13:55 County Handicap Hurdle Betting Odds & Tips: Cheltenham 2021 – 19th March 2021

Champagne Gold could be the one to follow in County Hurdle

Horse Racing Betting

The second race of Cheltenham Gold Cup day takes a look at the County Handicap Hurdle betting, a Grade 3 fixture.

This one is open to five-year-olds and above and it features a big field of 26 declared runners.

So there’s a lot to dig through in the one and the current narrow favourite to take the win is GANAPATHI.

The winner from last year’s big field was five-year old SAINT ROI from an 11/2 SP (B J Geraghty / W P Mullins)

County Handicap Hurdle Betting

Ganapathi 6/1
Champagne Gold 6/1
Eclair De Beaufeu 13/2
Third time Lucki 7/1
You Raised Me Up 10/1
Fifty Ball 14/1
Gowel Road 16/1
Edwardstone 16/1
Captain Kangaroo 16/1
Buildmeupbuttercup 18/1
Cayd Boy 20/1
Ciel De Beige 22/1
Thyme White 222/1
Drop The Anchor 20/1
Petit Mouchoir 25/1
Milkwood 25/1
33/1 bar
* (betting odds recorded at 20:16 GMT on March 18th, 2021 at Coral)


Horse Racing Betting at Coral

Ganapathi J/FAV for County Handicap Hurdle Betting Odds

GANAPATHI is a joint 6/1 favourite for this contest* (betting odds recorded at 20:16 GMT on March 18th, 2021 at Coral).

The Willie Mullins 5 year old has been slowly moving up through the years this season.

In November on his reappearance run, he collected a win in a Cork Maiden Hurdle at the 2m distance. He went close on his follow up as well in the Grade 2 Moscow Flyer.

It was second place for GANATPATHI in that one and shaped very well at Leopardstown Grade 1 following that when he took fifth.

He looks bang in form at the moment and is coming back down in class and trip.

Ganapathi comes in at a mark of 140 and that looks very workable for him in this fixture.

Champagne Gold
6/1

Boylesports

Dan Skelton’s Third Time Lucky to shine?

Trainer Dan Skelton has won three of the last five editions of this contest, so THIRD TIME LUCKI piques interest at 7/11 in Country Handicap Hurdle betting* (betting odds recorded at 20:16 GMT on March 18th, 2021 at Coral).

He opened this season with a double and on Boxing Day he picked up the third win of the campaign, scoring at Kempton.

So he should be right in the frame with more potential to come.

Third Time Lucki was last seen at Musselburgh 40 days ago, where he made a mistake and could do no better than fourth.

A clean round and he enters calculations strongly.

 

Last 10 County Handicap Hurdle’ Winners (age, trainer, jockey)

  • 2020 Saint Roi, 5, W P Mullins,B J Geraghty
  • 2019 Ch’tibello, 8, D Skelton, Harry Skelton
  • 2018 Mohaayed, 6, D Skelton, Bridget Andrews
  • 2017 Arctic Fire, 8, W P Mullins, Paul Townend
  • 2016 Superb Story, 5, D Skelton, Harry Skelton
  • 2015 Wicklow Brave, 6, W P Mullins, Paul Townend
  • 2014 Lac Fontanta, 5, P Nicholls, Daryl Jacob
  • 2013 Ted Veale, 6, A J Martin, Bryan Cooper
  • 2012 Alderwood, 8, W P Mullins
  • 2011 Final Approach, 5, W P Mullins, Ruby Walsh

 

Eclair De Beaufeu with a strong shout

This is a competitive and open field and there is interest in the respected ECLAIR DE BEAUFEU.

He stayed on very well for sixth in the Ladbrokes Hurdle at Leopardstown last time out.

He was the runner up in last year’s Grand Annual and he is 10lb lower in the ratings from that.

With his good effort last month, a very encouraging run, there are positives there.

Eclair De Beaufeu gets his first run for a new yard today.

It hasn’t been the greatest of seasons for him, but that latest run hinted that the seven-year-old is back in business and enters the fray at 13/2* (betting odds recorded at 20:16 GMT on March 18th, 2021 at Coral).

Champagne Gold commands some respect

CHAMPAGNE GOLD went close in the Ladbrokes Hurdle at Leopardstown on his last effort. So there is likely another good run to come from him.

He is right up there as the 6/1 joint-favourite in Country Handicap Hurdle betting which we can understand* (betting odds recorded at 20:16 GMT on March 18th, 2021 at Coral).

It has been a very strong and consistent season from him.

Henry de Bromhead’s six-year-old benefits from Rachael Blackmore taking the ride as well.

It was second place at the Ladbrokes Hurdle for him as he just got shaded late in the contest by Drop The Anchor on the 2m trip.

There are strong claims there for him in action on Friday.

Strong Glance another to watch

There does appear to be a bit of a lenient mark of 131 on STRONG GLANCE as he comes into action. We like his road to Cheltenham.

He placed in a couple of handicaps in the autumn before finding the going too heavy for him in the Greatwood. S0 that can be excused.

He has taken a couple of bumpers wins on his last two efforts, so should be very sharp and focused for this one.

Strong Glance has a good e/w chance at 33/1* (betting odds recorded at 20:16 GMT on March 18th, 2021 at Coral).

Others To Watch

THYME WHYTE picked up on a win on his reappearance, which was a 2m success at Chepstow in October.

He was in the Fred Winter last year and was well held there. He followed that up by unseating his rider.

Thyme Whyte went well for a long way in the Betfair Hurdle before falling to ninth. Not without hope.

DROP THE ANCHOR will fancy this challenge without question as he likes to dig in and battle.

He got a recent score in a 22-runner field at Leopardstown, which was just last month. There are decent place claims there for him after beating Champagne Gold in that.

YOU RAISED ME UP has won his two efforts since returning from a five-month break.

The latest of those was at Naas last month and he is very interesting in coming back into handicapping here.

You Raised Me Up is well worth a look at the 10/1 mark* (betting odds recorded at 20:16 GMT on March 18th, 2021 at Coral).

EDWARDSTONE is reliable enough to warrant some consideration in this super competitive fixture. He scored on his penalty run back in January.

Edwardstone then followed up with a fantastic strong effort to take third in the Betfair Hurdle.

Predictions & Tips for County Handicap Hurdle Betting Odds

There are claims all over the place in this one and it’s really hard to get a read on Country Handicap Hurdle betting.

Our first selection is CHAMPAGNE GOLD who went close in the Ladbrokes Hurdle on his last effort.

We see another strong challenge coming from him at 6/1* (betting odds recorded at 20:16 GMT on March 18th, 2021 at Coral).

We also fancy the 10/1 shot YOU RAISED ME UP on a return to handicapping in this one* (betting odds recorded at 20:16 GMT on March 18th, 2021 at Coral).

He has produced some very good form this season and will likely be in the mix.

Our third and final name for the shortlist is EDWARDSTONE at 16/1* (betting odds recorded at 20:16 GMT on March 18th, 2021 at Coral).

He looks to have a fine heart and ran an absolute blinder in the Betfair Hurdle on his latest.

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