Cheltenham Festival 2018 - Results in Full - Day Four

13:30 JCB Triumph Hurdle (Grade 1)
1.Farclas - G Elliott - J Kennedy - 9/1
2.Mr Adjudicator - W Mullins - P Townend - 8/1
3.Sayo - W Mullins - D Mullins - 33/1
9 Ran14:10 Randox Health County Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3)
1.Mohaayed - D Skelton - B Andrews - 33/1
2.Remiluc - C Gordon - H Reed - 50/1
3.Whiskey Sour - W Mullins - D Mullins - 7/1
4.Chesterfield - S Mullins - D Sansom - 16/1
24 Ran
14:50 Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) (Registered As The Spa Novices' Hurdle)
1.Kilbricken Storm - C Tizzard - H Cobden - 33/1
2.Ok Corral - N Henderson - B Geraghty - 16/1
3.Santini - N Henderson - N De Boinville - 11/4f
20 Ran
15:30 Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase (Grade 1)
1.Native River - C Tizzard - R Johnson - 5/1
2.Might Bite - N Henderson - N De Boinvile - 4/1f
3.Anibale Fly - A Martin - B Geraghty - 33/1
15 Ran
16:10 St. James's Place Foxhunter Challenge Cup Open Hunters' Chase
1.Pacha Du Polder - P Nicholls - H Tucker - 25/1
2.Top Wood - Miss K Wood - S Davies-Thomas - 50/1
3.Cousin Pete - 66/1 and Barel Of Laughs - 14/1
24 Ran
16:50 Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle
1.Blow By Blow - G Elliott - D Meyler - 11/1
2.Discorama - P Nolan - D Robinson - 33/1
3.Early Doors - J O'Brien - JJ Slevin - 9/1
4.Sire Du Berlais - G Elliott - D McInerney - 10/1
23 Ran
17:30 Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase (Grade 3)
1.Le Prezien - P Nicholls - B Geraghty - 15/2
2.Gino Trail - K Lee - J Moore - 25/1
3.Top Gamble - K Lee - D Russell - 8/1
4.Theinval - N Henderson - J McGrath - 16/1
23 Ran

Cheltenham Festival 2018 - Results in Full - Day Three

13:30 JLT Novices' Chase (Grade 1) (Registered As The Golden Miller)
1.Shattered Love - G Elliott - J Kennedy - 4/1
2.Terrefort - N Henderson - D Jacob - 3/1f
3.Benatar - G Moore - J Moore - 10/1
9 Ran
14:10 Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3)
1.Delta Work - G Elliott - D Russell - 6/1
2.Glenloe - G Elliott - B Geraghty - 9/2f
3.Connetable - P Nicholls - H Cobden - 33/1
4.Taj Badalandabad - D Pipe - T Scudamore - 40/1
23 Ran
14:50 Ryanair Chase (Grade 1) (Registered As The Festival Trophy)
1.Balko Des Flos - H De Bromhead - D Russell - 8/1
2.Un De Sceaux - W Mullins - P Townend - 8/11f
6 Ran
15:30 Sun Bets Stayers' Hurdle (Grade 1)
1.Penhill - W Mullins - P Townend - 12/1
2.Supasundae - J Harrington - R Power - 6/1
3.Wholestone - N Twiston-Davies - A Coleman - 14/1
16 Ran

16:10 Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Stable Plate Handicap Chase (Grade 3)
1.The Storyteller - G Elliott - D Russell - 5/1f
2.Spash Of Ginge - N Twiston-Davies - J Bargary - 25/1
3.King's Odyssey - E Williams - A Wedge - 14/1
4.Ballyalton - I Williams - T O'Brien - 16/1
22 Ran
16:50 Trull House Stud Mares' Novices' Hurdle (Grade 2) (Registered As The Dawn Run)
1.Laurina - W Mullins - P Townend - 4/7f
2.Cap Soleil - F O'Brien - P Brennan - 10/1
3.Champayne Lady - A Fleming - D O'Regan - 80/1
14 Ran
17:30 Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Amateur Riders' Handicap Chase
1.Missed Approach - W Greatrex - N McParlan - 8/1
2.Mall Dini - P Kelly - P Mullins - 4/1f
3.Squouateur - G Elliott - J Codd - 5/1
4.Double Ross - N Twiston-Davies - 40/1
21 Ran

