Top Cheltenham tipster picks out a super Supreme longshot
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If you’re having a punt on the four-day extravaganza at Prestbury Park then you’d better listen up. I’m the best in the business and I’m ready to clean up at this year’s Cheltenham Festival.
I’m Barry The Scoop and I’ve been terrorising the bookies for as long as I can remember.
Want to know my hot tips for the opening day?
Here are my best bets, exclusively for Ladbrokes News readers…
At one point, it looked as though the Irish would be without a hype horse in this year’s Supreme. At least, that’s how it appeared until the end of January.
On a cold Sunday at Leopardstown, Ruby cruised to a 10 length victory on Melon and gave the Mullins militia something to get stuck into on day one.
The nature of the victory was impressive and it wouldn’t surprise me if he turns out to be a top horse.
But I’m not willing to find out at the prices. Everything he had behind that day has been smashed up since and I question why they haven’t got another run into him.
Each of the last 15 winners had between two and six runs before heading to the Festival and when the Roar sounds over Cheltenham we could see that inexperience come to the fore.
There’s nothing in here that really excites me so I’m going to take a chance on one at a massive price.
Colin Tizzard’s string has been blighted by injury but Pingshou looks a great each-way bet. He won a nice race at Cheltenham back in December with William Henry back in second, who has since franked that form.
Following that, he looked to have every chance before hitting the last in the Neptune Trial and I think the drop back in trip will suit.
He could well be a horse for next year but 50/1 is too good to turn down.
It’s a wide open race this year and Yanworth looks likely to go off favourite. Last year’s Neptune runner-up has been in good form with three wins on the spin but 5/2 looks skinny about a horse that has had to work really hard to beat Ch’tibello and Lil Rockerfeller this year.
He’s not the only one you can pick holes in. Buveur D’Air would like it soft, Brain Power has been running in handicaps and Moon Racer is a novice.
I was struggling for a selection in this then as I was looking through the card when I noticed the names Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh followed by the numbers 20/1. Yes, the same jockey and trainer duo who have won four of the last six Champion Hurdles.
I’m sure they would have supplemented something for this race if they didn’t feel they had a live chance and the form of Footpad is pretty decent.
Last year’s Triumph third won a Grade 1 in France over the summer and was given a really unenterprising run behind Petit Mouchoir in the Irish Champion Hurdle.
I think connections think they’ve got the beating of him and who am I to argue with them. Lump on.
Nicky Henderson looks set for a prosperous opening day with Altior all but nailed on for the Arkle but don’t bank on that being his only success.
Beware the Bear has justified favouritism on both starts this term and has been kept nice and fresh since his win at Newbury.
There’s a touch of class about this horse and in Sam Waley-Cohen he’s got one of the best amateur jockeys around on his back. The Grand National might be the long-term goal with this one but he can go very well here.
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All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
