Wednesday, 15th March 2023
Today is Day 2 at the Cheltenham Festival….
…. which means the Coral Cup, the Grand Annual and the Champion Chase….
I sent out my betting advice for this afternoon’s races yesterday. If you missed it, you’ll find it here….
I go out early doors with my advice in the hope of bagging the best of the prices about my race selections….
Sometimes it comes off. Other times it doesn’t….
… but because I go out early with my selections, we are always a little ahead of the game here at ATC….
The flag hasn’t been raised on Day 2 – and I’m already thinking about Day 3….
…. which means the Pertemps Final, the Magners Plate and the Kim Muir….
The Pertemps has thrown up plenty of winners at ‘shock’ big prices over the years….
… but things have changed….
…. this year only the first four home in a Pertemps Qualifier race qualified for tomorrow’s series final – previously the first six qualified….
…. and I wonder this year if there will be so many surprise packages lurking down the betting order – because horses have had to show that bit more of their hand to the handicapper….
Whatever, I’m erring on the conservative side and backing Jonjo O’Neill’s AN TAILLIUR at the general 11s & 10s….
He hasn’t been seen since finishing third in the Cheltenham qualifier in October….
The second that day Botox Has won the Betfair Exchange Stayers' Handicap Hurdle at Haydock next time….
The winner Shoot First was put away for tomorrow’s race by Charles Byrnes immediately after the Cheltenham qualifier – and the 7yo was a long-time ante-post favourite before being scratched because of an injury….
I reckon the Cheltenham qualifier is strong form and O’Neill’s 7yo has surely been aimed at this for some time….
Regular readers will know that I’ve been waiting for some time for Venetia Williams to step FRERO BANBOU up to the intermediate trip….
Tomorrow is the day in the Magners Plate – and I can’t let the horse go unbacked at the 12s….
He hasn’t managed to win this season. He’s run respectably without looking a threat.
…. but I’m convinced he’s been running over the wrong trip….
…. getting too far back off the early pace at 2m before running out of track when he’s doing his best work at the end….
I thought Venetia would step him up earlier in the season. But she’s waited until this race – one she’s won three times before (with multiple other runners hitting the frame)….
From a career high mark of 142, Frero Banbou has dropped to 135 – just a pound in advance of his last winning mark. I don’t know how well-handicapped he might be – but I know he’s not a badly handicapped horse….
He looks like a big player….
Gordon Elliott’s won the Kim Muir twice or three times – depending on how you look at it….
When Mount Ida won for Denise Foster last year (she took over responsibility for his string when Elliott received a ban) it was really another Elliott winner. He’d prepared the horse….
This year he runs four and DUNBOYNE is the pick of them and the pick of the prices for me at the general 10s….
The booking of Mr JJ Codd is a big plus. He’s won the race four times from 16 rides. And – as a rider – he’s head and shoulders over much of his opposition tomorrow….
Of course, the horse has to do the job. Dunboyne is pretty much made for this one. He ran a cracker last time in the Thyestes – and I anticipate a big run tomorrow….
KLASSICAL DREAM can play a hand in the outcome of the Stayer’s Hurdle and is overpriced at the general 9s….
… he certainly shouldn’t be twice the price of Teahupoo based on a neck beating in the Hatton’s Grace….
He was plenty fancied himself heading into last year’s edition of this race – but he’s a headstrong type who did himself no favours and proved reluctant….
I don’t think he was at his best that day – in his frame of mind – but he still managed to produce a challenge in the straight….
He goes well fresh, I think Willie Mullins will have worked on plenty since last year, and he’s good enough to get in the mix – if things go his way….
The pick of the prices….To recap on my bets for tomorrow…. In the 2.10 @ Cheltenham….
e/w terms = Sky Bet are 1/5 the first 8. It’s 1/5 the first 6 generally…. In the 4.10 @ Cheltenham….
e/w terms = Sky Bet are 1/5 the first 7. It’s 1/5 the first 6 & 1/5 the first 5 generally…. In the 5.30 @ Cheltenham….
e/w terms = bet365, Sky Bet, Boylesports & Betfred are 1/5 the first 6. It’s 1/5 the first 5 generally…. In the 3.30 @ Cheltenham….
e/w terms = bet365, Sky Bet, Unibet & Betfred are 1/5 the first 4. Advised prices are correct on publication – but prices are subject to fluctuation. Consult Oddschecker – you may find better quotes and terms than advised…. |
That’s all for today….
Back tomorrow….
Stay tuned.
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