Little is ever certain at Cheltenham, as the backers and connections of countless horses that did everything right but then stopped on the hill can confirm. Even so, it is a little surprising to find that the shortest price of any favourite on the the first day of the International meeting, at 7am at any rate, is the 9-4 against A Hare Breath in what should be, in theory, the most competitive event on the card.
Sixteen runners are due to go to post for the two-mile handicap hurdle at 1.10, but the bookmakers paid out on a gamble from 20-1 to 6-1 when A Hare Breath was successful at the last meeting here in November and they are taking no chances this time around.
Ben Pauling’s seven-year-old is lightly-raced and, despite his trainer’s suggestion beforehand that the gamble was “bonkers”, A Hare Breath had clearly been showing plenty at home. He is 12lb higher now, however, and while his two-and-a-quarter length winning margin was comfortable enough, he did not win like a horse with several stone in hand.
This promises to be a much more competitive event that A Hare Breath’s price might imply, and there are at least half a dozen decent alternatives in a market where the outsiders’ odds may be a little inflated. The 20-1 chance Ascendant (1.10) is one of those, having run well on his return to action at Ludlow last month, and he also has a couple of pieces of form in a progressive season last year that give him a realistic chance off today’s mark.
Fletchers Flyer (12.00) was caught on the run-in by Onenightinvienna on his chase debut at Exeter last month but has an obvious chance to reverse the form at today’s weights, while Knock House (nap 1.45), a winner at the last meeting here, has only a 5lb rise to overcome and plenty of scope to do so. Any Currency (next best 2.20) will take plenty of beating in the cross-country event on today’s terms, while Drumlee Sunset (3.25) is the best prospect in the concluding novice hurdle.
On the supporting cards, Vyta Du Roc (12.20) is an exciting recruit to chasing at Bangor, while Miss Minuty (5.10) and Monday Club (6.10) are the picks on the Flat at Wolverhampton. Flemensmix (1.20) and Ballyben (1.55) are both worth an interest at Doncaster.
Tipping competition, day five
Our winners so far:
Monday
Tempting 7-1
Itstimeforapint 11-4
Volunteer Point 7-2
Tuesday
April Dusk 2-1
Superciliary 25-1
Transient Bay 5-2
Wednesday
Valid Point 8-1
Truckers Highway 3-1
Trimoulet 11-2
Thursday
Sandy Beach 16-1
Doctor Look Here 9-2
Extreme Impact 12-1
And our leader is ...
Jakesnake1 +14.50 ... who had Doctor Look Here AND Extreme Impact.
Other good scores: 72luca +9, Mai11 +9, kingklynch +8.50, BearRides +8, donlewis +7.50, Crasivo +5, hwjb01 +4.75, Topspeedspurs +4.50, dean055 +3.
For today’s thrilling climax, we’d like your tips, please, for these races: 1.45 Cheltenham, 2.20 Cheltenham, 2.55 Cheltenham.
This week, we’re offering a second chance to win a copy of the Racing Post Annual 2016, featuring 208 colour pages of the best writing and photography from racing’s daily paper. The blurb promises “ the moments to treasure and unusual stories of the year, plus a look forward at the top prospects for 2016”. If you don’t win, you can buy a copy here.
As ever, our champion will be the tipster who returns the best profit to notional level stakes of £1 at starting price on our nominated races, of which there will be three each day up until Friday. Non-runners count as losers. If you have not joined in so far this week, you are welcome to do so today, but you will start on -12.
In the event of a tie at the end of the week, the winner will be the tipster who, from among those tied on the highest score, posted their tips earliest on the final day.
Good luck!
For terms and conditions click here
And post your tips or racing-related comments below.
