Best Of Bets

Tag: horse racing

  • Four To Follow – Jumps Finale

    Four To Follow – Jumps Finale

    The finale to the jumps season is here, as permutations may happen over the course of seven races. Willie Mullins and Dan Skelton are neck and neck in the trainers championship with the Irishman sending a battalion over to retain the crown. Who will emerge victorious after a long and enduring jumps season?

    The First Warrior

    2:25 – Oaksey Chase (Grade Two) – Gaelic Warrior @ 5/4 (Betfred)

    If you have a Grade One horse, who’s still full of running at the end of the jumps season, why not utilise him? Gaelic Warrior was a bit hit and miss over the Winter, but when stepping up to three miles he relished every inch of ground to win the Aintree Bowl. This trip may be a little shorter, but that won’t be to any consequence as he seems to get any trip Mullins throws at him. The title by this point will be halfway across the Irish Sea.

    Jumps Fitz

    3:00 – Select Hurdle (Grade Two) – Kitzbuhel @ 6/4 (Betfred)

    Kitzbuhel looked awesome on Irish debut and then followed up in a Grade Three before markedly stepping up in trip and finishing fifth in the Liverpool Hurdle three weeks back. The hood is applied for the first time and stepping back in trip will be more suitable, but will take on a Dan Skelton mare who is more used to these sorts of trip. But Mullins horses can do incredible things when asked.

    Just The Usual

    3:35 – Celebration Chase (Grade One) – Jonbon @ 4/7 (William Hill)

    The mad statistic that will forever follow Jonbon around is that he has won at every track outside of Cheltenham. And Sandown is more than just a happy hunting ground for him after scoring here five times and landing two Celebration Chases. This time he’ll be partnered with Mark Walsh, who is a multiple Grade One winner and a revered name in jockeys in Ireland. Not a bad way to try and go for a hat-trick of Celebration Chases.

    Dancing For Gold

    4:10 – bet365 Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Premier H’cap) – Dancing City @ 7/1 (William Hill)

    Willie Mullins has 10 runners in this race. TEN. Half The Field. If that doesn’t tell you that he wants to win the trainers championship again, nothing will. So who has his best chance. Is it Paul Townend on High Class Hero? Rachael Blackmore on Lombron? Klarc Kent going one better than his Scottish National second?

    Dancing City, I believe, is his best chance and the horse that fits the bill out of all the others. He’s a Grade One winner, and makes handicap debut too so will bring a mountain of form into this race. He was last seen falling behind Caldwell Potter and made a bit of a mess to the race to leave the Nicholls’ horse out in front. There’s no doubting he will have been schooled for this jumping test of epic proportions. And if he gets it right, there might not be any stopping him.

    The Brits can’t be discounted too rightly. Handicapper extraordinaire Victorrino makes a first appearance since the Cheltenham Festival, when pulling up in the Ultima Chase. However, he loves going right-handed on a track given his heroics at Ascot in the early part of the season. Surprisingly, this is a first visit to Esher btu will enjoy it’s jumping test and it’s good ground, which is of high importance. 14/1 (Betfred).

    Good old Monbeg Genius has put a decent shift in this season. Second in the mud at Haydock at the start of the season, fourth in the foggiest of Welsh Grand Nationals and blitzing the field in the Midlands Grand National. He pulled up at Aintree and didn’t particularly like to jump the unique fences. Back to normality, he’s down to a nice mark of 145, within the handicap, and will enjoy a marathon trip. 33/1 (General).

    The very best of luck!

  • Four To Follow – Irish Grand National

    Four To Follow – Irish Grand National

    An Easter Monday special as the whole of Ireland heads to Fairyhouse for the final Grand National of the jumps season, the Irish Grand National. Many heroes have been made from this race and have even won Gold Cups and Aintree Nationals. Who will add their name to the illustrious list.

    Baggins?

    2:40 – O’Driscolls Irish Whiskey Juvenile Hurdle (Grade Two) – Its Bilbo @ 9/4 (William Hill)

    Surprisingly, Willie Mullins has not succeeded in this race since 2019 when French made landed the spoils. It always seems to be his eighth or ninth string of juveniles so it’s not worth trusting Blue Lemons. Instead Its Bilbo looks more solid. Broke his maiden on soft ground at Punchestown before finishing fifth in a Grade Two. Then beaten a head last time out, this could be his chance to shine.

    Finally, It’s Mee

    3:50 – Rathbarry & Glenview Studs Hurdle (Grade Two) – Kopeck De Mee @ 5/2 (William Hill)

    Kopeck De Mee has been a funny character since arriving from France. Completely bombed in the Martin Pipe but then somehow rebounded no end to finish a neck second in a handicap hurdle at Aintree. Maybe out of a handicap, Kopeck De Mee can fulfil his full potential after scoring at Listed level in France.

