2020 Pock et Guide - Star Sports
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
- 2020 Pock et Guide -
I OFTEN get asked what the Cheltenham Festival
means to a jockey and I can say there is no bigger
thrill in our sport than riding a winner at the meeting.
I’ve been very fortunate to land 22 at the Festival in my
career so far and, with a bit of fortune, I’ll be able to
add to that tally this year. I’ve got plenty of nice rides
to look forward to and I can’t wait for it all to kick off on
the Tuesday with that famous Cheltenham roar.
With any luck you will find this guide to the 2020
Festival useful as it’s packed full of stats and trends
which will hopefully lead you to finding plenty of
winners! While there are a couple of short-priced
favourites, there are several races which look very
competitive, meaning this year’s meeting has a more
open feel to it than usual.
I will of course be providing a daily Star Sports blog
throughout the meeting which will run through my rides
each day as well as giving my thoughts on the key
races. It only remains for me to wish you the very best
of luck, here’s hoping for plenty of winners!
Davy
THE SCHEDULE
- T UESDAY 10TH M A RCH - - THUR SDAY 12TH M A RCH -
Time Race Distance Time Race Distance
13:30 Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle 2m ½f 13:30 Marsh Novices’ Chase 2m 4f
14:10 Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy Steeple Chase 2m 14:10 Pertemps Network Final 3m
14:50 Ultima Handicap Steeple Chase 3m 1f 14:50 Ryanair Steeple Chase 2m 5f
15:30 Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy 2m ½f 15:30 Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle 3m
16:10 Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle 2m 4f 16:10 Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Stable Plate 2m 5f
16:50 Northern Trust Company Novices’ Handicap Chase 2m 4½f 16:50 Festival Mares Novices’ Hurdle 2m 1f
17:30 National Hunt Steeple Chase Challenge Cup 3m 6f 17:30 Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup 3m 2f
- W EDNESDAY 11TH M A RCH - - FR IDAY 13TH M A RCH -
Time Race Distance Time Race Distance
13:30 Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle 2m 5f 13:30 JCB Triumph Hurdle 2m 1f
14:10 RSA Insurance Novices’ Steeple Chase 3m ½f 14:10 Randox Health County Handicap Hurdle 2m 1f
14:50 Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle 2m 5f 14:50 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle 3m
15:30 Betway Queen Mother Champion Steeple Chase 2m 15:30 Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup 3m 2½f
16:10 Glenfarclas Cross Country Steeple Chase 3m 6f 16:10 St James’s Place Foxhunter Challenge Cup 3m 2½f
16:50 Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle 2m ½f 16:50 Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Handicap Chase 2m ½f
17:30 Weatherbys Champion Bumper 2m ½f 17:30 Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle 2m 4½f
SK Y BET SUPR EME TI M E13:30 TUESDAY
NOV ICES’ HUR DLE DISTA NCE 2M 1/2F 10TH MARCH
- DAV Y RUSSELL’S V ER DICT -
I rode in the race that ASTERION FORLONGE won at
Leopardstown the last day and he has some engine on him. I’d
say he’d take plenty of beating if he goes down this route. That
said, ABACADABRAS has done everything right over hurdles
so far and has only been beaten the once by a very good
horse. The best of the English challengers will most likely be
SHISHKIN who looks really smart and you certainly cannot rule
out FIDDLERONTHEROOF who won the Tolworth in good style
last time.
Klassical Dream was an impressive winner of the race in 2019
- STAT AT TACK -
Winner’s Age 5, 6, 5, 6, 5, 5, 6, 6, 6, 5
Winner’s SP 12/1, 10/1, 10/1, 5/1, 7/2jf, 2/1f, 4/1, 25/1, 9/1, 6/1
Fate of Favourite 3rd, 4th, 7th, 2nd, 1st, 1st, 2nd, 2nd, 11th, 10th
Winning Distance hd, 2, 1¼, ½, 6, 4½, 7, 2¼, nk, 4½
Previous Run 2nd, 1st, 1st, 1st, 1st, 1st, 1st, 6th, 1st, 1st
- K E Y TR ENDS -
• Only two favourites have won the race in the past 10 years,
both of which were trained by Willie Mullins
• Only one four-year-old winner in the past 45 years
• Eight of the last 10 winners have carried 11st 4lbs or more
R ACING POST A R K LE CH A LLENGE TI M E14:10 TUESDAY
TROPH Y NOV ICES’ CH ASE DISTA NCE 2M 10TH MARCH
- DAV Y RUSSELL’S V ER DICT -
NOTEBOOK made it four from four over fences when battling
away gamely to beat CASH BACK in the Irish Arkle last time. He
looks the pick although you should watch how he handles the
occasion as he was some handful for Rachael Blackmore going
down to the start. The whole occasion will be a real test for him.
