Cheltenham Betting Preview

2:30 Cheltenham Spinal Research The Atlantic 4 Gold Cup (Grade 3) Cl1 2m5f
Paddy Power winner Great Endeavour is looking to take another valuable handicap at Cheltenham and is 8/1 with Boylesports. Runner-up in the race last year he certainly has conditions to suit. He didn’t stay the extra furlongs of the Hennessy so the drop back in trip is entirely logical. The one negative is that he has gone up 10lbs in the handicap since that Paddy Power win.

The first three from the Paddy Power reconvene and the bookmakers can barely split them. Runner-up Quantitativeeasing is 8/1 (Bet365) in the betting, whilst the third horse Divers is also 8/1 with Bet365. The drying ground might suit Divers most but it is very hard to split them.

Selection: Our tipster has other ideas with Tatenen 25/1 with Boylesports (read his thoughts here)

3:05 Cheltenham International Hurdle Grade 2 Cl1 2m1f
The day’s big race and a fascinating renewal where several have strong credentials. Last year’s winner Menorah (7/2 with Bet365) is back for more. After unseating on his chasing debut he reverts to hurdling at his favourite venue. His record over course and distance is 1115. That defeat came in the Champion Hurdle so he has to be respected.

Grandouet edges favouritism at 10/3 (Sportingbet) and only four-years-old all he can do is improve. He looked a likely winner on his seasonal debut until falling two out. He put things right with a facile win at Haydock but this is a much stiffer test. We will know more about him after this run and therefore at the current prices doesn’t attract.

Overturn (7/2 with Betfred) might be considered a flat track bully but after two grade wins this term he is becoming a top class hurdler. He finished behind Menorah in the Champion Hurdler but couldn’t arrive in better form.

Brampour (13/2 with Bet365) scythed through the field to win the Greatwood Hurdle in fine style. In the process he recorded a TopSpeed rating that only Overturn has matched this season. His strong closing style is probably suited more to Cheltenham than Overturn’s front running tactics.

Selection: Brampour at 13/2 with Bet365

3:35 Cheltenham Relkeel Hurdle Grade 2 Cl1 2m4f110y
It is debatable whether Oscar Whiskey (4/7 with Bet365) was going to win at Ascot, but he would have got close to Overturn if he hadn’t fallen at the last. Before the blunder he had looked as good as ever. Remember this horse finished third in the Champion Hurdle and has won 7 out of 10 starts - he is a classy performer.

On ratings Any Given Day (6/1 with Victor Chandler) looks the biggest threat and that will probably turn out to be the case. He carried a big weight to victory on his seasonal reappearance but has always come up short at grade level (0-8). He finished behind Oscar Whiskey on New Year’s Day and is unlikely to turn around the form.

Selection: Oscar Whiskey at 4/7 with Bet365