Hi all,
Inside today’s main piece you’ll find a free Cheltenham ante post selection. Plus, you can read some of my thoughts on Cheltenham’s Showcase Meeting that kicks off this afternoon.
This season, I’ll be diving into the Cheltenham Festival ante post markets after a few years of mostly sitting it out. My goal is to build a solid ante post portfolio. But I won’t just focus on Cheltenham—there are too many great races in the next couple of months to ignore. Adding those ante post bets just spices up the Cheltenham festival journey.
If you’re a Victor Value service member, you’ll be joining me on this journey. I’ll share my Cheltenham ante post picks with you. Occasionally, I’ll share some with readers, but to ensure you get all my selections, you can sign up here.
Brighterdaysahead Backed for the Mares' Hurdle!
Brighterdaysahead has been backed for the Mares' Hurdle, following news she’ll stay over hurdles for another season. She’s now 3/1 for the race, and Gordon Elliott, along with jockey Jack Kennedy, thinks she’s the best mare they’ve had. That’s a bold claim, but I’m not sold on her being so short in the market, especially since Golden Ace, who beat her in the Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham, is available at 10/1 with Bet365 & BetVictor. Golden Ace also won over 2m 4f at Cheltenham in April, proving her stamina for the distance.
Brighterdaysahead’s odds might be influenced by her connections, but Jeremy Scott is more than capable of getting Golden Ace ready for the big day. What price would she be if she was trained by Willie Mullins or Nicky Henderson? I would say she would be no more than 5/1. So, I’ve placed my first ante post bet of the season—10/1 on Golden Ace for the Mares' Hurdle.
Cheltenham Showcase Meeting
We’re 142 days away from the Cheltenham Festival, but the Cheltenham action kicks off this Friday with the Showcase Meeting, which signals the start of the jumps season for me. Historically, a few trainers have come prepared and performed well at this meeting.
Cheltenham Showcase Meeting Trainers (Since 2018)
Dan Skelton and Nigel Twiston-Davies have had plenty of runners but their darts have mostly missed the target
Irish trainers Gavin Cromwell and John McConnell have had better results, with McConnell boasting a 27% strike rate over hurdles and bumpers.
All six of McConnell’s winners at this meeting since 2018 were priced 11/1 or under. Those qualifiers are worth a close look over the two days.
Cheltenham – ITV Races
ITV is covering four races live today. The going at Cheltenham is good and it's set to be mostly dry for the two days of the Showcase Meeting.
1:50 – William Hill Top Price Guarantee Novices' Chase (2m)
Gavin Cromwell, last year’s winning trainer, has the likley favorite, Path d’Oroux, who sets the form standard in a race where four of the five runners are trained in Ireland.
2:25 – squareintheair.com Handicap Chase (2m)
Last year’s winner, Dancing On My Own, returns for Henry De Bromhead from just 2lb higher. Just got home in a Ballinrobe conditions chase 60 days ago but the ground was probably to soft for him that day. He should be spot on fitness wise and likes a sound surface. Scarface, from Joe Tizzard’s yard, is worth a second look but may prefer a longer trip and just need his seasonal return. Progressive over fenced last season he’s one to note in handicap chases this season. The inform Joe Tizzard yard also saddles C&D winner Triple Trade who was a good second in this race last year but will probably just need the run.
3:00 – Sky Bet Novices' Hurdle (Grade 2 ) – 2m ½ f
The mare Gale Mahler bids for her seventh successive win and is the one to beat. Dancing In Paris, a useful flat handicapper is thrown in the deep end on hurdle debut but would have a chance if taking to timber. Strong Foundations made a winning hurdle/seasonal debut at Warwick (good) 22 days ago. He’s got the scope to do better in the sphere and not one to dismiss given he handles good ground.
3:35 – Glenfarclas Amateur Jockeys' Handicap Chase (Class 3) – 3m 1f
A highly competitive race with 19 runners declared. My four against the field are Mole Court, The Boola Boss, Strictlyadancer, and Planned Paradise.
Mole Court only 7th in the Summer Plate at Market Rasen 97 days ago. Back from a break he won this race last year and, although 10lb higher, must have strong chance of following up on his favoured good ground.
The Boola Boss secured his third chase win at Stratford in May and returned from a five-month break with a solid 3rd place at the same track recently. He prefers good ground, which could help him improve today. Trainer Rebecca Curtis has a good record at this meeting (1-5, 3 places since 2018). Useful Irish amateur John Gleeson comes over for the ride.
Strictlyadancer took this race in 2021 and was a 1 ½ length 4th to Mole Court last year. He’s 2lb lower and benefits from a 12lb pull with the winner. He returned from a 5-month absence with an encouraging 4th in a veteran's handicap chase at Chepstow 14 days ago. Still very much in contention until mistake two out and looks on a good mark.
Gina Andrews rode Strictlyadancer in last year’s race but is on stablemate Planned Paradise today. Planned Paradise stays well, enjoys good ground, and has been kept busy over the summer. If his jumping holds up, he could be in the mix off a competitive mark.
Good luck with your Friday bets!
John