Best Of Bets

Tag: ITV 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!

  • Grand National 2025 | Vanillier No Bland Challenger

    Grand National 2025 | Vanillier No Bland Challenger

    As National Hunt season begins its wind-down post Cheltenham, could it be third time lucky for Vanillier in the 2025 Randox Grand National?

    In the second of three in-focus looks at this year’s edition of the world’s most famous steeplechase, BestofBets has plucked a favourite, a mid-range and longer punt from the start list and here look at one of Gavin Cromwell’s big hopes.

    On the back of a hugely successful Cheltenham for the Irish trainer, in his third National outing brings his biggest list of entries to date, including one of the big favourites, winner of the Glenfarclas Cross Country at Cheltenham, Stumptown.

    But could stablemate, Vanillier, finally rise to the occasion at Aintree?

    Plucky runner-up

    Just over two years ago on 15 April 2023, the 175th running of the Grand National took place, shrouded in controversy following animal welfare protests, with the race delayed by a full 14 minutes as protestors stormed the race course.

    Through the mist and mire of uncertainty rose Corach Rambler, a 9yo who took full advantage of a 10-pound weight advantage – allocated before his second victory in the Ultima a month before at Cheltenham.

    As trainer Lucinda Russell picked up her second National winner, bringing up the rear only two lengths behind to finish runner-up – and surging – Vanillier stormed home at a lofty 20/1, pocketing Gavin Cromwell over £200,000.

    This weekend, 24 months on, Cromwell gives his now 10yo a third crack a glory after plans for a return attempt in 2024 went decidedly awry.

    Struggle

    Last year, Vanillier was the antepost favourite at 7/1 and after his sterling but largely forlorn charge the year before, his weight allowance had drawn the attentions of punters in the market.

    However, by post-time his price had doubled to 14s. In hindsight, last year’s softer ground did him no favours.

    Seeing I Am Maximus take the spoils for the second race in a row after the two met at Fairyhouse, Vanillier was very much a midfield runner and weakened late on to finish outside the top 10 in 14th spot.

    In theory, the going this year may not prove much more to his liking, but following a better showing at Cheltenham and on good to soft ground, Vanillier could yet throw the challenge down to Stumptown.

    Wrong Turn

    Vanillier is one of many contenders this year who are seeing a sizeable nibble in the market and for good reason.

    So would ground set to be a good deal firmer, but still officially likely good, serve Vanillier better? The jury is out on that particular deliberation.

    Without doubt, Cromwell’s runner has had his best results on softer or heavier ground – including February’s cross county win at Punchestown and 2021 victory in the Albert Bartlett.

    It was in the former race that caused many a punter to fancy his chances in the Glenfarclas at Cheltenham last month, but said hopes took a turn for the worse – quite literally.

    Leading the field out, Vanillier bolted over fence 3 and together with Escaria Ten, narrowly avoided taking the wrong path over the 3m5.5f route.

    However, just to underline his credentials, not only did he recover to midfield within a mile, but put himself in the frame to win the race.

    As it turned out, the momentum lost scuppered his winning chances, but as he watched 5/2f Stumptown go on to victory, Vanillier again chased his stablemate and Latenightpass into a hugely creditable third place.

    If we consider his two late efforts in both the 2023 National and last month in Gloucestershire, Vanillier has a proven engine.

    It sounds perhaps obvious to again state in the race, but if Cromwell’s other big runner remains in the picture toward the closing stages, there will be real chances.

    But in the case of this grey gelding in particular, if he is not only in the mix but has left enough to tear home once more, Vanillier and likely mount Sean Flanagan could be on to a very, very good thing this weekend.

  • 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!

  • Grand National 2025 | Market Mover Hewick Can Mount Bid

    Grand National 2025 | Market Mover Hewick Can Mount Bid

    As the 2025 Randox Grand National moves into view, can Hewick puts his name up in lights once more?

    Some 16 months on from snatching King George VI glory at Kempton, the 10yo trained by JJ Hanlon had since been on a losing streak of seven races, but returns to Aintree on the back of a win.

    A horse with immense character and heart but with just one Group 1 win to his name, could Hewick silence his doubters, conquer the ultimate test of equine endurance and claim one of the biggest prizes in jump racing?

