps Qualifier at Exeter on his last run was extremely good – Nico de Boinville was virtually hands-and-heels on him after the last and the handicapper has only given him a five-pound penalty, a lenient one in my books, so I think he could be one to look forward to next season, and he has a great chance in this year’s Pertemps.

    I’d also give a small shout to LEVEL NEVERENDING and HECTOR JAVILEX at two bigger prices.

    The former is 20/1 with William Hill and was a good staying-on third at Warwick in the Pertemps Qualifier and was just behind Perceval Legallois in a 2m4f maiden hurdle 11 months ago, some people’s idea of the winner in this race before connections decided not to declare him.

    As for the latter, he bolted up over course and distance on soft ground on New Year’s Day and got himself qualified by finishing fourth last time out – Charlie Longsdon thinks this is his best chance of the week and he could hit the frame at 16/1 with William Hill.

    THURSDAY – Plate Handicap Chase

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    We move on to one of my favourite handicap races of the week, the Festival Plate Handicap Chase.

    I have just one Irish horse on my radar this year and it’s MARVEL DE CERISY at 16/1 with William Hill.

    This six-year-old is one of the most unexposed horses in the line-up if you can forgive his 47-length defeat at Fairyhouse in December, he has to be right there.

    He started the calendar year of 2022 by finishing second in a big field maiden hurdle to the now 149-rated Meet And Greet by three lengths before bolting up by 19 lengths on his next start.

    On his first start over fences, he was set to be the runner-up to Impervious at Wexford on heavy ground before falling at the last, something he quickly put behind him by gliding home on his next start to beat the nifty Aarons Day.

    If he can bounce back at a distance he seems to relish, he can be very competitive off 142 for Henry de Bromhead having been given a break of 85 days to freshen him up.

    THURSDAY – Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Handicap Chase

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    There’s a horse at the top of the market I like for the Kim Muir, and it’s my first Willie Mullins horse.

    I will be taking a chance on MR INCREDIBLE off top weight as I believe he is one of the most unexposed horses in the line-up.

    He has had a weird season so far having been brought down in the Paddy Power Chase when well-backed to 7/1 at the fifth fence two starts ago – before that, he pulled himself up at Tramore in April and refused to race in the Grade 1 Neville Hotels Novice Chase in December 2021.

    However, on his most recent start in the Warwick Classic Chase, he was staying on extremely well behind Iwilldoit and finished just three lengths away off a mark of 142 – now rated 145, Mullins believes he could be a Grand National horse, and if they decide to send him to the Kim Muir, he will be a horse carrying my money.

  • Cheltenham Day 3 Selections and Naps

    Cheltenham Day 3 Selections and Naps

    Halfway through the Festival and things could’ve gone better for Best of Bets’ napster Oliver Holmes, but the second half looks to be more positive.

    NAP: SHISHKIN – Ryanair Chase – 10/11 William Hill

    To be clear, in one my previews I said that Banbridge would be nap of the Festival. But there’s a massive doubt over his head if he will run, as he needs the ground to, miraculously, dry up. Therefore, I’ve switched to Shishkin, because it’s his race to lose and will love the ground and loves his new trip.

    E/W BET: FURY ROAD – Ryanair Chase – 11/1 William Hill

    Fury Road caught the eye for me, dropping down in trip from three miles in the Irish Gold Cup. His last win actually came over this distance, so there’s no question about the trip. And with the soft ground, and also him being a staying type, he should relish the test.

    Handicap Best: SALVADOR ZIGGY – Pertemps Final – 14/1 BetVictor, William Hill

    Rather unexposed over soft-ish ground, Salvador Ziggy is top weight but has a 7lb claimer, Aidan Kelly, on board, which helps massively. No run since Shoot First won at the track in October should help with freshness.

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    Selections:

    13:30 – Banbridge (Mighty Potter if NR)

    14:10 – SALVADOR ZIGGY (The Changing Man e/w)

    14:50 – SHISHKIN (NAP) (FURY ROAD E/W)

    15:30 – Home By The Lee

    16:10 – So Scottish (Shakem Up’Arry & War Lord e/w)

    16:50 – Lot Of Joy (Jetara e/w)

    17:30 – Dunboyne (Coeur Serein e/w)

    The very best of luck!

