BET365 GOLD CUP BETTING TIPS

The much-vaunted Hoo La Baloo continues to lead the ante-post market for the Bet365 Gold Cup Chase which happens this Saturday. Currently listed at 6/1, I think this runner is significantly under-priced and should by no means be considered a favourite for this race. The eight year-old French horse hasn't won a race in a year and a half and has finished on 4's and 5's to a number of mediocre horses. I'm not convinced about his skill level and his strike-rate leaves a lot to be desired. At 6/1, this is a bad bet, plain and simple. Kilbeggan Blade is a stellar selection. He was pulled up in the Grand National despite having a very solid lead throughout the bulk of the race. If he can get out front within the first few furlongs and then start to put some distance between him and the chasing pack, then I think his odds improve. I'm not 100% on how well he'll finish, but he will definitely start strong. Discounting his Pull Up in the Grand National, his past four races have finished 2, 1, 1, 1 and that's quality form- that's Grand National-winning form, especially against this field. His price also represents significant value and he is listed at 16/1. Oodachee is a good selection for your place bets, finishing second to Irish Raptor in the John Smith's Topham Chase at Aintree. His most recent victory came at Tipperary last summer and he seems to perform at his best with D J Casey on top. Keep an eye on that. You can back Oodachee at 10/1.My penultimate selection for the Bet365 Gold Cup is Pretty Star. Listed at 25/1, Pretty Star represents significant value and Venetia Williams has had plenty of success with her charges over long-distances, so I can certainly see another quality result for her here as well. Pretty Star finished a respectable second to Character Building in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham and came in fifth to Don't Push It in the John Smith's Handicap Chase at Aintree. Quality results in important races are what makes a Grand National winner and I'm backing Pretty Star to be just that.