    If the ground let’s down Kopeck De Mee, Lantry Lady is a useful each-way alternative. Won last years Red Mills Trial Hurdle by 9.5L on deep going before finishing fifth in the Mares Hurdle. Was meant to go chasing this year, but that came to a screeching halt when she finished 25L behind Fun Fun Fun. Back over hurdles at an optimum distance she can’t be overlooked. 8/1 (William Hill).

    All Heart

    4:20 – Fairyhouse Chase (Grade Two) – Heart Wood @ 5/6 (General)

    Dropped in grade, no obvious threats from the Willie Mullins yard and finishing second in two Grade One’s this year points to all things Heart Wood in the Fairyhouse Chase. Ground shouldn’t be a problem after beating Corbetts Cross at Wexford on soft ground back in October. He also has a big weight allowance and is one of the highly rated horses in the race. Henry de Bromhead could have a big day in the spotlight if all goes his way.

    Welsh Rare-bit

    5:00 – Boylesports Irish Grand National (Grade Three) – Haiti Couleurs @ 7/1 (William Hill)

    Winning this race for Haiti Couleurs will undoubtedly be one of the stories of the season in terms of how quick and how big a horse can progress. Racing in a class three hurdles and chases all season before hacking up by 4.5L in the National Hunt Chase. Captain Cody and Klarc Kent from that race completed the one-two at Ayr last week in the Scottish Grand National, the form all points in the direction of the Welsh-trained wonder.

    The Irish won’t want the prize heading over the Irish Sea and Daily Present for Paul Nolan will lead the charge of those at an each-way price. Another who won at Cheltenham, narrowly by a neck in the Kim Muir. Interestingly he pulled up in last year’s Irish Grand National off a mark 10lbs lower than today. However, the ground may be more suitable and has made considerable progression this season. 16/1 (William Hill).

    Willie Mullins is never out of the conversation, no matter the race. Sa Majeste may have been one of the more fancied handicap runners at the Festival, and placed a far way behind Daily Present in third in the Kim Muir. However, previous to that picked up a significant three-mile Rated chase win at Fairyhouse. That doesn’t put Sa Majeste totally out of the picture. 16/1 (William Hill).

  • Grand National 2025: First Four Home

    Grand National 2025: First Four Home

    The biggest race of the year. The Grand National. Everyone has their own little traditions, their own ways to pick a winner and their own ways to watch the race around the world. This year, on this column, I aim to pick the National winner, just like last year and the year previous. Could we make it a hat-trick in the biggest race of the year?

    Main Pick: Vanillier @ 14/1 (General)

    The 2023 Grand National second is making the top of the list for me in this year’s race. Last year he was underwhelming finishing well behind in mid-division and his weight was not exactly perfect. Today, however, he returns to that same runner-up mark as 2023, 147. He also has form entering this contest. He won the P.P Hogan Memorial Cross-Country Chase at Punchestown before placing a good third behind stablemate Stumptown in the Cross-Country Chase at Cheltenham last month.

    He loves these types of races and with a low weight can go one better than his 2023 effort. Also he represents a trainer that, arguably, holds the strongest hand in this year’s race, Gavin Cromwell. He runs Perceval Legallois and Stumptown, but Vanillier’s experience over these National fences should not put him down the pecking order.

    Runner-Up: Three Card Brag @ 22/1 (William Hill, Betfred)

    Three Card Brag may seem an unusual type on form, but he looks an out-and-out Grand National horse. His wins have mainly come on soft or soft-heavy ground and may look unsuited on the ground for this race. But he fits the trends for winners of this race. He finished in the top three of a Grade Two Chase at Navan back in February, he’s rated between 143 and 150 (146) and carries less than 10-13 in the race (10-5).

    He’s trained by a man who knows how to win this race, Gordon Elliott, even though he may have been out of form lately. He may be a mud slugger but the longer he stays the more chance he has of being up there at the finish. Also his trainer has no less than five entries and racks up a few marathon handicap chases in Ireland throughout the season.

    Third-place: Nick Rockett @ 25/1 (Betfred)

    Nick Rockett is third on the list of 34, which doesn’t make for great reading at first. But consider what he has won and the manner of which he has. He won the famous Irish Trial for this race, the Grade Three Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse, beating Intense Raffles by 0.75L that day. Prior to that race he won the ultra-competitive Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park for Willie Mullins back in mid-January.

    He’s chasing a hat-trick and this race, will have been the plan from the moment he recorded a top-seven finish in the Irish Grand National last year and finishing fourth in the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown after that. He’s another marathon runner who will appreciate the better ground and is not to be discounted with a certain Mr P W Mullins taking the ride.

