Everything up for grabs as Cheltenham Festival gets under way

Horse Racing Betting

Reigning champion Binocular‘s surprise defection from the Stan James Champion Hurdle has taken away a bit of the glamour from the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival – but not much! There remains more than half-a-dozen high-class performers with genuine ambitions to recapture the blue riband of hurdling, among them Menorah (10/3 with bet365, extrabet and sportingbet) who has a terrific record at Cheltenham and won last year’s Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at The Festival ahead of Dunguib and Oscar Whisky. Hurricane Fly (4/1 with William Hill) heads the Irish challenge while Peddler’s Cross (a general 4/1) defends his unbeaten record over timber.

The highlight on the second day of The Festival is the sportingbet.com Queen Mother Champion Chase in which Colm Murphy’s Big Zeb is defending his title as Europe’s top two-mile chaser. The 10-year-old is a general 3/1 chance to retain his crown but faces a stiff challenge from two-times winner Master Minded (10/3 with William Hill) who comes into the race in better form than when only fourth last year. This is by no means a two-horse race, however, as Somersby is an improving young chaser who can be backed at 15/2 with totesport and Victor Chandler. But the value in this may lie with Sizing Europe, who is a generous-looking 9/1 with William Hill. Arkle Chase winners have a tremendous record when lining up in the following year’s Queen Mother Champion Chase and trainer Henry De Bromhead has been very bullish about the chances of his nine-year-old.

For a long time it looked like Thursday’s Ladbrokes World Hurdle would be another stroll in the park for reigning champion Big Bucks. Paul Nicholls‘ stayer is still only a best 5/4 and has, after all, won all 10 starts since having his attention switched back to the smaller obstacles in 2009 and is chasing a hat-trick in this race. But that was before the emergence of young pretender Grands Crus, who decimated the opposition in a Grade 2 event at Cheltenham in January having been equally impressive in a couple of well-contested handicaps previously. Martin Pipe‘s striking grey will appeal to plenty seeking a bit of value at the general 9/4.

Friday’s totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup sees former winners Kauto Star and Denman seeking to recapture past glories. The former is a 7/1 chance with William Hill but ran no sort of race in this last year and it was probably indicative of his waining powers that he finished well adrift of Long Run (a general 5/1 here) at his beloved Kempton last time. Denman (7/1 with Boylesports) was runner-up to Imperial Commander (7/2 with sportingbet) in the Gold Cup last year, however, and has had a comparatively light campaign this time around so will have no excuses if he doesn’t put his best foot forward. If I had to have a bet in the Gold Cup, however, I’d have a few pounds each-way on the enigmatic Tidal Bay at the general 20/1. He may simply lose interest, or run on when it’s far too late. But he loves Cheltenham, won’t mind the ground and is the type to relish a fast pace. If Brian Hughes can keep him interested, Howard Johnson‘s gelding is capable of springing a surprise.

And my bet of the week? Quevaga looks a class apart again the David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle on the opening day and can complete her hat-trick in the race at Blue Square, 888sport and William Hill‘s Evens.