Preview – Cheltenham Festival peak of horse racing year

Cheltenham preview

On Tuesday 11 March 2014 one of the highlights of the horse racing calendar will kick off, with the 2014 Cheltenham Festival set to thrill casual racing fans and hardcore followers alike. The festival includes some of the best and most competitive jumps racing of the entire season, with some of the world’s most famous racehorses set to go head to head over the four days of the festival following regional qualifiers around the country including Musselburgh.

Day One

The first day of the festival will set the tone for the rest of the week, with some of the most popular races taking place. The very first race of the festival is the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, which will feature some future stars of hurdling. With up to date odds available at cheltenham.coral.co.uk/, Vautour just shades favouritism at 8/1. He is closely followed in the betting by Irving and The Tullow Tank, both available at 10/1.

The second race of the first day is the popular Arkle Chase, and Champagne Fever is a warm favourite at 4/1. However, the favourites have not usually fared well in this race, making Felix Yonger (7/1), Dodging Bullets (7/1) and Defy Logic (8/1) appealing.

The main event of the first day is the Champion Hurdle, and a popular winner would be Hurricane Fly, going for his third win in the event. He is currently a slight second favourite at 10/3, with The New One leading the market at 3/1. These two are closely followed at 4/1 by My Tent Or Yours.

Day Two

Race goers hoping to see a big name could do a lot worse than attending day two of the festival, with Sprinter Sacre set to race in the Queen Mother Champion Chase. Although he suffered a setback in December, the superstar horse looks set to run and, at odds of 4/5, is a hot favourite to win.

Day Three

Cue Card will be looking to repeat his success in last year’s Ryanair Chase, and is a 3/1 favourite to do so. Benefficient (6/1) and Al Ferof (7/1) look the bookies’ best options of stopping the favourite.

The main event of the third day will see Big Buck’s go for his fifth World Hurdle victory in the last six years. He is a 7/4 favourite to take the victory, with Annie Power (7/2) hoping to cause an upset.

Day Four

The final day of the festival will feature the Cheltenham Gold Cup, won last year by Bobs Worth. Last year’s champion is favourite to repeat his success this time out, available at 2/1, however, Silviniaco Conti, at 7/2, could provide a stern test.

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