Cheltenham Festival Betting 2014

Champion Hurdle

Hurricane Fly is 11/2 (Stan James) to defend his title, but he will be 10-years-old next year and looks vulnerable to the new generation. Our Conor is 5/1 (Bet365) favourite after his demolition job in the Triumph Hurdle, The New One is 8/1 (Bet365) after victory in a strong Neptune and My Tent Our Yours (10/1 Stan James) was a good second in the Supreme. 

Verdict: Our Conor was visually impressive in the Triumph but he is still very young. My Tent Our Yours was touted as a potential Champion Hurdler this year and lost little in defeat in the Supreme, he is overpriced at 10/1.

Champion Chase

Sprinter Sacre is 4/7 (Paddy Power) to retain his title and although that offers very little value for a 12-month wait, he is difficult to oppose. In all probability, Simonsig and Cue Card will be campaigned away for Sprinter Sacre, leaving meaningful opposition thin on the ground.

Verdict: Sprinter Sacre will scare away the opposition and should retain the title but is no sort of price.

World Hurdle

Big Buck’s is 4/1 (William Hill) to win the World Hurdle but he won’t run again until next year’s Festival, therefore it’s hard to judge his level of performance. He’s not getting any younger.

Solwhit is 12/1 (Boylesports) to retain his title but otherwise the betting is wide open, with the likes of At Fishers Cross, The New One and Countrywide Flame all prominent in the betting.

Verdict: A confused market that is bound to change next season. Smad Place finished third again in the World Hurdle despite a difficult season, racing on ground that doesn’t suit him. He is young enough to improve and 25/1 (Stan James) would look big if he got better ground. 

Gold Cup

It was a changing of the guard. Bobs Worth now unbeaten in five visits to Cheltenham is 7/2 (William Hill) to retain his title. Sir Des Champs and Silviniaco Conti should be his big rivals again next year. Of the rest could Cue Card could make the step up in trip at 25/1 (Bet365), he was impressive in the Ryanair and that price would contract if he won the King George.