Last Updated: 18:00, 15/01/23

Last two winners confirmed for Gold Cup 2023

18:00 Sunday

2021 winner Minella Indo (25/1) and 2022 victor A Plus Tard (17/2) will go straight to the Cheltenham Gold Cup, confirms Henry de Bromhead.

Impervious a shout for the Mares Chase?

15:10 Sunday

After Impervious won the 14:10 at Punchestown, Colm Murphy had his say on her chances for the Mares Chase: "She seems to be improving and when they start improving you don't know where they'll end up, but I do know it's nice to have her."

Impervious is a best price of 9/4 for the Mares Chase at Cheltenham, after being 3/1 on Saturday, prior to today's race at Punchestown.

Impaire Et Passe makes it seven winners from 11 runners for Mullins

12:29 Sunday

After Impaire Et Passe won the 12:10 at Punchestown, Steve Ryder had his say on his chances at the Supreme Novices Hurdle: "Impaire Et Passe provided Willie Mullins with a seventh win from the last eleven runnings of the Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle. He was slightly weak in the market close to the off but backers had no worries throughout the race as he travelled and jumped beautifully. 

He eventually eased clear by 6 1/2 lengths and he looks the biggest danger to stablemate Facile Vega in the Supreme Novices Hurdle."

Paul Townend also had this to say on Impaire Et Passe: "I was very happy with him there, he jumped like a buck. The worry was coming back in trip but he showed pace today. I think he;s very smart and he gave me a great feel today."

Ryan Summerfield (@ryanOTHx) added that Impaire Et Passe "showed bundles of pace today", and said "it's hard to see him stepping up in trip again just yet after today's performance."

Impaire Et Passe is now as short as 5/1 for the Supreme Novices Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, with a best price of 8/1 currently available.

Mr Incredible catches the eye at Warwick

15:55 Saturday

Ryan Summerfield (@ryanOTHx) was very interested to see Mr Incredible, who came second to Iwilldoit at the 15:00 at Warwick. He said: "Mr Incredible was arguably one of the biggest eyecatchers today, having refused and pulled himself up on two of his last three races, it looked to be a similar story today being a couple of lengths behind the field after just a few fences."

"However, Hayes worked his way into the race nicely and he stayed on very strongly on the long run in (due to the final fence being omitted). That run opened up a lot of doors for him in terms of staying trips... He's just the type Patrick (Mullins) might want to ride in the Grand National."

He also chimed in on Dan Overall's comments on Blood Destiny, adding "he was impressive, and could be a threat to Lossiemouth".

Mr Incredible is currently a best price of 16/1 in the Kim Muir Challenge Cup at the Cheltenham Festival.

Iwilldoit a winner at Warwick at 12/1

15:42 Saturday

Iwilldoit got the win at the 15:00 at Warwick today at 12/1, his first race in 383 days since winning the Welsh Grand National.

Dan Overall said that "Iwilldoit ran out an impressive winner", but added that Threeunderthrufive could be a potential shout for the Ultima Handicap Chase at Cheltenham.

Galia Des Liteaux from 50/1 to 16/1 after Warwick win

15:22 Saturday

After Galia Des Liteaux won the 13:50 at Warwick at 11/4, she has now been slashed from 50/1 to 16/1 for the Mares Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

Blood Destiny shortened from 16/1 to 5/1 for Triumph Hurdle

12:45 Saturday

Blood Destiny (4/6f) breezed to a win in the 12:27 at Fairyhouse, and has been shortened from 16/1 to as short as 5/1 with some bookmakers for the Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

Paul Townend said "Both he (Blood Destiny) and Lossiemouth are good - it's hard to compare juveniles, but the amount he has improved from Cork and where she is, she's doing things right. It's nice to have the two of them."

Dan Overall added: "Blood Destiny added some intrigue to the Triumph Hurdle market with an emphatic win at Fairyhouse. He had his own way out in front, although it was impressive how he quickened clear once the field had closed the gap."

L'Homme Presse ruled out of Cheltenham Festival

18:31 Friday

Connections have announced that last year's Brown Advisory winner will miss this year's festival. The eight-year-old was the 7/1 ante-post second favourite for the Gold Cup.

