2014 Cheltenham Festival Day Four - Cheltenham Gold Cup Day

Bobby Talk had a semi-disaster yesterday and really needs to hit form on the last day of the Cheltenham Festival, 14th March, Gold Cup Day. My knowledge of National Hunt racing isn't worth writing on the back of a 2nd class stamp so I am willing to give the old boy one last chance before redundancy. Only teasing, of course. So let's take a look at his musing for the finale of this magnificent action. Bobby, I'm going to have to give you a good talking to if we draw another blank. 

2014 Cheltenham Festival Day Three - St Patrick's Thursday

Bobby Talk made a bold attempt to find a few winner yesterday. To be fair he didn't do too badly with three horses going in each way. A couple ran no race at all being pulled-up and one or two simply not good enough. Such is Mr Talk's resolution that he is having another tipping session. Day Three - St Patrick's Thurdsay a perfect introduction to St Patrick's Day (17th March). Perhaps those Irish eyes will be smiling. Always. Cheers.

OLBG Beat The Bookies Pants Down With Their Toilet Tips

Back by popular demand, OLBG’s famous Toilet Tips are set to decorate the Cheltenham Racecourse loos as of today!

If you weren’t lucky enough to have caught the tips in previous years, in 2012 OLBG members managed to find an astounding 8 out 10 winners with cumulative odds of 48,030/1. Then in 2013, OLBG members pitched their Toilet Tips against four bookie representatives, including Paddy Power himself, and six well respected pundits, including C4 Racing’s Nick Luck and Sky Sport’s Alex Hammond. The Toilet Tips beat them pants down producing a higher LSP than all 10.

3:20 Cheltenham (11th March) STAN JAMES CHAMPION HURDLE CHALLENGE TROPHY GRADE 1

The Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy. This Grade 1 race, run over a distance of 2m 110y, on good to soft going, is open to horses aged four years and older, the youngest to take part this year is five, with old timer Captain Cee Bee, seemingly making up the numbers at the age of thirteen. This is a fantastic race for punters looking for free bets and enhanced offers, so don't miss out, especially if opening a new account with top bookmaker William Hill.  

Notable victories of this race include inaugural winner Blaris (1927), Istabraq (2000) and last triple winner & legendary Dawn Run (1984). Only the second mare to taste victory in this contest, going on to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup (1986). The only horse to complete this notable double. Last year's winner Hurricane Fly, trained by Willie Mullins, was the first horse in 38 years to reclaim the Champion Hurdle after denying old adversary Rock On Ruby, who heads for the Arkle Chase. This bay gelding, a son of Montjeu, shades favouritism. Hurricane Fly is a true talent, winning 21 of his 24 races over hurdles, achieving prize money of over £1.6 m.

Experience tells Hurricane Fly will take all the beating here.  

His main opposition include hot fancy The New One. Nigel Twiston-Davies son of King's Theatre sits at the head of the betting with the Mullin's-trained talent, and may even go off favourite (unlikely). 

He is closely matched with My Tent Or Yours on their recent running at Kempton over 2m when the later blundered at the last, his jockey losing an iron, before a narrow half-length loss. The pair were closely matched in the betting that day there is likely to be very little between them today. 

Jezki is a fine young horse but looks held by Hurricane Fly and My Tent Or Yours. Mrs John Harrington has opted for the hood first time in an effort to garner a fraction more ability.

Our Conor, a five year old gelding, has struggled to contend with Hurricane Fly on their last two meeting, but in truth has done exceptionally well competing against older, stronger talents this season. Few could forget his impressive victory in last year's JCB Triumph Hurdle. Dessie Hughes' runner made a big impact that day and loved every inch of Cheltenham. This son of Jeremy, will have many punters thinking Prestbury Park could bring this horse on a few pounds and pose a serious threat. 

Melodic Rendezvous, Ptit Zig, Captain Cee Bee & Grumeti will need to have lady luck on their side to figure here.

Conclusion: A truly fascinating race. Hurricane Fly is definitely the horse to beat. A winner in this race on two of his three starts affirms that the Willie Mullins team may taste victory today. Ruby Walsh has been very critical of himself suggesting he still hasn't ridden this horse to his best at Cheltenham. If that is true, he must be stiff competition. Walsh will be at pains to get it right this year and something tells me he will. Hurricane Fly is the tip selection, while Our Conor is worth a small each way saver as this course looks made for this youngster. 

