2011 Cheltenham Festival Day One Preview

We are extremely close to the kick off of the 2011 Cheltenham Festival and we’re going to be taking another quick look at the betting markets for the opening day’s action. Again, all of Ladbrokes odds are non-runner money back going into the festival. Some bookmakers are restricting the offer to just the Grade 1 races, but with the red bookies you can back everything from the Supreme Novices to the Gold Cup to the Centenary Novices’ Handicap Chase with the utmost confidence.

Supreme Novices Hurdle

Obviously Cue Card is the big one coming into this and his 2/1 price continues to hold, for now, betting novices can be tough and while he looks a step above many of the others here – a number of them continue to progress and with a field this deep you know that somebody is going to flash some real quality. Cue Card is a great horse but there isn’t a huge amount of value in backing him straight out at 2/1. It’s a good chance to set him up as the first leg of a multi-race wager. At 9/1, Al Ferof deserves some win-only respect while Rock On Ruby and Marsh Warbler both look appealing but might head for other races. If they line up in this one, they’ll both be a snip at that price.

Arkle

Medermit is a Grade 1 winner and he deserves respect but 11/4 might put some punters off. Finian’s Rainbow is undefeated this season but spent the bulk of it battling it out on the novice circuit. Captain Chris looks the play, however, as he’s put in some decent shifts against Ghizao and Medermit this season, only to finish second. He grabbed the elusive Grade 2 score at Kempton to prep for this one and he’ll be a live one if he replicates the form he showed there.

Spinal Research Handicap Chase

This one is relatively wide open and there aren’t many who come into this one boasting all sorts of form. Sunnyhillboy has plenty of Cheltenham experience but not much of it is winning experience. The 7/1 price will look good to some and he doesn’t look out of it against this field at all. Reve De Sivola was campaigned well by his connections this year and didn’t duck anybody – that’s probably why he has a few blemishes on his record. He has won at heltenham and if he can residcover some of the form he showed here over hurdles he might be set to go at 12/1. Should he choose to run in this one, Quantitativeeasing will be dangerous as well, though he’s never won at Cheltenham.

Champion Hurdle

Binocular dropping out blows the doors open big time here and Ladbrokes have set Hurricane Fly as the slim 3/1 favourite ahead of 10/3 Menorah. Peddlers Cross, though undefeated, is far too short at 4/1. Khyber Kim has continued to hold around 14/1 and that looks a solid price on a horse that isn’t getting much respect but could be poised to make a real statement. A Menorah/Khyber Kim each-way forecast could pay out nicely regardless of the order.

Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase

Garde Champetre and L’Ami return to do battle here once again and these long-distance chasers look tough to beat at 4/1 and 5/1, respectively. Sizing Australia knows what he’s doing but isn’t offering up a huge amount of value at 7/1. If Another Jewel can finish the race he’ll probably be a solid contender at 16/1. He might be a smarter selection in the TBP market.

David Nicholson Mares Hurdle

Quevega is pretty much one of the biggest bankers at the festival if this price continues to hold. The leading contender in the David Nicholson is priced at 10/11 for a score here, but don’t discount L’Accordioniste, who has won at Cheltenham before and trades at 10/1. If you’re feeling like an each-way flutter on this one, Amber Brook looks an interesting shot for Nigel Twiston-davies yard. Unraced since December, put in a third place shift to Sway last time out and won at Cheltenham in a seasonal debut. Nicely-priced at 33/1 with Ladbrokes.

Centenary Novices’ Handicap Chase

This one is literally anybody’s guess but whoever gets it rightis looking at a hot payday thanks to four co-favourites all priced at 8/1. Quantitativeeasing is in the mix for this one if this is where he’s pointed while Tullamore Dew put in a nice shift to finish second to Medermit at Plumpton back in December. If Medermit is successful in his effort today then you may know who to back in the final race. He’s got Cheltenham experience and could be ready to run for this one. Shakalakaboomboom wasn’t much to get excited about in his first run at Cheltenham but he has won twice in four efforts this season and it might have been too much too soon for him that day. Ladbrokes have him as the low price at 14/1.