So what are your bankers of the week at the Cheltenham Festival?
Many punters enjoy placing multiples – bets featuring several horses across several days – at the Cheltenham Festival.
Here are five “bankers” to keep on the side and build your Festival multiples around…
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Old Park Star: Supreme Novices’ Hurdle
Old Park Star heads the market for the curtain-raiser and is likely to be a hugely popular choice as punters look to get off to a fast start on Tuesday. At around 7/4, he’s earned favouritism on what we’ve seen so far.
However, there’s a layer of uncertainty beneath the surface. Both Mighty Park and Talk The Talk, currently next in the betting, still have the option of switching to the Turners, which would strengthen Old Park Star’s claims considerably if they do defect.
He’s the most likely winner on paper right now, but this market could shift once targets are confirmed. At 7/4, he doesn’t scream “banker” just yet.
Lulamba: Arkle
The Arkle also sees Nicky Henderson represented at the head of the market, with Lulamba trading around 13/8 for the opening Grade 1 chase of the week.
He made a big impression on his latest start, his first in open company, and arrives with momentum. Add to that the doubts surrounding Kopek Des Bordes, who has had just one run over fences this season, and the uncertainty over Romeo Coolio’s participation and ideal trip, and Lulamba does shape as the most solid option in the race.
If you’re looking for a Day One “safer” play, he makes more appeal than most.
The New Lion: Champion Hurdle
With Constitution Hill now out of the picture over hurdles, The New Lion has shortened into around 2/1 for Tuesday’s Champion Hurdle.
Lossiemouth appears more likely to head to the Mares’ Hurdle, while Brighterdaysahead still has something to prove around Cheltenham. That leaves The New Lion as the market leader, but not necessarily an untouchable one.
He’s progressive and professional, yet he hasn’t produced a performance that completely blows the division apart. At a short price in a race that can still evolve, he’s opposable if you’re hunting value.
Majborough: Champion Chase
Majborough’s Dublin Racing Festival win was electric. If he reproduces that level in the Champion Chase, he could easily take top honours.
The concern is his tendency to make the odd significant mistake. Cheltenham’s fences are unforgiving, and a single lapse at the wrong time can end the contest. At around 6/4, he’s short enough given that element of risk.
There’s no doubting the ability, but there’s just enough fragility to make punters think twice.
Bambino Fever: Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle
Last year’s Champion Bumper heroine Bambino Fever sits at roughly 11/10 for the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle and represents the powerful Willie Mullins operation.
She’s clearly talented, but she has already been beaten this season by Outschool Outlaw, the current second favourite. While there were contextual factors in that defeat, it does mean she’s not bombproof.
At odds-on, she’s another favourite who could be vulnerable if things don’t fall perfectly.
Fact To File: Ryanair Chase / Gold Cup
Fact To File remains one of the most intriguing names of the week, with his final target still undecided between the Ryanair Chase and the Gold Cup.
Should he head back to the Ryanair in defence of last season’s crown, he’d be extremely hard to oppose at around 4/7. In that scenario, he’d look the closest thing to a Festival banker among the headline horses.
If connections roll the dice in the Gold Cup instead, it becomes a very different conversation, and a much deeper race.