2014 Cheltenham Festival infographic

Infographic brought to you by Spreadex, leading provider of sports spread betting in the UK.

Click here for the full size image (1600 x 7000 px).

Horses With Lion's Hearts - Cheltenham Festival 2014

Looking to place  abet at Cheltenham Festival 2014? New customers should take a closer look at our website and see all the William Hill offers. 

Main points:

Best Odds Guaranteed
£25 Match Bet
Money Back if your horse finishes 2nd when using your mobile phone
Non runner No Bet - Gold Cup Ante-post 
Non runner No Bet - Queen Mother Champion Chase Ante-post

Lots more offers to come - so visit our website and get the best bets. With so much competition, bookmakers are leaving themselves open to great free bets or enhanced offers. Don't miss out. Have a great Cheltenham.  

#Cheltfest   

''I Mugged a Bookie for £1.6m'' Big Cheltenham Bets

The world and his wife are gearing up for the Cheltenham Festival 2014. Bookmakers are eager to make you betting offers that can't be refused. New customers are welcomes with open arms. It wasn't only ABBA who sang: ''Money, Money, Money.'' From 11th - 14th March, Cheltenham will not only be a hunting ground for the everyday punter but some of the biggest pro gamblers. Even in the betting ring bookmakers are pleased to take colossal bets, such is the liquidity. Harry Findlay has fond memories of Cheltenham 2008, when the mighty Denman put a smile on his face and dent in the bookmaker's pocket. His victory over Kauto Star mugged bookmakers of £600,000. 

Findlay - no shrinking violet when it comes to Cheltenham bets - won close to 1m when his mother's horse Desert Quest won the County Hurdle. It was reputed that he bought the horse for £100,000 after a winning tennis bet.    

Your Guide to Betting at the Cheltenham 2014 Festival

Popular online bookies’ William Hill have given us the lowdown on what’s hot and what’s not in the build-up to the with a wide range of Ante-post betting markets to choose from.

Ante-post betting can prove a double-edged sword; it’s benefits are obvious – you generally get a much better price if you back a Cheltenham Festival 2014 horse months before the event, before his price is eased towards the day of the race. On the flip side, if the horse is withdrawn from the race, your bet is deemed a losing bet, so wise judgement is required before delving into the ante-post market at Cheltenham in particular – there’s a lot of great value to be found, yet many of the race cards are still undecided, prior to the declarations being made. So with that in mind, we’d hate to outline the hope without explaining the rules of the game, here’s our early picks, or tips if you like, for the 2014 Cheltenham betting:

Supreme Novices Hurdle (March 11th) – We are looking at Irvine to go well here. 

Arkle Chase (March 11th) – Take a look at the prices for Trifolium. Definite each way claims.  

ChampionHurdle (March 11th) – Some great performances in this race suggest Hurricane Flyer 

OLBG David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle (March 11th) – Quevega is hotly tipped around these parts 

Neptune Investment Novices Hurdle (March 12th) – We like the look of the much fancied Faugheen 

Queen Mother Champion Chase (March 12th) – Captain Conon....just about enough meat on the bone for an each way bet.    

2014 Cheltenham Gold Cup (March 14th) – Remember William Hill are going NON RUNNER MONEY BACK. Bobs Worth is receiving some excellent backing on the exchanges, and great bet with William Hill, whist Last Instalment looks decent each way value.  Triolo D'Alene is worth an outside flutter. 

Whoever you go for this March, whether you back ‘em Ante-post or No Runner No Bet, a little closer to the festival, we wish you all the best of luck! Please feel free to drop us a line to let us know your tips for the 2014 Cheltenham Festival.  

Stan James Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy

After a long, cold winter the heart of a racing nation is warmed by four thrilling days of racing action - Cheltenham Festival 2014.

Prestbury Park comes alive from 11th - 14th March. The anticipation of day one - Champion Day and buzzing crowd are ready for the ''Cheltenham roar''. Last year, if you check the site http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/competitionnews/395/315920.html, the Cheltenham roar started at 1.30pm on March 12, 2013.

