Location:
Cheltenham Festival, Prestbury Park, Gloucester, England.
Date: 13th - 16th March 2018.
Introduction:
The Cheltenham Festival is the pinnacle of National Hunt horse
racing. High profile horses, trainers, jockeys, owners &
gamblers. All with one thing in mind – finding winners. The best
British and Irish-trained horses looking for bragging rights. Keep up
to date, click here to see all Cheltenham Festival result.
Take
a look at these headline Grade 1 races & tips:
Champion
Hurdle Challenge Trophy
3:30
Cheltenham 13th March
This
could be the start of a supreme Cheltenham Festival for Nicky
Henderson with 4/7f Buveur D'Air - a banker for many a punter
on this first day. This French-bred seven-year-old gelding is
unbeaten in his last nine starts and has an official rating of 169.
Winning this race last year, drawing clear from stable mate My Tent
Or Yours. The betting suggests the majority of this field are here to
make up the numbers bar one Irish opponent trained by Willie Mullins,
Faugheen. This 6/1 shot won the Champion Hurdle in 2015. A
disappointment when pulled up at Leopardstown suggests this gelding
has a question to answer but the ability to go very well if at his
best.
The
Queen Mother Champion Chase
3:30
Cheltenham - 14th
March
Altior
could be another smart winner for Nicky Henderson. This gelding has
run 15 times and tasted defeated on just two occasions. A son of High
Chaparral with total prize earnings of almost £400,000. William Hill
have this eight year old priced 8/11f. He won at odds of 1/3f when
''comfortably'' defying all at Newbury in February. Willie Mullins
isn't going to let Henderson has this all his own way because Min
and Douvan
could well figure. They are priced 10/3 & 5/1, respectively. Fox
Norton may
be some people's idea of an each-way bet at 12/1. Altior is a hot
favourite for big players.
Cheltenham
Gold Cup
3:30
Cheltenham 16th March
Could
this be three out of three for Nicky Henderson? Those Irish eyes will
be weeping if Might Bite takes the Gold Cup. This
nine-year-old bay gelding is sired by Scorpion out of a dam called
Knotted Midge. Not doubt the mare inspired the ownership moniker The
Knot Again Partnership. Might Bite has been transformed over the last
couple of seasons. Stealing a win at Cheltenham when taking the RSA
Novices Chase last year in the final strides. He has sparkled since
stepping up to 3 miles. William Hill have this horse priced 3/1.
Other major hopes include last year's winner Sizing John. That
victory speaks volumes and I would be very fearful of this gelding
even though his last run afforded a bizarre conclusion. Native
River hit the frame last year and been in good form heading
towards this contest.
Conclusion:
Three showcase races for the Festival. Nicky Henderson must be
heading to Prestbury Park full of hope. Buveur D'Air, Altior &
Might Bite could well start favourites across the board. The first
horse looks set to win and it could well bring a touch of luck to his
stable mates who I fancy to taste victory.