Cheltenham ante-post betting ideas: weekend review 23-24 January
Slot Betting evaluations the most recent Cheltenham Festival ante-post odds after a weekend that featured some performances to note
Next Saturday is Cheltenham Trials Day, when a seven-race card at Prestbury Park ought to present some pointers in course of The Festival, which starts on sixteen March.
Meanwhile, a few horses made their case for ante-post consideration on the weekend. Here is our look at people who caught the attention.
Check out our chosen for all the best new buyer offers for the Festival.
Ricci’s probability to strike gold
Odds appropriate at time of publishing and subject to alter.
Despite the success he has enjoyed through the years in tandem with coach Willie Mullins, proprietor Rich Ricci has yet to enjoy a Cheltenham Gold Cup victory. The noble Djakadam rattled the woodwork, twice finishing second within the Blue Riband contest, however in the end couldn’t convert his possibilities.
Trainer Venetia Williams mentioned that Ricci had sought to “send her an excellent horse” following Royale Pagaille’s Kempton rout at Christmas on his handicap debut. Given the manner of Saturday’s follow-up win in the Peter Marsh Chase, it seems the benefactor has been good to his word.
Despite being hit with a chunky 16lb rise for that Kempton win, seven-year-old Royale Pagaille turned Haydock’s Grade 2 handicap chase into a procession on Saturday. The doubters will note that Potters Legend adopted him home (at a safe distance) and his lone success this season came in a Veterans’ Chase in November, nevertheless it was nonetheless a formidable effort.
Will connections go the Gold Cup route? Time will inform, as Royale Pagaille holds a few Cheltenham entries at this stage. Coneygree is the lone novice in fashionable instances to win the Gold Cup and he was never fairly the same afterwards. Regardless, connections shall be assured that an actual stamina check in Cheltenham come March, ideally on softer floor, will give their rising star a significant probability of additional success no matter his target.
Bailey’s charge in full Flow
Odds appropriate at time of publishing and subject to alter.
Perhaps Saturday’s most impressive show was First Flow’s emphatic success within the Clarence House Chase at Ascot.
Kim Bailey’s cost went into the race as a progressive handicapper with 5 successive wins beneath his belt and a record of never having finished exterior the first three in 10 chase starts. He got here out the other aspect together with his sixth straight win and his first in a Grade 1 in addition.
In doing so he beat reigning Queen Mother Champion Chase winner and Tingle Creek scorer Politologue, and the way by which he lowered the colors of Paul Nicholls’ cost was spectacular.
David Bass took the bull by the horns a way from residence and it was excellent to see the jockey throw First Flow into the leaping tests – and the horse relishing them. He got stronger because the race went on and finally had it in safe maintaining clearing the final.
Chacun Pour Soi apart, all the opposite Champion Chase gamers now have main questions against them. A lack of Cheltenham expertise is one downside for First Flow – he was pulled up within the 2018 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle on his only go to – but every thing else is positive and he’s a perfectly constant chaser who is still progressive and has valid claims on this championship contest.
Roksana nonetheless a good price
Odds appropriate at time of publishing and subject to vary.
It’s maybe underestimating the mare Roksana that she remains freely out there at double-figure odds for the Stayers’ Hurdle.
Dan Skelton’s charge is placing collectively a fantastic season, her solely defeat in three up to now coming when close third to Paisley Park and Thyme Hill in last month’s Long Walk Hurdle on heavy ground at Ascot.
Either facet, she has easily won Grade 2s at Wetherby in October and, on Saturday, again at Ascot in very taking fashion. She cruised by way of the race under a immobile Harry Skelton and put it to mattress in a stride or two during the last flight. Given that she has kind that ties in strongly with former winner Paisley Park and leading upstart Thyme Hill, she has to have a significant chance and she is, in fact, a Cheltenham Festival winner already.
She handles all ground however that Ascot defeat final month was on heavy and the possibilities are she will be higher seen on a sounder floor come March when renewing acquaintance with the pair that beat her. With a 7lb allowance within the Stayers’ Hurdle, make no mistake, Roksana is a big player.
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