What a cracking line-up we have for the Stan James Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy. This Grade 1 race over a distance of 2m 110y is open to horses aged four years and older. It is the most notable hurdle race on the National Hunt calendar, featuring win prize money over £200,000. Eight hurdles are jumped on this Old Course shadowed by the Cotswold Hills.

Past winners include the exceptional talents: Brown Jack, Persian War, Night Nurse, Sea Pigeon, Dawn Run & Istabraq.

Capture the spirit of last year's meeting by the Gloucester Citizen (read more at http://www.gloucestercitizen.co.uk/Brave-Beautiful-Compete-Cheltenham-Festival-2013/story-18286950-detail/story.html#axzz2d9IG6sQR): The Brave and the Beautiful Compete at Cheltenham Festival 2013.

Which horse will taste victory this year?

A select field of eleven horse are entered to compete: ten geldings, one mare. Their ages range from five to ten years. In a tight betting heat, bookmakers detail five leading fancies: Hurricane Fly, The New One, My Tent Or Yours, Our Conor & Annie Power.

The Willie Mullins-trained Hurricane Fly knows this race well. In fact, this ten-year-old gelding - a son of Montjeu - became the first horse to reclaim the Champion Hurdle Trophy in 38 years, since Comedy Of Errors in 1975. Last year's old adversary Rock On Ruby heads for the Arkle Chase. This Irish-bred horse is a true racing champion running in the familiar silks of George Creighton & Mrs Rose Boyd. A winner 21 times from 24 contests over hurdles, this bay has achieved total win prize money of £1.5m. However, some punters remain unconvinced his three Cheltenham races compare to his Irish form, where he is unbeaten since 2009. Some of his performances at Leopardstown have been particularly impressive.

Ruby Walsh [jockey] said:''He was too free the first year. I sat too far back on him the second year - he wasn't 100 per cent - and last year they were going too fast in front and I followed them. I shouldn't have. "I don't think I've done things right on him at Cheltenham. The day I'll get it right, he'll show England what he's shown Ireland."  

Speaking to the Irish Examiner, Walsh added: "I think he's in really good form, he's dug in twice to win, beaten Our Conor and Jezki in Leopardstown and I think the two harder races than he usually would have had is going to stand to him and I think he's an outstanding chance." 

On this recent Leopardstown form, Hurricane Fly looks to hold Our Conor and Jezki. Official ratings detail that Willie Mullins' star turn will take all the beating. 

Those two defeats haven't stopped Dessie Hughes, trainer of Our Conor, from giving a bullish statement of his five year old. 

He said: "Our Conor got closer to him [Hurricane Fly] than he did at Christmas and showed the improvement I expected from him. He improved a lot between his Grade 1 win at Leopardstown last season and the Triumph, so we're in a good place with him now. "We know he handles Cheltenham well and he will appreciate the better ground we should get there. We're positive and he should go there with a fighting chance."

It is true to say Our Conor has found life harder taking on the older horses. However, he has been far from disgraced. His sheer dominance when winning last year's JCB Triumph Hurdle might just prove Prestbury Park is the place he loves to race.

My Tent Or Yours & The New One are closely matched on their last battle.

My Tent Or Yours, a gelding trained by Nicky Henderson, races in the famous J P McManus silks. This seven-year-old son of Desert Prince is quite lightly races for his age and a progressive sort. He has improved 43lbs in less than two years with an official rating of 167. This bay has never been out of the first two placings, with eight wins to his name. Last year saw a narrow loss in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham. Tony McCoy has stated he will ride this horse in favour of Jezki who will run in the same colours.

McCoy said:"He pulled too hard off a steady enough gallop on heavy ground. He had every chance to fold between the last two but really toughed it out. Because he was so keen he never had chance to get into a rhythm but when I really needed him over the last he delivered. The New One really quickened on the bend and I was pretty impressed with the horse. He showed a great will to win. He was never going to win the Champion Hurdle if he didn't beat The New One round here. He's definitely improved from Newcastle but probably needs to step up again to win a Champion Hurdle."

He is closely matched with The New One on their running of the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton. Only half a length separating the two. The New One, trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies, blundered at the last, where his jockey lost an iron.

Sam Twiston-Davies said:"It [the mistake] certainly made a difference but it was an annoying race for me. Nothing we did suited him. He's beaten us today but Cheltenham will suit us much more."

