There are likely to be three very short-priced favourite on the opening day of this year’s Cheltenham Festival – Footpad in the Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy, Buveur D’Air in the Unibet Champion Hurdle and Apple’s Jade in the OLGB Mares’ Hurdle – but there doesn’t mean there isn’t value elsewhere on a cracking card.
Conditions are likely to be testing on day one, with the threat of further rain. That’s a change from the norm when the going is rarely on the soft side of good, but it shouldn’t inconvenience the majority of the favourites.
A treble on the aforementioned trio at their current best odds will net you odds of around 9/2 but let’s see if we can find a few that will be much bigger prices.
We will have to wait until the penultimate race on day one for the National Hunt Challenge Cup. This amateur riders’ novices’ chase will test the stamina of both horse and jockey being run over only a few yards short of 4m but I’m very keen on the chances of the mare MS PARFOIS.
Anthony Honeyball’s seven-year-old is getting 7lb from her rivals and her form stands up closely to scrutiny. She’s proven around Cheltenham, handles soft ground and has a very accomplished rider on board in Will Biddick. She ran well enough against Black Corton at Ascot last time considering the track didn’t really suit her and Boylesports are still offering 8/1. The same firm will give money back as a free bet up to £20 if your selection finishes second or third to an SP favourite in any race at this year’s Cheltenham Festival.
National Hunt Challenge Cup Best Odds
Jury Duty 9/2, Mossback 6/1, No Comment 13/2, Rathvinden 7/1, Ms Parfois 8/1, Keeper Hill and Sizing Tennessee 10/1, Pylonthepressure 16/1, Duel At Dawn 20/1, Impulsive Star and Reigning Supreme 25/1, Shades Of Midnight 33/1, Clondaw Cian 40/1, Robin Of Locksley and Lofgren 100/1, All Kings 150/1
BARNEY DWAN has won his last two over fences and that should have given him some confidence. Fergal O’Brien’s charge was second in the Pertemps Final at the meeting last year and races off the same mark in the Close Brothers Novices’ Handicap Chase.
While the eight-year-old will need some luck in-running, he definitely has the raw ability to win a race like this and is fairly priced at 8/1 with most bookmakers including Sportingbet. Given Barney’s profile, it could be worth taking out the insurance offered by this bookmaker of money back in the form of a free bet up to £25 if your selection falls at Cheltenham.
Supporters of SINGLEFARMPAYMENT in the Ultima Business Solutions Handicap Chase will also like this offer, though he’s currently best odds at Betfred at 7/1.
