A few Cheltenham Horses

With Cheltenham less than 9 weeks away now and the action on the track being effected heavily by the weather recently I thought I would take a little time to outline some of the horses I want to be backing ante-post for the Cheltenham Festival. These are not the horses I think will definitely win at Cheltenham, just the ones I think offer very good ante-post value. Let me know what you think and if you agree or disagree!

Tombstone - Supreme Novices Hurdle

Tombstone is a huge price at 20/1

I think Gordon Elliott's horse is massive e/w value at 20/1 for the Festival opener. He was the best horse in the race the last day when just beaten by Long Dog in the Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle. He just got no luck in running that day, for all the winner is a good horse, and the Gigginstown boys have said they will be hooding him ahead of his appearance in the Deloitte Novices Hurdle in Feb. I reckon that will see him improve again and fancy he will win the Deloitte, after which 20/1 will quickly evaporate and I think it'll be single figures about Tombstone for the Supreme. Take the 20/1 which gives great e/w value against the red hot favourite Min.

Garde La Victoire - Arkle

16/1 looks a big price for Garde La Victoire in the Arkle, considering he has won his last 4 races, including a C&D win over fences back in November, beating the likes of Fox Norton and Bristol De Mai (decent yardsticks) in decisive fashion. He will get further than the bare 2 miles which I like for the Arkle, especially considering the pace this will likely be run at and the Cheltenham Hill at the end of the race. There is a bit of uncertainty about his target, Arkle or JLT, but I'm prepared to take the risk for the reward of a lovely price for a horse with proven course form, proven distance form, stamina and a lovely willingness to battle and fight.

Cole Harden - World Hurdle

The reigning World Hurdle Champion

This horse comes alive in the spring on good ground, so even though he has not been a winner so far this season do not be put off by that. The ground has been unsuitable on both his runs so far this season but his wise trainer Warren Greatrex was apparently thrilled with his run at Cheltenham the last day when well beaten by Camping Ground. Come March, on better ground, the current World Hurdle Champion will be extremely hard to keep out the frame and looks a great e/w play at 9/1

Diamond King - Martin Pipe

Donald McCain will have been loath to lose Diamond King from his yard

Hello Gordon Elliott handicap project. He didn't run in the Ladbroke hurdle in this country, instead running in a little low key Hurdle race at Punchestown, because Gordon is a clever man and knows what it takes to win a handicap over in England! Sent to Gordon from Donald McCain (with a big reputation as an unfulfilled talent) on an incredible mark it has taken a couple of runs for Gordon to get him winning but now he has I think there is only 1 race for Diamond King. Gordon has confirmed the Martin Pipe is his target and the current 10/1 should be taken as I think this horse will go off much shorter once it gets backed in the weeks running up to the festival. He will have the assistance of top jockey Jack Kennedy on the day of the race as well, something that cannot be underestimated. However it has been pointed out to me by Adam Webb (@AdamWebb121 on twitter) that "I wouldn't back Diamond King yet as it's viable he could be handicapped out of the race & end up in the Coral Cup". I've backed him because I think he will go off a hell of a lot shorter if he races in the Martin Pipe, but I guess thats ante-post betting for you!

Doctor Harper - Unsure but one to watch (Alright, not an ante-post bet!)

This horse is an absolute classic David Pipe handicap plot. Beaten in his last 2 runs by L'ami Serge and Garde La Victoire, how harsh can the handicapper be? He was never put in the race the last day but ran into 2nd place close home and looks a banker to improve markedly up in trip which I am certain will happen come March. Not sure which handicap will be the target but if you want to take a chance and pick a race let me know what you go for!