    An Outsider: Monbeg Genius @ 50/1 (General)

    Do not write any outsiders off in the Grand National at all. Whilst it may a more concentrated field, 34 runners is still hard a minefield to predict a winner. Monbeg Genius was a very useful winner of a three-mile chase at Uttoxeter back in February and avoided all the hustle and bustle of minor National events and Cheltenham.

    Earlier this season he finished second in a marathon chase on Betfair Chase day at Haydock, whilst finishing fourth in the chaotic Welsh Grand National as he fought his way through the mud and the fog just to finish. Looking back he finished third at the Cheltenham Festival and third in a Coral Gold Cup at Newbury. There’s no doubting he’s a stayer and maybe an extended three-mile chase, maybe even a four mile trip, will suit him perfectly. He will also have been hoping for better ground and will be looking for another top four finish in a big marathon contest.

    The very best of luck to whoever you are back in the Grand National 2025.

  • Aintree Grand National Festival 2025 | Day Three Selections

    Aintree Grand National Festival 2025 | Day Three Selections

    Aintree. Not just a celebration of the biggest steeplechase in the world but also a redemption arc for those who were thwarted at Cheltenham. This article focusses on the other six races on Grand National Day, click the link for big race tips here.

    Big Race View

    The Liverpool Hurdle may take centre stage, but in another Grade One on the day, I’m focussing on the Maghull Novices’ Chase with one of the best performances in the Arkle. Only By Night just came out on top in an incredible four-way battle for the line, and was only denied in the final 100 yards by Jango Baie. But that performance has stuck with me and surely she can go close once more, beating L’eau du Sud. Gavin Cromwell is also in electric form of late and will surely walk away with at least one big prize from today’s racing.

    Big Race Bet: Maghull Novice’s Chase (Grade One) – Only By Night @ 5/2 (William Hill)

    Excellent at Each-way

    The Mersey Novice’s Hurdle looks a wide-open contest this year. People will side with Lulamba, but putting a juvenile in this race and stepping him up in trip just three weeks after his targeted run at the Triumph Hurdle seems like too much of a daunting task. Further down the market Koktail Divin seems overpriced for me. He has great form from novice hurdle runs behind Kawaboomga and William Munny and broke his maiden impressively by 10L at Leopardstown and avoided Cheltenham. The trip will suit him no end, as will the ground and should run a big race.

    Excellent Each-way bet: Sefton Novice’s Hurdle (Grade One) – Koktail Divin e/w @ 9/1 (William Hill)

    Handy Handicap Guide

    Obviously the biggest handicap of the day is the Grand National, and you can click for tips here, but in this article I’d like to focus on the first race of the day, the William Hill Handicap Hurdle. Plenty of Coral Cup runners feature once again in another competitive renewal. The immediately is drawn to Coral Cup third Catch Him Derry. Despite such a good finish, he’s very low in the weights and ticks all the main boxes for winners of this race. Dan Skelton loves to train horses like these and seeks a third win in as many years in this race.

    Irish raider Park Of Kings has had his form boosted to no end thanks to runner-up finishes from Wodhooh in a Grade One and Kopek De Mee in a handicap hurdle yesterday. He finished fifth in the Martin Pipe at Cheltenham but recorded two runner-up finishes at Leopardstown prior. Holds every chance to go near again.

    Surprisingly, the ever consistent Double Powerful carries a low weight in this race. He’s on a roll at the moment recording a top three finish in every start since January 2024. He ran a good race behind Aston Martini at Cheltenham and was just beaten by a head at Ascot prior. Will appreciate the step up to three miles and the better ground.

    Handy Handicap Bets: William Hill Handicap Hurdle (Premier H’cap) – Catch Him Derry @ 6/1 (General), Park of Kings e/w @ 12/1 (General), Double Powerful e/w @ 16/1 (William Hill)

    Selections:

    13:20 – William Hill Handicap Hurdle (Premier H’cap) – Catch Him Derry @ 6/1 (General), Park of Kings e/w @ 12/1 (General), Double Powerful e/w @ 16/1 (William Hill)

    13:55 – Mersey Novice’s Hurdle (Grade One) – KOKTAIL DIVIN E/W @ 9/1 (William Hill), Kappa Jy Pyke e/w @ 16/1 (General)

    14:30 – William Hill Freebooter Handicap Chase (Premier H’cap) – Weveallbeencaught e/w @ 11/1 (William Hill), Richmond Lake e/w @ 12/1 (William Hill)

    15:05 – Liverpool Hurdle (Grade One) – Teahupoo @ 11/4 (General), The Wallpark e/w @ 11/1 (William Hill)

    16:00 – GRAND NATIONAL: CLICK HERE FOR TIPS

    17:00 – Maghull Novice’s Chase (Grade One) – Only By Night @ 5/2 (William Hill)

    17:35 – Weatherbys National Hunt Flat Race (Grade Two) – Destination Dubai e/w @ 16/1 (William Hill), Edward Sexton e/w @ 40/1 (William Hill)

    Best of Luck!