Bookmaker's have responded by cutting Gold Cup favourite Galopin Des Champs as short as 11/10 with his chances boosted with a main rival missing the race.

Lanzarote Hurdle form guide for Cheltenham?

17:09 Friday

There will be Cheltenham ante-post clues available from the Lanzarote Hurdle at Kempton. Last year's winner Cobblers Dream went on to finish 2nd in the Martin Pipe two months later, while Marie's Rock was pulled up at Kempton but recovered to win the Mares' Hurdle at the Festival. That suggests it's not all about winning - seven years ago Ibis Du Rheu was 3rd at Kempton but won the Martin Pipe.

With that in mind, here is a recap of recent winners of the race at Kempton and how they went on to fare at the Cheltenham Festival in the same year.

  • 2022 Cobblers Dream | 2nd Martin Pipe
  • 2021 Boreham Bill | 22nd Coral Cup
  • 2020 Burrows Edge | 13th Coral Cup
  • 2019 Big Time Dancer | 18th Martin Pipe
  • 2018 William Henry | 4th Coral Cup
  • 2017 Modus | 6th Coral Cup

Treble price for the top three Festival favourites

16:50 Friday

Is there any value left in this best price 3.38 treble?

Check on Green Glory in the Lanzarote Handicap Hurdle

13:39 Friday

Green Glory was highlighted by Johnny Ward as one to watch in the Lanzarote Hurdle at Kempton on Saturday regarding his prospects in the Martin Pipe at Cheltenham.

He is 14/1 for that race and 16/1 for the Coral Cup.

Ward's Ballymore fancy Impaire Et Passe in the Moscow Flyer

12:13 Friday

The Willie Mullins trained five-year-old is 2/5 for Saturday's 12:10 at Punchestown.

Johnny Ward's Irish View: Global Warming Challenge

12:07 Friday

On racing's global warming challenge: "Global warming is far more frightening than it sounds and it's fair to say the state of the grass at a racecourse is not high on the list of priorities but the summer that followed, the autumn a second summer, was a nightmare for racecourse managers."

How the weather impacted the Irish festive calendar: "It was farcical at Naas, with both of the hurdles in the straight not jumped at all on either circuit, such that when commentator Jerry Hannon announced that they were "over the second-last, with less than three-quarter miles to go", he did so without any irony."

His ante-post play for the Ballymore: "Impaire Et Passe did not have an entry in Naas' big one; it might have seemed a better race for him distance-wise than Sunday's Moscow Flyer, a Grade 2 for which he looks liable to go off even shorter than he did last month. 

"It does, however, imply that he's very unlikely to run in the Albert Bartlett. As such, there's a chance he may run in the Supreme (and could be nice each-way value without his stablemate, non-runner no bet) but it's more likely he goes for the Baring Bingham Novices' Hurdle, or Ballymore to you and I.

"If Ireland takes the race in March, the British trainers will have won one of the last 10 renewals. That's remarkable and, while one wouldn't read too much into that, it does create some doubt about the hot favourite, Hermes Allen."

For the article in full, click HERE.

Codd bullish over Chemical Energy National Hunt Chase hopes

08:18 Friday

Jamie Codd on Chemical Energy (Credit @AtTheRaces):

"There’s a bit of water to go under the bridge until my plans firm up, but Chemical Energy would be a very, very good ride in the National Hunt Chase if he lines up. He won easily at Cheltenham in October and will stay well."

Chemical Energy is a best price 8/1 for the National Hunt Chase (worst price 5/1). The seven-year-old can be backed at 6/1 for the race using the NRNB promotion with William Hill, which might be tempting if you think ante-post favourite Gaillard Du Mesnil will go elsewhere.

Willie Mullins' DRF dominance

16:10 Thursday

Willie Mullins (record 78 winners at the Cheltenham Festival) has eight or more entries in four of the eight Grade 1 races at the Dublin Racing Festival, including 12 in the Ladbrokes Novice Steeplechase and eight of 12 in the Irish Arkle.

