Cheltenham - 2 Weeks

The news of Sprinter Sacre's absence from this year's Cheltenham Festival didn't come as a big surprise but it's a big shame and I just hope he can come back next season the same horse he was in 2012/13. I've read on Twitter that he's off to Newmarket for a thorough examination. Let's hope nothing serious comes to light.

On the betting front it was obvious looking at the Champion Chase market yesterday on Betfair that something was up and I took the opportunity to place a couple of bets on the race with the likely price contraction of all possible contenders once the news came out.

Baily Green ran his best race of the season in last year's Arkle and whilst he's put up a couple of decent efforts this term over two and a half miles in finishing runner up in races won by Sizing Europe and Texas Jack I think a return to two miles at the Festival will really suit him. I'm not really a stats guy unless there is a ryhme or reason behind them and the record of Arkle winners or runner's up in the following years Champion Chase is a hugely positive one. It makes sense as the contests are over the same course and distance and are usually really competitive. Mouse Morris isn't certain to run the horse but at 25/1 NRNB it looked a no-brainer to me. I've also added Benefficient in an each way double. Like Baily Green he is effective at two miles and of course he won at the Festival last year.

With Al Ferof already in my portfolio for the race hopefully I'll have at least one of these take part. I'm against Sire de Grugy and might go in again on the day depending on the line-up. Sire de Grugy has had a great season and I do think his poor record at Cheltenham is a bit of a red herring as he is much better now than he was as a novice but 7/4 is a terrible price.

The only other thing to add is The Tullow Tank's absence from the Festival because of the shenanigans (allegedly) in his trainer's yard has resulted in my each way double on him and Faugheen going down the pan. The bookie the bet was with has null and voided the double part of the bet so I was left with an each way single on the Mullins horse. But I've laid that off at shorter odds on the machine.

 

Supreme Novices':
The Liquidator £15w @ 176/10

Arkle Trophy:
Felix Yonger £20w @ 13/1
Trifolium £30w @ 6/1 (£15 NRFB)

Champion Hurdle:
Jezki £20w @ 172/10
My Tent or Yours £55w @ 65/10 (£15 NRNB)
Our Conor £30w @ 15/2 (NRFB, NRNB)

NH Chase:
Just a Par £5w @ 30/1

Neptune Novices':
Briar Hill £20w @ 12/1 (NRFB)
Ballyalton £5w @ 21/1

Champion Chase:
Al Ferof £10ew @ 16/1 (NRNB)
Baily Green £10ew @ 25/1 (NRNB)

RSA:
Wonderful Charm £25w @ 16/1 (NRFB)
Smad Place £15w @ 8/1

JLT Novices' Chase:
Chatterbox £10w @ 25/1 (NRFB)
Felix Yonger £34w @ 9/1
Champagne Fever £20w @ 7/1 (NRFB)
Wonderful Charm £35w @ 7/1 (£10 NRFB)

Ryanair:
Al Ferof £75w @ 10/1 (£20 NRFB, £45 NRNB)
Cue Card £15w @ 52/10

World Hurdle:
Monksland £10w @ 24/1
Rule The World £20ew @ 20/1 (NRNB)

Triumph Hurdle:
Fox Norton £15ew @ 25/1 (NRFB)
Le Rocher £25w @ 10/1

Albert Bartlett Novices'
Briar Hill £40w @ 11/2

Gold Cup:

Sir Des Champs £15w @ 10/1 (NRFB)
Last Instalment £13ew @ 10/1 (NRNB)

Non-Runners - Total of £39 lost

£1 Lucky 15:
Irving (Supreme) 12/1
My Tent or Yours (CH) 4/1
Briar Hill (Albert Bartlett) 6/1
Bob's Worth (Gold Cup) 9/4

£10 Each Way Doubles:
Our Conor (Champion Hurdle) and Mendip Express (Nat' Hunt Chase) 5/1 and 8/1
Carlingford Lough (RSA) and Al Ferof (Ryanair) 14/1 and 6/1
Benefficient (CC) and Briar Hill (Albert Bartlett) 10/1 and 9/2