Looking at the English challenge, it would be no surprise to see
BREWIN’UPASTORM run well. He goes well fresh, so the lack of
a recent run isn’t much of a worry.
Duc Des Genievres & Paul Townend were victorious in last year’s race
- STAT AT TACK -
Winner’s Age 8, 7, 6, 7, 6, 7, 6, 7, 6, 6
Winner’s SP 6/1, 6/1, 8/11f, 8/13f, 33/1, 4/6f, 1/4f, 1/4f, 5/6f, 5/1
Fate of Favourite 8th, 4th, 1st, 1st, 2nd, 1st, 1st, 1st, 1st, 7th
Winning Distance ¾, 2¾, 7, 2¼, hd, 6, 7, 6, 14, 13
Previous Run 1st, 1st, 1st, 1st, 1st, 1st, 1st, 1st, 1st, 1st
- K E Y TR ENDS -
• All of the last 10 winners had won on their previous start
• Irish-trained runners have won four of the last five runnings
• Six of the last eight favourites have won
UNIBET CH A MPION TI M E15:30 TUESDAY
HUR DLE CH A LLENGE TROPH Y DISTA NCE 2M 1/2F 10TH MARCH
- DAV Y RUSSELL’S V ER DICT -
It will be interesting to see whether either BENIE DES DIEUX or
HONEYSUCKLE take their chance in an open year. With a nice
7lb mares’ allowance they would be competitive. EPATANTE
was really impressive at Kempton and will be popular with that
allowance, although she has to prove herself at Cheltenham
for me. SHARJAH is better than he showed last time, while
COEUR SUBLIME won’t be far away if reproducing his Triumph
Hurdle form from last season. Another at a big price is THOMAS
DARBY who was placed in the Supreme last year.
Gavin Cromwell’s Espoir D’Allen was a surprise winner last year
- STAT AT TACK -
Winner’s Age 6, 7, 7, 9, 6, 7, 8, 6, 7, 5
Winner’s SP 9/1, 11/4f, 11/1, 13/8f, 9/1, 4/5f, 5/2f, 5/1, 4/6f, 16/1
Fate of Favourite 10th, 1st, 3rd, 1st, 4th, 1st, 1st, DSQ, 1st, 6th
Winning Distance nk, 3½, 1¼, 2¾, nk, 1½, 4½, 4½, nk, 15
Previous Run 3rd, 1st, 2nd, 1st, 4th, 1st, 1st, 1st, 1st , 1st
- K E Y TR ENDS -
• 19 of the last 27 winners had won a race at Cheltenham
previously
• Only two horses over the age of seven have won the race
since 2007
• 10 of the past 13 winners had won at least one Grade 1DOWNLOA D K E Y TR ENDS
(R EM A INDER OF DAY ONE)
TUESDAY
10TH MARCH
THE A PP TODAY
14:50 Ultima Handicap Chase
• Only one Irish-trained winner in the past 13 years
• 19 of the last 20 winners had finished in the first six last time out
16:10 Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle
•
Since its inception in 2008, Willie Mullins has won the race
nine times
• Favourites have been beaten in four of the last five years
16:50 Northern Trust Company Novices’ Handicap Chase
• Seven of the previous nine winners have returned at double-
figure prices
• All of the last 15 winners have been within the top-10 in
the betting
17:30 National Hunt Steeple Chase Challenge Cup
• Since 1980, only three horses of 10 or older have won the race
• Irish trainers have won five of the last nine runningsR SA INSUR A NCE TI M E14:10 WEDNESDAY
NOV ICES’ CH A SE DISTA NCE 3M 1/2F 11TH MARCH
- DAV Y RUSSELL’S V ER DICT -
Another race with a wide-open look. CHAMP fell at Cheltenham
back in January which isn’t the ideal prep although he had
previously looked top class. The pick of the Irish challenge
will most likely be MINELLA INDO who won last season’s
Albert Bartlett. He is a proper stayer who ground out a victory
at Navan the last day and shouldn’t be far away. ALLAHO is
solid and will be a threat to all if lining up here rather than in
the Marsh Chase on Thursday – his form ties in nicely with
MINELLA INDO.