Dublin Racing Festival - Entry Headlines

15:20 Thursday

Irish Gold Cup

Irish Arkle

  • Appreciate It, Dysart Dynamo & El Fabiolo among 12 entries
  • Joined by Gordon Elliott's Fil Dor and Joseph O'Brien's Banbridge

Irish Champion Hurdle

Novice Hurdle

 

The two British-trained entries are Nigel Twiston-Davies' Weveallbeencaught and the Alan King-trained Sceau Royal (66/1 for the Champion Chase).

Gaelic Warrior remains in the rearranged Munster Hurdle

13:42 Thursday

Silviniaco Conti Chase Runners & Ryanair Tips

13:01 Thursday

Architect Tips takes us through the declared runners in the Silviniaco Conti Chase and implications for the Festival in March.

For example, Pic d'Orhy - a 6/4 favourite for Saturday's 2:05 at Kempton - is the one to beat but can still be backed at 50/1 for the Ryanair Chase.

For the article in full, click HERE.

50/1 Ryanair outsider favourite for the Silviniaco Conti

10:55 Thursday

Six have been declared for the Silviniaco Conti Chase at Kempton on Saturday.

  • Two of the last seven winners of the Silviniaco Conti Chase ran in the Ryanair Chase at the next Cheltenham Festival
  • Six of the last seven winners were aged between eight and 10
  • Eight-year-old Pic D'Orhy is the favourite and a best price 50/1 for the Ryanair (worst 20/1)

 

What does Clonmel cancellation mean for Gaelic Warrior?

10:33 Thursday

A reminder that Gaelic Warrior is a heavy contributor in the ante-post markets for the Cheltenham Festival in March. He is a best price 7/1 for the Ballymore, 9/1 for the Martin Pipe, 10/1 for the Coral Cup and 14/1 for the County Hurdle, as well as 20/1 for both the Supreme and Albert Bartlett.

Was Elliott right to bring back Davy Russell?

10:22 Thursday

Arkle or Turners for Appreciate It?

16:41 Wednesday

Willie Mullins' nine-year-old (winner of the Supreme in 2021) is a best price 5/1 second favourite for the Arkle Chase (4/1 worst), while he is 10/1 for the Turners (worst 6/1).

Stayers' Hurdle Preview from Architect Tips

14:53 Wednesday

Architect Tips previews the Stayers' Hurdle 2023 and picks out two tips for the Day 3 Cheltenham Festival showpiece.

On Flooring Porter: "His two starts this season suggest he might have declined so, at his current odds, I am happy to look elsewhere in search of better value."

On Home By The Lee: "I think he’s plenty short enough in the betting and I get the feeling he will improve on last year’s sixth but not win it."

His tip? "I cannot help but feel KLASSICAL DREAM (best price 9/1 / worst price 6/1) has unfinished business in this race and is worth a punt at his juicy odds. He is the joint third highest rated in the field alongside Flooring Porter with only Teahupoo and Home By The Lee rated higher."

Elliott's Jungle Prose in Pertemps qualifier at Warwick

14:47 Wednesday

A reminder that Sire Du Berlais and Jungle Prose are two of the Gordon Elliott horses entered in Saturday's Pertemps qualifier at Warwick. Under new rules for this year, a horse must finish in the first four of a qualifying race to clinch their place in March’s showpiece.

For example, Pertemps Network Final ante-post favourite Maxxum (best price 4/1) qualified with a win at Leopardstown on Wednesday 28th December. Second favourite Shoot First (5/1) won the first of the qualifiers at Cheltenham in late October.

Entries for the Dublin Racing Festival close

12:55 Wednesday

Full details of these entries will be covered in this blog once available, with a particular interest in record Cheltenham trainer Willie Mullins and target races for his horses.

The biggest two races of the Dublin Racing Festival (4-5 February) are the Irish Gold Cup and the Irish Champion Hurdle - it has been speculated that Honeysuckle, winner of the Champion Hurdle in the last two years under Rachael Blackmore, will be retired before Cheltenham unless she performs in the Irish Champion Hurdle. 

Andy Holding on Saint Roi: A no-brainer NRNB for the Turners

09:34 Wednesday

The horse I’d like to flag up is Saint Roi for the Turners Novices' Chase.

