Cheltenham Festival
Cheltenham Festival Odds: Banker or Blowout
It’s just over a week until the beginning of the Cheltenham Festival and the markets look seriously competitive.
With no odds-on favourites in any of the 28 races as it stands, there could be value in the top of the market to be had. Here, we take a look at some of the favourites of the week and whether you should be backing them, or taking them on.
Old Park Star
Old Park Star is the favourite for the opening race of the week, the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle. He could be an extremely popular pick as punters hope to kick off the four days with a good start and he does look to deserve his spot at the head of the betting at 7/4.
The two horses following him in the market, Mighty Park and Talk The Talk, still have the option of defecting to the Turners, which would make victory significantly likelier for the favourite.
He’s the likeliest winner at 7/4, but he may well drift if others’ participation is confirmed, so Nicky Henderson’s charge doesn’t look banker material at this point.
Lulamba
The following race is the Arkle, for which another Henderson horse is favoured in Lulamba.
He was impressive on his last start, his first in open company, and sits at the 13/8 mark for the first Grade 1 chase of the week.
With doubts over Kopek Des Bordes’ credentials having had just the one run over fences this season, and the participation of Romeo Coolio not guaranteed alongside the concerns over whether this is the optimum trip, Lulamba is the strongest contender and might be one of the Day One bankers.
The New Lion
After the confirmation that Constitution Hill won’t run over obstacles again, The New Lion has narrowed further for Tuesday’s Champion Hurdle into 2/1.
With Lossiemouth looking likelier to run in the Mares’ Hurdle and Brighterdaysahead having questions to answer over her form around the track, The New Lion does look the solid one at the head of the betting.
However, The New Lion hasn’t set the world alight himself and can be opposed here. Blowout potential.
Majborough
The case of Majborough in Wednesday’s Champion Chase is a fascinating conundrum for punters.
His victory at the Dublin Racing Festival was vastly impressive and a repeat of that form would surely see him come home with his head in front.
However, he had shown a tendency to make near race ending mistakes during his races, which could still be a risk back at Cheltenham. He looks short enough at 6/4 and can be opposed.
Bambino Fever
Last year’s Champion Bumper winner Bambino Fever heads the betting at 11/10 for the Mares’ Novice Hurdle.
Representing the powerful stable of Willie Mullins, she has a leading chance. With that said, she has been beaten by the second favourite, Outschool Outlaw, already this season and can be opposed at her current price. Another with the potential to be a blowout.
Fact To File
The official target of Fact To File is still up in the air, with the Ryanair Chase and Gold Cup both feasible options for the talented chaser.
If he were to go to the Ryanair to try and retain his crown from last season, he’d be unopposable at his current short odds of 4/7 and real banker material.