  • Aintree Grand National Festival 2025 | Day One Selections

    Aintree Grand National Festival 2025 | Day One Selections

    Aintree. Not just a celebration of the biggest steeplechase in the world but also a redemption arc for those who were thwarted at Cheltenham. Today features no more than four consecutive Grade One’s, with plenty looking to get back to winning ways and some trying to keep up the gallop.

    Big Race View

    The Aintree Bowl takes the eye and is the biggest Grade One of the day in what looks a slightly more competitive event than the Gold Cup. But strip it away to it’s bare bones and there is probably three main contenders. One of them is Irish raider Spillane’s Tower. The form from the Irish Gold Cup in February is a great guide for this race, with two horses finishing in the top two in the Cheltenham feature and Fact To File scoring the Ryanair. The better ground should suit and the run in the King George can be easily forgiven

    Despite his troubles there is only one track that Ahoy Senor can perform at. It’s Aintree. In six starts here in Liverpool, Ahoy Senor has yet to finish outside the top three which is incredible consistency. Whilst he may not have won the Gold Cup, even if he didn’t fall, he ran on strongly to suggest he may go well here.

    Big Race Bet: Aintree Bowl (Grade One) – Spillane’s Tower @ 3/1 (William Hill), Ahoy Senor e/w @ 6/1 (General)

    Excellent at Each-way

    Without Lulamba, the 4-Y-O Anniversary Hurdle has been thrown wide open. Those who raced at Cheltenham are coming from the Fred Winter handicap, and chucked into Grade One company may be a mean feat. Whilst Puturhandstogether is a great choice, Filibustering looks one to note at a bigger price. Only one hurdles race saw him blitz the field at Kelso last month by 11L and strung the field apart. Big prices are always ones to look out for at Aintree.

    Excellent Each-way bet: 4-Y-O Anniversary Juvenile Hurdle (Grade One) – Filibustering e/w @ 12/1 (BetVictor)

    Handy Handicap Guide

    We have to wait for Race Six on the card for the only handicap of the day, but the Red Rum is very competitive in it’s own right. The obvious factor here is to avoid those that ran at Cheltenham last time. Sans Bruit has been actively handicapped for this race again and races off the exact same mark. He’s a good-to-soft horse so all runs this Winter have come with a big excuse, but he’s gone under the radar and may pull of a double in the race named in honour of Aintree legend Red Rum.

    Rath Gaul Hill has only had one run this season, but it was a winning one that completed a hat-trick at Newbury. It looks like he’s also a good-to-soft Spring horse and has been patiently waited on by trainer Samuel Drinkwater to deliver in the latter months of the campaign.

    For the local Donald McCain yard, I’ve been keeping a close eye on Galunggung all season long. He’s been very consistent with two wins and two placed efforts in five starts, and comes into this race off the back of a win at Carlisle. On form evidence he looks to be horse who appreciates better ground and has a good low weight on his back.

    Handy Handicap Bets: Red Rum Handicap Chase – Sans Bruit @ 13/2 (General), Rath Gaul Hill e/w @ 9/1 (William Hill, BetVictor), Galunggung e/w @ 40/1 (General)

    Selections:

    13:45 – Manifesto Novice’s Chase (Grade One) – Jango Baie @ 11/4 (William Hill)

    14:20 – 4-Y-O Anniversary Juvenile Hurdle (Grade One) – Puturhandstogether @ 13/8 (William Hill), FILIBUSTERING E/W @ 12/1 (BetVictor)

    14:55 – Aintree Bowl (Grade One) – Spillane’s Tower @ 3/1 (William Hill), Ahoy Senor e/w @ 6/1 (General)

    15:20 – William Hill Aintree Hurdle (Grade One) – Constitution Hill @ 10/11 (William Hill, BetVictor)

    16:05 – Foxhunters Chase – Willitgoahead @ 4/1 (General), Ontheropes e/w @ 33/1 (William Hill), Bardenstown Lad e/w @ 66/1 (General)

    16:40 – Red Rum Handicap Chase (Premier H’cap) – Sans Bruit @ 13/2 (General), Rath Gaul Hill e/w @ 9/1 (William Hill, BetVictor), Galunggung e/w @ 40/1 (General)

    17:20 – Nickel Coin Mares’ National Hunt Flat Race (Grade Two) – Betty’s Daisy e/w @ 16/1 (William Hill), Highland Haven e/w @ 22/1 (William Hill)

    Best of Luck!

