Cheltenham Festival – Chat’s Arkle & Mares’ Hurdle Preview
RACING POST ARKLE CHASE:
On the face of it this is the least competitive renewal of the Arkle that I will have seen. If DOUVAN gets round then he wins, simple as that!
Willie Mullins says he is probably the best horse he has ever trained and connections believe that he could win the Champion Chase this year if they had so wished. It’s likely there will be seven runners or less as DOUVAN looks to have scared off the opposition.
If anything untoward was to happen in the race then VANITEUX is the one most likely to pick up the pieces, I can’t recommend having a bet on him as a lame insurance policy.
If you are someone who likes to have a bet in every race then the market without Douvan is probably the way to go but for me, this is a no bet race, sit back and enjoy an equine superstar.
Recommendation:
NO BET
OLBG MARES’ HURDLE:
VROUM VROUM MAG remains undefeated since joining Willie Mullins and is eight from eight combining hurdles and fences. In those races, the longest price she has returned is 4/6.
She is by far the likeliest winner of the race but is priced up on the back of being in the same ownership and stable as Annie Power. This will be the toughest race she has contested up against some battle hardened mares.
At a best priced 11/10 and odds-on in places, in my opinion, she is far too short.
I’m going against her with a tough mare of Harry Fry’s, BITOFAPUZZLE was a close-up 3rd in this last year when only half a length covered the front three at the line.
She has been rerouted here after after a couple of below-par efforts over fences, a strong traveller who can dig deep BITOFAPUZZLE went on from this race last year and won her Grade One at Fairyhouse.
There’s a chance she has more to come over hurdles, if that’s the case then she might be able to give the favourite something to think about.
Recommendation:
BITOFAPUZZLE – 14/1 E/W (Boylesports)