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.

3:30 Cheltenham Racing Tips (17th March) RYANAIR WORLD HURDLE (Grade 1) (CLASS 1) (4yo+)

This Grade 1 race over 2m 7f 213y on good going. Thirteen runners take part for this winning bumper prize of £170,000 for horses aged four years and older. 

The most successful horse since 1972 is Big Buck's with four wins, trained by Paul Nicholls, ridden by leading jockey Ruby Walsh and owned by The Stewart Family. Big Buck's reigned supreme from 2009 - 2012. An exceptional horse. Other major talents to win this race include three-timer Inglis Drever. Baracouda was another favourite who was successful on two occasions. 

Last year saw Warren Greatrex with his bay gelding Cole Harden at odds of 14/1, staying on strongly to beat Saphir Du Rhea from Zarkandar. At Fisher's Cross, Whisper, Un Tempts Pour Tout & Lieutenant Colonel are similarly competing. 

The relatively lightly raced Thistlecrack has made a name for himself this last year - an official rating of 135 to today's 168. This gelding has certainly come a long way since disappointing here in the Neptune Investment Novices' Hurdle at seven. Colin Tizzard's charge looked very impressive when winning at Cheltenham  (January), crushing Ptit Zig and others by twelve lengths. This is a step up in class but this son of Kayf Tara looks ready to take on all challengers although at 5/4 there seems little meat on the bone. 

I will have a tentative each-way bet on Cole Harden to come back to his best.