A Tony Martin handicap plot at Stratford would be a fine way to start Cheltenham Festival week.From Tuesday to Friday, it’s that Cheltenham Festival you may have heard of. As usual, we’ll be running tipping competitions. Whoever does best on each day will win a £50 bet from 32Red, who have kindly agreed to stump up the prizes. That gives you four shots at winning something, although, of course, the endless glory will be worth rather more to you than the prize itself. Related: Cheltenham Festival Champion Hurdle: horse-by-horse guide to runners Continue reading...
During this splendid week of racing, football and rugby union, fans face a bombardment of betting advertising. But there are already too many punters loaded up with debt and anguishThey say there is more Guinness spilt annually at the Cheltenham Festival than champagne quaffed at Royal Ascot. It’s a hoary old saw that probably isn’t true, but helps add to the sense of chaotic ribaldry with which National Hunt racing’s annual March jamboree is associated compared to its supposedly more genteel and moneyed Flat equivalent. In the coming days scenes of bawdy triumph and utter despair will unfold in what us hacks are obliged to refer to at least once per year as the great natural amphitheatre of Prestbury Park,...
If you have a good day at the Cheltenham Festival next week, you could win yourself one of four £50 bets we’ll offer on hereStarting on Tuesday, it’s that Cheltenham Festival you may have heard of. As usual, we’ll be running separate tipping competitions on each day of the Festival, Tuesday to Friday. Whoever does best on each day will win a £50 bet from 32Red, who have kindly agreed to stump up the prizes. That gives you four shots at winning something, although, of course, the endless glory will be worth rather more to you than the prize itself. Related: Racing news and tips: Mark Walsh impresses trainers for Cheltenham Continue reading...
Our man reports drying conditions at Cheltenham ... but will they last long enough for the likes of Brain Power?Funny how the weather always seems to turn just in time for the Festival. It’s a pleasant day in Cheltenham with enough sun to make you appreciate the warmth as you wander down the road to your newsagent. There is also a breeze. These are drying conditions. Brain Power conditions. Related: Willie Mullins says ‘not worth it’ to enter Limini in the Champion Hurdle Continue reading...
Is it enough that Yorkhill travelled like the wrath of God? Or are you put off because his jumping lacks finesse?I haven’t always enjoyed the annual pre-Cheltenham schooling session at Leopardstown which took place after racing yesterday. A particular low point was the year I was actually sent to the Dublin track to report on it, when the lateness of the timing gave me an hour to gather material, hoof it back to the press room and try to bash out something meaningful. Related: Cheltenham 2017: Tony McCoy lifts Jonjo O’Neill’s pursuit of fresh glory Continue reading...