Last Updated: 14:26, 14/02/22

Previous Weeks

 

Prengarde drifts to 11/2 for Cross Country Chase after Bolger comments

14:26 Monday

Prengarde is now a best price 11/2 on bet365 for the Cross Country Chase at the Cheltenham Festival having been 4/1 with the same bookmaker earlier today.

It follows comments from trainer Enda Bolger for Irish Racing that he was "scouring the fixture list to get a run into Prengarde" before the Festival.

Tiger Roll has assumed favouritism for the race...

Ballymore Market Mover Alert: Walking On Air entered for Ascot

13:12 Monday

Enda Bolger weighs up a shot at the Glenfarclas Chase for Prengarde

10:55 Monday

Enda Bolger has revealed that he is looking to find a suitable prep run for French horse, Prengarde, whom he recently acquired from JP McManus.

The six-year-old has shown his class in France winning a number of cross-country races before joining Bolger's stable.

He's the current favourite for the Cross Country Chase at a best price of 5/1 despite being as short as 3/1 elsewhere.

The much-loved Tiger Roll is alongside him at the top of the market at a best price of 5/1 and is the most backed selection through oddschecker having taken 43.9% of bets.

Andy Holding: Edwardstone heads UK hopes for the Arkle

09:52 Monday

"Without doubt the best performance of the weekend was produced by Edwardstone in the Kingmaker Novices' Chase at Warwick. Once again impressing with the way he jumped and travelled throughout, Alan King's gelding also recorded a very fast time to boot, and he now looks the main UK challenger to the Irish contingent in the Arkle (best price 2/1) in a month's time." 

For more from Holding on whether Bravemansgame can take the challenge to Galopin Des Champs in the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase, click here.

Ciel De Neige cut for the Arkle Chase after win

14:30 Sunday

After making it a hat-trick of wins for Ciel De Neige bookmakers have now cut the seven-year-olds odds for the Arkle Chase to 20/1.

J P McManus horse remains unbeaten over fences and was clear favourite for the race at Punchestown at best odds of 5/4 before the race began. 

Midnight Maestro cut for the Cross Country Chase after holding off Shady Operator at Punchestown

13:54 Sunday

Midnight Maestro has been cut for the Cross Country Chase after holding off Shady Operator at the opening race of Punchestown on Sunday. 

The 10-year-old had to earn his win against Cross Country Chase rival and stablemate Shady Operator and has now been cut to as short as 10/1 for Cheltenham whilst Shady Operator odds have drifted to 10/1.

Stage Star will not be running at Exeter but will be heading straight for the Ballymore

09:39 Sunday

Six-year-old and Ballymore Novices' Hurdle contender Stage Star was expected to have one more run out before Cheltenham at Exeter on Sunday but has now been declared as a Non-Runner. 

Paul Nicholls horse was the clear favourite for the race at Exeter with the majority of bookies having the six-year-old as odds-on-favourite for today's contest but not Nicholls confirmed that Stage Star will be heading straight for the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle where he can be backed at a best price of 9/1.

Elimay wins with ease at Naas and shortens for the Mares Chase

16:33 Saturday

After landing back-to-back victories with an impressive win at Naas, bookmakers have cut odds for Elimay to win the Mares Chase to as short as 7/2 with 5/1 currently available in places. That puts her as the current second favourite behind Concertista at a best price of 11/4.

The victory secured a treble on the day at Naas for JP McManus and Mark Walsh. The eight-year-old has proved to be a popular selection among oddschecker punters taking 41.8% of bets for the Mares Chase.

Funamble Sivola cut to 11/1 for the Grand Annual after success in the Grade 2 Game Spirit Chase

Charlie Deutsch keeps his fantastic form going with another winner on Funamble Sivola as the seven-year-old wins at Newbury for Venetia Williams.

He's been cut to a best price of 11/1 for the Grand Annual and could still opt for the highly competitive Champion Chase to compete against the like of Shishkin, Energumene and Chacun Pour Soi.

El Dorado Allen wins the Betfair Denman Chase

14:37 Saturday

The in-form Colin Tizzard landed another winner in the form of Eldorado Allen who ran brilliantly to win a competitive Denman Chase.

The eight-year-old is currently a best price of 16/1 for the Ryanair Chase. The current favourite for that race is Allaho who's impressive form has seen him priced at 11/10.

Jockey Brendan Powell was pleased with the performance after stepping up in trip to three miles, "He might even improve again because he was running over a lot shorter."

Edwardstone beats Third Time Lucki to claim the Kingmaker Novices' Chase

14:15 Saturday

The eight-year-old was very impressive in victory at Warwick, beating rival Third Time Lucki and proving his Arkle credentials.

Bookmakers have responded by cutting Edwardstone into favouritism for the Arkle in March at a best price of 9/4. Third Time Lucki's dissapointing performance has seen his Arkle odds drift out to a best price of 12/1.

Edwardstone made it four straight wins over fences at Warwick and will be looking to make it five in March.

Bravemansgame cut to 3/1 for the Festival Novices' Chase

13:23 Saturday

Bravemansgame was a welcome winner in the opener at Newbury for Paul Nicholls, whose yard form has been a concern of late.

A strong performance from the seven-year-old, despite giving away 16lbs to rivals, secured victory in his final prep run before Cheltenham. Bravemansgame is expected to run in the Festival Novices' Chase where he has been cut to a best price of 3/1.

Galopin Des Champs remains the current favourite at 5/4 but Bravemansgame backers will be pleased with the performance and relieved to see Paul Nicholls bag a much needed winner.

