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Cheltenham Preview Tuesday 11th March 2008

The 2008 Cheltenham Festival kicks off on Tuesday, where the big race of the day is of course the Champion Hurdle, although there’s a full afternoon of racing to enjoy as well. The Cheltenham Festival team have been busy repairing storm damage at the racecourse throughout Monday to ensure that the week’s racing can go ahead, and it is to their credit that the racecard is practically unaffected.

1400 Anglo Irish Bank Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (2m 110y)

It should be a tight opening race for the 23 runners in the opening race of the 2008 Cheltenham Festival. At the time of writing, there were no fewer than four favourites to win the Supreme Novices Hurdle, with totesport and Boylesports pricing Muirhead, Captain Cee Bee, Khyber Kim and Rippling Ring at 8/1. Cork Star follows at 10/1 (VC Bet), Pigeon Island at 11/1 (skybet) and Binocular at 12/1 (Ladbrokes). Norther Bay and Lemon Silk are rank outsiders at 100/1 (Paddy Power and totesport respectively)

1435 Irish Independent Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase (2m)

Noland, trained by P F Nicholls and ridden by R Walsh is the clear favourite for this 2 mile race, with the best available odds currently being the 2/1 offered by Boylesports. Denis O’Regan on Tidal Bay is a distant second favourite with a price of 8/1 (Ladbrokes), and followed by Clopf and Mahogany Blaze (17/2 and 9/1 respectively, both with Bet 365). Ring the Boss is at 10/1 (Boylesports) and Thyne Again is currently at 11/1 with Stan James. Towards the back of the betting pack we have Scotsirish and Marodima at 25/1 and 33/1 respectively (Both totesport), and Orpen Wide with VC Bet at a “leave your money in your pocket” 200/1.

1515 Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy (2m 110y)

This is the big race of the day, and all eyes will be on favourite Sizing Europe ridden by AJ McNamara, who is currently priced at 9/4, followed by last years winner Sublimity at 5/1 (Both with Boylesports).

The Champion Hurdle has been dominated by Irish winners pretty much every year for the last ten years or so, and the best hopes for an English winner appear to rest with Osana at 11/2 (skybet) and Katchit at 10/1 (Bet 365). There are currently 17 runners over the 2 mile, 100 yards course, and the expected going is Good. Those looking for an outside chance of placing might be interested in Ebaziyan (33/1, Ladbrokes), Blythe Knight (40/1, Stan James), or Farmer Brown (50/1 with Blue Square)

1600 William Hill Trophy Handicap Chase (3m 110y)

The 2007 winner of the William Hill Trophy Handicap Chase was 50/1 shot Joes Edge, and many punters will be hoping for another long shot to fill their pockets. They should look at the history books however, with most previous winners being around the 7/1 or 8/1 range. For the 2008 Trophy Handicap Chase, Boylesports have placed An Accordion as 9/2 favourite, with Blue Square pricing Patsy Hall at 8/1. Ofarel D’Airy follows at 17/2 (Bet 365).

For those looking for a similar priced horse to Joes Edge, should look around Flying Enterprise (33/1, totesport), Ollie Magern (33/1, Stan James) and Lankawi (40/1, Blue Square)

1640 BGC Cross Country Chase (3m 7f)

2007 Cross Country Chase winner Heads onthe Ground trained by Edna Bolger and ridden by Nina Carberry is third favourite with totesport pricing the JP McManus-owned horse at 11/2, whilst Boylesports list Wonderkid as favourite (5/2) and Garde Champetre as second-favourite (5/1).

Again, the Cross Country Chase has been a happy hunting ground for the Irish in the past, although the French do figure in the bookmakers lowest odds, including Le Duc (12/1, Blue Square) and Royal Auclair (16/a, Paddy Power). Not everything french is well priced however, asthe Irish horse with a French name Mange Tout, brings up the rear in the betting markets with odds of 66/1 (Blue Square) on them winning this 3 miles, 7 furlongs race.

1720 Fred Winter Junior Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (2m 110y)

The final race of the day for Tuesday 11th March 2008 at Cheltenham is the Fred Winter Handicap Hurdle. In previous years, the winners have come from the top third of the handicap, so it is perhaps worth only betting on the quality horses with a chance of winning, rather than taking a punt on an outsider.

Ashkazar is the favourite (5/2 with Boylesports), followed by River Liane (4/1 with Ladbrokes). Stan James then have Prince Erik, Crack Away Jack and Grand Schlem at 11/1, 12/1 and 12/1 respectively. Blue Square have the best odds for Chapoturgeon (12/1) and Harry Tricker (14/1), whilst Metaphoric is 16/1 with Bet 365 and Siege of Ennis is 33/1 with William Hill.

All odds correct at time of writing. Please click here for the latest odds.