Bettingpro takes a look at this week's action.(credit:
James from SoGlos.com)
One of the Gold Cup big guns gets his final Cheltenham preparation at Newbury this week and there is plenty of other top class action from Leopardstown, Musselburgh and Warwick. Bettingpro brings us the racing highlights of the next seven days.
Sunday February 7
Leopardstown
13:05 Spring Juvenile Hurdle
The Triumph Hurdle entries were announced this week and five of the six runners for this Grade One contest featured on the Cheltenham list. Pittoni looks the pick of them, winner of a Grade Three at Punchestown last time out in which he comfortable disposed of Big Game Hunter and Marlos Moment.
14:10 Deloitte Novice Hurdle
This is all about Supreme Novices Hurdle favourite, Dunguib. His main rival is likely to be Fionnegas from the Willie Mullins stable, who is sure to appreciate the step back up in trip, after running creditably behind Hollo Ladies at Leopardstown last time.
14:40 Dr P J Moriarty Chase
A fascinating race for staying novices, many of which are being aimed at the Royal and Sun Alliance next month. Out and out stayer Weapon's Amnesty is likely to go off favourite, but will face opposition from a number of interesting horses including Zaarito, runner up to current Arkle antepost favourite Captain Cee Bee, back in November.
15:45 Hennessey Gold Cup
A small field is expected for this prestigious Grade One, but it has a solid look to it. Cooldine's failure in the Lexus Chase can be ignored as he wasn't right that day and the winner of last year's Royal and Sun Alliance Chase is narrow favourite for this on 3.5 Joncol is 3.7 and Money Trix, who handled the step up in class to finish runner up in the Lexus is 4.3
Musselburgh
14:30 John Smith's Scottish Triumph Hurdle
One or two with Triumph Hurdle prospects in this Class Two race for juveniles, but the stand out is Gordon Elliot's Carlito Brigante who burst Alaivan's bubble at Leopardstown last time.
15:30 John Smith's County Handicap Hurdle
A valuable and competitive handicap hurdle run over two miles. Previous winners Astarador and European Dream are set to line up but most of those entered can be given some sort of chance in what is a typically tricky puzzle for punters to solve.
Thursday February 11
Huntingdon
15:10 freebets.co.uk Chatteris Fen Juvenile Novices' Hurdle
A Class Two event that could possibly see a clash between two of the horses prominent in the Triumph Hurdle betting, Alan King's antepost favourite Mille Chief and According, from the Nicky Henderson stable.
Saturday February 13
Newbury
14:35 Aon Chase
The Aon Chase has rapidly gained significance since its introduction in 2000 as a Gold Cup trial and it has seen some thrilling contests in that short time. It is expected that Denman, winner of the race two years ago, will complete his Gold Cup preparations here, partnered by Tony McCoy and it will be interesting to see which of his potential Cheltenham rivals will take on The Tank.
15:10 totesport Trophy Hurdle
A good old fashioned Saturday betting handicap, featuring a big and fiercely competitive field of handicappers and hopefully a true pace around this galloping course. As ever, unexposed young horses will be the danger. Five-year-old Spirit River, comfortable winner of a Cheltenham handicap in December is the tentative 9.0 antepost favourite.
15:45 totepool Game Spirit Chase
Named after the Queen Mother's grand old campaigner, this prime Champion Chase Trial has seen some very informative battles over the years, though it may not prove to be this time around with many of the main Cheltenham contenders opting for other contests. Master Minded may appear though that could depend on the going.
16:50 Winter Bumper
Bumpers are an acquired taste, but this is one of the better such events on the calendar and can be very informative, so is well worth watching for future stars.
Warwick
14:20 totesport.com Kingmaker Novices Chase
One of the best races you are likely to see at this Midlands course and another chance for some Arkle outsiders to announce their presence and set the cat amongst the pigeons in the ante post Cheltenham markets.
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