    Kempton glory

    Boxing Day, 2023. A crisp, sunny winter’s afternoon at Kempton Park, with the King George VI Chase once more the highlight of the festive racing calendar.

    As Allaho and Paul Townend lined up the 11/8F, both a resurgent Shishkin and defending champ, Bravemansgame, lurked to spoil the day for Willie Mullins.

    But amongst the longer prices, a plucky 8yo and former winner of the Bet365 Gold Cup, Hewick and jockey Gavin Sheehan would cause a sensation.

    As the closing stages of the contest approached the final fences, it looked a three-way scrap between the main players. In the rear-view mirrors, however, a dash of green was making a surge.

    With the penultimate jump negotiated by the leaders, Shishkin suddenly lost his footing, unseating Nico de Boinville, impeding Allaho and Bravemansgame badly, seemingly setting up a one-on-one finale. But they had not reckoned on the plucky outsider.

    As the gap closed at the front, Hewick surged toward the final fence – still in third – but driven on by Sheehan. Leaping the barrier, both leaders began to tie up having lost momentum. Hewick then bolted up and stormed past both runners to claim a famous and unlikely win.

    A 12/1 winner, Hewick was touted for another shot at the Cheltenham Gold Cup, but as on more than one occasion last term, the weather gods did not play ball.

    However, that could change this weekend.

    Form

    For any Hewick backer this weekend, it is important to note the margin in time between his last victory.

    Yet, after a run of seven races without a win, his last outing in the Jimmy Neville Memorial Hurdle at Thurles – during Cheltenham week – ended a near 15-month drought.

    It is also worth noting his aforementioned misfortunes in terms of going, which has forced his withdrawal from many a marquee contest.

    What looks to be a big factor this year, is for even casual observers of the forecast for the week ahead, the weather at Aintree – like much of the UK this early spring – is warm, sunny and importantly for Hewick and JJ Hanlon, dry.

    Winning at home on Irish turf last time out on good ground, sticklers for form will note that his big Kempton day was on ground good and not a million miles from a firmer deck.

    Market mover

    So on recent form and potential going alone, Hewick’s chances are there; the punters believe so too.

    Available for around 25/1 only a fortnight back, the 10yo’s price has halved and at time of writing hovers around the single figure in odds, and at a best price of 10/1 with SpreadEx.

    Perhaps the big concern is the sheer gruelling nature of the biggest test of horse and jockey, and the gelding’s furthest trip to date was in the Midlands Grand National some three years where he was pulled up. However, on that day, the ground was considerably softer and not to his liking.

    Hewick has been a proven chaser before and even having fallen late in the 2023 Cheltenham Gold Cup, was well in the picture at a huge price.

    In terms of Aintree, his debut run came on National weekend last year in the Liverpool Hurdle, but where he could only muster a sixth place, his more recent brush with a second Group 1 winner came in the Ladbrokes Chase at Drogheda back in November, following home former Ryanair Chase victor Envoi Allen, but the very well fancied 8/11F Gerri Colombe.

    Of course, the National can be in large parts a lottery, but as we have seen in recent years with both Corach Rambler and the defending champion, I Am Maximus, a successful path can be plotted by one of the shorter prices.

    Hewick’s issue will be staying in the picture and out of any congestion over the jumps, but if he stays in the mix over the final mile, he can challenge.

    Make no mistake, he has the stamina and without any question the heart of a potential champion. His backers will certainly hope so.

  • 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 | Galopin Des Champs On Precipice of Greatness

    Cheltenham Festival 2025 | Galopin Des Champs On Precipice of Greatness

    Best Mate. Arkle. Just two horses in the post-war era of arguably Cheltenham’s biggest race have achieved the Gold Cup triple. In just two days’ time, Galopin Des Champs can enter that elite role of honour.

    As the final day of Cheltenham once more sees the Blue Riband contest of jump-racing close out the festival, this year’s contest carries with it significantly more weight, ready to etch a mark in racing history.

    So can Willie Mullins’ 9yo become a true racing legend?