Nigel Twiston Davies, trainer of The New One, said:"You don't really want to make your own running like he had to do. That won't happen in the Champion Hurdle and I think My Tent will struggle to beat him at Cheltenham with a decent pace.''

Along side Hurricane Fly, Willie Mullins fields three other runners: Annie Power, Un DeSceaux & Thousand Stars.

Annie Power is unbeaten in ten starts and the only filly in the field. This daughter of Shirocco is a versatile type who has won from two miles plus. This six-year-old chestnut mare is one of the leading fancies in the betting but faces a stiff task against these stronger geldings. She would need to defy the history books, too. The last mare to win the Champion Hurdle was the incomparable Dawn Run (1984). [Annie Power now heads for the World Hurdle]

Melodic Rendezvous, Ptit Zig & Grumeti also take part but need to find improvement to trouble the main contenders.

Conclusion: A fascinating race with a number of exceptional talents. Hurricane Fly has proven his worth by reclaiming the Champion Hurdle. Ruby Walsh seems adamant that he hasn't ridden to his best in previous years but still return victorious on two out of three occasions. If odds allow, Hurricane Fly looks a great each way selection.

Henderson Eyes Further Gold Cup Glory

Nicky Henderson will be hoping Bobs Worth can add some glory to what has been a pretty disappointing season so far for the Champion Trainer. Last year’s Gold Cup winner is expected to return to the blue riband event in the sport where he is the short-priced favourite already in the Cheltenham Gold Cup betting odds to retain

4:20 Southwell (27th February) Free Racing Tips

A Median Auction Maiden Stakes over 5f on standard going. Nine three-year-olds take part: five colts/geldings and four fillies. A mix of raced horses with a sales median price of not more than £22,000. Quite a restricted race type, which favours those with a proven level of form. While many racing fan will be keen to see the Cheltenham betting this all-weather race could be worth an interest. 

Activial Secures Adonis

Activial  (pictured, right) was one of the big market movers for the Cheltenham Festival following his victory in the Adonis Juvenile Hurdle on Saturday.

His price was cut in half for the Triumph Hurdle which takes place on day four of the meeting next month. 

2014 Cheltenham Festival - Day One Preview

The United Kingdom may have suffered the wettest winter since records began, but come hell or high water race fans will be ready for the tsunami that is the 2014 Cheltenham Festival.

It's time to bring it on!

From Tuesday 11th - Friday 14th March the National Hunt calendar delivers four days of exceptional horse racing including: Champions Day, Ladies Day, St Patrick's Thursday & Cheltenham Gold Cup Day. The festival sees the best of British and Irish-trained horses competing for glory. Watched by millions worldwide, more than two-hundred thousand people attend this annual pilgrimage.

Tuesday, March 11th, brings the first day of the Cheltenham Festival, held at Prestbury Park, Gloucestershire. A seven-race card kicks off proceedings. With an attendance of over fifty thousand people the atmosphere builds to a crescendo with the ''Cheltenham roar'' which refers to the enormous amount of noise generated by the crowd as the starter raises the tape for the first race of the festival (1:30 Cheltenham's Skybet Supreme Novices' Hurdle).

Take a deep breath. Place your bets. Savour every moment of this racing spectacular - where equine stars are hailed. Listen to the sound of winning hooves, beating faster than your racing heart.

Here is a selection of races featuring the favourites of this year's action and nostalgic glimpse of our greatest racing champions.

3:20 Cheltenham (Tuesday 11th March)

The most important hurdle race of the season: The Champion Hurdle. This Grade 1 race, run over a distance of two and a half miles, has eight hurdles. It is open to horses aged four years and older. Notable triumphs include the inaugural winner Blaris (1927), Istabraq (2000) and last triple winner & legendary Dawn Run (1984). She was only the second mare to taste victory in this contest, going on to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup (1986). The only horse to ever complete this double. Last year's winner Hurricane Fly, trained by Willie Mullins, was the first horse in 38 years to reclaim the Champion Hurdle after denying old adversary Rock On Ruby, who heads for the Arkle Chase. This bay gelding, a son of Montjeu, is presently 3/1 joint favourite in ante post markets. A true talent, this ten year old has won 21 of his 24 races over hurdles and achieved prize money of over £1.6 million. His main opposition include The New One, My Tent Or Yours & Our Conor, a five year old gelding, who was a facile winner of last year's JCB Triumph Hurdle.

