Thistlecrack to face Cue Card on Boxing Day

Having embarked on a chasing career following his World Hurdle win at the Cheltenham Festival back in March, Thistlecrack has now been handed the opportunity to add to his ever-growing reputation by taking on stablemate Cue Card in the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day. Having won his first three outings for Colin Tizzard, the trainer faced a dilemma as to whether to pit the duo against one another, with Cue Card entering the famous race as the defending champion. Cue Card is hunting his second win of the £1 million steeplechasing Triple Crown, having already claimed victory in the Betfair Chase at Haydock in November.

With Thistlecrack having already won races at Chepstow, Newbury and Cheltenham in October and November, the duo look set to be among the frontrunners for both the King George VI Chase as well as the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2017. With Thistlecrack set to be ridden by Tom Scudamore and Cue Card by Paddy Brennan, there is little to separate the two famous horses among the bookies. With such little to choose between the two, it may be better to try and horse racing game at LadyLucks Casino, with mobile slots becoming more and more popular among punters.

Meanwhile, 2015 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Coneygree will miss the King George VI Chase on Boxing Day, with trainer Mark Bradstock choosing to withdraw the nine-year-old having underperformed in a recent gallop. Coneygree only returned to action after a year away from the track to finish second to Cue Card at Haydock, although his most recent setback has only served to increase his odds for the Gold Cup next year.

For those of you who are lucky enough to pick a winner in the famous Kind George VI at the end of this year, it may well be worth trying your luck on some of the best mobile slots at Lady Luck, with their casino offering the perfect opportunity to kick the new year off with a bang. Champion trainer Willie Mullins will be hoping to pull off a surprise win on Boxing Day, with Vroum Vroum Mag undoubtedly his best hope at Kempton. With Faugheen also having been ruled out, the likes of Yanworth, The New One and My Tent Or Yours have all been entered for the race, with the King George VI Chase having originally attracted just five entries.

Don Cossack lands Gold Cup win on final day at Cheltenham

Don Cossack claimed victory in the Gold Cup at the Cheltenham Festival on Friday as the pre-race favourite held off a late surge from second-favourite Djakadam, to give jockey BryanCooper a famous win. Trained by Gordon Elliott, Don Cossack led an Irish top three, with the runner up and third places Don Poli being trained by Willie Mullins. It was a first Gold Cup win for Elliott, who famously achieved Grand National glory with Silver Birch back in 2007.

Meanwhile, Friday also saw former Olympic gold medal winning cyclist Victoria Pendleton ride to a fifth placed finish in the Foxhunter’s Chase, in what was a remarkable achievement considering she only started riding a little over a year ago. This year’s Cheltenham Festival certainly lived up to its billing, with thrills and spills a plenty provided by a packed race schedule over the four day event. 

Other highlights from the West Country meeting included Thistlecrack winning the World Hurdle in impressive style as well as ten year old Sprinter Sacre surprising the rest of the field on his way to glory in the much coveted Queen Mother Champion Chase. Meanwhile the first day of the festival was all about Ruby Walsh. The veteran jockey secured three opening day victories including guiding Annie Power to a commanding win in the Champion Hurdle.

With the historic Grand National just a matter of weeks away, horse racing fans really are being treated to a feast of action over the months of March and April. Despite news that the start time of 2016’s Grand National has been changed, it is still likely to be one of the most enthralling sporting events of the year with excitement building leading up to the big race. Grand National betting this year seemingly points in just one direction, with reigning champion Many Clouds tipped as the 8/1 odds on favourite with Coral. However, with the famous unpredictability of the race all to evident over the years, the likes of The Last Samurai and Cheltenham runner Don Poli may well be in with a shout come race day.


Having recently been crowned as the leading trainer at the recent Cheltenham Festival with seven victories over the four days, Irishman Mullins will be looking to continue this form heading into the Grand National, with Don Poli his main hope at the circuit which ranges overfour miles in distance. However, with up to forty horses expected to battle it out in what is arguably the most famous steeplechase event in the world, you will write off others at your peril.

Cheltenham Gold Cup Preview

The 2016 Cheltenham Gold Cup looks wide open with five horses vying for favouritism. To complicate matters further, three of them are trained by Willie Mullins who is chasing his first victory in chasing’s blue riband event.

