Cheltenham: View from the trading floor on day two
Published:Each day throughout this year’s Cheltenham Festival we’ll be joined by Ladbrokes’ Richard Harkness as he gives us the view from the trading floor on all of the runners and riders at Prestbury Park.
We’ll be covering the biggest names and races with top-class insight into who to watch out for, where the money’s going and how the trading team view some of the most eagerly anticipated clashes.
On day two, Richard offers us his opinion on why Sire De Grugy might not be such a sure thing in the Champion Chase, how Faugheen is the one he wants to get beaten and why there could be plenty of value to be had in the RSA Chase.
On the contenders aiming to take Sprinter Sacre’s Champion Chase crown….
“What happened to Sprinter Sacre is a huge disappointment but these things unfortunately happen in racing.
Yes, we’ve lost a superstar this season but that takes absolutely nothing away from what Sire de Grugy has actually achieved. Having said that we think we can probably get him beat.
“This will be a bigger test for him yet again when they go at a proper gallop at the Cheltenham track with plenty other horses targeting success in this race.
“There has been money recently for Captain Conan from Nicky Henderson’s yard and he will be extremely popular on the day. But Bailey Green, who was third last year, is another horse we like the look of and looks an interesting contender this time around.”
On the horse Ladbrokes wants to get beaten on day two of the Festival…
“Faugheen, favourite in the Neptune Novices’ Hurdle, has all the hallmarks of an Irish banker and after Vantour and Quevega yesterday they’ll definitely be getting stuck into Willie Mullins’ charge.
“To set us off on the right foot we’d like to get Faugheen beat.”
On the strength of the RSA Chase field….
“Ballycasey is representing the Mullins and Walsh combination in the RSA Chase and customers will be looking to back him for success but having said that we believe this race looks a good class event.
“The race looks extremely wide open with a number of excellent value contenders in the 15-runner field.
“If you want to take on the favourite in this Grade 1 contest then there is plenty of value around.”
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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