Last Updated: 17:03, 07/03/22

Previous Weeks

 

The Cheltenham Festival 2022 from the Irish angle

17:03 Monday

George Elek is joined by oddschecker's Andy Holding, racing journalist Johnny Ward and 888sport ambassador Barry Geraghty to preview the Cheltenham Festival 2022 from the Irish angle.

Sir Gerhard most backed despite Supreme or Ballymore saga

16:44 Monday

The Supreme or Ballymore saga for Sir Gerhard at the Cheltenham Festival 2022 might have a few days left to run, but he was still last week's number one ante-post racing pick through oddschecker.

However, there were four horses who took more bets for an individual race at Cheltenham than Sir Gerhard did for either the Supreme or the Ballymore.

To find out more, click here.

Cheltenham Tips: Andy Holding’s Pre-Festival Yankee

12:48 Monday

With just eight days until the Cheltenham Festival 2022, Andy Holding has put forward four horses worth including in your multiples for next week. For the article in full, click here.

But heavy ground could scupper Stattler's chances...

10:57 Monday

Architect Tips said: "Testing conditions would definitely test Stattler’s mettle in terms of stamina for the National Hunt Chase. His best form has undoubtedly been on a better surface.

"However, if conditions on the day are better than soft (it is currently soft with rain forecast), he would remain as the one to beat in the day one finale."

Architect Tips: Teahupoo to test Honeysuckle if the rain comes?

10:53 Monday

"If conditions on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival are soft/heavy, this will definitely help the chances of the Gordon Elliott-trained Teahupoo (best price 8/1) in the Champion Hurdle, whose form figures on soft or worse reads an impressive unbeaten record of 11111."

The next few days look set to be dry at Cheltenham, but there is the prospect of light rain on Wednesday, while a band of rain from Friday to Sunday will determine the ground that the Festival starts on.

The five most backed for 2022... almost 12 months on

09:29 Monday

With the exception of Appreciate It - still set to run but in the Champion Hurdle against Honeysuckle - and Monkfish, ruled out with a tendon injury, the five most backed horses for the Cheltenham Festival 2022 (published just after last year's Festival) have firmly stood the test of time in the last 12 months. 

How many of these did you back just over a year ago? And does the Sir Gerhard, Shishkin and Bob Olinger treble still take your fancy at a best price still a shade longer than 10/1.

Time for a Monday morning poll...

08:27 Monday

For the latest Supreme Novices' Hurdle odds, click here. Gordon Elliott, whose best hope for the opener is Mighty Potter (11/1), said this about Dysart Dynamo (now third favourite):

"I thought Dysart Dynamo was good in Punchestown, he looked awesome from what I saw. It was only a Grade Two, but that’s as impressive on the eye that I’ve seen."

Rob James booked to ride Run Wild Fred at Cheltenham

08:10 Monday

Run Wild Fred remains the joint favourite for the National Hunt Chase next Tuesday at a best price of 11/4 on oddschecker. However, he is as short as 2/1 with some bookmakers.

Allaho set for the Ryanair Chase but could run in the Gold Cup next year 

13:29 Sunday

Allaho is set for the Ryanair Chase this year where he can be backed as the odds-on-favourite at 2/3. However, Willie Mullins can see the eight-year-old in the Gold Cup next year. "He would certainly travel very easy in a Gold Cup," he told Sporting Life.

Allaho is currently a best price of 33/1 to win the Gold Cup in 2023 but can be found as short as 16/1. 

Dysart Dynamo set for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle according to trainer Willie Mullins

10:45 Sunday

Willie Mullins had this to say about Dysart Dynamo's Cheltenham future whilst speaking to Sporting Life: "You'd be thinking Supreme Novices' but the option to go the other way is there, He has a high cruising speed." 

Dysart Dynamo is currently third favourite at a best price of 3/1 to win the opening race at Cheltenham behind Consitution Hill (9/4) and Sir Gerhard (5/2). 

Galopin Des Champs looks set for a mouthwatering clash with Bob Olinger

10:31 Sunday

Six-year-old Galopin Des Champs looks set for a mouthwatering clash with Bob Olinger in the Festival Novices' Chase. Willie Mullins was speaking to Sporting Life and said: "We started him off at two-and-a-half over fences and he was very good both times. I'd like to stay at that trip." 

This all but confirms what all racing fans are after a race between Galopin Des Champs and Bob Olinger. Willie Mullins' Galopin Des Champs is the current odds-on-favourite at 5/6 to win but Henry De Bromhead's Bob Olinger is right behind the six-year-old with best odds of 6/4.

Lucinda Russell confirms that Ahoy Senor will run in the Festival Novices' Chase

10:15 Sunday

Trainer Lucinda Russell has confirmed that seven-year-old Ahoy Senor will be running in the Festival Novices' Chase setting up an almighty clash between Galopin Des Champs, Bob Olinger and Bravemansgame. 

