Cheltenham Lucky 15: Harry and Du Seuil feature in pre-Festival punt
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You don’t need us to remind you that the Cheltenham Festival is now just a matter of days away. And with the countdown well and truly on we’ve been busy putting together a marvellous multiple that’ll have you gripped throughout the betting bonanza at Prestbury Park.
From the Champion Hurdle on the Tuesday to the Triumph Hurdle on Friday 17 March, we’ve picked a selection for each day of the Festival.
So, if you’re looking to have a punt that’ll deliver plenty of bang for your buck then read on.
Here’s our Cheltenham Festival Lucky 15…
To kick things off, we’re predicting a sixth Champion Hurdle win for trainer Nicky Henderson in the first Championship race of the Festival.
As well as being very much welcome here at Ladbrokes News, a Buveur D’Air success would rank as an incredible story in its own right.
The decision to switch the JP McManus-owned entrant back to the smaller obstacles led to Buveur D’Air successfully taking aim at the Contenders Hurdle last month.
And while he didn’t face the strongest of opposition that day at Sandown, you can’t fault the way Henderson’s horse took to the task and brushed aside his rivals.
Bookmakers up and down the land are also in agreement with our selection now favourite to take this year’s hurdling crown.
As is tradition, Willie Mullins is once again set to hold a strong hand in this contest with Carter Mckay heading a five-strong team.
However, rather than side with a trainer searching for a ninth renewal success, we’re backing a man looking for a maiden victory in this contest.
Step forward, Nicky Henderson and Daphne Du Clos.
She ran out a winner on debut in France before narrowly being touched off in a sharp spin around Cheltenham on New Year’s Day.
However, the talented four-year-old was hampered on that occasion and her subsequent three-and-a-quarter-length victory at Newbury has done more than enough to convince us of her leading claims.
Last season’s Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle winner Unowhatimeanharry is many people’s banker of this year’s Festival and we’re jumping onboard while he’s still available at a backable price.
The Harry Fry-trained charge has continued to go from strength-to-strength with victories in the Long Distance Hurdle, Long Walk Hurdle and the Cleeve Hurdle bringing up eight straight successes.
All of the momentum is with our Harry and we’re not about to oppose his latest bid for glory.
Having won six races on the bounce, including three key trials over course and distance, Defi Du Seuil is the one to be on in the Triumph.
The Philip Hobbs-trained fancy secured a facile nine-length success on his last outing in Gloucestershire.
And even when putting in a sticky round of jumping at Chepstow, this talented four-year-old still bolted up by 13 lengths on his penultimate run.
Granted, there are a few kinks to his game but you can’t doubt his natural ability and will to win.
Like the look of our Lucky 15? A £1 stake (total bet is £15) currently returns £557!
Click here for the latest Cheltenham Festival odds.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
