Kauto Star is bidding to defy the history books as he lines up for a fifth Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup. The brilliant 12-year-old has won chasing’s blue riband twice, in 2007 and 2009, and has also been placed on two occasions including last year when third to Long Run. The veteran has turned that form around its head this season, however, beating the reigning champion at Haydock and in the King George at his beloved Kempton but trainer Paul Nicholls has had a race against time to get him ready for the Gold Cup after he fell heavily in a schooling session and this is not a race to approach less than 100 per cent. Big Bucks excepted, it’s been a poor week for the Nicholls team with several runners performing below par and the cough that affected the yard a few weeks ago may still be hampering the yard. All in all, Kauto Star must be worth opposing at Betfred and totesport‘s 4/1 and we’ll stick with Long Run at the general 2/1, though Synchronicity could go close at 14/1 with BetVictor, bodog and Paddy Power.
The best bet on the final day, however, could be Boston Bob in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle. Willie Mullins has already had a good Festival but this is reputed to be his yard’s best novice and its significant he’s running in this race instead of the Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle over a shorter trip. Boston Bob is a 13/8 chance with Betfred – he may even start shorter!
The JCB Triumph Hurdle normally provides a thrilling finish and this year should be no exception as several bring solid juvenile form into the contest. Balder Success may be Alan King’s second string on paper but Robert Thornton reportedly agonised over choosing Grumeti ahead of the French import, who was hugely impressive when beating older horses at Ascot. He could be the one to be on at Coral‘s 9/1.
Redera could give you a run for your money at BetVictor and Ladbrokes‘ 25/1 in the Vincent O’Brien County Hurdle and fellow Irish raider On The Fringe is interesting in the Christie’s Foxhunter Chase at Coral and Stan James‘ 10/1 as he was strongly fancied for the race 12 months ago and ran a nice race on his belated reappearance. David Pipe could finally get the winner of the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys Handicap Hurdle with general 8/1 chance Street Entertainer, who is very well handicapped on his form of last spring, and I also fancy last year’s fourth De Boitron to give Ferdy Murphy his customary Festival success in the closing Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase at the general 11/1.
