FOR HORSE-RACING fans, the next four days represent the best and most exciting of the year as enthusiasts descend on Prestbury Park in their hundreds of thousands for the 2016 renewal of the Cheltenham festival.
Last year, there were no fewer than 13 Irish-trained winners across with Willie Mullins responsible for a record-breaking eight of them and the Carlow based trainer brings even more contenders to this year’s festival.
Whether the Irish can reach the dizzying heights of the past two years remains to be seen, but it’s sure to be an interesting week and we’ve picked five bets worth considering.
The Game Changer each way (ew) in the Arkle – 10/1
The Game Changer just can’t stop winning, not a bad trait in any horse. Since undergoing a wind operation, the Gordon Elliot-trained seven-year-old has recorded successive victories at Roscommon, Tipperary and Punchestown.
He faces a considerable step up in class when he takes on Douvan in the Arkle but has a real chance to finish in the places.
In fact, going back to April 2015, the Gigginstown-owned gelding has finished in the top three in 10 of his 11 races.
Top Notch ew in the Champion Hurdle — 16/1
With the likes of Douvan (2/5) and Vroum Vroum Mag (5/6) offering little in the way of value on the opening day of the festival, racing fans will be looking for anything that can help grow their Cheltenham war chest.
While there was disappointment for Mullins when he lost both Faugheen and Arctic Fire to injury ahead of this race, he still has the favourite in Annie Power (9/4) though she seems to be the horse most people are willing to take on this week.
Last year’s Triumph Hurdle runner-up Top Notch (16/1) has every chance in a wide open race and was impressive winning by 12 lengths on the bridle under Daryl Jacob last time out at Kelso.
Vyta Du Roc to win the RSA Chase – 8/1
There were so many trials for Cheltenham’s big races over the past few months that it would be very easy to lose track of them all. However, one notebook worthy performance came in the shape of Vyta Du Roc’s win in the Reynoldstown Chase at Ascot in February.
Nicky Henderson’s horse trailed going towards the final fence but was very impressive in beating Le Mercurey and was immediately cut to 16/1 for the RSA after the win.
With a win at Cheltenham already under his belt in the 2014 Sharp Novices’ Hurdle, the seven-year-old has every chance of a big performance.
Thomas Hobson each-way in the Albert Bartlett — 12/1
There’s an obvious flaw to Thomas Hobson’s style, namely that he doesn’t so much go over the hurdles but rather through them. However, a Ricci-owned, Mullins-trained horse going off in double figures in a Grade 1 is always worth a look.
During a recent stable tour, Mullins said Thomas Hobson could be a ‘class horse’ in this race and Faugheen has shown that novice hurdlers with poor jumping but a big engine can succeed around Prestbury Park.
The former flat specialist was 20/1 when Mullins first made his comments and could well be even shorter closer to the race. If he jumps clear, it’s very difficult to see any other winner.
Don Cossack to win the Gold Cup — 7/2
Considering his success at the festival, it’s somewhat amazing that Mullins has never won the Gold Cup and he’s throwing two top-quality horses at it this year in Don Poli (5/1) and Djakadam (11/2) with Gordon Elliot providing the favourite Don Cossack (4/1).
However, while there are question marks over Vautour’s ability to stay the full three miles, two and a half furlongs, there are a lot of positives in the seven-year-old’s favour.
Only one horse aged 10 or older has won the race (sorry Cue Card), no horse this century has won after losing in its first Gold Cup (sorry Djakadam), while nine of the last 15 winners had not run in the calendar year which does slightly hamper Don Cossack’s chances.
However, with no Vautour to worry about, it looks like it’s Don Cossack’s to lose.
What bets will you be doing for Cheltenham?
Want a free bet up to €50? Then join in online or on mobile with Ladbrokes using promo code F50. If you fancy your chances with the above odds, it could be time to make things interesting. Prices subject to fluctuation. Ladbrokes rules apply. 18+