Cheltenham Festival 2018 - Results in Full - Day Two

13:30 Ballymore Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) (Registered as The Baring Bingham)
1.Samcro - G Elliott - J Kennedy - 8/11f
2.Black Op - T George - N Fehily - 8/1
3.Next Destination - W Mullins - R Walsh - 4/1
14 Ran
14:10 RSA Insurance Novices' Chase (Grade 1)
1.Presenting Percy - P Kelly - D Russell - 5/2f
2.Monalee - H De Bromhead - N Fehily - 10/1
3.Elegant Escape - C Tizzard - H Cobden - 9/1
10 Ran
14:50 Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3)
1.Bleu Berry - W Mullins - M Walsh - 20/1
2.Topofthegame - P Nicholls - S Twiston-Davies - 9/1
3.Barra - G Elliott - J Kennedy - 16/1
4.William Henry - N Henderson - J Bowen - 8/1JF
26 Ran
15:30 Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase (Grade 1)
1.Altior - N Henderson - N De Boinville - Evsf
2.Min - W Mullins - P Townend - 5/2
3.God's Own - T George - P Brennan - 40/1
9 Ran
16:10 Glenfarclas Chase (Cross Country Chase)
1.Tiger Roll - G Elliott - K Donoghue - 7/1
2.Urgent De Gregaine - E Clayeux - F De Giles - 12/1
3.The Last Samuri - K Bailey - D Bass - 11/4f
16 Ran
16:50 Boodles Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3)
1.Veneer Of Charm - G Elliott - J Kennedy - 33/1
2.Style De Garde - N Henderson - N De Boinville - 12/1
3.Nube Negra - D Skelton - H Skelton - 15/2f
4.Padleyourowncanoe - C Tizzard - T Scudamore - 33/1
22 Ran
17:30 Weatherbys Champion Bumper (Standard Open NH Flat Race) (Grade 1)
1.Relegate - W Mullins - Ms K Walsh - 25/1
2.Carefully Selected - W Mullins - D Mullins - 6/1
3.Tornado Flyer - W Mullins - P Townend - 14/1
23 Ran

Cheltenham Festival 2018 - Results in Full - Day One

1:30 Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) Cl1 (4yo+) 2m½f

1.Summerville Boy - T George - N Fehily - 9/1
2.Kalashnikov - A Murphy - J Quinlan - 5/1
3.Mengli Khan - G Elliott - J Kennedy -14/1
20 Ran

14:10 Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices' Chase (Grade 1)
1.Footpad - W Mullins - R Walsh - 5/6f
2.Brain Power - N Henderson - N De Boinville - 14/1
5 Ran

14:50 Ultima Handicap Chase (Grade 3)
1.Coo Star Sivola - N Williams - L Kelly - 5/1
2.Shantou Flyer - R Hobson - J Bowen - 14/1
3.Vintage Clouds - S Smith - D Cook - 7/1
4.Beware The Bear - N Henderson - J McGrath - 14/1
18 Ran

15:30 Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy (Grade 1)
1.Buveur D'air - N Henderson - B Geraghty - 4/6f
2.Melon - W Mullins - P Townend - 7/1
3.Mick Jazz - G Elliott - D Russell - 25/1
11 Ran

16:10 OLBG Mares' Hurdle (Grade 1) (Registered As The David Nicholson Mares' Hurdle)
1.Benie Des Dieux - W Mullins - R Walsh - 9/2
2.Midnight Tour - A King - D Russell - 33/1
3.Appe's Jade - G Elliott - J Kennedy - 1/2f
9 Ran

16:50 National Hunt Challenge Cup Amateur Riders' Novices' Chase (Grade 2)
1.Rathvinden - W Mullins - Mr P Mullins - 9/2
2.Ms Parfois - A Honeyball - Mr W Biddick - 11/2
3.Sizing Tennessee - C Tizzard - Mr B O'Neill - 8/1
16 Ran

17:30 Close Brothers Novices' Handicap Chase (Listed)
1.Mister Whitaker - M Channon - B Hughes - 13/2
2.Rather Be - N Henderson - J McGrath - 12/1
3.Rocklander - T George - A Heskin - 25/1
4.Barney Dwan - F O'Brien - P Brennan - 15/2
20 Ran

Cheltenham Festival 2018

Many racing fans will be looking through the competitive racing action at the Cheltenham festival for the best bets. The Cheltenham odds continued to change on the run up to the meeting with punters looking to get the best price available on their fancied horse. One horse that certainly is a fan favourite is the seasoned and tough Un de Sceaux. The now 10 year old trained by Willie Mullins has continued to perform at the top level throughout his career and will be looking for his third Cheltenham festival victory in the Ryanair Chase.

The latest betting on the race makes him the current 6/4 market leader as opposition continues to be ruled out of the race. Un de Sceaux heads into the meeting with 20 victories and 3 seconds in his 26 starts under rules. He won the 2017 running of the race in emphatic fashion having pulled for much of the contest but again battled on well up the famous Cheltenham hill. If he puts in a similar performance as he has recently it will take a top performance to dethrone him.

