Best Of Bets

Tag: Cheltenham 2023

  • Cheltenham 2023: The Cheltenham 5: Constitution Hill

    Cheltenham 2023: The Cheltenham 5: Constitution Hill

    Of every horse paraded around Cheltenham at this year’s festival there can surely be no bigger certainty. At least, on paper.

    Constitution Hill doesn’t just do wins; they come with elan, grace, elegance and above all sheer thunder.

    Having romped to the Supreme Novices’ crown last year on his Cheltenham bow, Nico De Boinville has since not seen his mount win by less than 12 lengths.

    Even those two occasions saw veritable canters to victory at Sandown last January and also at Newcastle at the start of the calendar year.

    Looking to seal the Champion Hurdle this year, can anyone touch Constitution Hill at Cheltenham?

    A sporting Constitution

    When we talk about Constitution Hill, this horse lives up to his name.

    But such the meteoric rise to stardom, his career has not yet reached its two-year anniversary.

    Nevertheless, trainer Nicky Henderson has groomed one of the finest thoroughbreds around, even if a maiden outing saw his only career defeat to date.

    Pipped by a head to Anyharminasking at Tipperary in April 2021, this rest as they say is history.

    Almost to underline the scorn of losing his first race, the distance this British gelding has won by from that point has been startling.

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    Preparing for Cheltenham with successive destructive takedowns of last year’s runner-up Epatante, Constitution had marked territory for this very week in March.

    Yet, it was the size of winning margin 12 months ago that still stands as the most staggering of performances.

    A year on from that 22-length blitz of Jonbon, can any horse even hope to hold a candle when faced with the might of Constitution Hill and the Cheltenham roar?

    State Man lurks

    The one figure who threatens to play spoiler is State Man.

    Simply put, there is no true way to compare just how Willie Mullins’ 6yo could match up to the might of his foe.

    However, after taking down Honeysuckle and Vauban this term, the pedigree is there, not to mention State Man being a Cheltenham winner last year in the County Hurdle.

    Then, there is also the small matter of a six-win streak coming into this contest.

    The general consensus is, if State Man can remain with Constitution Hill turning for home and heading up the hill, Paul Townend will fancy his chances of going nose to nose with Nico.

    But getting to that point is going to be a tough task. 1/4 odds say as much.

    If stable reports are to be believed, Constitution Hill is coming into the best form of the season just in time for Cheltenham week.

    For all that stand before him, that is a fearsome thought.

  • Cheltenham 2023: The Cheltenham 5: Honeysuckle

    Cheltenham 2023: The Cheltenham 5: Honeysuckle

    When Honeysuckle debuted back in April 2018 at Dromahane in a mares maiden over 3m, her 15-length win was the start of a labour of love.

    Purchased for just €100k at Goffs Punchestown sales, Henry De Bromhead’s most prized of assets has gone on to earn over 13 times that amount.

    To be exact, £1,359,885 million.

    So good was Honeysuckle, few thought she would ever be beaten and until last year there were few signs to the contrary.

    Like all that compete on Cheltenham week, some legacies will continue whilst others begin their own odyssey.

    For Honeysuckle, this year will be the final chapter of an epic saga.

    Though this year may have seen her unbeaten streak ended, can this most wondrous of mares still ride off into the sunset in a blaze of glory?

     

    Honeysuckle: A Cheltenham legacy

    In what will be her fourth pilgrimage to Gloucestershire, Honeysuckle has known little else than how to climb the hill and win.

    Taking her bow at Cheltenham in 2020, Honeysuckle arrived at the festival 8-0 and edged out Willie Mullins’ 4/6f Benie Des Dieux in the Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle.

    Then moving to double figures unbeaten, she returned a year later to claim her first Champion Hurdle.

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    The last time Cheltenham came into view, it was 15-0 and sure enough, a 16th win came with a handsome victory over Epatante in retaining the crown.

    Quite simply with Rachael Blackmore in tow, Honeysuckle was relentless.

     

    A first defeat

    However, winning the Punchestown Champion Hurdle a month later would prove the end of the run.

    This season has brought a statistic not familiar on these – or any other – shores; defeat.

    Third in the Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse back in December, Honeysuckle was then edged out again by a burgeoning State Man at Leopardstown in the Irish Champion Hurdle.

    That forced the hand of owner Kenneth Alexander.

    Whilst State Man will now face-off with Constitution Hill for Honeysuckle’s two-year crown, some punters have lamented not seeing a three-way fight.

    But reality has told a different story.

     

    Mares’ swansong glory?

    Now close to 10-years-of-age, Honeysuckle just doesn’t have the final kick in her arsenal.

