Hobbs can earn Brownie points

UP THE ANTE CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL SPECIAL

THE Cheltenham Festival is almost upon us so tonight I’m looking at the races coming up on Thursday and Friday.

Most bookmakers are going non-runner, no-bet on every race and our man has attempted to identify horses with sound each-way chances which could start at significantly shorter prices than they are currently trading at.

Some will not be his final selections next week, but as this is a price-orientated column only a few need to be placed or a couple win to produce a significant profit on the week.

THURSDAY

Jewson Novices’ Handicap Chase: Chapoturgeon (8-1) heads the market following his easy Doncaster win, but may be better on a flat track.

Naiad Du Misselot (10-1) will bid to follow up his Coral Cup victory of a year ago and is likely to be thereabouts, but Kia Kaha (12-1, general) has been progressive this season and the handicapper looks to have given him a chance.

Pertemps Handicap Hurdle: Lots in with a chance, including the well-handicapped Buena Vista (10-1), who has excellent Festival form and will be primed to run a big race.

Philip Hobbs has high hopes for Ballydub (10-1), but has another string to his bow in improving novice Barnhill Brownie, who has won two of his three hurdles, has courage to match his talent and gets in this race with a low weight. He has each-way prospects at 20-1 (Sporting Bet).

Ryanair Chase: The admirable Voy Por Ustedes dominates the market at 6-4 and, with two Festival wins already under his belt, is obviously the one to beat.

I can’t see his price contracting, however, and a better ante-post bet may be Imperial Commander, who can be backed each-way at 7-1 (general) and would have sound prospects if able to reproduce the form which saw him land the Paddy Power Gold Cup over the course and distance in November.

Ladbrokes World Hurdle: Kasbah Bliss (6-5) is many people’s idea of the banker of the meeting and could well hose up from his main rivals Punchestowns (9-2) and Big Buck’s (6-1).

However, an outsider could sneak into a place and, with Nigel Twiston-Davies’ team showing signs of a revival, his promising Pettifour is overpriced at 66-1 with Bet365. Tazbar (33-1, general) is another who could shake up the principals.

Freddie Williams Festival Plate: Many entries in this race have several engagements at the Festival, so finding a potential winner is a tough ask.

However, Ferdy Murphy is always a man to be feared at this meeting and his Three Mirrors (12-1, Ladbrokes) has decent course form which suggests he could be involved in the finish of this chase, especially if a recent breathing operation has been a success.

Kim Muir Chase: It doesn’t get any easier on day three of the meeting, so if you find the winner of this three-mile chase for amateurs, good luck to you.

“Plot” trainer Tony Martin has several entries and the best of them could be Aggies Lad, who was going well when falling two fences from home in a similar race under Nina Carberry at the Paddy Power meeting. He is a best-priced 12-1 with Ladbrokes.

FRIDAY

Triumph Hurdle: A race to savour and one which could throw up one or more future Champion Hurdle candidates. Zaynar (5-1), Walkon (5-1), Master of Arts (6-1) and Starluck (7-1) are all strongly fancied by their connections and it’s hard to see past this quartet.

There is little ante-post value, but I will be backing Walkon on the day of the race.

Vincent O’Brien County Hurdle: The fast-finishing Psycho should have won this last year and has obvious claims again this time at around 10-1, assuming he runs in this instead of the Coral Cup.

In a wide-open race, the improving Sunnyhillboy appeals as much as anything at Ladbrokes’ stand-out 16-1.

Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle: Many of the entries for this three-miler are also engaged in the Ballymore Hurdle, so it’s very much a guessing game.

Bensalem is a worthy favourite at 5-1, but there may be better value in backing Tarablaze (16-1, general) each-way following two wins at Haydock which saw him run green after cruising to the front. There is surely more to come.

totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup: Reigning champion Denman has drifted to 7-1 following his Kempton comeback flop, leaving Kauto Star (15-8) at the head of the market.

History suggests steeplechasers don’t regain the Gold Cup crown, so I am happy to take on the great horse, along with Denman and Paul Nicholls’ other big hope, Neptune Collonges (6-1).

At the current prices and in the anticipation of decent ground by the end of next week, Albertas Run (20-1 with William Hill) looks the value each-way choice to make a bold bid to follow up last year’s SunAlliance Chase success.

Christies Foxhunters Chase: Amicelli won this in great style last year and is a 9-1 shot to repeat that success. Several leading trainers have entered former top handicappers, but I like to back the new kids on the block in this race and crackerjack pointer Cappa Bleu, 6-1 with Ladbrokes, could have the legs of this lot.

Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys Hurdle: A contest which contains more entries than any other race at the meeting.

Not surprisingly, Martin’s son David has 25 in this and although the stable’s Mamlook (7-1) heads the betting, the unbeaten and progressive Great Endeavour may represent better each-way value at 14-1 with Corals and William Hill.

Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase: Run in memory of Nicky’s father, so it is no surprise that the top Lambourn trainer usually saddles a well-fancied runner.

My Petra went close for Henderson last year and is entered again, but French Opera is likely to carry the flag this time and heads the market at 7-1 (general).

Paul Nicholls has entered five capable two-mile chasers, so watch out for whichever the champion trainer relies on.