2:05 Cheltenham (Tuesday 11th March)

The second race of the opening day of the festival is the Arkle Challenge Trophy. This Grade 1 Nation Hunt Steeplechase is open to horses aged five years and older. Covering a distance of 2 miles, twelve fences are jumped on the Old Course. This race is for novice chasers and a test of both speed and jumping. Bright Penny prevailed in the first running of this race in 1946, ridden by Glen Kelly and trained by Bobby Norris. Historic winner Alverton (1978) went on to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Last year's race was won by the Nicky Henderson-trained Simonsig, who is out for the season, recuperating, after developing a splint on his near-fore. Willie Mullins trains the 7/2 ante post favourite, Champagne Fever, who won the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham. This grey gelding needs to come back from an odds-on defeat when only third at Leopardstown in December. The main contenders include Dodging Bullets (6/1) who is trained by Paul Nicholls, and bred by Frankie Dettori, Trifolium (6/1), Rock On Ruby (7/1) who won last year's Champion Hurdle for Harry Fry, while Alan King's Valdez (9/1) is another among a large field of entrants.

4:00 Cheltenham (Tuesday 11th March)

The Cheltenham OLBG Mares Hurdle is a fascinating event. This Grade 2 National Hunt hurdle race is open to mares aged four years and older. Nine hurdles are jumped over two and half miles on this left-handed course. This race was established in 2008 and the winner's trophy for this event is named in the memory of David Nicholson (1939 - 2006), a talented jockey & trainer. Since the inaugural winner, Whiteoak, this race has been dominated by super mare Quevega. Ruby Walsh has ridden her to success. In fact, this daughter of Robin Des Champs has won the last five contests. The Willie Mullins-trained ten year old is unbeaten in her last eight starts and price 4/5f in ante post markets. Her trainer has a strong hand in this race with 9/2 second favourite Annie Power to test her mettle. This six year old is unbeaten in all of her ten starts, of which seven were over hurdles. The main opposition include: Cockney Sparrow (8/1), Sirene D'ainey (10/1) & Glen's Melody (14/1) from what could be a large field. In previous years this race has fielded up to 21 runners.

Feature Races Of The Cheltenham Festival 2014

Tuesday 11th March - 3:20 Cheltenham - Stan James Champion Hurdle

Wednesday 12th March - 3:20 Cheltenham - Queen Mother Champion Chase

Thursday 13th March - 3:20 Cheltenham - Cheltenham Ladbrokes World Hurdle

Friday 14th March - 3:20 Cheltenham - Betfred Chelentenham Gold Cup

Our Cheltenham Resources

Race cards: Channel4 Race Card

Cheltenham Betting & Odds: Bookmakers

Racing Weather: Met Office (Cheltenham Racecourse)

Fly proves he’ll be hard to beat in Champion Hurdle

When it comes to the most sought after Cheltenham Festival bets at the 2014 renewal of the outstanding National Hunt meeting, there appears little doubt that one of the most popular horses with punters is likely to be the dual Champion Hurdle winner Hurricane Fly, writes Elliot Slater.

The horse who has won more Grade 1 races than any other on the Flat or jumps in history - not just in Britain but anywhere in the world - the Willie Mullins-trained 10-year-old remains the one they all have to beat as he goes for a famous third win in the Stan James Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy on March 11, the opening day of the eagerly anticipated fixture at which more than a quarter-of-a-million racegoers are expected to be in attendance during the four days of the meeting.

Everyone will be looking for a banker and Hurricane Fly is sure to be one of the most feature Cheltenham Festival bets, especially as his two-mile championship race takes place on the first day of the meeting and a win would give punters a great start and plenty of cash with which to go to war against the bookies for the rest of the week.

Defeated only once in his last 17 starts over the last four years when having an off-day and running only third to Rock On Ruby in the 2012 Champion Hurdle, the gelded son of Montjeu has struck up a tremendous relationship with star Irish jockey Ruby Walsh, a factor that shone through on his most recent outing when he had to pull out all the stops to beat the young pretender Our Conor in a tremendous renewal of the BHP Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown in January.

His length-and-a-half defeat of last season’s Triumph Hurdle winner threw down the gauntlet to the younger brigade and showed that it will take a really good one to beat this legendary horse at Cheltenham in March.