The Cheltenham Festival involves a detailed on Friday – however there’s nonetheless time to select some winners.
And you are in the best place for that as our man Jason Heavey, the reigning Racing Post National Press Challenge champion, is giving his rundown of the motion for Daily Star Sport – together with the primary occasion of the week, the Gold Cup.
JCB TRIUMPH HURDLE
The absence of Sir Gino for out-of-form Nicky Henderson has out of the blue given the primary race a wide-open look.
Sir Gino seemed the most effective juvenile by a rustic mile and was regarded by many as a banker, however he has succumbed to the malaise afflicting Seven Barrows.
Willie Mullins has the primary three within the betting – Majborough, Storm Heart and Kargese. But I’m going for the progressive NURBURGRING (nap) to overhaul all of them.
(Image: PA)
A great horse on the Flat – rated within the 90s – he managed to win over two miles on the extent and with the New course inserting an emphasis on stamina, he ought to respect each yard of the journey on testing floor.
There is little between him and Kargese – a proficient mare who has gained two from three hurdles and who will get the 7lb intercourse allowance.
Mullins runs seven in whole and Kargese seems to be just like the choose though Paul Townend has chosen Storm Heart, who has performed little flawed, whereas Majborough has been punted into favouritism.
Of the others, Salver is unbeaten and doesn’t should be as massive as 14-1 whereas Fratas additionally has the look of an overpriced horse at 25-1.
TIP: NURBURGRING (nap)
Each-way: Salver
BETMGM COUNTY HURDLE
In-form Dan Skelton has gained 4 of the final eight runnings of this two-mile cavalry cost and saddles a probable pair at present.
Faivoir was mugged within the Imperial Cup on Saturday and gained this race final yr. But Harry Skelton has plumped for the flippantly raced L’EAU DU SUD who put up a profession greatest when second within the Betfair Hurdle to Iberico Lord.
He pulled six lengths away from the third Go Dante, who nailed Faivoir final Saturday, and L’Eau Du Sud has been raised 6lb, which seems to be greater than honest.
(Image: Getty Images)
Owned by Sir Alex Ferguson and his buddies – who had two winners yesterday – he ought to give the previous Man United boss run for his cash. Willie Mullins runs 5 in whole – with Melbourne Cup seventh Absurde amongst his greatest hopes though he would favor higher floor. Zenta additionally has sturdy claims.
Bialystock was going nicely when introduced down at Leopardstown and is one other for the quick checklist, whereas Gordon Elliott’s King Of Kingsfield has been closely backed.
Emmet Mullins has a proper likelihood with So Scottish who caught the attention on his final begin. I additionally like Hansard as an each-way play at round 25-1. He is bettering and has had a lightweight marketing campaign so can be contemporary. His fifth to Luccia in December reads nicely form-wise.
TIP: L’EAU DU SUD
Each-way: Hansard
ALBERT BARTLETT NOVICES’ HURDLE
The Irish have dominated the novice occasions however GIDLEIGH PARK is tipped to strike for the house group. Harry Fry thinks the world of the six-year-old who’s unbeaten in 4 begins beneath Rules.
He agonised over which race to focus on however clearly performed a blinder in avoiding Ballyburn on Wednesday. This longer journey ought to play to Gidleigh Park’s stamina strengths and he can repel a really stable problem from the Emerald Isle.
His three hurdles victories have come impressively with him hitting the road strongly every time and his Grade Two victory over Lucky Place (fourth within the Coral Cup) confirmed he can deal with the contours of Prestbury Park.
(Image: Getty Images)
Captain Teague has an analogous profile, and he already has Grade One kind within the bag when taking the Challow Hurdle at Newbury. Paul Nicholls has skilled him for at present.
The Willie Mullins juggernaut includes 5 runners with the unbeaten High Class Hero and Readin Tommy Wrong on the head of affairs. Both look pretty prospects, as does Dancing City.
Of the larger costs, The Jukebox Man is a likeable kind for Ben Pauling and Harry Redknapp. He has place prospects at a lovely 25-1.
TIP: GIDLEIGH PARK
Each-way: The Jukebox Man
BOODLES CHELTENHAM GOLD CUP CHASE
Galopin Des Champs (3.30) can topple his nemesis Fastorslow in at present’s centenary Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Last yr the runaway winner lit up leap racing’s blue riband with a Rolls-Royce show.
