Racingbase takes a look at the 2010 Cheltenham Festival.(credit:
Will Palmer)
In the second installment of his Cheltenham 2010 ante-post view, Racingbase weighs up the merits of some of the big names in jump racing before making his pick for what could be the greatest Gold Cup of all.
Ryanair Chase
With Imperial Commander likely to take in the Gold Cup this looks a two-way play between Poquelin and Tranquil Sea. On quick ground the former looks the wager, anything softer and the Irish raider would be readily preferred.
Advice: Wait until the week of the race before a wager depending on the ground.
RSA Chase
Pandorama could be a liability on good to soft ground or quicker at Cheltenham and is a definite lay in my book, while Mighty Man is no certainty to get to the novice stayers showpiece fit and well. Nicky Henderson will almost certainly run both Punchestowns and Long Run and the former's better jumping technique could be the difference.
Advice: Win bet at 6.2 on Punchestowns.
World Hurdle
It was at this time last year that I backed Big Bucks at 20/1 for the stayers crown and it proved a quality ante-post view. There are no such fancy prices now about this bull of a horse.
Advice: No bet
Gold Cup
Can it really be as clear cut as the ground making the difference between a Denman or a Kauto Star success? Sometimes we tend to overlook the obvious in racing looking deeper into the conundrum than we need to. Kauto Star was awesome last year and in the King George and if he turns up in the same sort of form in March he will surely slay Denman again, regardless of the ground.
The difference between the stable-mates is that Kauto acts on all types of going but Denman is markedly better with plenty of dig.
Advice: Kauto Star win bet at 2.62
To bet on any of the 2010 Cheltenham antepost markets, follow this link to Betfair now and find out how to get a free bet on the action.