  • Back-to-back Champion Chases for Willie Mullins

    Back-to-back Champion Chases for Willie Mullins

    The Willie Mullins show rolled into Cheltenham Racecourse on Wednesday as the Irish champion trainer landed a 7/1 Grade 1 double.

    The best of all came in the feature event of the day as Energumene became the 11th horse to win back-to-back Queen Mother Champion Chases under an ecstatic Paul Townend.

    A bet of £400,000 was placed on the nine-year-old with Star Sports Bookmaker at odds of 7/5, winning the punter £580,000 once the Tony Bloom-owned gelding crossed the winning line.

    Post-race, Mullins shared that he was confident coming into the contest, as he said: “Paul came home from the Clarence House and said they won’t beat us again. The horse’s work and jumping and everything has been brilliant and we were just keeping our fingers crossed for a clear round.

    “I was way more confident coming into this year’s race as we hadn’t got Shishkin to take on and we thought if there was any improvement from the Clarence House that with hopefully with a clear round he would win.”

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    Similar excitement was shared by Townend, who said: “That was easy, to be honest. I got in a lovely rhythm on him, after the first two fences he was taking them on, he was quick at them, and it was simple – it was just a matter of keeping him in a rhythm after that.

    “He allowed me to ride him more forward [than in the Clarence House Chase] because he took on his fences better today. Looser ground probably helped as well and played a factor in it, but he was just more forward. He felt a different horse today.”

    However, Energumene’s success over two miles in the Champion Chase was not the first time the ‘master of Closutton’ had been talking to journalists, as he had been tipping his hat to the fans two hours earlier following Impaire Et Passe’s success in the Grade 1 Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle.

    With a quizzical look on his face, the most-winning Cheltenham Festival trainer in history is already looking towards the future, as he said: “I’m looking at him as a chaser; you have to ask yourself now, do you stay hurdling? What would you do?

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    “The change of pace down to the last and up the hill – wow. I think that was the horse’s fourth run in his life, so there’s a huge improvement there.

    “You have to look at everything, including the Champion Hurdle. Yesterday I was telling Michael Buckley, we’ll have to go shopping again to find one to beat you [Constitution Hill], but maybe we haven’t yet!

    “He’s in the same sort of mold with his speed, jumping and the way he came up the hill, so maybe we have one.”

    Impaire Et Passe went off as the 5/2 second favourite and it looked like it was going to be two from two for the well-backed horses at the start of the day, however, The Real Whacker bravely fended off the challenge of the favourite Gerri Colombe to win the Grade 1 Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase.

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    It was a fantastic result at the home of jump racing and the crowd loved the game performance, none more so than joint-owner David Mann, who said: “My heart is pounding and my stomach is all over the place. I can’t believe we have had this winner. It is the best day of my life.

    “To come here in November and have a winner was so unreal, to come here New Year’s Day and do it was great. Everybody knows I suppose the king of the crop is the big festival meeting which is today.

    “Sam Twiston-Davies gave him such a great ride and we are so proud of the team, especially Paddy Neville who came over from Ireland two years ago.

    “He is one of my best friends that I grew up with in the same village in Ireland. Paddy has done so much and brought this horse on.”

    Fast forwarding to the final race of the day, it was a tale of two Johns in the Grade 1 Champion Bumper as 18-year-old John Gleeson produced a brilliant ride onboard A Dream To Share for 85-year-old John Kiely.

    Having burst onto the scene at the Dublin Racing Festival following two victories in summer bumpers, the Brucetown Farms Ltd-bred five-year-old powered up the famous Cheltenham hill to please the remaining crowd at Prestbury Park.

    “It’s like a dream and I can’t believe it and even being at the Festival is just unreal,” smiled Gleeson. “It’s very special as we’re a small team at home, but we try our best to get to the next stage and to win.

    “I can’t believe it – I’ve been going to John’s with dad for as long as I can remember really, he’s 10 minutes up the road from us and I ride out this horse every day before going to school. He’s very special.”

  • Constitution Hill Roars To Success At Cheltenham

    Constitution Hill Roars To Success At Cheltenham

    Constitution Hill Roars To Success At An Unforgettable Cheltenham Festival

    The stars aligned perfectly on day one of the Cheltenham Festival as Constitution Hill bounded up the famous hill to land the prestigious Champion Hurdle.

    Last year’s Supreme Novices’ Hurdle winner was priced at 1/3 with William Hill before the off and despite having to face the four-time Grade 1 winner State Man, Nicky Henderson’s six-race unbeaten gelding won by nine lengths.

