Cheltenham Festival 2021: Friday 9261/1 Accumulator

Quilixios is the value in the opener and at the prices, looks worth chancing in this. The Cheveley Park string have performed out of their skins this week and with none other than Rachael Blackmore taking the reigns there is a case for this horse in that alone.

That said, opening the formbook only enhances Quilixios’ chances. A commanding win ahead of Saint Sam (who performed admirably in the Boodles earlier in the week to finish 2nd) after being punted into strong odds at the DRF (after a break) was eye-catching and that win on the bridle is form of a very similar level to Zanahiyr who was visually commanding over Christmas. Quilixios can pick this up and should be closer in the betting to the favourite.

Eclair De Beaufeu is 10lb lower than a chase mark that saw a 2nd place finish in the Grand Annual last year which suggests a handicap hurdle at the Festival has since been the plan. Denise Foster has hit the ground running since the transition and with Festival form and experience in the book that many of these lack, this horse looks a fantastic betting prospect with the extended frame on offer.

Torygraph is another Gigginstown animal with huge winning potential on Gold Cup Friday. Still unexposed over this trip, Torygraph showed a liking for distance when winning readily over 2m7f the last twice. Connections had Fury Road finish 2nd in this last year off a big run and with first time cheekpieces fitted to spark him up and potentially bring about improvement. We think Torygraph will be there at the finish.

Champ is the one here. Last year’s RSA winner came flying home past Allaho (form franked) and Minella Indo to show a liking for the track and staying chasing, whilst Nicky has been quick to deliver his affections for Champ in his sponsored blog last night.

Crucially, there is pace up front in the form of Frodon and Native River which I think will set this up for something coming late. They’ve worked on the jumping as exemplified by a brilliant run over an inadequate 2m last time which is the key to this horse.

If Nico gets him jumping and gives the same ride he gave Santini last year, he’s got a better horse under him this time and will get there. I think the current odds are overrating the Blackmore factor. Huge win claims and will make the frame if he stands up.

I’m convinced Gentleman De Mee has been absolutely laid out for this. Willie Mullins made quotes around the Ballymore after this bolted up last time out, and with JP in charge, this looks like a huge Friday plot. Last year, the combo pulled Saint Roi out of nowhere for the County Hurdle and he was duly punted before winning comfortably and this has a very similar feel to it.

The horse is totally unexposed, but is clearly talented. I’d be surprised if this isn’t the first footstep on the way to a graded career from next season. This is the week’s get out of jail free card.