- Sports Betting Index
- Feb 23
This is just a page to record bets for this years Festival plus a little write up about each pick which I will gradually add to over the next few weeks. This year really cutting back on number of bets and sticking to the races I've historically done well in - so you can rule out all the novice races - I don't do them in France so why do them here! Don't forget if you enjoy what a write you can always tip the tipster https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/sportsbettingindex
Tuesday Ultima Resplendent Grey I'm lucky and got a boosted 22/1 with 5 places but 16/1 + with extra places fine Finished a fine 4th in last years National Hunt Challenge Cup before going on to win the Gold Cup @ Sandown. Some folk would say he needs further than todays trip but he's pretty versatile (beat Handstands over 2 1/2 mile @ Kelso), write off the Coral Gold Cup run @ Newbury and his 2nd to Protektorat @ Windsor lto was solid. Blinkers tried first time and has done well in first time headgear before. Sean Bowen is riding which is normally a positive but he's never ridden a Cheltenham Festival winner! I am sure that will change.
National Hunt Challenge Cup Kurraso Blue 16/18 ew but 14/1 fine Always a bit guessy but I like young Elliott handicap debutants stepping up in trip and he's shown enough to think he could be very well treated if he stays. Pretty versatile with reference to ground and Jack Kennedy rides - I give him a decent shout at the price.
Wednesday
Cross Country Fakir D'Oudairies 25/1 ew 4 places One of my favourite races and whilst Favori did us a favour last time here he seems a bit short to me. I love Stumptown but have a feeling that Pardibuce win probably took a lot out of him. I kept going down the list writing each horse off until stopping at Fakir. I remember watching the Dec24 race over C/D on his only try here and thinking he was given a nice little spin out the back but then didn't turn up in March 25. Was moved to Bolger and off a year before running in a couple of points and then 4th over the banks @ Punchestown 5 weeks ago. A classy performer on his day - 4th Supreme and 2nd in an Arkle and Ryanair was once rated 167. It could be that he has gone at the game but not sure they would persevere with him aged 11 if they thought he had.
Non Runner - Money Back Karre D'As 16/1 ew NRNB a fascinating but odd entry from David Cottin who trained Easysland to win this as a 6 yo but that horse had plenty of XC experience whereas KD has none! A top 4 yo and then 5 yo chaser in France winning 2 x G3 and probably would have won a G2 in December but unseated at the big fence @ Auteuil. The fact that she has performed so well @ Auteuil with all that course throws up suggests to me this challenge should be fine. Rated 159.5 in France but you have to probably take quite a few lbs off it will be interesting to see what the handicapper gives her. She is a big price on Betfair but is also entered in the Mares Chase but I have read this race is her first choice.
Thursday
Friday
Gold Cup Inothewayurthinkin 16/1 or 14/1 ew NRNB - hasn't been at his best this season (understatement) but neither was he the last two years. In 2024 he bolted up in the Kim Muir having been backed off the boards and then last year obviously in the Gold Cup he was well backed on the lead up and showed his liking again for this C/D. I wouldn't be at all surprised to see him backed again and turn up as a different horse.