    On what was a memorable day in the history of Prestbury Park, the master trainer was full of emotion after the success.

    “It is an extraordinary thing to happen but he is an extraordinary horse,” said Henderson. “He is a freak. I said to Nico let’s keep it as simple as you possibly can, and he did.

    “I’ve watery eyes, I always have had and I always will have but that would bring a tear to most eyes when you see a horse quite like that as I think that is pretty unique.

    “That is only the sixth race of his life and he is doing that now. We have had some wonderful days with Sprinter Sacre in particular. This horse is going to extraordinary levels at the moment and we are lucky to be the custodian of him but a lot of responsibility goes with it.”

    The wide-margin victory was perfectly facilitated by jockey Nico de Boinville as his hands and heels ride after the final turn was all that was needed to collect his first Champion Hurdle title, adding to his successes in the Gold Cup and Champion Chase.

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    “He could do anything – I’m sure we will try him over a fence at some point. I guess we don’t want to pigeonhole him just as a hurdler; he could be anything.

    “I think he’d be good over a fence. As racing fans, that’s what we want to see. I find in recent years horses have tended to get pigeon-holed too much, bar Faugheen. It could be interesting, and he’s still so young.

    “It was all very smooth today. You saw him – as soon as he got to the front, he pricked his ears and said, ‘come on, let’s go, go and do the business.’. He’s so straightforward and these Blue Bresils, they seem to bring that element of attitude to the game. He takes it all in his stride – he’s so relaxed.”

    The fairytale continued into the following race, the Mares’ Hurdle, as two-time Champion Hurdle winner Honeysuckle made it four Festival wins in a row under her regular rider, Rachael Blackmore.

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    In what was one of the best atmospheres ever experienced around the hallowed parade ring of Prestbury Park, the nine-year-old mare returned to a sea of cheers, blue scarves, and smiling faces.

    Post-race, an ecstatic and emotional Henry de Bromhead said: “It’s just incredible. I am just so happy for the mare, for Rachael, and for all of us.

    “You dream of the fairytale ending, but so often it doesn’t happen – this is what she deserves and she is just an unbelievable mare, and I’m just delighted.

    “I think in fairness, we’ve obviously had a terrible year with Jack and everything, and just the support people have given us has been amazing. Today, most of the cheers are for Honey, because she has been so unbelievable, but everyone has shown us so much support.”

    Elsewhere on Champions Day, Irish claimer Michael O’Sullivan ended the day as the leading rider following his two winners on Jazzy Matty in the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle and, most importantly, Marine Nationale in the opening contest of the week, the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.

    “I’ve been riding in races since I was very young so I’ve plenty of experience and I’m confident enough in my own ability without being over-confident and I’m riding good horses for good people and that makes it a lot easier,” chuckled O’Sullivan.

    “I suppose it is hard to appreciate it and it is hard to be topped but I’m enjoying every minute of it. I was coming here with a good book of rides and to win the first one takes the pressure off.”

    Cheltenham Festival’s most-winning trainer Willie Mullins walked away from day one with a double in two Graded contests thanks to El Fabiolo in the Arkle and Gaillard Du Mesnil in the National Hunt Chase, while the Ultima Handicap Chase was won for the second year in a row by Corach Rambler.

    Immediately following the Arkle, joint-owner Isaac Souede shared that he believes this horse can go onto big heights in the future.

    “Willie [Mullins] thinks he’s got great potential so in Willie we trust – he’s a very athletic horse!

    “I think it is a step up from his Irish Arkle win because the competition, as hard as it was in Leopardstown, was harder here. I think he is a bit of an underrated jumper, but he likes to give you at least one scare!”

    These comments were shared by Mullins who has some huge targets for the future.

    “He looks like a horse who could be Champion Chase material, so that’s where we are going to aim him anyhow.

    “He’s improving and he has less experience than the other horses in the race and he’s open to more improvement.”

  • Festival Focus: Cheltenham Day Two Handicaps

    Festival Focus: Cheltenham Day Two Handicaps

    The second day of the Cheltenham Festival is for the two-mile chasers as the Champion Chase takes centre stage at 15:30.

    Wednesday also sees the Grand Annual immediately follow over the same course and distance, a race that is the second handicap of the day thanks to the ultra-competitive Coral Cup earlier in the card.