Djakadam spearheads Mullins Gold Cup challenge.

Mullins looks set to resist the temptation to allocate different targets for his Gold Cup runners and his challenge will be led by last year’s runner-up Djakadam.

The seven-year-old moved well into the home straight last year but could not pass the determined Coneygree, eventually failing by a length and a half. With that rival absent through injury, Djakadam was promoted to Cheltenham Gold Cup favourite after winning impressively at Punchestown in December. His 12 lengths victory over Valseur Lido looks even better in light of the runner-up’s unlucky last fence exit in the Irish Gold Cup last month.

Djakadam was expected to confirm his status as market leader in the Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham in January but crashed out at the tenth fence. Mullins does not feel that the setback has damaged his preparation significantly and he remains a leading contender.

Valseur Lido has been neglected in the market in recent days and has drifted out to 20-1. Mullins believes that the Gold Cup trip will suit him much better than the extended two and a half miles of the Ryanair Chase. He is as short as 5-1 for the latter and the final decision rests with the owners, Gigginstown House Stud.

Cue Card and Vautour set to renew rivalry.

The King George VI Chase on Boxing Day provided a thrilling spectacle as Cue Card battled to a head victory over Vautour. The two are set to clash again in the Gold Cup along with the beaten favourite Don Cossack who crashed out at the second last.

Cue Card has been a magnificent servant to the Colin Tizzard stable and has already won a Champion Bumper and a Ryanair Chase at the festival. He dispelled doubts about his ability to stay three miles when winning the Betfair Chase at Haydock in 2013. He won the race for a second time in November before his epic battle with Vautour.

Connections of the runner-up were thrilled with their horse who was kicked for home early in the home straight. That was his first attempt at three miles and there remain question marks about his stamina for the extra quarter of a mile at Cheltenham. He was a brilliant winner of the JLT Novices’ Chase at last year’s festival over two and a half miles.

Don Cossack appeared to be staying on when he fell at Kempton and he bounced back with a bloodless victory at Thurles in January. Gordon Elliott’s nine-year-old thrashed Cue Card at Aintree last year on good ground and connections will be hoping that the ground does not become too soft.

Bryan Cooper expected to side with Don Poli

Jockey Bryan Cooper has to choose between the four Gigginstown entries; Don Poli, Don Cossack, Road To Riches and Valseur Lido. It will be a surprise if he deserts Don Poli who has won both of his races this season. Yet another representative of the Mullins stable, he burst into the Gold Cup picture when winning the RSA Chase impressively last year.

Road To Riches also holds an entry in the Ryanair and he really wants good ground to be at his best. Noel Meade felt that the testing conditions were responsible for his defeat by Carlingford Lough in the Irish Gold Cup. The winner was almost pulled up with four to jump at Leopardstown but the leaders folded up in the home straight. His main objective is thought to be the Grand National but he could take his chance if the going is suitably testing.

Cue Card is not completely alone in attempting to keep the Gold Cup on home soil. Alan King’s Smad Place won the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury in November before finishing fourth in the King George. The popular grey earned his place in the field when profiting from the fall of Djakadam in January.

Grand National winner Many Clouds is also in the line-up after his intended prep race at Kelso was abandoned. He finished sixth last year and a similar performance on Friday would set him up perfectly for another tilt at the Aintree showpiece.

The Cheltenham Gold Cup is due off at 3.30 on Friday 18th March and will be screened live on Channel 4.

By Harvey Mayson

2:00 Cheltenham Racing Tips (13th December) CASPIAN CAVIAR GOLD CUP (A Handicap Chase) (Grade 3) (CLASS 1) (4yo+)

Thirteen runners for this Grade 3 Handicap Chase over 2m 5f on Good going. With total win price money of over £100,000 this will be a fascinating contest. Paul Nicholls' Caid Du Berlais looks a decent each-way prospect. This five-year-old bay gelding, sired by Westener out of a French mare put up a mighty performance when running at this course in Novemeber when running on stoutly to deny John's Spirit by a head in the Paddy power Gold Cup Chase. With total prize money of just under £200,000 this horse could target the Ryanair Chase, come Cheltenham Festival in March. Remember to take advantage of bookmaker offer. Winner are giving Money Back If Your Horse Finishes 2nd In the Gold Cup on Saturday. Plus 1/4 odds each way for all Saturday's live Channel 4 racing. If that's not enough, then players can earn Free Bets by placing 10 bets on Horse Racing.   

