After a brief hiatus, ‘The Eagles Punt‘ returns with a foray into the world of horse racing which is more to this writer’s specialty than football.
The Cheltenham Festival is the biggest meeting of the National Hunt calendar, the centre piece of the gambling year. The first five races are televised and are shown on Channel 4.
As a prelude, I tend to avoid the short priced obvious favourites instead going for the value options who may be less likely to win, but will provide more of an option at a price.
Today’s NAP came in again with a strong, dominant performance from Don Poli who, as predicted, outstayed the rest of the opposition up the Cheltenham hill.
The selections for tomorrow are as follows:
- 1.30 JLT Novices Chase – Ptit Zig (9/2)
- 2.05 Pertemps Final – Edeymi (9/1) each way
- 2.40 Ryanair Chase – Don Cossack (9/2)
- 3.20 World Hurdle – Whisper (9/1) each way
- 4.00 Brown Group Plate – Caid du Berlais (14/1) each way
- 4.40 Kim Muir Challenge Cup – The Package (9/1) each way or Bless The Wings (20/) each way
*Prices courtesy of Paddy Power at time of article published
NAP: Don Cossack – Like Don Poli, Don Cossack represents the Gigginstown team and is ridden by Bryan Cooper, one of the best up-and-coming young jockeys. Connections feel that Don Cossack could have gone for the Gold Cup this year, but have brought him back to the lesser trip where he will attempt to copy his stable-mate in jumping consistently and outstaying the field.
NB: Edeymi – Rumours have been spreading for a few weeks about Edeymi being one of the main handicap ploys of the Festival, and with Tony Martin as his trainer, you have to believe it. In previous runs, the jockeys were not seen to be working particularly hard, and with Cooper back on board, there is a strong chance he will massively improve to a level where he is able to take victory in this race.
Best Each-Way Shout: Whisper – Having had only one run this season, this is a risky proposition, even more so when you consider that run was over fences, and he now returns to hurdles. With Course and Distance form at a lesser level from last year’s festival and an excellent win at Aintree last April, there are a lot of reasons to like Whisper, who has always improved for the Spring and better ground.
Usual Disclaimer: Gambling is for over 18’s (says the 24 year old who has been gambling for about 16-17 years), and only bet money that you can afford to lose.
