Cup Final returns from over 400 days off the track to tackle the longest trip of his career over 3m2f. He may very well be able to tackle an extra half a mile in comparison to his latest win for Nicky Henderson. That was his first victory in six starts…
1pt win Delusionofgrandeur @8/1, 15:30 Musselburgh
Four go to post for this trial for the Albert Bartlett at the Cheltenham Festival and the betting suggests it’s a match between O O Seven and Fagan, who both have strong form claims and trade around the evens mark despite both making the big step up from two miles to three.…
1pt win Black Thunder @6/1, 15:30 Sandown
I’m not a fan of tipping handicaps, but seeing my hard earned go the way of the bookies in the Welsh Grand National when my horse finished first past the post has put revenge on the agenda. That horse was Black Thunder and the caveat is his rider wasn’t with him…
33/1 Cheltenham Festival 'Banker' Fourfold
Accumulators at the big spring festivals are a lot of fun, so in this piece I’m putting forward the horses that – in my opinion – look as close to certain winners at the Cheltenham Festival as is possible in the sport of horse racing. Faugheen – Champion Hurdle His…
1pt Win Cogry @3/1, 15:15 Ffos Llas
Rebecca Curtis arrives mob-handed as she attempts to win back-to-back West Wales Nationals at Ffos Llas, where she has four out of the seven runners represented. Bob Ford returns on a 13lb higher mark than when he was successful here last year, and has to give weight all-round. He did…
1pt win Native River @7/2, Wetherby 14:45
Wetherby hosts the Grade 2 Towton Novices’ Chase on Saturday, where seven go to post and the ground is soft. Native River looked a bit unlucky at Kempton when third behind Tea For Three in Grade 1 company at Christmas, as he jumped left throughout and never got into a rhythm.…
1pt win Maximiser @14/1, Sandown 14:25
A good renewal of the Grade-1 Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase with seven going to post, though the betting market has this as a match between Tea For Two and the five-year-old Bristol De Mai. Both look too short around the 6/4 mark with class and potential behind them in the…
0.5pts each-way Last Encounter @11/2, Clonmel 14:25
A cheeky bit of Grade 3 action at Clonmel this afternoon, where seven go to post over 22 furlongs. Gigginstown have three runners and retained rider Bryan Cooper opts for Willie Mullins’s Stone Hard over Roman Gold and Arkwrisht. There seems to be money for him as well, though the…
Cheltenham Festival ante-post update, 3rd February
A mixed week for our ante-post selections, with a couple seemingly dead in the water along with some good news, too. Camping Ground didn’t stay the three miles in the Cleeve Hurdle and whatever form claims he had over Thistlecrack before, those are now firmly reversed and trainer Robert Walford says…
1pt win Frodon @7/1, 16:10 Cheltenham
The finale on Cheltenham Trials day may not be the highlight on the card, but by no means does it look any less competitive. It represents an intriguing little contest with several unexposed entrants sent handicap hurdling for the first time. Solstice Star goes in search of a five-timer with…