Cheltenham Festival 2013: big race predictions
News provided by theEword on Wednesday 6th Mar 2013
With the Cheltenham Festival just days away, www.betfredcheltenhamgoldcup.com looks at who could win the event's feature races, including the prestigious Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Bobs Worth favourite for Cheltenham Gold Cup
Without question the highlight of the festival, as well as one of the most coveted trophies in horse racing, the Cheltenham Gold Cup will round off the event in style on day four.
Last year's RSA Chase winner Bobs Worth has been installed as the favourite at 3/1, while bookmakers are also giving three other horses a strong chance of victory. Sir Des Champs is at 4/1, Silviniaco Conti will attract many punters at 5/1, while 2011 winner Long Run could be set for a repeat of past glories at 6/1.
Trainer Nicky Henderson, in charge of both Bobs Worth and Long Run, has stated that the race should be extremely tight.
"It's very wide open and I don't think we've seen a stand-out horse. Nothing has come out this season that you’d say ‘look at that'. Bobs Worth and Long Run have as good a chance as any," said Henderson, who enjoyed seven victories at last year's festival to become the most successful trainer in the history of the event.
Despite his confidence, neither of his contenders has raced in 2013, and jockey AP McCoy, who won the trophy last year with Synchronised, has tipped Sir Des Champs to triumph.
Champion Hurdle the highlight on day one
Of course, before the Gold Cup there are still three days of top class racing for fans to enjoy, starting on Champion Day. The day's feature race, the Champion Hurdle, sees Hurricane Fly head the odds at 2/1.
The nine-year-old, likely to be ridden by Ruby Walsh, is being tipped to bounce back from a disappointing third-place finish in the same race last year. He had been expected to mount a strong challenge after winning the 2011 Champion Hurdle, but was edged out by Rock On Ruby and Overturn in one of the festival's big surprises.
Zarkandar is second-favourite at 9/2, while those looking at a second successive win for Rock On Ruby will find him available at 11/2.
Sprinter Sacre set to dominate day two
Ladies Day may be notable for the fashion in the stands, but on the track all eyes will be on the Queen Mother Champion Chase. In particular, Nicky Henderson's Sprinter Sacre is arguably the star attraction of the Cheltenham Festival.
He is an astonishing 1/4 to secure victory, and in doing so would cement his status as one of the finest horses currently racing. Sprinter Sacre is considered so likely to win that the race has one of the smallest fields in the festival, with very few willing to even bother challenging.
Sizing Europe is at 5/1, while Mail de Bievre is a 10/1 shot, but in truth it will be one of the biggest Cheltenham Festival shocks of recent years should Sprinter Sacre falter here.
Oscar Whisky the World Hurdle frontrunner
St Patrick's Thursday is always a highlight of the Cheltenham Festival schedule, and the day's big race is guaranteed a new winner this year.
Big Buck's, trained by Paul Nicholls, has won the last four World Hurdle races at the festival, and had been the clear favourite this time around. However, a leg injury has ruled him out for the season, throwing the contest wide open.
In his absence, Oscar Whisky is the new favourite at 3/1, while other contenders include Reve De Sivola (9/2) and Monksland (5/1).
The Cheltenham Festival takes place from 12-15 March, with racing getting underway each day at 1:15pm.
-ENDS-
About Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup
Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup tracks down the best odds for every race on the Cheltenham Festival calendar. They provide up to date information on the festival schedule, as well as following the latest news surrounding the event.
Bobs Worth favourite for Cheltenham Gold Cup
Without question the highlight of the festival, as well as one of the most coveted trophies in horse racing, the Cheltenham Gold Cup will round off the event in style on day four.
Last year's RSA Chase winner Bobs Worth has been installed as the favourite at 3/1, while bookmakers are also giving three other horses a strong chance of victory. Sir Des Champs is at 4/1, Silviniaco Conti will attract many punters at 5/1, while 2011 winner Long Run could be set for a repeat of past glories at 6/1.
Trainer Nicky Henderson, in charge of both Bobs Worth and Long Run, has stated that the race should be extremely tight.
"It's very wide open and I don't think we've seen a stand-out horse. Nothing has come out this season that you’d say ‘look at that'. Bobs Worth and Long Run have as good a chance as any," said Henderson, who enjoyed seven victories at last year's festival to become the most successful trainer in the history of the event.
Despite his confidence, neither of his contenders has raced in 2013, and jockey AP McCoy, who won the trophy last year with Synchronised, has tipped Sir Des Champs to triumph.
Champion Hurdle the highlight on day one
Of course, before the Gold Cup there are still three days of top class racing for fans to enjoy, starting on Champion Day. The day's feature race, the Champion Hurdle, sees Hurricane Fly head the odds at 2/1.
The nine-year-old, likely to be ridden by Ruby Walsh, is being tipped to bounce back from a disappointing third-place finish in the same race last year. He had been expected to mount a strong challenge after winning the 2011 Champion Hurdle, but was edged out by Rock On Ruby and Overturn in one of the festival's big surprises.
Zarkandar is second-favourite at 9/2, while those looking at a second successive win for Rock On Ruby will find him available at 11/2.
Sprinter Sacre set to dominate day two
Ladies Day may be notable for the fashion in the stands, but on the track all eyes will be on the Queen Mother Champion Chase. In particular, Nicky Henderson's Sprinter Sacre is arguably the star attraction of the Cheltenham Festival.
He is an astonishing 1/4 to secure victory, and in doing so would cement his status as one of the finest horses currently racing. Sprinter Sacre is considered so likely to win that the race has one of the smallest fields in the festival, with very few willing to even bother challenging.
Sizing Europe is at 5/1, while Mail de Bievre is a 10/1 shot, but in truth it will be one of the biggest Cheltenham Festival shocks of recent years should Sprinter Sacre falter here.
Oscar Whisky the World Hurdle frontrunner
St Patrick's Thursday is always a highlight of the Cheltenham Festival schedule, and the day's big race is guaranteed a new winner this year.
Big Buck's, trained by Paul Nicholls, has won the last four World Hurdle races at the festival, and had been the clear favourite this time around. However, a leg injury has ruled him out for the season, throwing the contest wide open.
In his absence, Oscar Whisky is the new favourite at 3/1, while other contenders include Reve De Sivola (9/2) and Monksland (5/1).
The Cheltenham Festival takes place from 12-15 March, with racing getting underway each day at 1:15pm.
-ENDS-
About Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup
Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup tracks down the best odds for every race on the Cheltenham Festival calendar. They provide up to date information on the festival schedule, as well as following the latest news surrounding the event.
Press release distributed by Pressat on behalf of theEword, on Wednesday 6 March, 2013. For more information subscribe and follow https://pressat.co.uk/
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