Topofthegame (right) edged a thriller last year
- STAT AT TACK -
Winner’s Age 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 6, 7, 8, 7, 7
Winner’s SP 10/1, 16/1, 9/2, 8/1, 12/1, 13/8f, 8/1, 7/2f, 5/2f, 4/1
Fate of Favourite 5th, 5th, 4th, 4th, 2nd, 1st, 3rd, 1st, 1st, 3rd
Winning Distance 7, nk, 2½, 1¾, Neck, 6, ½, nse, 7, 1/2
Previous Run 2nd, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 1st, 1st, 1st, 1st, 1st, 2nd
- K E Y TR ENDS -
• Only four times has a seven-year-old not won the race
since 1999
• Eight of the last 13 winners had won at Cheltenham before
• 12 of the last 13 winners were rated 144 or higherBET WAY QUEEN MOTHER TI M E15:30 WEDNESDAY
CH A MPION CH A SE DISTA NCE 2M 11TH MARCH
- DAV Y RUSSELL’S V ER DICT -
This has the makings of being the race of the Festival, with
ALTIOR, DEFI DU SEUIL and CHACUN POUR SOI all set to
take their chance. I’d love to ride any of the three, but if I had
to pick one it would be DEFI DU SEUIL who has done nothing
wrong all season. ALTIOR bounced back at Newbury last time
and will give a third win in the race a real go. CHACUN POUR
SOI returned to form at the Dublin Racing Festival but has never
run at Cheltenham before.
Nico de Boinville celebrates a second consecutive Champion Chase victory
- STAT AT TACK -
Winner’s Age 9, 9, 9, 7, 8, 7, 10, 10, 8, 9
Winner’s SP 10/1, 10/1 4/1, 1/4f, 11/4f, 9/2, 5/1 11/1, EVSf, 4/11f
Fate of Favourite 4th, 8th, 2nd, 1st, 1st, PU, 2nd, 7th, 1st
Winning Distance 6, 5, 1¼, 19, 6, 1¼, 3½, Hd, 7, 1¾
Previous Run 1st, 1st, 3rd, 2nd, 1st, 1st, 1st, 1st, 1st, 1st
- K E Y TR ENDS -
• English trainers have won nine of the last 12
• Only one double-figure priced winner since 2012
• Nicky Henderson has won the race four times since 2012K E Y TR ENDS WEDNESDAY
(R EM A INDER OF DAY T WO) 11TH MARCH
13:30 Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle
• Eight of the last 12 winners were trained in Ireland
• Only one winning favourite since 2014
SAFETY NET SIGN UP 14:50 Coral Cup Hurdle
• Only one single-priced winner since 2009
• Eight of the last 10 winners have carried 11st or more
SIGN UP and we’ll REFUND net 16:10 Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase
• Just two winning favourites since 2007
losses up to your initial deposit • Irish-trained horses have won the last five renewals
(max £/€150) anytime in 16:50 Boodles Juvenile Hurdle
• No jockey has won the race more than once
first month of account • The last five winners have all carried 11st or more
17:30 Weatherbys Champion Bumper
• Willie Mullins has won the race nine times
• Only three winning favourites in the last 15 years
SIGN UP NOW
SIGN UP NOW AT STARSPREADS.COM
Over 18’s only. Remember you can win or lose
more than your original stake. Bet responsibly.
Licensed in Ireland. T’s & C’s apply.TI M E14:50 THURSDAY
RYA NA IR STEEPLE CH A SE
DISTA NCE 2M 5F 12TH MARCH
- DAV Y RUSSELL’S V ER DICT -
There is no getting away from the fact that A PLUS TARD looks
the one to beat here. He was a brilliant winner of the Novices’
Handicap chase at this meeting 12 months ago and beat Chacun
Pour Soi in a Grade One at Leopardstown over Christmas. If he’s
in the same form, he will take some catching. I suppose his biggest
danger might be MIN as this looks the right trip for him these days.