Un de Sceaux returned this season following a 229 day break and was very weak in the market. However he won the contest by 25 lengths on the bridle landing odds of 4/6. His next start was record breaking as he became the first horse to win the Clarence house Chase for the third time. This resulted in his trainer branding him the iron horse which just shows what he is all about. As tough as they come with a huge amount of ability to back it up.

One of his key dangers for the race looks to be the revitalised Cue Card. He is another star of national hunt racing who returned from a short 84 day break to run the hugely talented unbeaten chaser Waiting Patiently to a 2 and ¾ length second. Cue Card now 12 years of age is also a multiple Cheltenham festival winner having won the bumper back in 2010 and most recently the Ryanair Chase in 2013. Both horses are absolutely stars of the sport so either would be a fitting winner of the 2018 renewal but if Cue Card were to get his head in front in may bring the roof off as he is such a fan favourite. 

Cheltenham Festival Value Bets

Looking at the prices across the whole of the Cheltenham festival this year there looks to be little value that the bookies haven’t already hoovered up. Footpad, the overwhelming favourite in the second race on Day 1 justified the confidence from the shot callers and romped home over 10 lengths clear, allowing Ruby Walsh to start celebrating even before he crossed the line.

Where there looks to be more value is in the Top Trainers stakes with Willie Mullins leading the race already but he has Nicky Henderson and Gordon Elliott breathing down his neck he’ll have to make sure his horses are in form. 

English Trainers Set to Win All Four of the Main Cheltenham Festival Races

 

 

"Cheltenham Festival crowd" by Carine06 (CC BY-SA 2.0)

The Cheltenham Festival is nearly upon us, and as usual there has been a lot of discussion around the horses that will be clashing in the four big races of the festival. In years gone by, we have seen Irish dominance in both these four races and the festival as a whole. However, this year, things look to be set up differently. The English trainers, led by Nicky Henderson, appear to have great chances in all four of the Championship races, and there looks to be a very good chance of all four titles remaining in England.

The Champion Hurdle

The feature of day one is the Champion Hurdle, a race over two miles to test both the speed and jumping ability of horses. Last year’s champion Buveur D’Air is back to defend his crown, and right now there appears to be no danger to him. The Nicky Henderson trained seven-year-old has sauntered through this season, winning all three of his races without being challenged. The one worry about him may be that he has not had enough preparation, and hasn’t been tested since this race last season. However, Nicky Henderson is a man who knows what he is doing, and he is sure to have thought of this, and ensured there is enough work in Buveur D’Air to get him in top shape on the day.

Opposition to Buveur D’Air is thin on the ground, with Faugheen looking to be the likeliest to pounce on any sub-par effort from the favourite. However, he has been nowhere near his best recently, and it is likely that he will either go very close, or be tailed off, which would be a disappointing sight. That leaves My Tent Or Yours as the one most likely to chase home Buveur D’Air, potentially giving Nicky Henderson a one-two in the race.

The Champion Chase

The Champion Chase tells a similar story to the Champion Hurdle. We have a Nicky Henderson favourite, and a Willie Mullins trained challenger who has had problems in the past. The Henderson horse is Altior, and the Willie Mullins horse is Douvan. Altior is potentially a very special horse, and last season he put in a great performance to win the Arkle Chase. He’s had his problems over the summer, but has been given time to return and was mightily impressive when he did come back, beating Politologue with ease despite not being fully fit. We could be seeing another Sprinter Sacre with Altior, he really could be that special and at just eight, he is in the prime of his life right now.

The main challenger to Altior will be Douvan if he runs - if not, it will be the other Willie Mullins horse, Min. Douvan was a very short priced favourite to win this race last season, but injured himself during the race to finish nearer last than first. We have not seen him since that run, and it is going to take a monumental effort from Willie Mullins to get him back and beating Altior. However, if there is a man that can do that, then Willie Mullins would be top of the list. Should Douvan not make it then Min would be the clear second favourite, although he has a lot to find on form with Altior, something that looks like being too much for him to turn around.

Providing we don’t have any scares with the favourite, it is likely that after the Champion Chase, Nicky Henderson will have won both of the big races so far at the 2018 festival.

 

 

"Action from the Cheltenham Festival" by Carine06 (CC BY-SA 2.0)

The Stayers Hurdle

The Stayers Hurdle looks to be the best betting heat out of the four big races this season, with a wide open feel to it. Opinions vary on this race, but there is one horse in the field who could still be improving and eventually turn out to be a lot better than his rivals, and that is Sam Spinner. He will have to do this the hard way, because he loves to race from the front, something that will be very difficult for him to do. However, it is impossible to not be impressed by his upward curve this season, he looks to be a superstar in the making, though this is his toughest step so far.

