Friday, Cheltenham Gold Cup Tips 2011

Its the final Day of the Cheltenham Festival, Gold Cup Day. Here are my tips for the closing day of the Cheltenham Festival.

 1:30 Triumph Hurdle, Unaccompanied, Each Way,  7/1 with Coral and Betfair

Always a difficult race, which Nicky Henderson has won the past couple of years. In my view this is harder to solve than recent renewals and could be another for the all conquering Irish contingent.  Highly rated on the flat she bolted up in a maiden Hurdle for Dermot Weld and then won a grade one hurdle in the style of a decent sort. A filly, not maky win this race but she gets a weigh allowance and looks a very decent type and with the Irish flying, she is the one for an each way interest.

2:05 County Hurdle, Get me Out of Here, Each Way , 16/1 with William Hill and Paddy Power

Caution: I cant remember the last time I backed the winner of this race, a nightmare to solve. I am siding with a horse that was second at last year’s festival in the Supreme Novice’s – Get Me Out of Here. He has showed absolutely nothing since, but he has the class and ability and will is due a big race. McCoy will ride but I am playing small stakes on the basis that recent form is not encouraging but he if he finds his true form his current mark is a very winning mark. Worth an each way but modest stakes.

2:40 Albert Bartlett Novice, Hurdle, Bobs Worth, Win 10/3 with Paddy Power, 3/1 with Ladbrokes

After a couple of tough races, this is more like it. A decent investment on Bobs Worth for me. I am backing a Nicky Henderson novice, no surprise given the volume of novice talent that currently resides at Seven Barrows. Rock On Ruby franked the form of Bob’s worth when very unlucky to be touched off on the line in a driving finish. He is my idea of a banker, if you can have a novice hurdle banker. I really like Bobs Worth and will have a decent bet here. Feel sorry for Dougie Costello who had a big chance with recession proof.

3:20 The Cheltenham Gold Cup, Imperial Commander, Win 9/2 with  Ladbrokes, William Hill, 4/1 with Bet365

As much as I hate backing against Kauto Star, I can’t see him being there this time, my favourite horse over jumps of all times. Nothing would give me more pleasure to see Kauto Star win a third Gold Cup, that said you cant bet on sentiment. For me Long Run is the danger to the reigning champion, Imperial Commander, who has raced just once since winning last year. He will be tuned to the minute for this and looked impressive on a recent racecourse gallop. I think this is a great race with three former winners lining up, all have a chance with Long Run the new kid on the block. For me though it will be Imperial Commander.

4:00 Foxhunter’s Chase, Baby Run, Win 7/2 with Paddy Power

The Twiston-Davies camp didn’t have a winner last year until Friday, then they banged three in. Baby Run is their big hope for this and will be a short price, but as hard as I try I can’t see past Baby Run. Amateur riders are always difficult but young Twiston-Davies will not be an amateur for long.

4:40 Conditional Jockey’s Race, Sir Des Champs, Win 5/1 with Victor Chandler, Coral, William Hill

 Another for Ireland here for me. Sir Des Champs trained by Willie Mullins looks to be the one here, laid out for the race and comes here full of promise, unexposed and with a big chance.

5:15 The Grand Annual, Anquetta, Win 9/1 with Boylesports, Paddy Power

The getting out stakes. Never easy and this is no exception. I have no big view on this and probably wont have a bet myself. The one I would put up as the most likely winner is Nicky Henderson’s Anquetta who could be well in. Nearly all of these will have been laid out for this, so no huge interest, but Henderson could hold the key with Anquetta.

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Good Luck and I hope it has been a profitable Cheltenham Festival for you!