As for the rest, RIDERS ONTHE STORM is improving fast and last
year’s winner FRODON can never be ruled out.
Bryony Frost and Frodon made history 12 months ago
- STAT AT TACK -
Winner’s Age 9, 10, 8, 7, 8, 7, 7, 9, 7, 7
Winner’s SP 14/1, 6/1, 7/2f, 9/2, 3/1f, 16/1, EVSf, 7/4f, 8/1, 9/2
Fate of Favourite 2nd, 4th, 1st, 2nd, 1st, 3rd, 1st, 1st, 2nd, 8th
Winning Distance 4½, 1, ½, 9, 2¼, 5, 6, 1½, 4½, 1¼
Previous Run 2nd, PU, 1st, 1st, 5th, UR, 2nd, 1st, 2nd, 1st
- K E Y TR ENDS -
• Seven of the last 10 winners came from the first three in the betting
• Only one horse older than nine has won the race in a decade
• Paul Nicholls is the leading trainer in the contest with three winsPA DDY POW ER TI M E15:30 THURSDAY
STAY ER S’ HUR DLE DISTA NCE 3M 12TH MARCH
- DAV Y RUSSELL’S V ER DICT -
Hot favourite PAISLEY PARK has now won seven on the
bounce. On paper he looks really hard to beat and a lot will
depend on whether the mare BENIE DES DIEUX takes her
place in the line-up with her allowance. I’d say, if she’s there,
she’ll give the favourite a real race and I’d fancy her to win.
Without her it looks impossible to oppose the defending
champion, as the likes of PENHILL and SUMMERVILLE BOY
don’t look good enough.
Paisley Park justified favouritism in 2019
- STAT AT TACK -
Winner’s Age 7, 8, 9, 9, 6, 6, 8, 7, 7, 7
Winner’s SP 5/6f, 10/11f, 5/6f, 17/2, 15/2, 14/1, EVSf, 10/1, 12/1, 11/8f
Fate of Favourite 1st, 1st, 1st, PU, 2nd, 2nd, 1st, 3rd, 5th, 1st
Winning Distance 3¼, 1¾, 1¾, 2½, 1½, 3¼, 7, ¾, 2, 2¾
Previous Run 1st, 1st, 1st, 1st, 1st, 4th, 1st, fell, 2nd, 1st
- K E Y TR ENDS -
• Horses aged six or seven have won five of the previous
six contests
• Seven of the previous 10 winners won their previous race
• Paisley Park is bidding to become just the fifth horse to win it
back-to-backK E Y TR ENDS THURSDAY
(R EM A INDER OF DAY T HR EE) 12TH MARCH
13:30 Marsh Novices’ Chase
• No horse older than seven has won the race
• Willie Mullins has landed the prize four times
14:10 Pertemps Network Final
• Davy Russell has won three of the previous four runnings
• Only one five-year-old has ever won the race
16:10 Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Stable Plate
• Just one of the previous 11 winners have carried more than 11st
• Lizzie Kelly became the first female jockey to win the race in 2019
As the UK’s leading luxury 16:50 Festival Mares Novices’ Hurdle
bookmaker, our flagship betting • Willie Mullins has won all four runnings of this race
lounge is just a few moments • All four winners were five-year-olds
away from The Dorchester.
All business is conducted with 17:30 Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup
absolute discretion in a relaxing • Only one of the last 15 winners has been older than 10
atmosphere, where you can • No horse carrying less than 11st has won since 2008
enjoy live sporting action from
REET
PA
around the world. We look
RK
ERY ST
LA
NE
forward to welcoming you at
DEAN
4-6 Deanery Street, Mayfair,
London, W1K 1AZ.TI M E13:30 FRIDAY
JCB TR IUMPH HUR DLE
DISTA NCE 2M 1F 13TH MARCH
- DAV Y RUSSELL’S V ER DICT -
I was a little disappointed with ASPIRE TOWER at Leopardstown
the last day. Even though he may still have won if he had stayed
on his feet, he was making hard work of it. For that reason, I’d
have to favour the home team of ALLMANKIND and GOSHEN.