    Therefore, BestOfBets has taken a look through both races to try and find a few interesting fancies.

    WEDNESDAY – Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle 

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    Difficult. Very difficult. 

    The first horse that stands out is BEACON EDGE for Noel Meade in the famous Giggingstown House Stud silks at 12/1 with William Hill. 

    Since his Grade 1 Drinmore Novices’ Chase victory nine starts ago, the nine-year-old has had a tough time of things in Graded company having failed to finish in the places in five of his last six starts. 

    However, since returning to hurdles, he ran a great race behind Blazing Khal, the now Stayers’ Hurdle favourite, in the Grade 2 Boyne Hurdle last time out, and the British handicapper has only brandished him with an extra two pounds for the run.  

    For a horse who was a close third to Honeysuckle in the 2020 Hatton’s Grace Hurdle in November 2020, he can be competitive off a mark of 147 on his first handicap attempt. 

    Of the rest, I am again sticking with the Irish here as both TAX FOR MAX and THE VERY MAN look to be very interesting.

    The former ran a good race behind Gaelic Warrior in the Liffey Handicap Hurdle at the Dublin Racing Festival but found a few horses too quick for him and this step up to 2m5f should suit very well.  

    As for the latter, he is relatively unexposed at this distance, having finished third to Darver Star, a 149-rated hurdler, in September 2022 when carrying 10 pounds less than the winner. 

    He was slightly disappointing in the Martin Pipe last season, however, he ran a great race in the ‘Up The Yard Challenge Race’ last time out at Punchestown, a race that isn’t in the formbook of this horse on the Racing Post, beating the nifty Scaramanga when giving away six pounds on the flat – Scaramanga is officially rated 147 by the British handicapper, so with The Very Man running off 139, he looks to be well handicapped, especially with seven-pound claimer Conor Smithers booked for the ride.

     

    WEDNESDAY – Grand Annual Handicap Chase 

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    We are three races into the handicap analysis and I am yet to fancy a British horse (apart from the mention of Cloudy Glen in the Ultima).  

    Does this change now?  

    YES! 

    Two horses are on my radar for the Grand Annual, and the first is trained by the very in-form David Pipe team who are running at a 26% strike rate at the time of writing. 

    I’m taking a big swing and hoping he returns back to form, but SIZING POTTSIE is a massive price at 25/1 with William Hill.

    Let’s get the negatives out of the way first: he has been soundly beaten on his last two starts in Graded company in both the Desert Orchid Chase and Clarence House Chase. In his most recent spin, he was held up right at the back alongside Edwardstone, tactics that have rarely seen him win in the past and this was a similar case in the Desert Orchid too. 

    Before that, he bolted up on stable debut in a novice hurdle at Ayr when well-fancied and he was only beaten by five lengths in the Listed Newton Novices’ Hurdle at Haydock in November – the winner of that race was Tahmuras, a Grade 1 winner in the Tolworth Hurdle and a general 10/1 shot for the Supreme.

    Harking back to his days with Jessica Harrington in Ireland, he was rated 155 at his peak when beating the likes of Master McShee, Entoucas (second in the 2021 Grand Annual), and Cut The Mustard, as well as holding solid form behind Melon, Energumene, and Captain Guinness (in a maiden hurdle). 

    The handicapper has given him a right chance off 140 having dropped him 15lbs from just three chase races. He may not be at his best anymore, but for this nine-year-old, I’m happy to take the chance off this rating.

    It wouldn’t be a handicap chase at Cheltenham without mentioning a Gordon Elliott runner and I think he could have a nice one in CALL ME LYREEN at 20/1 with William Hill.

    There was talk that this seven-year-old could have been heading to the Plate Handicap Chase instead, but it seems like connections have decided to come here.

    His form behind Visionarian from July has worked out very well and he was running two very good races behind much higher-rated horses in Kilarney and Listowel earlier this season before a terrible mistake hualted his progress.

    Off a workable 145 rating, he could be a potential Graded horse in a handicap if his race behind Kemboy and Easy Game, a contest he fell in when travelling ver well, is anything to go by.

  • Cheltenham 2023: Festival Q&A with Tony Paley

    Cheltenham 2023: Festival Q&A with Tony Paley

    With the Cheltenham Festival almost upon us, we had a natter with The Guardian’s racing editor Tony Paley, for his take on this year’s National Hunt extravaganza.
    Q: Cheltenham continues as a four-day festival despite speculation it could bestretched into the weekend at some point in the future. How likely do you think this is?