  • Cheltenham Festival 2025 | Day Four Selections

    Cheltenham Festival 2025 | Day Four Selections

    Cheltenham. It’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 One’s on day four and there are three very fancied runners. But I’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 “bad” performance by James Owen, yet he trounced the field by 10L. He has the beating of the other two, considering Lulamba’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) – 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 Novice’s Hurdle (Grade One) – 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. It’s amazing that she is unbeaten, but she’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 Jockey’s Handicap Hurdle – 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 – Triumph Hurdle (Grade One) – EAST INDIA DOCK @ 9/4 (William Hill), Blue Lemons e/w @ 12/1 (General)

    14:00 – County Handicap Hurdle (Premier H’cap) – McLaurey @ 7/1 (Unibet), Ndaawi e/w @ 20/1 (Unibet), Cracking Rhapsody e/w @ 50/1 (Unibet)

    14:40 – Mares Chase (Grade Two) – Dinoblue @ 11/10 (General)

    15:20 – Albert Bartlett Novice’s Hurdle (Grade One) – The Big Westerner @ 5/1 (William Hill, BetVictor), JAX JUNIOR E/W @ 33/1 (William Hill)

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

    16:40 – Hunters’ Chase – Angels Dawn @ 100/30 (BetVictor), Bardenstown Lad e/w @ 40/1 (William Hill, BetVictor)

    17:20 – Martin Pipe Conditional Jockey’s Handicap Hurdle – 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 Festival 2025 | Day Three Selections

    Cheltenham Festival 2025 | Day Three Selections

    Cheltenham. It’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 Three was another day for the bookies and now it’s the turn of possibly the trickiest day of the week, with no less than four handicaps and a tricky Grade Two novice hurdle.

    Big Race View

    The feature race on the card should have an odds-on favourite but weirdly has probably the longest price of the fancied runners this week. Teahupoo is a two-time Cheltenham Festival Stayers’ Hurdle winner and looks to take advantage of a weak division yet again. He hasn’t been seen since the Hatton’s Grace but the three-mile hurdles since haven’t thrown up any potential dangers. Plus, the from has been franked by Lossiemouth winning on Tuesday. He’ll be hard to pass and has been prepared in the right way again.

    Big Race Bet: Stayers’ Hurdle (Grade One) – Teahupoo @ 13/8 (William Hill)

    Excellent at Each-way

    I’m a little dumbfounded as to why G2 winner Hollygrove Cha Cha is the price she is. She’s won five of her six starts, only beaten by the reopposing Jubilee Alpha at Taunton. She hung on by a short-head to win the Jane Seymour which came on unsuitable ground, and good-to-soft will be better for her, plus the new course at Cheltenham may suit her running style. Jamie Snowden is a dual Cheltenham Festival winner and won this race with You Wear It Well and is currently operating at a 50% strike rate. It should only be a matter of time before he returns to the winners enclosure, when this mare gets a top-four finish.

    Excellent Each-way bet: Mares Novice’s Hurdle (Grade Two) – Hollygrove Cha Cha e/w @ 28/1 (William Hill, BetVictor)

    Handy Handicap Guide

    The Pertemps can often throw up an upset, but the market should be well-watched for any potential movers late on.

    Win Some Lose Some won a qualifier over Christmas at Leopardstown by 0.75L and has been left alone since then. Against Jeriko du Reponet, in the same ownership, he has more form over this trip and is the ride of Mark Wlash, which is eye-catching. He’ll look to relish this trip once more and will not mind the ground one bit. A bit of luck in running will see him bang there. JP McManus is already having a wonderful Cheltenham, again.

    Bugise Seagull started the year off chasing and didn’t look too bad. But eventually reverted to hurdles where he placed twice including in a qualifier at Musselburgh. If you further back to his nvoice form he finished third in a Grade One behind at certain Brighterdaysahead at Aintree, nosing off Coral Cup winner Jimmy Du Seuil both who have fanked the form brilliantly. Dismiss at your peril.

    Top weight Thomas Mor is right down in the market but holds a decent chance. He finished fifth in the 2023 Albert Bartlett before returning with a bang to win a qualifier at Wincanton on Boxing Day. He then disappointed on first chasing start, but second that day at Doncaster was Rock My Way, who finished second in the National Hunt Chase. Another one who should get back in.

