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National Hunt Chase target for progressive Soll

Bet123 — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 12:33:12 +0000

There were plenty of celebrations around the winners enclosure at Down Royal on February 1 after the Willie Mullins-trained Soll provided his esteemed handler with his 100th winner of the season, the fastest century yet produced by the champion Irish trainer, writes Elliot Slater.

Mullins has had a truly outstanding campaign and has a hatful of major chances at the forthcoming Cheltenham Festival with the likes of defending champion hurdler Hurricane Fly and the great mare Quevega, (who goes for a fourth successive win in the David Nicholson Mares Hurdle), set to spearhead a terrifically powerful challenge for the hugely popular ex-jockey. Those looking to place a best Cheltenham bet online will certainly be keeping an eye on his runners.

Soll now looks likely to join a host of stable companions on the journey east across the Irish Sea and have a crack at the four-mile Diamond Jubilee National Hunt Chase on the second day of the four-day fixture after winning in impressive fashion over two-and-a-half-miles in heavy ground at the Northern Ireland track. Although untested at the marathon trip, both Mullins and winning rider Ruby Walsh have few doubts that the gelded son of Presenting will have sufficient stamina to make his presence felt at the business end of the amateur riders contest.

His four-and-a-half-length defeat of Harpsy Chord saw bookmakers react by installing Soll a 12/1 co-second-favourite for the National Hunt Chase behind 10/1 market leader Harry the Viking, and despite his relative inexperience the former John Quinn-trained gelding will doubtless carry plenty of Irish support. After winning a three-mile novice hurdle for his former handler in January of last year, Soll wasn’t seen again until making his debut for the Mullins yard in a beginners chase at Punchestown at the end of December where lack of previous outing almost certainly cost him the prize as he failed by just a neck to hold the late run of Som Amix by just a neck.

Originally written by Bet123.net, an online Betting Guide

National Hunt Chase target for progressive Soll

All novice chase options remain open for Bog Warrior

Bet123 — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 14:00:14 +0000

Irish trainer Tony Martin reports the ‘apple of his eye’ Bog Warrior to be coming along nicely as he builds up to a return to action at the Cheltenham Festival having not been seen since coming to grief early on at Leopardstown on Boxing Day in the Grade 1 Racing Post Novice Chase, writes Elliot Slater.

The Gigginstown Stud-owned gelding holds entries in the Arkle Chase, the Jewson Novices Chase, and the RSA Chase at the showcase meeting, but Martin is in absolutely no hurry to make a decision as to which event his very talented performer is likely to target despite the fact that he has won once over fences over the minimum trip of two miles and over half-a-mile further. Anyone looking ahead to Betfair Cheltenham 2012 will be keeping a close eye on the decision of his connections.

A decent novice hurdler last year when winning his two completed starts from three outings, the gelded son of Strategic Choice nonchalantly dismissed the high-class Flemenstar by seven-lengths on his chasing bow at Navan in November, form that was franked again when the runner-up landed the Grade 1 Frank Ward Arkle Novice Chase by 17-lengths from Bog Warrior’s lesser stable companion Gift of Dgab at Leopardstown at the end of January. Martin will have taken plenty of heart from Flemenstar’s win knowing that his charge toyed with Peter Casey’s runner, ability which Bog Warrior went on to confirm over two-and-half-miles when routing his rivals by 31-lengths in the Grade 1 Bar One Racing Drinmore Novice Chase at Fairyhouse the following month.

Given time to get over his Leopardstown tumble where he was made a hot 4/5 favourite in the horse race betting, Martin’s charge is reportedly building up well to his bid for top honours at Cheltenham, and should the ground come up on the soft side there is every chance that Bog Warrior might get his name on the scoresheet.

Originally written by Bet123.net, an online Betting Guide

All novice chase options remain open for Bog Warrior

Talented hurdler Starluck nearing racecourse return

Bet123 — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 08:03:18 +0000

Starluck, the smart two-mile hurdler who failed to cut much ice in a disappointing campaign last season as a novice chaser, is close to returning to racecourse action ahead of a possible second bid to land the Stan James Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival on March 13, writes Elliot Slater.

The seven-year-old was the undoubted star of trainer Alan Fleming’s string after arriving at his yard from his native Ireland where he was a useful middle-distance handicapper on the Flat. He immediately proved himself a talent over hurdles winning his first three starts before finishing a highly respectable fourth to Zaynar in the 2009 JCB Triumph Hurdle, then going one place better behind Walkon in Grade 1 company at Aintree a few weeks later. Those looking for Cheltenham Betting tips will be keeping a close eye on him.