Ahoy Senor can currently be found at a best price of 5/1 in the market but can be found as short as 4/1 in places as well.  

Vera Verto's win yesterday guarantees the four-year-old spot for the Boodles 

10:07 Sunday

Vera Verto claimed an important win at Navan on Saturday, guaranteeing her place for the Boodles Juvenile Hurdle. The Gavin Cromwell horse can still be found at 33/1 with some bookies but has been cut to 20/1 with a handful of bookmakers. 

Bring On The Night could be used for the Ballymore, says Willie Mullins 

09:57 Sunday

Trainer Willie Mullins is believed to be pondering which Cheltenham race five-year-old Bring On The Night could run.

It was believed that Bring On The Night would run in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle where he can be found at a best price of 25/1 but Willie Mullins said this to Sporting Life regarding the Ballymore: "The slower gallop would help and he’s definitely good enough to go there. What he showed from halfway up the straight impressed me."

The five-year-old is currently 16/1 to win the Ballymore but is only priced up by one bookmaker. 

Put The Kettle On will run in the Champion Chase

09:41 Saturday

Henry de Bromhead has confirmed that Put The Kettle On will run in the Champion Chase at Cheltenham. He spoke to RacingTV and had this to say: “We feel that is the fairest thing for her. There’s the Mares’ Chase but she’s done very little wrong around the old course so we think she’s entitled to go and defend her crown.” You can back her at current best odds of 20/1. 

Energumene "fine" despite drift on the exchange

10:33 Friday

A significant odds drift for Energumene to win the Champion Chase yesterday sparked concerns that Energumene may miss the much anticipated Shishkin rematch.

However, speaking to the racing post, Willie Mullins eased concerns and confirmed that Energumene worked yesterday and was in fine health.

With Mullins bullish over Chacun Pour Soi's chances, Energumene has drifted among sportsbook odds and is now the third favourite for the race at best odds of 9/2.

Shishkin remains odds-on to at a best price of 4/6.

Speaking of Jamie Codd...

10:05 Friday

Jockeys confirmed for two Kim Muir favourites

10:00 Friday

Cheltenham Tips: JP McManus Handicap Lucky 15

09:52 Friday

Hanbury Racing is back with Cheltenham Tips after this week’s handicap weights reveal, focusing on a Lucky 15 made up of four JP McManus plot horses. Read the article in full here.

While you should never discount repeat winners such as Sire Du Berlais, who won the 3 mile Pertemps Final in 2019 and 2020 and is lining up for a hat-trick bid off 156 (4lb higher than his last win), he's settled on a shrewd looking Lucky 15 made up of four JP McManus plot horses.

Cheltenham Specials: Elliott the value bet in Top Trainer market?

13:58 Thursday

Architect Tips checks in on the Cheltenham Specials and thinks that the odds difference is too great between Willie Mullins and his closest rival for Top Trainer.

"He has some really good chances across the four day’s with American Mike, Run Wild Fred, Farouk D’alene, Galvin, Minella Crooner, Death Duty, Teahupoo and the legend that is Tiger Roll just a sample of a huge team he’s likely to send on their travels to Cheltenham.

"I think the general 7/2 for Elliott to take top honours ahead of his main rival is quite appealing given he’s already saddled 32 winners at the Festival with plenty more to come."

For the full article, click here.

BHA's Martin Greenwood explains handicap review

16:35 Wednesday

A reminder that Ireland beat Britain 23-5 in last year's Prestbury Cup, which explains their short best price of 1/9 for the Cheltenham Festival 2022.

Gaelic Warrior all systems go for the Boodles

11:05 Wednesday

Despite his favourable mark, you can still get him at 3/1 on oddschecker.

Allegorie de Vassy suffers a setback and will miss the Cheltenham Festival

09:39 Wednesday

As reported by Nick Luck this morning, Allegorie de Vassy is reportedly set to miss the Cheltenham Festival as a result of a bone chip.

The Willie Mullins trained five-year-old was a best price of 9/2 for the Mares Novices' Chase and had taken 19% of the bets for this race through oddschecker.

Cross Country Chase, Champion Bumper & Hunters' Chase Entries

17:41 Tuesday

The final three race entries have now been released for the Cheltenham Festival 2022 - the Cross Country, Champion Bumper and Hunters' Chase.

Tiger Roll does indeed make the field for the Cross Country, and shortens to a best price 2/1 favourite to win in his last race before retirement.

However, any lingering hopes of Tiger Roll emulating Red Rum’s hat-trick of Grand National wins have been ended after he was officially scratched from the Aintree feature.

Architect Tips: Ultima Winners and Losers

15:38 Tuesday

Architect Tips gives his immediate reaction to the Cheltenham Festival handicap weights announcement, picking out several Ultima Handicap Chase entries treated fairly and one given a harsh mark.

Frodon unsurprisingly heads the weights, but who does Architect think has enough up his sleeve off 142? Who is exploitable after retaining the exact same mark from a positive showing at Warwick? And who will find it tough on a mark 15lb higher? Click here to find out more.

