It is hard to believe we’re heading into the final day of the Festival already as the week has flown in as usual.
The crowds have been down so far this week, which is great for those at the track as there is so much more room.
Cheltenham must reduce prices if they want to get the crowds back and should also allow some cash to be spent in the bars and food outlets.
I witnessed a couple of payment system failures this week, and it really is unnecessary.
The thrill of celebrating a winner is really diluted when you cannot splash the cash.
Unfortunately, Crambo couldn’t do the business for my ante-post bet in the Stayers’ Hurdle, but a friend of mine had a good ante-post flutter on the winner Teahupoo.
The price of Sir Gino, favourite for the Triumph Hurdle since his impressive win here in January, has fluctuated wildly all week, and it came as no big surprise that he was pulled out of the traditional Friday opener by trainer Nicky Henderson, who is having an awful week as sickness has taken over his yard.
That leaves the door open for Majborough, owned by legendary punter and owner JP McManus and trained by Willie Mullins, who has saddled three out of the last four winners of this.
He won’t be a great price, but should get punters off to a winning start on the final afternoon.
I have already advised readers of my County Hurdle escapades and see no reason to desert Dan Skelton’s L’eau De Sud now. I backed him last week at 10/1 and he is shorter now, vying for favouritism with King Of Kingsfield.
The stable is keeping the flag flying for the home team, having had two winners on Wednesday and two more on day three.
The Albert Bartlett is the bookies’ benefit race at the Festival. The average price of the last 10 winners is over 20/1, with only one being a single-figure price in that time.
I will punt accordingly, and a couple of small each-way bets on a pair of outsiders, The Jukebox Man and Butcher Hollow, will be the play
This is not a handicap so bookies are only obliged to pay three places, but shop around as many will go at least four, although on past results getting one in the first 10 is an achievement.
And so to the Gold Cup. The hardest race of the season to win. Galopin Des Champs has been favourite since winning last year and if the race was at Leopardstown he would be an absolute certainty.
I don’t think I will get overly involved as there is a nagging doubt about any horse’s ability to run well again in the Gold Cup.
I read a stat during the week that Kauto Star and Denman, the two best horses of this century, ran in a total of 10 Gold Cups between them and won only three. A race to watch for me, I think.
The Martin Pipe Handicap which closes the Festival is likely to feature one of the biggest gambles of the season, never mind the meeting, in Quai De Bourbon.
Trained by Willie Mullins who dominated the first couple of days, he is the horse everyone seems to want to back. He is around a 3/1 shot but likely to go off much shorter. I would advise you to take an early morning price on a ‘best odds guaranteed’ basis if you can get it.
I hope you have enjoyed the week, I certainly have. Have a great St Patrick’ s day and weekend. And let’s hope Rory wins The Masters.
Happy punting,
Archie
