| Irish contenders in short supply
for Cheltenham By David Thorpe
For the first time in more than a decade there are no serious Irish contenders
for the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Beef or Salmon a veteran who has failed on each of his visits to Cheltenham
will carry the hopes of patriotic punters along with Tom Taafe’s
Cane Brake likely to be an outsider.
The favourite for the race is the Paul Nicholls-trained Kauto Star. There
are plenty of doubts about this horse as he always jumps at least one fence
in a race very badly. He has been able to stay on his feet so far but Cheltenham
fences are a different proposition. There will also be a doubt about Kauto
Star staying the trip on the likely soft ground so at best odds of 6-4 he
is the worst bet of the week at the Festival.
Punters looking for a winning chance are advised to go for Robert Alner’s
The Listener. This is a horse who won some nice races in Ireland and who
will appreciate the ground at Cheltenham.
Each-way might be the best option in the Gold Cup with Halcon Genelardais
and Nil Desperandum worth considering.
The Racing Post Plate is the sort of race where punters can feel very proud
if they have picked the winner. It is a difficult handicap to call but preference
is for Nicky Henderson’s Copsale Lad. This lad would have a lower
weight so he is the selection.
Celestial Wave’s injury has deprived Ireland of one of its best Cheltenham
chances in the World Hurdle.
The race doesn’t look very strong and it might be worth opposing
the favourite with Labelthou a top-quality horse on a bit of a winning
streak who will be receiving weight from most of her rivals.
Blazing Bailey is the best bet of the horses likely to be amongst the favourites.
Friday will see the best novice hurdlers in these islands strut their stuff
in the County Handicap Hurdle.
My best bet for the entire Cheltenham festival is Pedrobob trained in Ireland
by Tony Mullins. This horse gets in off the lowest possible weight and his
intended jockey Davy Russell is determined to keep that weight despite the
fact that he will have to starve himself!
Pedrobob could round off the meeting in style for Irish punters.
Katchit is a hopeful selection in the Triumph Hurdle.
Happy Punting!
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