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Cheltenham Preview Friday 14th March

So, the final day of Cheltenham is here already, and hasn’t it flown? There was even time for a day off on Wednesday, and as a result we finish Cheltenham week with nine races on Friday’s racecard. Of course the big one everyone will be watching is the Cheltenham Gold Cup, which many believe will come down to one of Paul Nicholls horses, either defending Gold Cup champion Kauto Star, or Denman. See below for our full Gold Cup preview and tips.

1230 David Nicholson Mares Only Hurdle (2m 4f 110y)

Chomba Womba is the favourite to win this 2 miles, 4 furlong, 110 yard race (11/4, Boylesports), closely followed by Sweet Kiln (7/2) and Theatre Girl (5/1, both Boylesports). Gaspara is available at odds of 7/1 with Bet 365 and totesport have the best odds for Labelthou to win the Mares Hurdle (Currently 8/1). Please remeber that prices may differ at SP.

1305 Ballymore Properties Novices’ Hurdle (2m 5f) – See Wednesday’s preview of this race

1340 Coral Cup (Handicap Hurdle) (2m 5f) – See Wednesday’s preview of this race

1415 JCB Triumph Hurdle (2m 1f)

Franchoek is leading the betting with odds of just 7/4 (VC Bet), whilst the chasing pack start at 4/1 (Celestial Halo, Boylesports), followed by Five Dream at 8/1 (Paddy Power) and Beau Michael (12/1). Outside chances are Lemon Silk (50/1, Bet 365) and Special Day (150/1, skybet)

1450 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (3m)

The Novices Hurdle is a 3 mile race, and if you’re thinking of backing the favourites, then Ladbrokes is the place to go at the moment, as they are offering the best odds for the three favourite horses (Curruthers at 5/1, and Gone to Lunch and The Tother One both at 6/1). Lodge Lane is also at 6/1 (Boyle Sports), whilst Uncle Junior (obviously a Sopranos fan) is at 12/1 (Stan James). Other picks include Siegemaster (25/1, William Hill), Middleton Dane (25/1, totesport) and Liskennett (also 25/1, Blue Square).

1530 totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup (3m 2f 110y)

This is it – the big one that everyone’s been waiting for – The big showdown between Kauto Star and Denman in the 2008 Cheltenham Gold Cup. These two horses have beaten all comers this winter, and defending champion Kauto Star remains the favourite at Evens with Boylesports, who also have the best odds for Denman (6/4). Both horses are trained by Paul Nicholls, who also has Neptune Collonges (28/1, totesport) and Star De Mohaison (33/1, Boylesports) running in the Cheltenham gold Cup.

2007 Gold Cup runner up Exotic Dancer is third favourite at 12/1 (totesport), followed by Halcon Genelardais (16/1, Boylesports). Knowhere (33/1, totesport), ridden by Nigel Twiston-Davies may be worth an outside bet, whilst for the more adventurous punter, late entry Afistfullofdollars (50/1, William Hill), who only joined the field last weekend to become the only Irish challenger for the Gold Cup crown may be worth a look after he won the Bobbyjo Chase by six lengths last month.

Racing Demon is priced at 66/1 (Ladbrokes), and the field is completed by Celestial Gold (100/1, Boylesports), Iron Man (500/1, Stan James), Azulejo, Contraband and Fustrien Du Paon (all 1,000/1 with Blue Square)

1605 Christie’s Foxhunter Chase (3m 2f 110y)

The main action of the afternoon may be over, but there are a further three races following the Cheltenham Gold Cup, the first of which is the Christies Foxhunter Chase. run over a distance of 3 miles, 2 furlongs and 100 yards, the favourite is currently Agus A Vic (9/2, Blue Square), followed by Lou Du Moulin Mas and Bon Accord (Both 9/1 shots with totesport).

Other picks include Twenty Degrees at 14/1 (Bet 365) and Christy Beamish at 20/1 (VC Bet). William Hill have the best odds for some of the chasing pack, including Railway Ranger (33/1), Cornish Rebel (33/1) and Arctic Times (40/1).

1640 Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase (2m 110y)

The penultimate race of the Cheltenham Festival 2008 is the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase, and looking at the odds it could be one of the more open races. Current favourite is My Petra (4/1, Blue Square), followed by Andreas (9/1, Boyle Sports). They are followed by a pack of 12/1 shots, including Marlan (Blue square), Tiger Cry (William Hill), Crozan (totesport), Enlightentment and Hasty Price (Both BoylesSports).

skybet have the best odds for Lord Henry to win (16/1) . Rank Outsider is Calatagan (50/1, Blue Square)

1720 Vincent O’Brien County Handicap Hurdle (2m 1f)

So it’s come to this – The final race of the day, and the final race of the Cheltenham Festival 2008 – The Vincent O’Brien County Hurdle, run over 2 miles and 1 furlong. Favourite for this race is Psycho (6/1, Ladbrokes), followed buy Wanango (10/1, Boylesports) and a couple of 12/1 shots – Wingman (12/1, Paddy Power), Mon Michel (12/1, VC Bet) and Imsingingtheblues (12/1, Stan James).

And that (weather permitting!) should just about wrap up the Cheltenham Festival for another year. We hope you’ve enjoyed the horse racing, and look forward to seeing you back at Bet123.net again soon for your betting previews.

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