Using Johnny Ward's NRNB angle, I reckon Mullins will end up running him in the 2m4f race as there’s simply no way JP will run his best two horses in the Arkle against each other - Jonbon being the other.

Saint Roi is 16/1 for Arkle yet you can get 12/1 NRNB for the Turners which seems a no-brainer.

Cheltenham insight from Andy Holding and a weekly 'Clock Watch' column will become exclusive to signed up oddschecker users in the build up to the Cheltenham Festival as part of our Super Service. Keep your eyes peeled for more information on site next week, but in the meantime you can sign up to oddschecker for free here.

Architect sides with State Man in the Champion Hurdle

16:41 Tuesday

It is hard to knock the credentials of Constitution Hill but his price is skinny and he might not have it all his own way despite his odds suggesting otherwise, wrote Architect Tips.

It is possible STATE MAN (best price 4/1) will line-up in the Irish Champion Hurdle next month and, if he does provide Willie Mullins with a seventh win in the race, his odds from an each-way perspective for the Champion Hurdle in March will surely evaporate.

In any normal year, he would undoubtedly be favourite but because of Constitution Hill that isn’t the case and therefore there is some juice in his odds still.

UK & Irish rating discrepancies for Pertemps qualifier

16:15 Tuesday

For the latest Pertemps Network Final odds, click HERE.

Epatante left out of Mares' Hurdle in error

14:28 Tuesday

With the early declarations for the Mares', Stayers' and Champions Hurdle out today trainer Nicky Henderson has admitted that nine-year-old Epatante was left out in error for the Mares' Hurdle. 

Henderson told Racing Post: "She should've been in there, it was my mistake. From a betting perspective, she should be included in the market as we can supplement her and it's very much an option along with the Champion Hurdle." 

Andy Holding on Honeysuckle & latest Cheltenham entries

13:26 Tuesday

Only 17 have been entered for The Champion Hurdle, but at least one of them is Honeysuckle. Much was made of the possibility of Henry de Bromhead's mare maybe side-stepping a clash with Constitution Hill in favour of calmer waters in the Mares' Hurdle, but it appear connections have decided to bite the bullet.

After all, she is still the Champion and that's what all racegoers going to the Festival want to see - the best taking each other on and not seeking the easier option. 

Whether she is good enough to beat Nicky Henderson's rising star, however, is open to question and she still has the small matter of dealing with the likes of State Man and Vauban in the Irish equivalent, but at least the signs are more positive that the great mare will have one more roll of the dice. 

The biggest surprise on the revealing of the entries in March is Epatante only has the Champion Hurdle as an option and not the 2m4f contest against her own sex.

This revelation only strengthens the claims of stable mate Marie's Rock (now 5/2), who looks a strong favourite to defend her Mares' crown. 

All today's Cheltenham entries in one place

12:43 Tuesday

Flooring Porter targets Leopardstown redemption in the Stayers'

12:35 Tuesday

The two-time defending Stayers' Hurdle champion Flooring Porter (8/1) is one of 28 entries for the feature race on Day 3 of the Cheltenham Festival 2023.

He finished 4th of 11 in the Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown over the festive period - won by Home By The Lee (now favourite for the Stayers'). Previous favourite State Man has been lined up for the Champion Hurdle instead. 

Paisley Park, Klassical Dream, Chacun Pour Soi and Sir Gerhard among the others entered for the Stayers' but Champ is not.

Constitution Hill heads 17 for the Champion Hurdle

12:18 Tuesday

Honeysuckle entered in both Champion Hurdle & Mares'

12:16 Tuesday

Marie’s Rock (11/4 favourite), Love Envoi and Honeysuckle among 24 entered for the Mares' Hurdle on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival in March.

Epatante has not been entered in the Mares' but is in the Champion Hurdle, which is headlined by Nicky Henderson's unbeaten Constitution Hill, State Man and Honeysuckle.

So, despite reports that it was Champion Hurdle or retirement for Honeysuckle (depending on how she goes at Leopardstown for the Irish Champion Hurdle), Henry de Bromhead has kept her options open at the earliest entry stage.

Interesting stat for those backing 8/1 Gold Cup chance

12:05 Tuesday

A Plus Tard is a best price 8/1 for the Cheltenham Gold Cup (worst price 5/1).