    Perhaps then, it is almost fitting that Blackmore and her trusty steed go into battle for very possibly the final time where it all began: The Mares’ Hurdle.

    Without a doubt, it has been tough year for both horse and jockey.

    In the case of a certain 33-year-old from County Tipperary, back in 2021 the world was Blackmore’s oyster.

    The first-ever female jockey to the win the Grand National aboard Minella Times, she also won Leading Jockey at Cheltenham that same year.

    Champion Hurdler with Honeysuckle for the first time in 2021, last term brought more uncertain times but her mount was always the sure thing 12 months ago.

    But that is not the case this year.

    With the duo coming into this contest with successive losses, Blackmore also comes into the festival without a single winner in over a fortnight.

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    In many ways, there may not be much riding on one final race; and yet in so many others, the stakes are huge.

    But taking a second Mares’ win will be no easy task and Marie’s Rock will be in no mood to step down from the throne, nor will a still-improving Love Envoi.

    However, for such a grand horse not to bow out with a win at Cheltenham would be close to a travesty.

    It is sure to be an emotional occasion, not only for horse and rider but for the De Bromhead clan after their own personal tragedy last year.

    After a career the very definition of storied, can Honeysuckle add the gold standard and go four-for-four at Cheltenham?

    If she does, there won’t be a dry eye in the house.

  • Cheltenham Countdown: Ones to watch at Kelso, Newbury and Doncaster

    Cheltenham Countdown: Ones to watch at Kelso, Newbury and Doncaster

    Not that we’re counting or anything, but just two weekends remain on the countdown to Cheltenham 2023.

    Though some have already plotted and planned their journey to Gloucestershire later this month, for others, this weekend holds the earlier priority.

    Saturday in particular sees action at Kelso, Newbury and Doncaster.

    However, so close to the festival will anything be learnt from Saturday’s three cards?

    We’ve picked out one name to watch from each meeting.

     

    13:50, Kelso, Morebattle Hurdle (Group 2, 4yo+, 2m)

    There is a strong Cheltenham presence on hand in our pick from Kelso, the bet365 Morebattle Hurdle.

    Teddy Blue is our punt in Scotland.

    A sixth run of the season for Gary Moore’s ride since wind surgery, the 5yo was third at 10/1 over the same distance at Newbury last time out.

    Finishing behind Aucunrisque and Filey Bay last month in the Betfair Hurdle however, Jamie Moore rode Teddy Blue to victory in January at Lincoln.

    Moore could jump back into the saddle in favour of Caolin Quinn here and will be looking to impress with his current steep price in the SkyBet Supreme next up.

    Could a 6/1 shot with Ladbrokes and Coral be a tidy earner for punters? We believe it can.

     

    14:45, Newbury, BetVictor Greatwood Gold Cup (Group 1, 5yo+, 2m4f)

    Saturday’s sole Group 1 contest in Berkshire comes from the BetVictor Greatwood Gold Cup Handicap Chase and we are turning to Zanza to make it three wins in-a-row at Newbury.

    At the time of writing, none of the seven-strong field are making the trip to Cheltenham but this is nonetheless very competitive.

    In the case of Zanza, the mount of Tom O’Brien came home a hefty 16/1 winner by seven lengths on this very course less than a month back.

    A prior win in front of the Berkshire Stand came in late November, sandwiched by a seventh at Wetherby exactly a month later – won by Ultima Handicap favourite, Into Overdrive.

    To say Zanza has form at Newbury is an understatement and at 11/4 for 5 places with William Hill, has to be worth a decent stake.

     

    15:15, Doncaster, Virgin Bet Grimthorpe Handicap Chase (Group 2, 5yo+, 3m2f)

    Our third punt of the weekend comes from South Yorkshire and the Virgin Bet Grimthorpe Handicap Chase at Doncaster.

    Here at BestofBets we prefer to veer from the favourites and look for better value, but Cooper’s Cross does look the choice here.

    The father-son duo of Stuart and Sam Coltherd are currently with two options for Cheltenham: The Ultima or the Magners Plate.

    The latter could carry greater hopes for the Irish 8yo but the trip here could be revealing.

    The journey here is just 1f longer than the Ultima so if the gelding does impress, an about turn could yet be on the cards.

    Cooper’s Cross has happy memories of Doncaster with victory last time out and in total has won half of his contests this term.

    In the last seven outings the horse has come at worst third – with the exception of being pulled up at Sedgefield last January.

    Races in the region of 3m suit Cooper’s Cross and having beaten Cap Du Nord just over a month ago, has the pedigree to come on top.

    And, if we consider a price of 9/4 with PaddyPower for the current pundit’s pick, Cooper’s Cross can deliver.