It's
time to think big with the illustrious Cheltenham Festival 2018.
From
the 13th - 16th March, National Hunt racing goes full speed ahead at
Prestbury Park, Gloucestershire.
Lots
of top-class racing with an abundance of Grade 1 races. Race fans are
being spoiled this year with a card with unrivalled excitement. No
other meeting comes close to this high octane betting bonanza.
Cheltenham
is synonymous with betting and boy do people bet big. Money talks and
there are plenty of opinions when it comes to this National Hunt
meeting that gets the pulse racing. Any horse racing fan would
literally kill for a ticket and be part of the Cheltenham roar.
What's
your favourite race? For many, the Cheltenham Gold Cup is the
highlight of the National Hunt racing calendar. Run over a distance
of 3 miles 2 1/2f this Grade 1 race is open to horses aged five years
and older. Twenty-two fences stand between winning and losing.
There
have been a number of exceptional talents who have won this race over
the decades.
Golden
Miller, who won the race on five consecutive years from 1932 –
1936. It would seem near impossible in this modern era. Not to say
that some of these modern-day stars haven't put their name in lights.
Three
time winner - Best Mate victorious from 2002 - 2004.
I
bet these names spring to mind:
Exceptions
to the rule. Kauto Star, Denman & Long Run.
Sizing
John who won last year for trainer Jessica Harrington, ridden by
Robbie Power. Owners, Ann and Allan Potts attaining a victory and
applause of a jubilant crowd beating Minella Rocco and Native River.
Get
ready for the latest Cheltenham betting offers from all the leading
bookmakers. Including:
- Paddy Power: Claim £20
- 888 Sport: Bet £10 get a £30 free bet
- Sporting Bet – Claim £50
- William Hill: Bet £10 Get £30 free bet
- Betfair: Claim £100
The Cheltenham betting tips are warming up. Are you ready to bet big on
16th March - 3:30 Cheltenham. With bookmaker incentives like never
before you really can't miss these offers.
Nicky
Henderson could well have a Cheltenham to savour. His leading
challenger for the Gold Cup is Might Bite. This
nine-year-old bay gelding is owned by The Knot Again Partnership.
This Irish-bred son of Scorpion is very much the new kid on the block
compared with a number of old faces. He's unbeaten in his last five
races, favourite on these starts as short as 1/7f. With an official
official rating of 169, this newcomer has a profile of a class
contender. Might Bite is presently price 4/1 with leading bookmakers.
Henderson won the Gold Cup with Bob's Worth back in 2013? Bob's Worth
started 11/4f that day and ran out a tidy seven-length victor.
This
is a tough, rough, battling race that isn't for the weak or mild.
Sizing John, last year's winner will see to that, coming back for
more. It would be a brave punter to take on this hefty charge. He is a 6/1 shot to be a supreme consecutive winner.
One
horse with true credentials is Native River, trained by Colin
Tizzard. This son of Indian River finished third last year fancied to
go well. A winning return, when odds-on at Newbury, beating the field
with a touch of class, speaks well for this proven horse. I fancy
this gelding to hit the frame at 6/1.
Other
leading fancies and prices: Might Bite 4/1, Native River 6/1, Sizing
John 6/1, Our Duke 8/1, Killultagh Vic 10/1, Road To Respect 10/1,
Definitely Red 16/1, Minella Rocco 25/1, Total Recall 20/1, Edwulf
25/1, Blaklion 40/1, Coney Island 33/1, Cue Card 33/1, Djakadam 33/1,
Outlander 33/1, Anibale Fly 40/1, Double Shift 40/1, 50/1 Bar.
The
Gold Cup is a race won by many a fancied horse. Lord Windermere, who
scrambled home by a short head in 2014 when 20/1. He was the biggest
priced winner in the last twenty years. I wouldn't look beyond the
favourites and favour Native River to put that second place to good
experience come the big day.
Be
lucky.