READ MORE: Get our free Cheltenham Festival tips for the biggest races each day.
As we ease into March and the beginnings of Spring time, for horseracing fans it can only mean one thing, we have a fortnight and counting until the “Greatest Show On Turf”, the 2021 Cheltenham Festival. As we start to get an idea of which runners are featuring in what race, punters are starting to finalise their selections across the twenty-eight races available, over four glorious days of National Hunt racing. Previously at BettingPro.com, we listed our tips for the big races of each day, so let’s dig a little deeper and take a look at some of the alternative selections that stand out at Prestbury Park.
Will The Hot Favourites Prevail?
There are plenty of favourite backers out there, who love a hotly fancied market leader and with that in mind, we have a handy 4 fold that currently comes in at around 20/1. On ay one, Shiskin looks to add his remarkable run of eight wins in nine, with the Arkle Chase for Nicky Henderson. He looked in great shape, when easing to an 8.5 length win at Doncaster in January, while later on that day, Concertista is the narrow favourite for the Mares Hurdle, however with the main threat in the market, Honeysuckle, expected to race in the Champion Hurdle, after winning the Irish equivalent, the door will be opened for Willie Mullins’s charge to grab a fourth successive victory.
On day two, Monkfish is another standout favourite, this time in the Brown Plate and should be too strong for main contender, Royale Pagaille, as another of Willie Mullins’ trained runners looks to add to the Albert Bartlett win at the Festival last year and make it seven wins in a row., while on day 3, Envoi Allen will battle Energumene in the Marsh Novices Chase, but like the aforementioned Honeysuckle, may well be entered into another race over the four days. If so, the stage is set for Envoi Allen to make it twelve wins from twelve races.
Cheltenham Festival 4 Fold Acca
Movers and Shakers...
In the build up to this incredible event, preparation races are key to determine an entries chances at the Festival and its from those final runs that trainers and connection decide what races to aim for. And as you will see below, a great performance also see’s plenty of market attention too. Check out three runners who could score big, after excellent recent performances.
Adagio has shortened from 20/1 to 10/1 for the Triumph Hurdle, having won the Grade 1 Juvenile Hurdle at Chepstow back in January, when 2.5 lengths clear of Nassalam and a further 20 lengths clear of the field. He has consistently improved under David Pipe and despite some further improvement arguably needed to win this contest, he offers plenty of potential for the big race.
Triumph Hurdle
Goshen is another who has massively shortened in price and with good reason, having won the Grade 2 Kingwell Hurdle by 22 lengths ahead of the very useful Song For Someone. Against Honeysuckle and Epatante it will be some test, but that run last month was quite the performance and anything is possible for Gary Moore’s charge, with redemption for last year’s Triumph Hurdle fall at the last, when clear potentially on the cards here.
The last of the trio is Sceau Royal, who made up for the defeat to Altior, the year before, by this time beating Champ to win the Grade 2, Game Spirit Chase by 2 lengths. It’s going to be a tough ask, with the aforementioned Altior and favourite, Chacun Pour Soi involved but at around 20/1 on the markets, each-way backers may well fall for the charms of Alan Kings runner, after that recent performance.
Queen Mother Champion Chase
Non-Runner, No Bet On All Races
One of the great joys of the Cheltenham Festival is bookmakers do there best to give customers plenty of variety in terms of offers, specials and enhancements to attract your custom, with the now staple Non-Runner, No Bet offer a great way of grabbing bigger ante-post odds way before the event. Simply make your selections in any of the 28 Cheltenham Festival races and if they fail to start that race, get your money back as a free bet.
As we get closer to the big event, stay tuned for more Cheltenham content at BettingPro, including daily tips and multiples throughout the four day extravaganza, along with enhancement and promotions too.