Cheltenham 2022
Newsletter #38
This week has a lot of us giddy, not because Drive to Survive season 4 is back on Netflix, but for other reasons. Us Irish kicked off Cheltenham week with a raucous win over the English in the rugby on Saturday (forget about the man down) & that victory has us nicely teed up for a route at Prestbury park over the next four days.
I write this as I chat to the lorry loads of friends as they pack their bags for the trek to the Cotswolds. The buzz can be vivdly felt via my headphones as we dissect each race. We all become NH experts this week, keen to plunder the bookies. If you are a regular to our newsletter you know by now that the “hedge hoppers” aren’t our modus operandi.
I would personally take “the flat” over most NH meetings. But there is such an aura around Cheltenham, it’s just different. I certainly have fond memories of not going to school much for the week and of helpful teachers placing bets for us when we were not in double maths, thanks Mr. Fitz.
What follows below is a distillation of bets for Cheltenham 2022. A culmination of our Cheltenham preview night last week and our own analysis of the festival. Buckle up!
But first, my favourite part of Cheltenham is that the flat is never far away, our two fillies are certainly making us giddy with excitement for the fast approaching return of the turf racing season.
Both fillies will be soon boarding the ferry to join their trainers in the UK. The last few shares are available in both and you can grab a piece for yourself via the link here.
Now to Cheltenham.
We held our first syndicate event of the year at the Sheephaven Bay in Camden, London.
Our inaugural Cheltenham Preview night with Milton Harris, Brendan Powell, Tom Bull and Tommy Dowson sponsored by Vickers Bet.
We purposefully thought outside the box with our panelists because we find the usual names come up with bland, repetitive selections.
Lets unpack the information on the night, below are a distillation of key bets from the panel.
Sir Gerhard – Ballymore – all the panel agreed he will win whatever he runs in.
Bravemansgame - Brown Advisory
The Tide Turns - Boodle’s Juvenile Hurdle
Mighty Blue – Mare’s Novice Hurdle
Marie’s Rock-Mare’s Hurdle
Royal Kahala - Stayers Hurdle
Bob Olinger - Turner’s Novice Chase
Rosy Red Rum EW - Bumper
Charlie talks…Cheltenham its finally here
I’ve highlighted a few horses below whom I’m hoping it pays to follow over the coming days
Tuesday
Arkle Chase 2.10 Red Rookie
100/1 outsider of the field. I’m the 1st to admit it takes a bit of imagination to see this horse winning. However on closer inpection his odds look way too high. I think he might struggle to beat Blue Lord and Edwardstone however at 50/1 in betting without those 2 i can see him having a great chance of hitting the frame and would advise an each way interest in him.
Ultima Handicap 2.50 Floueur
Very competitive handicap this however Floueur ticks plenty of boxes for me. He ran a lovely race here last year behind a potential superstar in Galopin Des Champs and has shaped really well over fences so far. He looks well equiped for a race of this nature and with his jockey claiming off 3 lbs should go close with some luck in running.
Wednesday
Grand Annual Chase 4.50 Editeur Du gite
Another hot looking hanidcap and this horse i thought had blown his mark for this race by winning so impressively on his last 2 starts. However the more I look at this race and his previous runs the more I believe he may be up to giving the weight away here. He was entered in the Queen mother Champion chase and i was considering him as an each way outsider in that. So back in this easier grade I can see him going close it just depends if there is a better handicapped horse lurking. Solid each way bet though.
Thursday
Plate Handicap Chase 4.10 The Glancing Queen
Another wide open race but this mare comes here with a progressive profile and for a yard that is in great nick. Trip and ground will suit and again is another I’m happy to back each way in the hope of her hitting the frame at least.
Kim Muir Chase 5.30 Lord Accord
Neil Mullholland has prepared this horse to perfection and got him into this race on a lovely mark. This horse has been brought along steadily his whole career with chasing in mind. He is from a cracking family and while his form needs to step up for a race of this nature I believe he has plenty left in the locker and should go close in this contest with a clear run.
Friday
Albert Bartlett 2.50 Good Time Johnny
This horse has gears and stays and is open to plenty of improvement for this greater test of stamina. On ratings he has a little bit to find but I found it interesting that connections decided to supplement him for this rather than have a crack at the Coral Cup with him. Looks a fair price for an each way interest.
Horses to follow:
Floueur 2.50 - Cheltenham - Tuesday
Edituer De Gite 4.50 - Cheltenham - Wednesday
Lord Accord 5.30 - Cheltenham - Friday