Hennessy Gold Cup to provide Cheltenham clues

On November 29, one of the most competitive handicap races of the whole National Hunt season will be staged at Newbury as the Hennessy Gold Cup provides another thrilling spectacle with plenty of serious Cheltenham Festival contenders amongst what is sure to be a high-quality field of staying chasers.

Ahead of the big event betting firms are struggling to find a favourite and bet 10/1 the field. Take your pick from such as Fingal Bay [pictured], Djakadam, Smad Place, Many Clouds, Rocky Creek, and many, many more. The same horses can all be backed at 11.0 or bigger on Betfair.

It may well be the case that by the time the runners go down to the start at the Berkshire track a clear favourite will have emerged having either put up a notable performance in the interim or been the subject of a major off-course ante-post gamble. The Hennessy Gold Cup has a history of producing smart performances by horses that often go on to excel at the Cheltenham Festival four months later. In recent renewals Paul Nicholls’ superb Denman (winner in both 2007 & 2009) went on to land the Cheltenham Gold Cup, while Nicky Henderson’s Bobs Worth won the 2012 ‘Hennessy’ before following up in the blue riband event in the spring of 2013 in tremendous style.

It’s not only Gold Cup winners who come out of the Hennessy field. Plenty of horses have run well in the race before going on to land other big prizes, including the feature handicaps at the Cheltenham Festival and other major spring Festivals at Aintree and Punchestown. The Newbury contest is definitely one to keep a close eye as the cream of the staying handicap chasers, many of whom are graded class and often close to Grade 1 level, take each other on in what is always a tremendous spectacle.

With the Philip Hobbs team probably in better shape than any of the other major yards at this stage of the campaign it would be dangerous not to seriously consider the chance of his likeable Fingal Bay, formerly a very classy staying hurdler who has done well since making the transitions to the larger obstacles. His win last season in the listed Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle final at the Cheltenham Festival shows what a versatile horse the eight-year-old son of King’s Theatre is.

His gutsy nose defeat of Southfield Theatre was a tremendous effort following a pleasing reappearance win at Exeter a month earlier. That came on the back of a long absence as the result of sustaining a serious injury early on in what had already become a very useful novice chasing career in autumn 2012. After his win at Cheltenham, Fingal Bay headed to the Punchestown Festival and contested the Grade 1 Ladbrokes World Series Hurdle, but could only finish fifth behind Jetson, a performance that convinced Hobbs that his charge was just a little short of the top rung over timber and that he should concentrate on chasing this season. There’s every chance that the likeable stayer could well prove a star over fences this season.

Another interesting contender for the Hennessy Gold Cup is Alan King’s Smad Place, a really tough performer who rarely runs a bad race. Twice placed third in the World Hurdle, Smad Place took really well to fences last season winning nicely at Exeter and at Newbury before going down with all guns blazing in a terrific renewal of the Grade 1 RSA Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. That race, often seen as a contest won by horses with future Gold Cup pretentions, eventually went the way of the Rebecca Curtis-trained O’Faolains Boy who wore down King’s game performer in the shadow of the post to score by a neck.

Like Fingal Bay, Smad Place will have his fair share of weight at Newbury but he looks a potential high-class chaser and could prove hard to beat if he is fully wound up on what is likely to be his first start of the campaign.

Oliver Sherwood’s Many Clouds has already thrown down his Hennessy Gold Cup marker in making an impressive winning reappearance in a listed chase at Carlisle in early-November, staying on in fine style to beat Nicky Richards’ Eduard and the Jonjo O’Neill-trained Holywell, favourite with some firms in the ante-post market for the Cheltenham Gold Cup itself.

