Cheltenham Festival 2013

Second only to the Grand National Meeting, Cheltenham Festival is to National Hunt racing what Glastonbury is to Music.

Held annually every March at Cheltenham Racecourse in Gloucestershire, this is the event where the best of the British and Irish Trained horses are on view to the delight of the race going public. Coinciding with St Pat’s Day there is a great turn out from Irish Visitors and this helps to create a fantastic atmosphere. Betting is brisk and if your viewing online or at home have no fears Paddy Power will offer you some great betting opportunities.

The latest news to be received about the Festival is that a record has been set for the number of entries for the Ladbrokes World Hurdle, 61 horses have so far been entered and this year there will definitely be a new winner as four time winner Big Buck’s won’t be racing. Some believe that it’s the absence of Paul Nicholl’s trained Big Buck’s that has led to the record number of entries.

So, who will be running in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle, well for starters just because Big Buck’s not entered don’t expect Paul Nicholls to be absent, he has a team of six strong horses, led by fancied Tidal Bay he has also entered Kauto Stone and Wonderful Charm, in an attempt to lift his fifth straight win in this competition.

Nicky Henderson has Oscar Whisky, he finished fifth last year and has since gone on to have good wins in the Grade 2 Coral Hurdle and Relkeel.

Top Irish horses are Quevega who is the ante post favourite, Thousand Stars, Zaidpour, Rite of Passage and Monksland. 8-1 shot Monksland’s trainer Noel Meade has stated that he believes his horse has the pace to win over two miles.

Stan James Champion Hurdle, this race has attracted 34 entries these include last year’s winner Rock on Ruby, along with 3 previous winners of this contest including Hurricane Flyer (2011) Binocular (2010) Punjabi (2009), once again there is a strong Irish contingent with the likes of Zaidpour, Thousand Stars and Cause of Causes. Donald McCain has entered last years runner up Overturn, along with Cinders and Ashes and that punters favourite, Peddlers Cross.

Neptune Investment Management Novices Hurdle, the Nigel Twiston Davies trained The New One, has seen his odds slashed and is now second favourite behind Pont Alexandre, not to be overlooked his Paul Nicholl’s Rocky Creek.

You can bet on all these horses and more with Paddy Power and don’t forget to look for Paddy’s Festival Specials.

Grand National Rears Its Head

As March draws to a close and April dawns the thoughts of the racing community turn to the Grand National, possibly the greatest steeple chase in the world. Established in 1839 and held at Aintree Racecourse every year since, the race has the largest prize pot in the country at just shy of a £1,000,000.

There is nothing quite like the sensation of building anticipation as the jockeys persuade their horse into line. Then the tape rises and the race is on as 40 horses hurtle down towards the first fence. At this race more than any does the nation have a flutter on the outcome, novices and seasoned gamblers alike, with a staggering £80,000,000 bet on the Grand National every year.

Have you have picked a winner this year? If not then we have a few tips to help you make up your mind. When picking a horse you should consider its age, typically a horse of twelve years old is considered to be beyond its finest, so go for between 8 and 12 years old. You should also consider its capability to finish, particularly a long race such as the Grand National, so has the horse won a similar length race before? Does the horse have an Irish connection? It may seem an odd question but if you study the history of the Grand National you will see that the majority of winners are Irish.

The favourite for the race is currently Prince De Beauchene after winning the John Smiths Handicap Chase last year, Junior and Ballabriggs are also favoured to take the race with Treacle, West End Rocker and Burton Port all under 25/1.

Much Anticipated Gold Cup Arrives

After much anticipation the 2012 Cheltenham Festival is finally upon us and serves up a feast of tasty races such as the Arkle Chase and the Champion Hurdle. And bringing the festival to a close on Friday is the Gold Cup, a true highlight to the jump season. Read more

Kauto Star Up For The Cup?

The Legendary steeplechaser Kauto Star has taken a “big step forward” in his recovery from a fall on the gallops. It seemed the two-time champion’s return to the Cheltenham Festival this year was in doubt, particularly as the trainer only gave him a 50/50 chance of competing.

However, after a recent run out with stablemate What A Friend (also a Gold Cup Hopeful), Nicholls stated his satisfaction by saying

“Kauto had his physio this morning and had an hour on the walker, and you could just tell that he had more of a buzz and a spring in his step, and that a bit of the old swagger had returned, So we decided to send him out second lot and he did a strong canter over ten furlongs with What A Friend, and delighted us.”

“I cannot tell you how massively relieved I am to see Kauto progressing and going forward.”

“Don’t get me wrong, or carried away, because he is not there yet.”

“Not at all, and things can change daily. But this was a step in the right direction and I’m much happier, I can tell you.”

Tony Mcoy says The Gold Cup needs a horse like Kauto Star, let’s hope he makes it.

“It will be desperately disappointing for racing and for Cheltenham if Kauto Star doesn’t turn up for the Betfred Gold Cup – and I can say that in all sincerity, even as the rider of one of his intended rivals, Synchronised.”

Arkle Chase Money Back Promo

With Spring on the horizon we are reminded that the Cheltenham Festival is also returning and the re-appearance of the Daffodils and Crocuses are prompting the minds of the nations race fans to contemplate the highlight of the jump season. Read more