Beaten just a short-head by Go Native in the 2009 Christmas Hurdle at Kempton Starluck was a popular choice for the 2010 Champion Hurdle, but although he ran well he could only finish fifth behind Binocular. After finishing runner-up to Peddler’s Cross in last season’s Grade 1 Fighting Fifth Hurdle and then third to Binocular at Kempton in the Christmas Hurdle, Fleming decided to switch to the larger obstacles mid-season, a decision that somewhat backfired following Starluck’s winning first outing as he was twice beaten by horses who had been much his inferior over timber just a few months before. Punters will be wondering if he can return triumphant at the Betfair 2012 Cheltenham meeting.

Moving recently to the care of David Arbuthnot, Starluck is reportedly in fine shape and could run in one of a number of good races in early-February, (including the Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton or the Welsh Champion Hurdle at Ffos Las), where if he performs well he may book himself a return trip to Cheltenham to bid again to land the biggest two-mile hurdles prize of all. He is currently a general 50/1 shot in the ante-post market for the Champion Hurdle.

Originally written by Bet123.net, an online Betting Guide

Talented hurdler Starluck nearing racecourse return

Cotton makes it three on the spin

Bet123 — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 14:25:35 +0000

First season jumps handler John Ferguson has already made a tremendous impression in operating at an astounding 43% strike rate so far this term and in Cotton Mill looks to have another performer that will prove more than worthy of taking his chance at the Cheltenham Festival in March, judging by his third win in a row in landing the Grade 2 Neptune Investment Management Novices Hurdle at Warwick in impressive fashion, writes Elliot Slater.

Rated 88 on the Flat when joining Ferguson from the yard of William Jarvis this autumn having been absent for over a year from racecourse duty, the lightly raced five-year-old has proved a revelation over timber since winning a minor contest at Hereford on his hurdling bow in November, beating Sainglend in pleasing manner by seven-lengths. He went on to score in facile fashion at Fakenham, hacking up by 22-lengths when landing the odds-on under regular pilot Jack Quinlan, before being sent to Warwick to contest the two-mile-five-furlong contest against much stiffer opposition. Even people following the best Cheltenham Gold Cup odds online will have been impressed.

Contesting a race that has produced some high-class winners in recent years, Cotton Mill was never far from the pace before being sent on by Quinlan to lead at the second from home. This time however the son of Tiger Hill had to really work for his victory as Ambion Wood refused to go down without a fight, and in the end Ferguson’s gelding showed serious resolve to hold on by half-a-length, the pair coming nine-lengths clear of the third horse home, Same Difference.

Cut from 33/1 to a general offer of around 20/1 for the Neptune Hurdle at Cheltenham in a couple of months time, Ferguson’s talented hurdler will have to step up again if he is to lower the colours of the hot favourite Fingal Bay, but the chances are that we have still yet to see the very best of him and he looks a very interesting contender for what is sure to be a fascinating affair.

Originally written by Bet123.net, an online Betting Guide

Cotton makes it three on the spin

Champion Hurdle hope Zarkandar entered for Betfair Hurdle

Bet123 — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 04:16:17 +0000

Paul Nicholls’ very exciting hurdler Zarkandar could make his eagerly anticipated seasonal reappearance in the ultra-competitive Betfair Hurdle at Newbury on February 11 before moving on to bid for the two-mile hurdling crown at the Cheltenham Festival a little over four weeks later, writes Elliot Slater.

Winner of all three career hurdles outings and prominent in the ante-post market for the Stan James Champion Hurdle on March 14 for which he is a top priced 8/1 chance, the half-brother to the mighty undefeated five-time Group 1 winner Zarkava is potentially well handicapped for the Newbury contest off an official rating of 151 and would be asked to carry 14lbs less than his stable companion and fellow Champion Hurdle possible Rock On Ruby. Those following the Cheltenham 2012 betting odds will be keeping a close eye on the race.

One of 50 horses entered at the first declaration stage for the premier mid-winter handicap hurdle (formerly known as the totesport Hurdle), Zarkandar has been installed an 8/1 ante-post favourite for the event on the strength of his fine efforts last term that began following his transfer to Nicholls from the Aga Khan’s trainer, Alain de Royer-Dupre. Making his debut in the Grade 2 Adonis Hurdle at Kempton in late-February of last year, Zarkandar overcame his lack of inexperience to prove too strong for the useful Molotof and was then thrown into the deep end once again on only his second outing in tackling the 23-runner Grade 1 JCB Triumph Hurdle. Fans of Betfair Cheltenham racing will have marked him out as one to watch.

The Azamour gelding didn’t let supporters down in producing a superb performance to down Dermot Weld’s very smart mare Unaccompanied by two-and-a-quarter-lengths under a fine ride from Daryl Jacob, and duly went on to Aintree three weeks later where he maintained his unbeaten record over timber in defeating Kumbeshwar by a length-and-a-quarter in the Grade 1 Matalan Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle.