    TP: I don’t think it’s likely at all. I think the five-day Festival is dead in the water after the recent consultation process which revealed so many who were opposed to the idea. Cheltenham don’t seem minded to have a Saturday meeting as part of a four-day Festival either which I think is a big shame as I think you could tap into a huge new audience. ITV would love it and I think they’re right and racing is wrong not to exploit that potential to broaden the meeting’s reach even more.
    Q: Constitutional Hill is arguably the biggest favourite this year in the Champion Hurdle. Asidefrom Nicky Henderson’s mighty 6yo, who would you say is the closest thing to a certainty?

    TP: There are shorter-priced hotpots but the one I like the most and feel most confident about aside from the imperious Constitution Hill is Edwardstone in the Champion Chase. Arkle Trophy winners have a great record in the Champion the following year and Edwardstone ran a mighty race on Trials Day when only just failing to catch Editeur Du Gite and I think it was very significant that his trainer Alan King said he would improve a lot for that.
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    King is planning to have only two runners this week – “there’s no point in sending horses there just to make up the numbers” – and I get the very strong impression he’ll be gutted if his horse doesn’t win.
    Q: The weather in the build-up to the festival has been making headlines. Though the worst ofthe cold looks to be over from a turf perspective, might conditions impact the marketsadversely? Could we see some surprise winners with the softer ground? Any tips?

    TP: The ground is by far the single most important variable in horse racing. Until as recently as a few days ago we were expecting quickish ground and the tips and the markets were skewed in that direction. Then the forecasts went about face and the snow and rain came. The very latest from the clerk of the course is it’s most likely to be soft by the time the tapes rise on Tuesday and it’s always the case that the more testing the going the more the shocks. There is the possibility of plenty of rain on Thursday and I fancy proven soft-ground performer Stage Star (1.30) to run a big race in the Turners Novice Chase. He’ll be out of trouble at the front, has course-and-distance form and is a great jumper which cannot be overestimated around Cheltenham. It’s a hot race but he’s still a double-figure price and looks a cracking each-way bet.
    Q: Cheltenham of course is happy hunting ground for Willie Mullins and the Closutton native isagain huge favourite for Leader Trainer at this year’s festival. Is there any way you think Mullinscan be beaten to the prize for a fifth time on the bounce?

    TP: I was all set to oppose Mr W Mullins with the ground set to ride quicker than normal but now it’s set to be soft I think it’s folly to do so.
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    I like races where there’s a false favourite but Willie now looks unopposable. I wouldn’t be backing him as I don’t bet at those odds but he looks set for a stellar week.
    Q: As far a Champion Jockey goes, Mullins’ number one Paul Townend is an equally short price to notch the most wins this year and defend his crown. Could Nico De Boinville or outsider Danny Mullins yet have a say?

    TP: Nico has the leg up on the Nicky Henderson hotpots and is the obvious one to back if you fancy having a punt in this market, especially as Paul Townend has some tricky choices to make.
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    Q: Rachael Blackmore took the same prize two years ago but has endured a difficult season. Afterso many wonderful wins in the past – especially in front of the stand – are you expecting her tomake a resurgence at Cheltenham or has the field now overtaken her?

    TP: She’ll be hoping Honeysuckle can do her a favour on day one but I don’t think she’ll even win what looks a terrific Mares Hurdle on that one despite them ducking Constitution Hill in the Champion Hurdle. Her current odds of 16-1 are an accurate reflection of her chances I’m afraid.
    Q: Is there a particular horse you are looking forward to seeing at this year’s festival?

    TP: Constitution Hill, Constitution Hill and Constitution Hill. We may see the most outstanding hurdling performance of a lifetime on Tuesday in the Champion Hurdle and I can honestly say I’ve not look forward to seeing a racehorse more on the track since the truly great Frankel. William Hill are offering even money till Tuesday morning – it’s like finding money in the street!
    Q: Finally, Cheltenham often throws up a number of long-value winners during the week. Have you got your eye on any value punts?

    TP: Petit Tonnerre (2.10, Friday) has been trained with this meeting in mind and looks a possible JP McManus plot dropped down in trip for the County Hurdle for which he’s on offer at 25-1.

    BestofBets were speaking to The Guardian’s racing editor Tony Paley