Catch them while you can.
A host of bookmakers went non runner, no bet on the 28 races in the Cheltenham festival this March.
Truth told, it’s a God send of a deal.
It means you can follow your sneaky suspicions without the fear of sickeningly losing out.
It’s hugely beneficial for punters, who can get on at the highest odds possible. This deal has been offered a full month before they rolled it out last year.
Here’s how best to take advantage of it.
Sizing John 6/1 – Cheltenham Gold Cup
Sizing John is a gem of a horse. When winning the Irish, Cheltenham and Punchestown Gold Cups last year, this tireless trooper saved our bacon time and time again under Robbie Power.
He looked beaten on many of those occasions, but that giant heart reaped giant rewards as he galloped relentlessly from March to May. Just when it mattered.
The Jessica Harrington trained 8-year-old jumped uncharacteristically poorly and never travelled in a lethargic display under Robbie Power, in the Leopardstown Christmas Chase which prompted worries that there was something seriously wrong.
Harrington, however has since revealed that her stable star was fresh and well in training, after his blood tests showed up no problems.
She also revealed plans to go straight to the Gold Cup. This could offer the horse exactly the break she needs, with that Leopardstown run showing all the signs of a jaded horse/bounce factor after a tough run in the John Durcan chase earlier in December.
Now he’ll have a nice break. We trust Harrington to have her primed for back to back successes, in, it’s fair to say, what won’t be the highest quality Gold Cup field of all time.
1st and 3rd favourites Might Bite and Native River are very beatable.
Willoughby Court 4/1 JLT Chase
Ben Pauling’s 7-year-old won what was arguably the most exciting race of last year’s festival in the Neptune Novices’ Hurdle.
That course form will stand him in good stead and we trust that he will be peaked for March again. Ran well when beating Yanworth in a Newbury Grade 2 in December.
Thanks for all of your entries. The #TFHorse was Willoughby Court! We'll draw for a winner shortly. pic.twitter.com/vEOOeb0jVj
— Timeform (@Timeform) January 9, 2018
Nicky Henderson’s horse turned the tables on that run over Christmas, but he can be excused given his 6 pound penalty. Every horse has a bad race, and we suspect he’ll be back on song in Pretsbury Park.
At 4/1, get on for the JLT Chase.
Espoir D’allen 6/1 Triumph Hurdle
Gavin Cromwell proved he can produce the goods on the big day when 13-year-old Raz Du Maree galloped to Welsh National glory last weekend.
The four-year-old has a 100% strike rate in his five runs this season. His impressed in every single one of those outings, making light work of his rivals in a series of dazzling displays.
“I’d say he’s a good horse, that fella. I love his attitude. I’ve tried a couple of times to beat him and it’s very difficult” – @_Davy_Russel_ tells #OnTheLine viewers to keep Espoir D’Allen onside…
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) January 8, 2018
JP McManus’ charge has been impeccable, untouchable so far. A big fancy of our’s.
Irish Roe 12/1 Mares Novice Hurdle
Peter Atkinson’s 7-year-old is an ever improving sort that is expected to go well in the mare’s novice race. She’s a horse from one of the lesser known stables, which could mean she’ll be underestimated by the bookies.
Irish Roe and @Henrybrooke12 enjoying a moment following their win @DoncasterRaces last week 😘 pic.twitter.com/zhapnJmXTJ
— TheHorseComesFirst (@horsecomesfirst) December 20, 2017
She’s a tough, battling sort and is very hard-headed in a tight finish. Herself and jockey Henry Brooke have forged a strong bond, winning two out of three races so far this term.
This 7-year-old is worth a punt.
Yanworth 10/1 Stayers’ hurdle
The huge prize on offer may lure Alan King’s charge back to hurdles, but if it doesn’t you won’t have lost any money. If you do, you’ll be on board the most valuable 10/1 shot of the festival.
Yanworth impressed last time out when beating Sizing Tennessee and Willoughby Court, but his jumping, as ever, left a lot to be desired.
He’s unexposed as a long distance hurdler, but has shown staying credentials in many of his races to date.
Alan King may just be tempted.