More Cheltenham relevant handicap updates

10:58 Tuesday

The Real Whacker is 8/1 joint favourite for the Brown Advisory and Midnight River is 14/1 for the Plate, while Tahmuras (12/1 for the Supreme) needs another run to be eligible for one of the major handicaps. Marie's Rock is 3/1 favourite and Love Envoi 5/1 for the Mares' Hurdle.

Langer Dan down 1lb to 141

09:52 Tuesday

Having finished 2nd behind Galopin Des Champs in 2021, pulled down at the second in 2022, will it be third time lucky for Langer Dan in the Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle?

He is a best price 14/1 (worst price 10/1) for the race.

Gaelic Warrior entered in the Betfair Hurdle

09:20 Tuesday

Gaelic Warrior is priced up for six races at the Cheltenham Festival 2023:

  • Supreme Novices' Hurdle - 20/1
  • Ballymore Novices' Hurdle - 6/1
  • Coral Cup - 10/1 (FAV)
  • County Hurdle - 16/1
  • Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle - 20/1
  • Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle - 9/1 (FAV)

 

Minella Cocooner to miss the Festival through injury

20:48 Monday

Last year's Albert Bartlett runner up Minella Cocooner will miss the Cheltenham Festival in March after picking up an injury. The seven-year-old, trained by Willie Mullins, had been 10/1 best price for the Brown Advisory. 

It remains to be seen whether Mullins will now switch Gaillard Du Mesnil (7/4 ante-post favourite for the National Hunt Chase) to the Brown Advisory.

Sire Du Berlais in Pertemps Qualifier at Warwick

16:59 Monday

Sire Du Berlais and Jungle Prose, two Gordon Elliott horses towards the top of the market for the Pertemps Network Final at the Cheltenham Festival 2023, have been entered in Saturday’s Pertemps Qualifier at Warwick.

Sire Du Berlais, who bounced back from finishing 11th in the Pertemps Final last year to win a Grade 1 at Aintree from Flooring Porter (8/1 for the Stayers'), is a best price 12/1 for the race at the Festival in March. Jungle Prose is a best price 16/1 (worst 12s).

Allaho on course for Cheltenham comeback

15:02 Monday

Here's a reminder of what Johnny Ward said about Allaho.

"Having been ante-post favourite, Allaho missed the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase at Kempton Park due to a setback.

"He enjoyed the perfect season last term, winning his second Ryanair Chase and proving his versatility at Punchestown when winning over three miles in fine style. He had been a best priced 11/8 to add the Christmas highlight to his impressive record.

"But we haven't seen him at all since April so he's a mad price (best price 2/1) at the moment. Last year he faced six rivals. This year will be deeper."

Rare Middleton still a big price for the Triumph Hurdle

14:37 Monday

Where will Gaelic Warrior go at Cheltenham?

11:36 Monday

Gaelic Warrior is a best price 9/1 (worst 5/1) for the Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle, but remains a 6/1 shot for the Ballymore - one of the ante-post fancies for Andy Holding.

A Cheltenham challenge to start your week

09:43 Monday

We've already given you Consitution Hill and Honeysuckle to start...

Sandown winner on target for the Mares' Hurdle

09:36 Monday

Love Envoi, a 13-length winner in the Mares' Hurdle at Sandown on Saturday is likely to run  in a Listed Mares Hurdle at Warwick on February 11th, according to trainer Harry Fry.

The seven-year-old is the 5/1 joint second favourite for the Mares' Hurdle on the opening day of the Festival behind Marie's Rock.

Key race entries to look out for this week

09:17 Monday

Tomorrow we will see the early entries for the Champion Hurdle (all eyes on Constitution Hill and Honeysuckle), Mares' Hurdle and Stayers' Hurdle.

Where do you think the Lawlor's winner will end up?

09:10 Monday

 

Gavin Lynch on Champ Kiely's impressive win at Naas

09:00 Monday

Willie Mullins' seven-year-old is a best price 7/1 for the Ballymore, 16/1 for the Albert Bartlett and 25/1 for the Supreme at the Cheltenham Festival 2023.