Originally written by Bet123.net, an online Betting Guide

Champion Hurdle hope Zarkandar entered for Betfair Hurdle

Cheltenham specialist Midnight out next in Argento Chase

Bet123 — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 07:22:42 +0000

Neil Mulholland is looking forward to running his stable star Midnight Chase back at the horse’s beloved Cheltenham and has pencilled in a bid for the Grade 2 Argento Chase at the track on January 28 for his talented performer, writes Elliot Slater.

Lady Clarke’s gelding was one of the most improved horses in training last season, progressing from decent handicap company at the start of the term to rattling up a Cheltenham hattrick that include the listed Majordomo Hospitality Handicap Chase and the Grade 3 Morson Group Handicap Chase over three-and-a-half miles. Given a mid-term rest, the gelded son of Midnight Legend was then thrown in at the deep end when asked to contest the Cheltenham gold Cup, and after getting outpaced at the fourth last and dropping right away, stayed on again from the home turn to finish an excellent fifth behind the outstanding Long Run in what was a vintage renewal of the blue riband contest. Those with online Cheltenham free bets will be wondering if he has pushed on since then.

It was always going to be difficult to build on last season’s heroics and with a BHA rating of 163 very few handicaps were left as a realistic option for the 10-year-old. Mulholland decided to take a chance and send his charge to Ireland for the Grade 1 JNwine.com Chase run on very testing ground but the move backfired when Midnight Chase (a horse who has always preferred a decent surface), was out on his feet and beaten when falling for the first time in his career at the second from home in the race won by the smart Quito De La Roque.

A very respectable third on his subsequent outing under a massive weight in the Grade 3 Rowland Meyrick Chase at Wetherby last month, Midnight Chase is reported in fine form ahead of his Argento Chase run and is currently offered at up to 66/1 to do a ‘Norton’s Coin’ and stun the racing world by winning the Cheltenham Gold Cup on March 16.

Originally written by Bet123.net, an online Betting Guide

Cheltenham specialist Midnight out next in Argento Chase

Festival hope Rev planning to live it up at Doncaster

Bet123 — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 13:47:28 +0000

Tim Vaughan’s promising young staying hurdler Rev It Up could next be seen in action at Doncaster in January where a tilt at the Grade 2 Albert Bartlett River Don Novice Hurdle looks very much on the cards, writes Elliot Slater.

A likely sort for the Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle itself at the Cheltenham Festival in March, Vaughan’s five-year-old, a winning point-to pointer in his native Ireland having scored between the flags at Rathcannon in February, joined the Welsh handler having been purchased for 30,000 guineas at the Ascot Sales in April and has looked worth every penny invested by his new owners The Bill and Ben Partnership. Those looking at the latest online Cheltenham Festival betting should remember this.

An 8/1 chance for his hurdles bow at Chepstow in October, Rev It Up made most of the running and stayed on well to score by a length from Dualla Lord then followed up under his penalty at Ffos Las a month later making every yard and running on powerfully in the closing stages of the three-mile affair to give weight and a beating to Ardkilly Gunner.

After such a performance connections decided to try their hand at a much higher level and must have been very pleased with the result as the gelded son of Revoque ran a good second to the smart Deireadh Re in the Grade 2 Bristol Novices Hurdle, a performance that heralded his arrivalas a genuine contender for honours later in the season on the bigger stages.

A trip to South Yorkshire now appears to be on the cards for Rev It Up, a horse for whom connections have very high hopes that he might take them to all the top festival meetings this term especially if he gets his much needed soft ground, something that is far from guaranteed however at both Cheltenham and Aintree.

Originally written by Bet123.net, an online Betting Guide

Festival hope Rev planning to live it up at Doncaster

Denman: A Gold Cup legend

Bet123 — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 12:39:30 +0000

Four times Denman went to the Cheltenham Gold Cup well and although he only emerged victorious on one occasion he played his part in the rich tapestry of the event over the past four years.

His first try in the event (2008) brought his only win as he went head-to-head with his stablemate Kauto Star in an epic winner takes all contest. Kauto Star was sent off 10-11 favourite in the horse racing betting to repeat his 1997 triumph but Denman proved the market wrong, sent off at 9-4 he maintained his unbeaten record over fences, travelling comfortably and making a decisive and race-winning move setting out on the second circuit eventually winning by 7L from a toiling and possibly out of sorts Kauto Star.