His main rival in the betting appears to be Supasundae who is currently edging favouritism for the race. He is an Irish raider who will be tested by the stiff three miles here. This is a big step up from the two miles he faced last time out, and his challenge hinges on whether he will stay the trip or not. If he does stay then he has to be respected, but that is not a certainty. With many others having each way chances, including Nicky Henderson’s L’Ami Serge, this is a great betting heat, and it may be the ideal opportunity to take advantage of a Paddy Power risk-free £20 bet, or one of the free bets from Timeform.

The Gold Cup

The final big race of the meeting takes place on the final day of the festival and it is the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Nicky Henderson looks sure to be involved in this race as he has the current favourite Might Bite aimed at the race, an enigmatic horse, but one who won at the festival last season. Whether he will stay the trip of three miles and two furlongs on likely soft ground is the big question mark against him. Fellow English challenger Native River is the second favourite, and he has no such question marks by the side of his name. He is a great jumper, with a willing attitude, guaranteed to stay and will like the soft ground - there is plenty going in his favour here.

Elsewhere, many people will be looking for each way bets in the race as they look to find value and Definitly Red, a northern challenger is one to consider. Like Native River, he will like the ground, and is sure to stay the trip - he could surprise a few at a big price and pick up at least a place. He was very impressive round Cheltenham last time out, and deserves this step up to the top level.

Native River and Definitly Red to Fight Out Cheltenham Gold Cup

"Cheltenham Racecourse" by Stephen Bowden (CC BY-SA 2.0)

The Cheltenham Festival is nearly upon us and the biggest race of the week, without a doubt, is the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Run on Friday, the final day of the meeting, this race brings together the best staying chasers and they take each other on in what is always a huge test of jumping, stamina and courage. This year, with the going expected to be softer than normal it will take even more courage and character from the brave horses involved if they are to lift one of racing’s biggest prizes.

The soft ground, assuming it comes, will suit some horses better than others, and two of the horses that will love it are Native River and Definitly Red. Although not favourite at the moment, it would be no surprise to see Native River sent off favourite on Friday, as money goes on the soft ground specialists. We have only seen him once this season, a completely different preparation to the one he had last season. He impressed on his return to the track in February, and trainer Colin Tizzard will be hoping he has done the right thing and got him spot on for the big day.

Current favourite Might Bite has a doubt about staying the Gold Cup distance, and soft ground will question that even further. The likely drift of Might Bite and the money for Native River is highly likely to force a change in favourite.

 

 "Cheltenham Gold Cup" by Carine06 (CC BY-SA 2.0)

 

Definitly Red is an outsider for the race at the moment, but would be of real interest on rain softened ground. The further they go, the better he will be - so the more emphasis on stamina the better for him. He won in great style at Cheltenham last time out when the going was soft, and he is also going to attract a lot of betting support as we draw closer to the big event. The latest Cheltenham odds 2018 have Definitly Red at 12/1, something that is highly unlikely to be available on the day, given the ground we are likely to encounter.

The Brian Ellison yard have targeted this race instead of another tilt at the Grand National, a race in which he was pulled up last year after the saddle slipped. He was desperately unlucky that day, and will be looking for redemption in another big race this Friday, when he takes to the track at Cheltenham.

Punters will be able to see how bad the ground is on the first three days of the festival before deciding where to put their money. However, if it is as soft as people are expecting it to be, then expect to see a lot of that money going towards Native River and Definitly Red. The money is likely to send Native River off as the favourite, while Definitly Red is also likely to shorten and those two can battle out the finish on Friday, with a huge audience watching both at the track and at home on TV.

 

Here's hoping you're all geared up for The Cheltenham Festival. If you're looking for race by race breakdown gives you an insight on the schedule, course, insight into previous years and tips for this year's Cheltenham Festival then check out our Cheltenham Focus blog!

Cheltenham Festival 2011: Maiden Win for Mullins

Ruby Walsh made a statement of intent by winning the Stan James Supreme Novices’ Hurdle on Al Ferof for Paul Nicholls and, by the end of the opening day, was well on the way to yet another leading jockey title, courtesy of Hurricane Fly in the Stan James Champion Hurdle and Quevega in the David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle. Further victories on Big Buck’s in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle and Final Approach in the Vincent O’Brien County Hurdle gave Nicholls’ stable jockey a total of five winners for the week, but it was Willie Mullins, with four winners – Hurricane Fly, Quevega, Final Approach and Sir Des Champs, in the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle – who lifted his maiden trainers’ title.

Other notable winners included Sizing Europe in the Queen Mother Champion Chase, Cheltenian in the Weatherbys Champion Bumper and Long Run in the Totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup. The latter performance was particularly special, not only because the 6-year-old beat Denham and Kauto Star by 7 lengths and 4 lengths but, in so doing, also became the first horse since Little Owl, in 1981, to win the race under an amateur jockey.