    Handy Handicap Bets: Pertemps Final (Premier Handicap) – Win Some Lose Some @ 15/2 (William Hill, Unibet), Bugise Seagull e/w @ 33/1 (William Hill, BetVictor), Thomas Mor e/w @ 50/1 (William Hill, BetVictor, Unibet)

    Selections:

    13:20 – Mares Novices’ Hurdle (Grade Two) – Jubilee Alpha @ 11/1 (William Hill), HOLLYGROVE CHA CHA E/W @ 28/1 (William Hill, BetVictor)

    14:00 – Jack Richards Novice’s Chase (Grade Two) – Asian Master @ 8/1 (William Hill), Pic Roc e/w @ 11/1 (Betfred)

    14:40 – Pertemps Final (Premier Handicap) – WIN SOME LOSE SOME @ 15/2 (William Hill, Unibet), Bugise Seagull e/w @ 33/1 (William Hill, BetVictor), Thomas Mor e/w @ 50/1 (William Hill, BetVictor, Unibet)

    15:20 – Ryanair Chase (Grade One) – Fact To File @ 5/4 (General)

    16:00 – Stayers’ Hurdle (Grade One) – TEAHUPOO @ 13/8 (William Hill)

    16:40 – Plate Handicap Chase (Premier H’cap) – Masaccio @ 8/1 (General), Gemirande e/w @ 12/1 (William Hill, Unibet, Betfred), La Malmason e/w @ 25/1 (William Hill)

    17:20 – Kim Muir Handicap Chase – Johnnywho @ 6/1 (William Hill), Sa Majeste e/w @ 9/1 (William Hill), Git Maker e/w @ 14/1 (William Hill, Betfred, Boylesports)

    Best of Luck!

  • Cheltenham Festival 2025 | Day Two Selections

    Cheltenham Festival 2025 | Day Two Selections

    It’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 Two surely can’t match the drama and thrills of day one, but there’s plenty more stars on show on another action-packed card.

    Big Race View

    Once again we turn to the first race of the day, and a brilliant betting heat between the top two. Final Demand looked imperious at the Dublin Racing Festival, whilst The New Lion asserted his dominance on the novice division by winning the Challow.

    My vote goes to Final Demand, on one simple trend. No Challow winner has won at the Cheltenham Festival since Wichita Lineman in 2007. That’s a pretty long absence. Also Final Demand looked head and shoulders above most novice hurdlers and Leopardstown and will look to rely on his stamina getting the better of the others. He’s a three-miler in time and this is a perfect layup in his novice career.

    At a big price, Potters Charm disappointed here on Trials Day, but should have been saved for this test however the run will not have done him any harm He’s very speedy but showed his stamina winning over course and distance in December. He’s a Grade One winner too in this field and must be respected.

    Big Race Bet: Turners Novice’s Hurdle (Grade One) – Final Demand @ 6/4 (General), Potters Charm e/w @ 14/1 (General)

    Excellent at Each-way

    It’s hard to really put a finger on a good each-way bet at a price. But one that stuck out was Stellar Story in the Brown Advisory. He won last year’s Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle, is a Grade Two winner over fences at Punchestown and was only downed by a neck to Better Days Ahead at Navan previously. Barring the Long Distance Novice Chase, he’s proven to be consistent over fences and can easily run in for a place behind Ballyburn.

    Excellent Each-way bet: Brown Advisory Novice’s Chase (Grade One) – Stellar Story e/w @ 12/1 (General)

    Handy Handicap Guide

    The Coral Cup is probably the messiest and hardest race to predict at the Festival. But following the trends can often find you the winner in such a packed field

    Dan Skelton will look to win this for a third year, but I prefer Impose Toi who’s only had the one run, but that’s deemed to be enough for the Henderson team. He’s won at Cheltneham before over two miles and has taken the step up to two-and-a-half miles well, with one win and one third. He wears cheekpieces for the first time, which is a major positive and can see him battle it out at the finish.

    Sandor Clegane never set the world alight chasing but his return to hurdling has also been somewhat indifferent. However he’s been running at Grade One and Two level and looks to have longed for a competitive handicap in my opinion. And with the form franked in the G2 Galmoy Hurdle by Thedevilscoachman, he can run very nicely into fourth spot or even better.

    Sa Fureur made an unusual move after winning the Foxrock Handicap Chas eat Navan in December. He switched to hurdles for a Premier Handicap Hurdle at Christmas, which he disappointed in. But scroll back through his form and you will see he finished fourth in the Grand Annual last year and has ran in to plenty of talented horses on the way. Notably, the ride of Jack Kennedy. Cannot be discounted

    Handy Handicap Bets: Coral Cup (Premier Handicap) – Impose Toi @ 17/2 (William Hill), Sandor Clegane e/w @ 14/1 (William Hill), Sa Fureur e/w @ 25/1 (William Hill, BetVictor)

    Selections:

    13:20 – Turners Novices’ Hurdle (Grade One) – FINAL DEMAND @ 6/4 (General), Potters Charm e/w @ 14/1 (General)

