Just for a laugh and maybe an interesting look back after the festival - what 4 horses (with prices) would you place in an Ante Post yankee/L15 TODAY for the festival? Here are mine: Vautour (Arkle) 7/2 Kings Palace (RSA) 13/2 Sprinter Sacre (Champion Chase) 4/1 Kalkir (Triumph Hurdle) 6/1 Let's see who can get the best returns (or indeed any returns) come March.
This could be fun Oddy... Arkle - Gods Own 14/1 Champ Hurdle - Hurricane Fly 12/1 JLT - Valseur Lido 6/1 Albert Bartlett - Blaklion 10/1
A chasing version - Vautour - Arkle Uxizandre - Champion Chase Cue Card - Ryanair Champagne Fever - Gold Cup
I stuck 1 on on the other thread last month and it doesnt look too bad currently. As of today i would go with Albert Bartlett - Blaklion 10/1 RSA - Saphir Du Rheu(cant check price at work) World Hurdle - Zarkandar(cant check price at work) Ryanair - Uxizandre(same as above)
Arkle - Vautour 7/2 Champion Chase - Sprinter Sacre 4/1 Triumph - Peace and Co 9/2 World Hurdle - More of That 4/1
I used to love ante-post wagering on the old Cheltenham Festival but all these new races have both diluted the product and turned ante-post wagering into a complete lottery as in many cases not even the trainers know which heat the horse is running in until the Sunday before the meet! I must confess that in my opinion, even if these horses mentioned above turn up at the Festival, its odds against a few even running in the races detailed. And we already have a difference of opinion amongst members where Uxizandre will compete, if healthy! Anyway I’ll put up: Vautour (Arkle) 7/2 Sprinter Sacre (Champion Chase) 4/1 Peace and Co (Triumph) 9/2 Blaklion (Albert Bartlett) 12/1 (12’s available with both old boy Victor and BoyleSports) I love Beat That but until he’s given a 5 day entry for a race, this season, I don’t think he is a betting proposition for the ‘World Hurdle’ as you are only guessing on his fitness until then (7/1 at minute which is very short when you consider its past mid-December and he hasn't yet appeared).
Vautour (Arkle) 7/2 The New One (Champ Hurdle) 3/1 Any Currency (Cross Country Chase) 7/2 Stars Over The Sea (Fred Winter) 20/1
A lot of confidence that Vautour goes for the Arkle then? He is favourite for the JLT. Will it all depend on whether Un De Sceaux puts in some spectacular 2m performances? Mine for a bit of fun would be: Arkle: JOSSES HILL 8/1 Champion Hurdle: JEZKI 6/1 Champion Chase: SPRINTER SACRE 4/1 Ryanair: SIMONSIG 9/1
Must admit I have done two Faugheen- Champion Hurdle Annie Power- Mares Hurdle Sprinter Sacre- Champion Chase Vautour- Arkle Saphir Du Reu- RSA Dynaste- Ryanair Champagne Fever- GC Douvan- SN
I think Mr Ricci won't give a flying **** what Un De Sceaux does and will tell Willie: "Don't talk to me about this JLT nonsense. The Arkle is steeped in history and tradition and my horse goes there. EOS."
But this is Willie Mullins. A man who a few short weeks before the Melling chase and Punchestown Gold Cup had put Boston Bob in a World Hurdle trial. He also convinced Ricci that Annie Power shouldnt go to a Champion Hurdle. He will try to cover every prize possible and doesnt give two monkeys. Walsh has already given it the 'this horse will get any trip' lime and has been all sorts of positove about UDS. I like Vautour a lot but I am really put off backing him because of connections potentially finding another option. Of course, UDS might not even visit Cheltenham again though and be saved for Aintree/Punchestown.
Ricci wants Ruby on his horses so he'll send his horse to whichever race Ruby wants to ride him in. I'd be surprised if Ruby chose UDS over Vautour in any race.
Peace And Co - Triumph Hurdle 9/2 Ptit Zig - Arkle Trophy 12/1 Sign Of A Victory - Champion Hurdle 25/1 Annie Power - Mares Hurdle 13/8
Is that all? Mine would return £39,184.75 Hope that doesn't come up because I won't be staking anything on it