    Legend

    Not since Jim Culloty rode home Best Mate to a half-a-length win over 33/1 shot Sir Rembrandt in 2004, has the racing world seen a three-time consecutive Cheltenham Gold Cup winner.

    Henrietta Knight’s gelding whose sudden death in 2005 left the racing world stunned, was the most romantic of Gold Cup winners some 21 years ago, after surging over the final two fences and fending off the opposition.

    However, as Galopin Des Champs lines up for his fifth Festival outing, a fourth win would bring the house down.

    A staple of the annual early spring pilgrimage to Gloucestershire, as Ruby Walsh wrote in the Racing Post a fortnight ago, Galopin Des Champs could become Mullins’ very own Frankel.

    Redemption

    Galopin Des Champs’ Cheltenham tale is by and a large a happy one. But like the very best horse racing has seen down the years, the story has required a healthy dose of battle.

    In the case of the French-bred, Irish-trained thoroughbred, that came on his second appearance at the festival in 2022.

    A year on from taking a victorious Cheltenham bow as a lesser-known 5yo in the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle, horse and jockey Paul Townend were heavy 5/6 favourites in a reduced field on just four.

    Having dominated the race for large portions, the then-6yo encountered a few nervy moments over the hurdles but by the final flight was a full 12 lengths ahead.

    Then jumping the last, to the horror of many a fan and punter and the somewhat muffled joy of every bookie, the clear leader clipped the fence and hit the deck to a cacophony of gasps from the stands. Bob Olinger and Rachael Blackmore politely skirted the fallen horse and cantered home to unlikely glory.

    It was a tough pill to swallow.

    Winding the clock forward 12 months later, Galopin Des Champs was again the marginal pick for Gold Cup glory, by then having picked up four Grade 1 winners, including the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown the month before.

    But the questions remained: could Townend get his gelding across the line and erase the wounds of the year previous? The answer was emphatic.

    Staying out of trouble during the race, A Plus Tard and Blackmore laboured, whilst Bravemansgame and Harry Cobden could not sustain the pace.

    Approaching the last again holding a sizeable lead, collective breaths were held, but lighting was not to strike twice, sailing over the barrier, and on to victory, in front of the jubilant crowd watching.

    Dream duo

    With such a mental block overcome, Galopin Des Champs has gone on to become one of the best around, poised now on the verge of true greatness.

    Having last month won a third consecutive Irish Gold Cup – only the second after Florida Pearl in 2001 – Cheltenham history beckons for the champ and his trusty steed. Indeed, jockey Townend and his running mate have been a love story from the very beginning.

    On board for his Irish debut in November 2020, the two were runners-up behind Sea Ducor at Gowran Park, then stepping aside for duties elsewhere, before being reunited for the 6yo’s second Grade 1 contest.

    A month on from Galopin Des Champs’ debut win at Cheltenham in the Martin Pipe, it was then a first taste of home glory at Punchestown for Townend and his trusty steed in the Irish Novice Hurdle, thrashing Gentlemansgame by 12 lengths. The rest, by and large, is history.

    The two have been inseparable in the 16 races since, winning 11 times – all Group 1 races.

    Historic

    Since his Cheltenham Gold Cup win in 2023, Galopin Des Champs has exhibited few chinks in his armour. In fact, his only kryptonite seems, somewhat surprisingly, to be on Irish soil.

    Away from his fall at the last in the Turners’ in 2022, all four of the gelding’s losses have fascinatingly come either side of the last two terms; two each in both Punchestown Chase and Gold Cup – thrice to Martin Brassil’s Ultima runner-up, Fastorslow.

    His last four trips to County Kildare have all failed to bare fruit, but the picture at Cheltenham is a different one, albeit with still very little relative experience to his rivals on the Gloucestershire course.

    Having already cruised to the Mares’ Hurdle earlier this week with Lossiemouth, this is arguably Paul Townend’s biggest ride of his festival and may very well be one of his career bookmarks.

    Ironically, it is Banbridge – who Townend rode to victory in the King George VI on Boxing Day at Kempton – that stands as his biggest rival. However, as his surging powers at Leopardstown proved last time out, that will take some doing.

    Destiny beckons for Galopin Des Champs in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. The world, and history is watching.