Just making it to the 2009 Gold Cup to defend his crown was an achievement for Denman as he had developed a heart condition after his 2008victory and had had to undergo surgery. Beaten in his comeback race at Kempton after 11 months off the course it looked as though not even the magic of trainer Paul Nicholls could bring him back to form. But Denman bloomed after that defeat and made it to the gig at Cheltenham – despite his problems he ran a solid race but it was Kauto Star who gained his revenge on this occasion, almost doubling Denman’s margin of victory the previous year and coming home by13L.

Back for a third attempt at Gold Cup glory in 2010, Denman’s build-up this time had gone much better, defying top-weight in the Hennessy Gold Cup for the second time, although he did get beaten in the Aon Chase in his warm-up race for the Gold Cup itself. Billed as a head-to-head between himself and Kauto Star again, they were both beaten by a young pretender in Imperial Commander, Kauto falling and Denman having no answer to Nigel Twiston-Davies new kid on the block and going down by 7L.

Back came Denman in 2011, to attempt to win the Gold Cup as an 11-year-old, a feat not successful since 1969. For a while the race looked to be between Denman and his old friend and foe Kauto Star but once again a youngster appeared on the scene to defeat them both and Denman had to settle for another second in the “Blue Riband” of National Hunt racing. That placing brought his record in the Cheltenham Gold Cup to 1222 and his Festival record overall to 211222 – a wonderful achievement from one of the best and most resilient chasers of the past few decades.

Originally written by Bet123.net, an online Betting Guide

Denman: A Gold Cup legend

Market support as Kauto confirmed for King George

Bet123 — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 15:54:46 +0000

The news that Kauto Star will be allowed to take his chance and bid to win the illustrious Grade 1 William Hill King George VI Chase at Kempton Park on Boxing Day for a record breaking fifth time, was exactly what punters and the betting industry wanted to hear as it sets up a stunning showdown between the young king Long Run and Paul Nicholls’ old master, writes Elliot Slater.

With his owner Clive Smith already represented by former dual champion chaser and recent Ascot winner Master Minded, there had been some doubt as to whether or not Nicholls would ask the hugely popular 11-year-old to go to the well once more, but the momentum behind a re-match between Kauto Star and Long Run following the surprise victory of the veteran in the Grade 1 Betfair chase at Haydock in November has been almost irresistible and all concerned now feel that the French-bred gelding is still showing top-notch form and deserves to take his chance. Those looking at the Kempton Park betting odds should remember this.

Kauto Star won the King George VI Chase on four successive occasions between 2007-10 to add to his two Cheltenham gold Cups and his now four Betfair Chase victories, but in last January’s rescheduled renewal was well beaten by the much younger Long Run who went on the win the blue riband race at Cheltenham 8 weeks later, a race in which Kauto Star ran his heart out but again only finished third. Anyone looking at the Betfair racing website should bear this in mind.

With many calling for the old horse to retire Nicholls still felt that his stable standard bearer had what it takes, his win at Haydock clearly proving the point, and now the betting industry has it’s dream race all set up and ready to go. Kauto Star has been supported from 5/1 to 9/2 second favourite behind strong market leader Long Run, while Nicholls’ other big hope Master Minded is a solid 5/1 chance.

Originally written by Bet123.net, an online Betting Guide

Market support as Kauto confirmed for King George

January Dipper date for exciting Walkon

Bet123 — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 16:11:11 +0000

Alan King’s very promising novice Walkon looks set to take his next step up the chasing ladder with a trip to Cheltenham on New Year’s Day pencilled in for the Dipper Novice Chase, writes Elliot Slater.

The six-year-old made a scintillating debut over the larger obstacles when brushing aside decent opposition to run out an easy six-length winner from Zaynar on his debut over the larger obstacles at Exeter at the start of the month in the Harry Dutfield Memorial Novice Chase, after which he was introduced into the ante-post betting for the Jewson Novices Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March at odds of as short as 9/1. People looking for a Cheltenham free bet will be keeping an eye on him.

King has always held the son of Take Risks in high regard and is hopeful that Walkon can go a long way over fences having proven himself to be a smart hurdler during both his juvenile campaign and also last season, when he returned from more than a year on the sidelines to run a cracker to finish a half-length second to Tiger O’Toole in Grade 2 company on his reappearance before ‘bouncing’ went sent off favourite for the Totesport Trophy a few weeks later, finishing well down the field.

Given a month’s break King’s grey next appeared at Cheltenham and ran with plenty of credit to finish seventh of the 22 runners in the Coral Cup behind Carlito Brigante after which he was rested for the rest of the season with a view to going chasing this term. Although his handler is confident that Walkon will stay up to three miles he seems happy to keep his charge to two-and-a-half miles for the time being and will tailor his campaign around that distance with a view to arriving at the Cheltenham Festival in the best possible shape to make his presence felt and make up for lost time.

Originally written by Bet123.net, an online Betting Guide

January Dipper date for exciting Walkon