The QMCC is a fascinating ante post market and I think it offers a ridiculous amount of value. And this is why:
Sprinter Sacre heads the market at circa 5/2 - i've no idea if this horse will ever run again. Could easily be a shadow of his former self. This is all good news if you want to have an ante post bet because he takes out a lot of the market.
Sire De Grugy - injured? Not injured? I heard a few weeks ago he was done till Christmas. Then I hear he's come back into himself. Hardly fills you with confidence either way. At circa 4/1, it is good news again because there's enough reasons to decide this 4/1 shot is worth taking on.
Champagne Fever - 10/1. I think he'd win this race if he turned up but he probably won't.
That's the front 3 in the market who may all fail to turn up.
Who's worth backing?
You can take your pick from a host of big priced, quality animals. Lots of which have proven themselves round Cheltenham.
The ones i've backed at 20/1 are:
Western Warhorse 20/1
Surprise Arkle winner who has only run three times over fences. There simply must be more to come from this horse. A lot of people don't like him which I find completely ridiculous and frankly a very lazy way to look at NH racing.
He's won an Arkle on his second chase start beating last years Supreme winner and former Champion Bumper winner who himself had beaten the Champion hurdler and runner up in previous years albeit over the bumper trip and hurdles. That is a top, top performance however you look at it. He beat Victor Hewgo on chase debut. That horse won easily nto, ran Holywell a very close 2nd on his next run and cruised round in penultimate race of the season before failing at Aintree. It all stacks up really well. So what if Western Warhorse ran poorly at Aintree? Isn't he entitled to be knackered after battling Champagne Fever up the Cheltenham Hill? For me, this is the ante post bet of the season so far. Absolutely terrific value.
The other horse I think is value at 20/1 is Alan Kings Uxizandre. Proven form round Cheltenham after a tantalising 2nd in the Jewson and a win at the weekend. Won around Aintree nto.
At 20/1 I genuinely don't see how I can lose with these bets. Sprinter Sacre OR Sire De Grugy may come back and blitz them all but i don't think they will. Even if they do I expect to be able to trade out of these positions for a profit before the race. Terrific ante post bets. Some rev forecast as well. Get on.