Betfair Super Saturday at Newbury

Betfair are already live with a Bet £10, Get £30 in Free Bets offer for this weekend (11-13th February) – the qualifying bet must be a £10 sportsbook bet on racing at minimum odds of 1/2 (1.50).

Gentleman De Mee shortens for Grand Annual after Thurles win

13:59 Thursday

Gentleman De Mee has been clipped into 7/1 for the Grand Annual with some bookmakers after winning the 13:45 at Thurles. However, he remains a best price 10/1 (if you move fast) with one bookmaker for the race on the second day of the Festival.

Bravemansgame will take on five rivals in the opening Handicap Chase at Newbury on Saturday

12:25 Thursday

Pual Nicholls trained Bravemansgame will face rivals in the opening race at Newbury on Saturday. The seven-year-old is the clear favourite for Newbury with best odds of 8/11 and it will be its final run out before going into Cheltenham next month.

His next closest rival is Pats Fancy who is fancied for the National Hunt Chase at a best price of 20/1 but is way behind for Saturday at Newbury at best odds of 7/2. 

Appreciate It to take on Honeysuckle in the Champion Hurdle next month without having a run before

16:35 Wednesday

Trainer Willie Mullins has confirmed he plans to unleash eight-year-old Appreciate It on the Champion Hurdle despite Appreciate It not running for the last year. 

Mullins said: "I'm not looking for a race for him really. There is the Red Mills at Gowran but I'm happy to go straight to Cheltenham and I imagine that's what will happen." [Racing Post]

Appreciate It is currently a best price of 5/1 and looks set for a clash against Honeysuckle, the clear favourite at best odds of 1/2. 

Two-time Cheltenham winner Defi Du Seuil retired

15:55 Wednesday

Two-time Cheltenham Festival winner Defi Du Seuil has been retired by JP McManus.

Jockey Richard Johnson, who partnered him for two of his Grade One successes including the Triumph Hurdle in 2017, described him as "one of the best I've ridden".

Defi Du Seuil secured his other Festival win in the 2019 JLT Novices' Chase.

Langer Dan set for Taunton before likely return to Martin Pipe

13:40 Wednesday

Langer Dan, the current favourite for the Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham (best price 10/1) will run at Taunton on February 22nd before being strongly considered for another shot at the Martin Pipe, said trainer Dan Skelton. In the same race at last year's Festival, he finished second to Galopin Des Champs.

Will Conflated enter the Cheltenham Gold Cup after unlikely victory at Leopardstown?

09:18 Wednesday

Gordon Elliott talked up the possibility of surprise Irish Gold Cup winner Conflated entering either the Ryanair Chase or the Gold Cup.

Elliott said: "Conflated has the option of the Ryanair and the Gold Cup so we won't rule anything in or out at this stage and we'll see what happens."

If you fancy the eight-year-old for the Gold Cup you can back him at a best price of 12/1, but if you like his chances more in the Ryanair Chase he can be backed at 20/1.

Elliott planning to enter two horses for the Triumph with Fil Dor and Pied Piper looking the most likely 

09:11 Wednesday 

Elliott is planning a two-pronged attack in the Triumph Hurdle and will include current joint bookie favourite Pied Piper who can be found at a best price of 9/4 and Fil Dor who can be found at a best price of 8/1.

Gordon Elliott believes Cheltenham will suit Fil Dor better than Leopardstown where the four-year-old had his unbeaten run brought to an end by losing to Vauban. 

Elliott said "I think Cheltenham will suit Fil Dor better than Leopardstown did. We're still thinking of running both Fil Dor and Pied Piper in the Triumph."

Notable absentees after scratching deadline

12:26 Tuesday

Goshen will not be running at the Cheltenham Festival after being scratched from both the Champion Hurdle and Stayers' Hurdle, owner Steve Packham told Sky Sports Racing this morning. 

Other horses scratched from the Champion Hurdle entries after today's deadline are:

  • Buveur D'air
  • Abacadabras
  • Sharjah 
  • Echoes In Rain

Meanwhile, Champ (was 33/1) will not run in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. 

Looking for Festival clues from the Dublin Racing Festival?

10:59 Monday

10 Cheltenham Festival winners emerged from last year's Dublin Racing Festival (DRF), including five who 'doubled up' after winning at the DRF, two who had placed at Leopardstown and three who finished further down the field. 

Quilixios, Appreciate It, Monkfish, Heaven Help Us and Honeysuckle completed the double, while Telmesomethingirl and The Shunter placed at the DRF before going on to win at Cheltenham.

Galopin Des Champs, Vanillier and last year's Gold Cup winner Minella Indo (6/1 best price for this year) all ran but failed to place at the DRF in 2021 before winning at Cheltenham.

Farclas, Ballyadam, Saint Sam, Blue Lord, Fakir D'oudairies, Entoucas and Sharjah ran at DRF and placed at Cheltenham, while Gaillard Du Mesnil, Chacun Pour Soi and Kilcruit won at the DRF before placing at the Festival.

Andy Holding: Facile Vega pick of the pile in Dublin

10:04 Monday

Andy Holding runs through the biggest Cheltenham betting stories from Dublin, where Facile Vega made himself “hot property” for the Champion Bumper at the Festival.

He said: "Pick of the pile was Facile Vega, who made mincemeat of his opposition in the concluding bumper on day one and is now a hot property for the main event itself on day two of the Cheltenham Festival."

Holding also discusses Vauban paying a handsome compliment to to his Punchestown conqueror, Pied Piper, the choice of two races at Cheltenham for Galopin Des Champs, and why it wouldn't be the biggest shock if Riviere D'etel were to reverse his Irish Arkle loss to Blue Lord at the Festival.