This yr he goes face to face with Martin Brassil’s Fastorslow and the pair are locked at 2-2 as they limber up for spherical 5. Slight desire is for Galopin Des Champs who has seemed imperious in his final two runs – the latter when beating Fastorslow within the Irish Gold Cup.
And with the bottom set to be testing, anticipate an enormous run from mud-loving Nassalam, who may reward each-way backers at round 33-1.
TIP: GALOPIN DES CHAMPS
Each-way: Nassalam
(Image: Getty Images)
(Image: PA)
ST JAMES’S PLACE FESTIVAL HUNTERS’ CHASE
PREMIER MAGIC gained this race final yr and has each likelihood of doubling up.
He is now 11 and has extra upwardly cellular rivals to see off however is extremely constant and it’s two years since he was overwhelmed.
A prolific winner of hunter chases and point-to-points, he held the late run of Its On The Line 12 months in the past.
He adopted up in May again on the observe and after an extended break he returned in January to win some extent, following up in one other in February. At 7-1 he seems to be a greater punting proposition than Its On The Line.
The latter was just lately purchased by JP McManus and can go off favorite. He is a dour stayer however can race lazily and provides himself an excessive amount of to do.
He deserves to be favorite on what he has achieved this season however his value seems to be too skinny.
There is confidence behind the proficient Ferns Lock however his tendency to race freely may catch out his stamina up the hill.
Billaway gained this two years in the past and can’t be dominated out regardless of his age (12). Samcro gained the Gallagher Novices’ Hurdle six years in the past and has been revitalised in factors. Ramillies and Sine Nomine are each-way candidates. The latter mare is the darkish horse of the race and will go nicely at round 12-1.
TIP: PREMIER MAGIC
Each-way: Sine Nomine
MRS PADDY POWER MARES CHASE
Dinoblue has been broadly touted as one other Willie Mullins banker however she is more likely to go off odds-on.
Her stamina is unproven and with situations more likely to be attritional she seems to be weak. So desire is for a mare with confirmed stamina – LIMERICK LACE.
She was second within the Troytown Chase to Coko Beach in unhealthy floor and has been versatile sufficient to win in any respect distances. She seems to be stronger this season and Gavin Cromwell has talked her up with confidence.
(Image: PA)
She bolted up at Doncaster in a Listed chase final trip and that was an ideal prep race. Limerick Lace additionally will get 5lb from Dinoblue which may show pivotal and at present’s 2m 4f take a look at on deep floor seems to be ultimate for JP McManus’s raider.
Allegorie De Vassy was second final yr and has each likelihood once more. Cromwell’s different runner Brides Hill is way improved and unbeaten this season so can’t be dominated out.
Marsh Wren revelled within the delicate floor to win a Listed chase at Thurles final month and there’s no manner she must be as massive as 25-1. She will keep and benefit from the situations and is a superb jumper.
TIP: LIMERICK LACE
Each-way: Marsh Wren
MARTIN PIPE CONDITIONAL JOCKEYS HANDICAP HURDLE
It appears phrase has received out about QUAI DE BOURBON, who could also be thrown in on the weights within the “getting out” stakes.
Mullins produced an unexposed younger horse known as Galopin Des Champs to win this three years in the past off a handicap mark of 142.
Quai De Bourbon could not attain the heights of his stablemate however he’s clearly thought higher than a ranking of 140 and punters have been piling into him all week.
He was nothing greater than workmanlike in profitable at Naas and Clonmel and his actual future seems to be over fences as he’s an enormous unit. He additionally seems to be like a stayer and if he’s competition turning into the house straight he ought to gallop all the best way to the road.
Mullins’ Ocastle Des Mottes was made favorite for the Betfair Hurdle and was not disgraced in eighth.
That was his first run since arriving from France and he may have extra time. Waterford Whispers is the opposite one for cash whereas No Ordinary Joe solely discovered Iroko too good on this race 12 months in the past.
Answer To Kayf is one other for the quick checklist whereas What’s Up Darling in all probability had an not possible activity making an attempt to offer a stone to Langtry Lady (fourth to Lossiemouth on Tuesday) and he seems to be to have gone beneath the bookies’ radar at 16-1.
TIP: QUAI DE BOURBON
Each-way: What’s Up Darling