The Cheltenham Festival is almost upon us, and National Hunt fans are rejoicing. The festival feels like a second Christmas for jumps racing fans, with top-class action culminating in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. This race is the wealthiest non-handicap race in the National Hunt calendar, and this year promises to be every bit as exciting as any other event.
Whether you’re betting on the Gold Cup only or planning to get in on the action on any other races, our tips should cover some of the biggest events.
Sky Bet Supreme Novice’s Hurdle
Novice hurdles are always exciting; they’re fast-paced and often unpredictable. After all, the horses that are running have only been navigating fences for the current season, assuming they win in their first season of hurdling.
The Sky Bet Supreme Novices Hurdle is a Grade 1 race run over a distance of 2 miles. This year, the favourite is Facile Vega, with Marine Nationale and Il Etait Temps close behind.
Looking at the form of Facile Vega, it’s not too difficult to work out why he’s so fancied. The six-year-old has had just three runs over obstacles and won his first two. In his first run over fences, he saw off a middling field of horses by 14 lengths, quite the debut.
His next two races took place at Leopardstown, where he repeated that victory, this time by four lengths over Il Etait Temps, who is, incidentally, third favourite in the Supreme Novice’s Hurdle.
His most recent outing saw him take fifth place. Initially, he seemed to be travelling well, but his jockey, Paul Townsend, noticed he stopped quickly on the run-in, so he may not have felt himself on the day. That last defeat is a black mark against Facile Vega’s name, but if he’s back to his best, he’ll be tough to beat.
If you plan on having a bet in this race, Facile Vega looks to be the favourite for a reason. His odds are short, but sometimes looking online can find you better value. If you’ve never placed a bet, heading online is probably the easiest way. Not only can you utilize free bets for Cheltenham Festival, but you can also snag sign-up bonuses that are only available to new users.
Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase
The Gold Cup is the big race of the meeting, and several horses are likely to be in a close contest with one another. Our pick is A Plus Tard. He won in grand style last year, beating Minella Indo by an incredible 15 lengths.
Despite running just one race – with a shaky result – since, trainer Henry de Bromhead fancies his chances this year and says he is fighting fit. If he’s back to his best, he’ll have absolutely no competition.
Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase
The Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase is another Grade 1 race; this time run over just shy of 2 miles and over fences rather than hurdles. Joint favourites are currently Energumene and Edwardstone, with little to pick between them.
Energumene is practically unbeatable over two miles. He’s run at that distance seven times and lost just once, still taking third place in his defeat. He won this same race last year, and his form has been pretty good lately.
Edwardstone is the other favourite, a strong travelling type who has many fans on the course. In January, he was a very unlucky second in the Clarence House Chase at Cheltenham and won the Arkle the year before. He’s got the class, and if there’s some cut in the ground, he’ll be the one to beat.
