The Nicky Henderson-trained Santini produced a win at the Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham on the weekend. It was an impressive return to top form by the 8-year-old. He crushed his main opponent Bristol De Mai by three and a half lengths.
2020 Cheltenham Gold Cup Winner Odds*
Al Boum Photo 4/1
Kemboy 5/1
Lostintranslation 7/1
Santini 11/2
Clas Des Obeaux 6/1
Delta Work 15/2
Presenting Percy 10/1
Native River 12/1
Monalee 25/1
Chriss Dream 33/1
Bristol De Mai 33/1
50/1 bar
* (betting odds taken from bet365 on January 26th, 2020 at 17:43)
Santini trimmed for Cheltenham Festival success
Santini now will be heading to the Cheltenham Gold Cup. His connections are now full of confidence after battling through against Bristol De Mai. It was basically a two-horse race at the end of the day in the Cotswold Chase. Santini and Bristol De Mai were easily the class acts on the day.
It was Bristol De Mai who looked best shaped for the win, with Santini niggling at him. However, there was a stumble over the last from the former which allowed Nicky Henderson’s Santini to come through and take the lead and he just stretched his left from that point.
Bet365 move Santini to 11/2
That win naturally sent some support to him in the 2020 Cheltenham Gold Cup outright winner market. On Sunday he had been cut into an 11/2 quote with Bet365.* (betting odds taken from bet365 on January 26th, 2020 at 17:43).
The weekend’s win came after a below-par performance at Sandown in which he took the win, but only by half a length over the much lower-rated Now McGinty.
At the Cheltenham Festival 2019, Santini was an entrant in the RSA Chase and he put in a big challenge there over the three and a half-mile contest. He was edged out by half a length on the day by Topofthegame. The weekend’s win in the Cotswold Chase gave Santini his first win at Cheltenham in what was his fifth run there.
Al Boum Photo still favourite for Blue Riband victory
The outright favourite in 2020 Cheltenham Gold Cup betting is the reigning champion Al Boum Photo, trained by Willie Mullins. He had his opener this season on New Year’s Day with a victory at the Savills New Year’s Day Chase. That was little more than a workout. Also in contention at the head of the market is Kemboy, who beat Al Boum Photo at Punchestown last May.
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