Many Clouds was useful last term, and the Trevor Hemmings-owned stayer appears to have come to hand early this campaign and is on the upgrade. He looks just the right sort for the Newbury contest and is sure to prove popular on the big day in what is invariably a hot betting contest with so many horses being relatively unexposed and thought capable of better, not only by connections, but also by the betting public.

''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.  

1:30 Cheltenham ( Friday, 15th March) Free Horse Racing Tips

1.30 JCB Triumph Hurdle

The top three in the market look a cut above the rest in this. Our Conor represents Ireland and has a tall reputation. He beat a couple of good horses at Fairyhouse in a grade 3 and then beat Diakali in a Grade 1 at Leopardstown. That sets the standard. Far West has got valuable course winning form but it doesn't look quite up to the level of Our Conor. Rolling Star beat the smart Irish Saint last time who followed up in a Grade 2 at Kempton. Cases can be made for all three but Our Conor may be a bit special.

1 pt win Our Conor 4/1 1st

What a great performance from Our Conor. Cruised to the lead. I actually used my William Hill C50 match bet on this tip and won £200. So it proves what these free bets are worth. Excellent tip from Sean. Brilliant.   

2.05 Vincent O'Brien County Handicap Hurdle

Cotton Mill is an easy selection for me in this. Raised five pounds for his second to My Tent or Yours in the Betfair Hurdle he should have the class to see this through. I'll be disappointed if he doesn't put in a bold show.

2 pts win Cotton Mill 7/1 Unp

Bryan Cooper is in flying form. Brilliant to see the young Irish jockey making a name for himself. Quite amazing. 

Visit our friend's website Bet-N-Tip  

2.40 Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle

At Fishers Cross has valuable course winning form beating the very useful The New One and Coneygree last time. That sets the standard and his main opponent in Ballycasey who's untried at this slightly longer trip. At Fishers Cross has the form in the bag and can outstay them all up the hill.

2 pts win At Fishers Cross 9/2 1st

Great win for McCoy, traveled well, and At Fisher's Cross ran off up the hill. Great tip from Sean Kelsey who gave this horse to me earlier in the week at 9/2. The highs and lows of racing with  J T McNamara injured and thoughts of Campbell Gillies.  Poignant words from McCoy.  

3.20 Cheltenham Gold Cup

A fascinating renewal of the Gold Cup. Bobs Worth probably sets the standard on his win in the Hennessey. Not seen since then he goes well when fresh and is unbeaten in four runs at the track. That counts for a lot but one thing the pundits appear to have missed is that he's never run on soft ground let alone won on it. This may be a coincidence of course but it does prevent me backing him with confidence if it is still really soft on Friday. Sir Des Champs has another great record at the track (unbeaten in two) but has beaten twice this year. One of my favourite horses, I've never really thought of him as being quite good enough to win a Gold Cup. Long Run will attempt to win back his crown. He's stepped up on his form last season and showed great resolve in getting up to win the King George at Kempton. Soundly beaten by Silviniaco Conti at Haydock I'd be surprised if he reverses that form. Silviniaco Conti is an improving horse and won easily last time at Newbury. He's never won at Cheltenham but was placed in a (very good) hurdles race and I don't have any concerns that he won't act on the track. 

2 pts win Silviniaco Conti 9/2 Fell

Silviniaco Conti was going well when falling three out. Great finish from the little terrier Bobs Worth. A superb winner. 

4.00 Foxhunter Chase

A hunter chase with amateur riders. No bet for me.

Couple of tips from our Twitter friends:

Tricky Trickster (themastarata)
Salsify (Martindawn)

Salsify wins but what cruel luck for Oscar Delta and Jane Mangan. How sad for the youngster to be denied what looked to be a winning ride. 

4.40 Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys Handicap

Too many runners still entered and very difficult however I have backed Barbatos in case he's goes here instead of the Coral Cup.

No bet.

5.15 Grand Annual Chase

A two mile handicap chase that Nicky Henderson will be keen to win. If the ground dries out a bit by Friday I'd be interested in French Opera at around 25/1. He's seems to have held his form and has been dropped a few pounds by the handicapper. He has a good record at the track and looks a little overpriced.

1 pt ew French Opera 25/1. Unp

I would like to thank our guest blogger, Sean Kelsey, for his great posts. Much appreciated.