THE Cheltenham Festival is fast approaching and we are starting to get a feel for how the markets for the meeting’s top races may shake out.
Some feel like unattractive punting propositions already – anyone want to take on odds-on favourite Honeysuckle in the Champion Hurdle?
That said, there is plenty of value to be found elsewhere and it’s time to start properly filling out those ante-post portfolios.
There will be hits and misses, with key meetings in the run up to the Festival and with almost inevitable injuries to contend with.
But all being well, we’ll make it to the start with a few healthy ante-post positions.
CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL ANTE-POST PORTFOLIO
Silver Forever
Mares’ Chase
10/1 with Bet365 and Paddy Power
1pt win
Looking at the markets for the Graded races at the festival, there’s one favourite that stands out to me as being far too short.
Concertista is an admirable mare, who has shown an aptitude for jumping a fence, but a general 5/2 about her for the Mares’ Chase? No. There’s better value in this market.
Silver Forever has become something of the dark horse in this market for me and there’s still plenty of the 10/1 with Bet365, despite her being available at much bigger odds earlier in the season.
A smart bumper mare and a Listed winner over hurdles, she has really taken to fences on the the evidence of her two starts so far this season.
Trained by Paul Nicholls, she beat recent Cheltenham handicap winner Imperial Alcazar in a match race on her chasing debut at Newbury in November.
The form of that win has obviously been boosted but match races are notoriously dubious form guides, so the case here rests more on her Listed win, again at Newbury, in December.
That day, over 2m7½f, Silver Forever was eased down in the closing stages after getting the best of a decent field of proven and more experienced mares.
Her jumping there was what really stood out that day and it’s that which gives me confidence that dropping down in drip at Cheltenham would prove no issue.
Low through the air and quick away from her fences, she looks to have the credentials to handle the tougher jumping test she’ll find at the festival.
Cheltenham Festival ante post tip: This novice could be at least half his 16/1 price come the Albert Bartlett
While her trainer clearly has her marked down as a stayer, surely the Mares’ Chase represents her best chance of winning at Cheltenham.
Whats more, looking at the market there’s a chance several of those at shorter prices (namely Riviere D’Etel and Mount Ida) may be redirected elsewhere.
That would mean a contraction in Silver Forever’s price even if she doesn’t run again between now and the festival.
As far as I can see, this is a good a time as any to get on.
Bets already advised
The Nice Guy (Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle)
1pt win at 16/1 with Bet365
Ferny Hollow (Arkle) 11/10Redemption Day (Champion Bumper) 6/11pt double at 16/1 with Paddy Power
Call Me Lord (Coral Cup)
1pt e/w at 25/1
Allegorie De Vassy (Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle)
1pt win at 7-1 with Bet365
Shishkin (Queen Mother Champion Chase) 11/10
Honeysuckle (Champion Hurdle) 4/5
Galopin Des Champs (Festival Novices’ Chase) 7/4
1pt treble at combined odds of 8/1 with Paddy Power
Sir Gerhard (Supreme Novices’ Hurdle)
1pt win at 5/1 with Paddy Power
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
- Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
- Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
- Never chase their losses
- Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
- Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
- Gamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org
For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites.