    14:00 – Brown Advisory Novice’s Chase (Grade One) – Ballyburn @ 8/11 (William Hill, Betfred, Boylesports), STELLAR STORY E/W @ 12/1 (General)

    14:40 – Coral Cup (Premier Handicap) – Impose Toi @ 17/2 (William Hill), Sandor Clegane e/w @ 14/1 (William Hill), Sa Fureur e/w @ 25/1 (William Hill, BetVictor)

    15:20 – Cross Country Chase – Stumptown @ 11/4 (William Hill, BetVictor)

    16:00 – Champion Chase (Grade One) – Jonbon @ 10/11 (William Hill), Jonbon/Energumene/Captain Guinness tricast

    16:40 – Grand Annual (Premier H’cap) – American Mike @ 12/1 (General), Trapain Law @ 16/1 (William Hill), General Medrano e/w @ 20/1 (William Hill)

    17:20 – Champion Bumper (Grade One) – Bambino Fever @ 11/2 (General), Aqua Force e/w @ 14/1 (William Hill), Fortune De Mer e/w @ 20/1 (General)

    Best of Luck!

  • Cheltenham Festival 2025 | Day One Selections

    Cheltenham Festival 2025 | Day One Selections

    Cheltenham. It’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, four four days of unrivalled racing pleasure. Day One looks to be a bonanza day for punters with a plethora of stars, both old and new, on show.

    Big Race View

    Whilst I could take a look at how many lengths Constitution Hill, Lossiemouth or Majborough will win by, I’m focussing on the longest priced favourite of the fab four at Cheltenham today, Kopek Des Bordes. His run at the Dublin Racing Festival was impressive to say the least, but still had a slight twitch of a novice about him. That’s why Willie Mullins has elected to give him a first-time hood, which to stat-loving punters is a death knell. Mullins and first-time headgear do not go well together, but Kopek Des Bordes is bigger than that. He looks fluent and is most feared by those in the Supreme field. He’ll only get shorter on the day.

    Aside from Romeo Coolio, at an each-way angle I think Tripoli Flyer has to come into the conversation. He’s a Grade Two winner, winning the Dovecote at Kempton by no less than seven-and-a-half lengths. That was his shortest winning hurdles distance. The ground will be to his liking, some Irish opponents may have wanted it a little softer. If he can iron out some of his jumping, he won’t be far away.

    Big Race Bet: Michael O’Sullivan Supreme Novice’s Hurdle (Grade One) – Kopek Des Bordes @ 11/10 (William Hill), Tripoli Flyer e/w @ 25/1 (General)

    Excellent at Each-way

    Looking at the Mares Hurdle, Lossiemouth is possibly the most vulnerable of the fab four on Tuesday. And there’s one consistent runner I had my eye on to win the race, if Lossiemouth went to the Champion Hurdle. July Flower for the Henry de Bromhead team has spent most of her time in France, and placed at Grade One level. But on most recent Irish start, was an impressive four length winner ahead of Jetara and World Of Fortunes, both winning subsequently in different Doncaster races. Now the heavyweight mare Lossiemouth has barged in, she looks an attractive each-way bet on day one.

    Excellent Each-way bet: Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle (Grade One) – July Flower e/w @ 9/1 (General)

    Handy Handicap Guide

    The best handicap race of the week at Cheltenham, in my opinion, is the Ultima. And the Brits have their best chance of securing this race once again.

    The favourite, The Changing Man, ran an excellent race at Ascot, even if the favourite fell at the second fence, he still looked imperious as he jumped his fences and was hardly lent upon to extend from his rivals. He’s more experience than most novices and has ran a consistent season as well. This should put the cherry on top for what is a brilliant horse in the correct race.

    Somehow, you can’t ignore course and distance winners at the Festival. Broadway Boy is straight into that category and aims for a first win this season. He wasn’t the greatest jumper last time out on Cheltenham Trials Day, but ignore that run to see he’s placed twice in two hot handicaps, including the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury. He looks to have been laid out for this race by the Twiston-Davies team and it would be foolish to ignore him.

    And one more to note, Henry’s Friend races for one of the most successful partnerships this season, Ben Jones and Ben Pauling. Not many Saturday’s have gone by this season without them having a winner or two and a Festival win will confirm just what a stellar season they’ve had. Henry’s Friend was an impressive winner of the Mandarin Chase at Newbury following a fifth in the Coral Gold Cup. He’s not been seen since and this looks like another race laid out for him.