Cheltenham Market Movers

15:16 Tuesday

After Cheltenham handicap marks were released today there has been key market movers.

Firstly, five-year-old State Man has been drifting shorter across all handicaps with Willie Mullins' horse now a clear favourite for the Country Hurdle at 5/1 but can still be found at 7/1 with one bookmaker. 

Next up we have Death Duty who started the day at 16/1 for the Ultima Handicap Chase but can now be found at a best price of 10/1 with one bookmaker but as short as 15/2 in places.

Trainer Gordon Elliott called him his best-handicapped horse after dropping 1lb. If the 11-year-old did win the Ultima it would be the first time an Irish horse has won that event since 2007.

Next up is Gaelic Warrior. The four-year-old, who continues to shorten for the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle, can still be found at a best price of 3/1 but is now 5/2 in places. 

We take a look at the Kim Muir next where Frontal Assault continues to shorten after he was put in with a top rating of 145. The seven-year-old has moved to 5/1 and is the clear favourite to win the Kim Muir with his next closest competitor Aint That A Shame still priced up at 11/1.

Lastly, we have Sire Du Berlais who started the day as 10/1 with the majority of bookies to win the Pertemps Network Final. Kevin Blake's stable tour since revealed a 7lb claimer will ride, taking him to 149lb (3lbs below when winning the race in 2020). He has been cut to as short as 8/1. 

Cheltenham handicap marks in full

13:27 Tuesday

More handicap marks for Andy Holding fancies

12:33 Tuesday

  • The Tide Turns: 137
  • Coeur Sublime: 151
  • Winter Fog: 138
  • Dunboyne: 134

 

To remind yourself of Andy Holding's stand-out Cheltenham Festival handicap entries, including three horses worth more than a second look in the first day Ultima Handicap Chase, click here.

Boodles front-runners given handicap marks

12:26 Tuesday

Fil Dor, a surprise entry in the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle, has been given a handicap mark of 142. Gaelic Warrior, 10/3 favourite for the race, remains on 129.

'Most entered' State Man given handicap mark of 141

12:19 Tuesday

Andy Holding had this to say about State Man in his assessment of the Cheltenham Festival handicap entries earlier this week.

"Without doubt, STATE MAN wins the prize for the most entered up horse at the Festival with connections pondering five possible targets, so it will be interesting to see how the assessor rates Willie Mullins' novice when the weights our made public this week."

Redemption Day false alarm

12:05 Tuesday

The Wille Mullins horse is added to the Champion Bumper entries.

The top FIVE most backed ante-post horses so far this year

11:38 Tuesday

With just two weeks to go until the start of the Cheltenham Festival 2022, oddschecker have checked on the top five most backed ante-post horses so far this year. How many of these make your betslip?

Redemption Day to miss Champion Bumper?

11:31 Tuesday

Redemption Day started the day at 6/1 in the Champion Bumper market headed by Facile Vega.

Racing Weekly: Christian Williams on Cap Du Nord and bet365’s Cheltenham build-up

10:55 Tuesday

Christian Williams reflects on the Kempton win for Cap Du Nord before broadcaster Steve Mellish and bet365’s Pat Cooney talk Cheltenham.

Host Rishi Persad shared this statistic to underline the hot streak for trainer Christian Williams. "If you had backed every horse trained by Christian Williams over fences this season, you'd be showing level stakes profit of just under £47."

Later, bet365’s Pat Cooney dropped by to discuss the bookmaker’s excitement over the build-up to Cheltenham. But who is he backing in the Festival opener?

Elle Est Belle skips Cheltenham for Aintree

15:19 Monday

Andy Holding's eye-catching Cheltenham Festival handicap entries

12:06 Monday

"As is always the case, multiple entries in most of the Festival handicaps make life tricky to assess each race with a clear mind, but there are several who catch the eye all the same."

So, which Ultima entry has been a model of consistency in top-quality handicaps this season? Who will hold plenty of appeal for the Boodles if the handicapper presents him with a reasonable handicap mark? And why is Banbridge a significant entry for Joseph O'Brien?

Click here for all this and more.

Ahoy Senor set for Bravemansgame Cheltenham rematch

10:28 Monday

Peter Scudamore confirms that seven-year-old Ahoy Senor is set to renew his rivalry with Paul Nicholls' Bravemansgame. Scudamore told the Racing Post: "I don't know why we were so worried, really. Willie's horse that I can't pronounce is going to the 2m4f race... but he's bound to have something else in it." 

The two horses last meet at Kempton on Boxing Day where Bravesmansgame came out victorious ahead of Ahoy Senor but now the two will be fighting it out at the Festival Novices' Chase. 

Galopin Des Champs is currently the favourite at EVS but Bravesmansgame is the second favourite at 9/4 and Ahoy Senor can be found at a best price of 11/2.