The former has improved with every run and has that all-important
Cheltenham form in the book. As for GOSHEN, he looks the most
talented in the field but his tendency to jump out to the right is a
worry in a race like this.
Pentland Hills sprung a 20/1 surprise last year
- STAT AT TACK -
Winner’s Age Contest restricted to four-year-olds
Winner’s SP 6/1, 13/2, 33/1, 4/1, 10/1, 2/1f, 9/2f, 5/2f, 9/1, 20/1
Fate of Favourite 4th, 4th, 3rd, 6th, 4th, 1st, 1st, 1st, 4th, PU
Winning Distance 1¼, 2¼, 3, 15, 3½, nk, 1¼, 5, 1¾, 3
Previous Run 1st, 1st, 3rd, 1st, 2nd, 1st, 4th, 1st, 2nd, 1st
- K E Y TR ENDS -
• Barry Geraghty is the race’s most successful jockey with five wins
• Only one of the last 11 winners was bred in the UK
• Only three of the previous 10 favourites have emerged victoriousM AGNER S CHELTENH A M TI M E15:30 FRIDAY
GOLD CUP DISTA NCE 3M 21/2F 13TH MARCH
- DAV Y RUSSELL’S V ER DICT -
This is as good a Cheltenham Gold Cup as I can remember. It
looks wide-open and a genuine case can be made for at least
10 of them. The Irish challenge looks to be headed by DELTA
WORK on this year’s form, but don’t forget defending champ
AL BOUM PHOTO. Then there’s PRESENTING PERCY who
continues to make steps back to his best. The home team looks
as strong as ever with SANTINI and LOSTINTRANSLATION
sure to be right in the mix. It would be no surprise if you could
throw a blanket over a few of them at the finish.
Al Boum Photo jumps the last to give trainer Willie Mullins a first Gold Cup win
- STAT AT TACK -
Winner’s Age 9, 6, 9, 8, 8, 8, 9, 7, 8, 7
Winner’s SP 7/4f, 7/2f, 8/1, 11/4f, 20/1, 7/1, 9/4f, 7/1, 5/1, 12/1
Fate of Favourite 1st, 1st, 3rd, 1st, 5th, 7th, 1st, 4th, 2nd, 8th
Winning Distance 13, 7, 2¼, 7, shd, 1½, 4½, 2¾, 4½, 2½
Previous Run 5th, 1st, 1st, 1st, 6th, 1st, 1st, 1st, 1st, 1st
- K E Y TR ENDS -
• Only two winners younger than eight since 2007
• No horse has won back-to-back renewals since 2004
• Just two favourites have been successful in the previous
eight runningsK E Y TR ENDS FRIDAY
(R EM A INDER OF DAY FOUR ) 13TH MARCH
14:10 Randox Health County Handicap Hurdle Race
• Only three winners older than six since 2008
• Just one single-figure priced horse has won the race in
13 attempts
WE’LL ADD AN EXTRA 14:50 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle Race
5 POINTS FOR 5TH PLACE • Only one winner older than seven
• Horses aged five or six have won eight of the previous
ON ALL FESTIVAL RACES 15 runnings
WITH 12 OR MORE RUNNERS* 16:10 St. James’s Place Foxhunter Steeple Chase
Challenge Cup
• Only one winner younger than seven in the last 31 years
•
Eight of the last 10 winners had finished in the first three last
time out
SIGN UP NOW 16:50 Johnny Henderson Grand Annual
• Horses carrying more than 11st have won five of the last
six runnings
LOOK OUT FOR OUR OTHER OFFERS • Paul Nicholls is the most successful current trainer with four wins
INCLUDING REDUCED SPREADS 17:30 Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle
• Gordon Elliott has trained two of the last three winners
• Three horses have carried more than 11st 8lbs to victory and
SIGN UP NOW AT STARSPREADS.COM two of these have won the last two renewals
Over 18’s only. Remember you can win or lose more than your
original stake. Bet responsibly. Licensed in Ireland. T’s & C’s apply.
*Buyers only **Only applies to 50/30/20/10 indicesD
N L OA
D OW DA Y
PP T O
T HE A
080 0 0 521 321(UK )
180 0 932 629 (IR E)
W W W.STA R SPORTS.BET
@StarSports_BetYou can also read