    Handy Handicap Bets: Ultima Handicap Chas (Premier H’cap) – The Changing Man @ 15/2 (William Hill), Broadway Boy e/w @ 15/2 (BetVictor, Unibet), Henry’s Friend e/w @ 12/1 (BetVictor)

    Selections:

    13:20 – Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (Grade One) – Kopek Des Bordes @ 11/10 (William Hill), Tripoli Flyer e/w @ 25/1 (General)

    14:00 – Arkle Challenge Trophy (Grade One) – Majborough @ 8/15 (General)

    14:40 – Ultima Handicap Chase (Premier H’cap) – The Changing Man @ 15/2 (William Hill), Broadway Boy e/w @ 15/2 (BetVictor, Unibet), Henry’s Friend e/w @ 12/1 (BetVictor)

    15:20 – Mares’ Hurdle (Grade One) – Lossiemouth @ 4/6 (General), JULY FLOWER E/W @ 9/1 (General)

    16:00 – Champion Hurdle (Grade One) – Constitution Hill to win by 3+ lengths @ 11/10 (William Hill)

    16:40 – Fred Winter Juvenile H’cap Hurdle (Premier H’cap) – Puturhandstogether @ 15/2 (William Hill), Murcia e/w @ 12/1 (General), Wendrock e/w @ 18/1 (William Hill)

    17:20 – National Hunt Challenge Cup Novices’ Handicap Chase – Captain Cody @ 17/2 (William Hill, Unibet), Stuzzkini e/w @ 28/1 (William Hill), Rock My Way e/w @ 50/1 (BetVictor, Boylesports)

    Best of Luck!

  • Four To Follow – Kracking Kempton & A Little Bit Flat

    Four To Follow – Kracking Kempton & A Little Bit Flat

    There might not be any Cheltenham fancies here, but there’s still some fantastic races in their own right. This includes this ultra-competitive Ladbrokes Trophy Handicap Chase with three Grade Two’s to also be sorted out. And there’s a reminder that the flat is creeping closer with the Winter Derby.

    Kempton

    Prayer’s Answered

    2:40 – Pendil Novice’s Chase (Grade Two) – Imperial Saint @ 5/2 (General)

    Rubaud doesn’t look like a chaser, for some reason. L’Eau Du Sud was eased up which flattered the 1L gap between the two at Warwick two weeks ago and it’s interesting that he’s stepped up to this trip for the first time.

    Imperial Saint looks more trusted, with three victories this season including one on a flat track over two-and-a-half miles at Aintree. He also placed in a Cheltenham handicap chase on Trials Day which was an attractive run. There’s a possibility that he could go to the Turners Novice Handicap, and it may be worth a good outing here to get a good mark.

    Flying Fancy

    3:00 – Dovecote Novice’s Hurdle (Grade Two) – Tripoli Flyer @ 3/1 (William Hill)

    Despite carrying a penalty, Tripoli Flyer deserves a crack at a Grade Two, and it looks winnable too. He’s seeking a hat-trick after ultra-impressive wins by 29L at Market Rasen and 16L in the Scottish Supreme Novice Hurdle. Both have come right-handed, so will be suited to the track and the ground is in his favour too. Ultra consistent, it’s a surprise he’s not favourite.

    Return Of The Power?

    3:35 – Ladbrokes Trophy Handicap Chase (Premier H’cap) – Our Power @ 8/1 (William Hill)

    Our Power was the winner of this race in 2023 and has only had four runs after a long break away from racing. This season he’s placed second, both in Cheltenham handicap chases. It was confirmed that this was to be his Gold Cup, and there was no intention of him going to any bigger targets. If you look back to his 2023 run, the conditions are similar. The same mark, with a three-pound claiming jockey on board, and good ground to work on. It’s all set up for him to exploit.

    Beachcomber is another to consider after winning by 10L in a handicap chase over course and distance. On recent form, it looks like he prefers going right handed, so this test will be perfect for him. He’s still got a good mark which will make him competitive and there’s no reason why he shouldn’t finish outside the top-three. 8/1 (William Hill, BetVictor).

    Down in the weights, Charlie Uberalles makes some appeal. He won narrowly by a neck at Doncaster in a three-mile handicap chase and moves up a lenient four pounds. With 70 days away from the track, you could argue that this is a race he’s been aimed at. He’s won right-handed and will appreciate the good ground too. Each-way claims at 14/1 (General).

    Southwell

    It’s in the Name

    3:15 – BetUK Winter Derby (Group Three) – Royal Champion @ 11/8 (William Hill)

    Royal Champion certainly lived up to his billing winning the Listed Quebec Stakes at Lingfield. The form from that race took an almighty boost when Tyrrenhian Sea went and won next time out. It seems he’s not only found his level, but his surface and his new yard will be all the better for it. Expect to see much more of him in G2 & G3’s this season, and maybe the odd G1 too, particularly after he placed second in the G1 Woodbine Mile in Canada when under th