Ross takes a look at this year's Festival favourites.(credit:
CharlesFred)
There are an unusual number of short-priced favourites heading into this year's Cheltenham festival and victory for all of the half dozen horses below would be disastrous for bookmakers, but they can't all win - can they?
Dunguib - Supreme Novices' Hurdle (best price 2.00 on Betfair)
Positives - Has hardly come off the bridle to land his first four starts over hurdles, posting some decent times in the process, and last season's impressive wins in the Cheltenham (the form of which has worked out really well) and Punchestown bumpers prove he can cope with the hustle and bustle of a large field.
Negatives - His jumping has been far from fluent and was particularly sloppy last time out at Punchestown, convincing connections to go for this race instead of the Champion Hurdle. That said, the likely strong pace at Cheltenham will be in his favour. Looking to become only the second horse to complete the Bumper-Supreme double and he is older than the typical winner (one winning seven-year-old in the past 10 runnings).
Verdict: BANKER and massive value at evens on Betfair.
Rite Of Passage - Neptune Novices' Hurdle (best price 7/2 Paddy Power)
Positives - A class act on the flat and has done nothing wrong in his two runs over hurdles, winning at Leopardstown and Punchestown, beating a useful yardstick in Healys Bar last time. Gives the impression he will be suited to this stiffer test.
Negatives - Didn't seem to handle the undulations of Cheltenham as well as some of the other horses in last season's Champion Bumper, although he still finished third to the brilliant Dunguib. His trainer Dermot Weld has not trained a winner at the festival since Rare Holiday in the Triumph Hurdle 20 years ago.
Verdict: BANKER although he's no value at around the 3/1 mark.
Master Minded - Champion Chase (best price 5/6 Sportingbet)
Positives - Has won this race for the last two years and looked right back to his best when winning last month's Game Spirit Chase at Newbury in breathtaking style bar a near-calamitous error at the last.
Negatives - Didn't beat much of note last time and has never quite reproduced his spectacular performance when winning here in 2008 in seven subsequent runs. Drying ground would suit his main rival, Kalahari King
Verdict: BLOWOUT and worth backing Kalahari King to beat him at 5/1 with bet365, who are non-runner-no-bet and best odds guaranteed - a terrific offer.
Big Buck's - World Hurdle (best price 8/13 NRNB & BOG bet365)
Positives - Defending champion and unbeaten in six outings since returning to hurdling, including when beating a good field in the Long Walk Hurdle last time out.
Negatives - Difficult to pick holes in his form and only really heavy ground, which was nearly his undoing last time, would be a worry. Does tend to hit a flat spot during his races, though, before staying on strongly.
Verdict: BANKER although some exchange punters might want to wait for a bigger price in-running.
Kauto Star - Gold Cup (best price 4/5 William Hill)
Positives - Twice a winner of this race and looked as good as ever when winning a fourth King George in December. Has around 11lb in hand of his nearest rival, Denman, if reproducing that form and arrives here a fresh horse, which is the key to him these days.
Negatives - With his jumping an issue of the past he has no chinks in his armour.
Verdict: BANKER unless the ground came up really soft - unlikely.
Quevega - Mares' Hurdle (best price 11/8 William Hill)
Positives - Won the race last year in spectacular fashion, landing some hefty bets in the process, and has been trained specifically for this race again
Negatives - Not seen out since last May and has endured a troubled preparation. Plus, the opposition is going to be stronger this time.
Verdict: BLOWOUT and punters should look for something to beat her, with Voler La Vedette looking the biggest danger at 5/2 (Skybet).