The final action of the Cheltenham Festival betting will fall on Friday 17:30 which is the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle.
A big field will be charging around the course for this one as there are 26 entered for the class 2 contest.
Last year’s winner was Early Doors at 5/1 for trainer Joseph Patrick and jockey trainer Jonjo O’Neill Jr.
Cheltenham Friday 17:30
Front View 9/2
Ilikedwayurthinkin 6/1
Column Of Fire 13/2
Pileon 8/1
The Bosses Oscar 11/1
Five O’Clock 11/1
Escaria Ten 14/1
Flash The Steel 14/1
Assemble 20/1
Umbrigado 20/1
Espoir De Romay 25/1
My Sister Sarah 33/1
Great White Shark 33/1
Doctor Duffy 33/1
50/1 bar
* (betting odds taken from bet365 at 15:45 GMT on Thursday, 12th March 2020)
Horse Racing Betting at Bet365
Table of Contents
Front View
Trainer Joseph O’Brien and Jonjo O’Neill Jr team up again this year for the Martin Pipe. They had the winner last year in Early Doors.
They have the outright favourite for this renewal. Front View is 9/2 the betting* (betting odds taken from bet365 at 15:45 GMT on Thursday, 12th March 2020)
The five-year-old was beaten by Envoi Allen at Down Royal on his hurdle debut in November last year. He followed that up with a win at Cork and then was second to Five O’Clock at Thurles in late February. He did get bumped in the race a couple out.
Ilikedwayurthinkin
Ilikedwayurthinkin showed up well at the Galway Festival last year. He never really followed up on a couple of handicap wins there. His last trip was at Leopardstown at the end of the December and claimed fifth.
Ilikedwayurthinkinnever looking like he was going to get any higher than that in the field of 25.
Inconsistent, but the break may have done him good and he has been well supported at 6/1* (betting odds taken from bet365 at 15:45 GMT on Thursday, 12th March 2020)
Key Facts – Martin Pipe Conditional Betting Tip
- All but one winner has been either 5 or 6 years old
- There has been just one winner who has gone as favourite
- 8 of the previous 11 renewals were won at double figures
- All winners have carried over 11st to victory
Column Of Fire
Column Of Fire struck his first win over the hurdles at Punchestown in mid-January. That was on his fourth trip. So it was a slow progression there but promising nonetheless.
He recently went up to 3m and took a third on his handicap debut and it was a competitive third as well.
Trained by Gordon Elliott, coming back down half-a-mile is likely to fit him very well and is a good 13/2 prospect* (betting odds taken from bet365 at 15:45 GMT on Thursday, 12th March 2020).
Pileon
The Philip Hobbs-trained Pileon is a gusty contender and has won his last two over the hurdles. He has shown up well in novice races but this is going to be a totally different company for him to deal with.
He is making his handicap debut as well and has been well respected there. In December he ran at Cheltenham where he was fourth behind Chantry House, the Supreme Novices third.
Pileon is jumping well and goes at 8/1* (betting odds taken from bet365 at 15:45 GMT on Thursday, 12th March 2020)
Five O’Clock
Five O’Clock took that win over Front View in a meeting at Thurles in February and he stayed on really well. It was him that slightly bumped Front View just after the second from home, which did affect his competitor.
Still, that is back to back wins for the Willie Mullins-trained Five O’Clock after landing his hurdle maiden at Limerick in January. He makes his handicap bow and looks competitive at 11/1* (betting odds taken from bet365 at 15:45 GMT on Thursday, 12th March 2020)
Worthy Mentions
The Bosses Oscar was a beaten favourite at Thurles in early January and that was after making a pretty bad mistake at the last. There would probably have been a win for the Gordon Eliott-trainer charge. He had won easily with a lot to spare at 2m 4f before that at Leopardstown.
Thomas Macdonagh has won three times this season, which cannot be totally ignored. Romped to a Wetherby success at 2m 4f in November. If he can bring his A-game on the day, he may be in with a chance of the places.
Indefatigable claimed a win at Warwick in February. Interestingly he was a course and distance just back in December and took second place when he found only Dame De Compagnie (this year’s Coral Cup Winner) too good for him. He has a chance.
Predictions & Tips
We don’t mind looking at the double figures for a pick in this one. It’s not a race that has favoured favourites even though Front View looks primed to strike and looks very nicely handicapped.
Sticking in the five to six-year-old range as well we like the look of The Bosses Oscar who looks as if he can handle himself in this company and was impressive in a Leopardstown maiden in December.
Column Of Fire may be able to pull into the picture as well having dropped back from a 3m trip. He is trained by Goden Elliot who has won two of the last three renewals of the Martin Pipe.
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