The final race of the day is for amateur jockeys, and while a field of seven is not as attractive as some on this card it’s still a race worth looking at for punters. Last year’s winner Gaillard Du Mesnil gave Willie Mullins another victory at the Festival, and that horse potentially goes for the Gold Cup on Friday.
Willie Mullins saddles Embassy Gardens for this year’s edition, and the fitting of a hood may help add to his chasing successes. 2/1 is a short price, and only Emmet Mullins Corbetts Cross is offered at lower- currently 15/8.
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The latter was brought down when looking strong at Fairyhouse recently and the fight should be between these two. Gordon Elliot enters Salvador Ziggy, and we advise ignoring the recent poor effort in the USA, and another who should be thereabouts is Apple Away, trained by Lucinda Russell and worth a punt at 17/2.
That Mr Vango is the highest priced runner at 18/1 says a lot about this field, and Sara Bradstock’s runner is certainly not ruled out for a place.
An interesting finale to a Champions Day offering a selection of attractive races that will set the scene for the rest of the week.
I’m interested in the Gordon Elliott mob here, particularly Salvador Ziggy, who has three wins and one place to his name over fences, which is quite appealing given that he’s only run in four chase races.
The eight-year-old was sent to the US for the Grand National there back in October, but hasn’t been seen since. I’m not too put off by that, as he ran very well at Listowel before that, while he isn’t without Cheltenham form either, finishing second (of 23) in the Pertemps at the festival last season.
It’s also worth noting that each of the last three winners of this race have come from the top two in the ratings. Salvador Ziggy is the highest rated runner ahead of this season’s renewals and at best odds of 5/1, I’m betting on him to confirm that.
Best Bet – Salvador Ziggy @ 5/1 (Bet365, NRNB)
Previous Update:
With last year’s winner of the National Hunt Chase – the prolific Gaillard du Mesnil – down as a potential Gold Cup entrant this season the field is wide open for the 2024 edition of what is always an interesting race.
Ante post prices have the Mullin’s yards Embassy Gardens at 2/1 favourite following an impressive 10 length victory at Naas last time out. This horse is also entered in the Brown Advisory Novices Chase on the Wednesday of the Festival yet it is our belief this race we be the trainer’s choice.
Day 1 Cheltenham featured races quick links:
- 13:30 Supreme Novices Hurdle Tips
- 14:10 Arkle Challenge Trophy Tips
- 14:50 Ultima Handicap Tips
- 15:30 Champion Hurdle Tips
- 16:10 Mares Hurdle Tips
- 16:50 Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle Tips
- 17:30 National Hunt Chase
The always popular Flooring Porter is no frequent visitor to the winner’s circle these days but looks interesting at 7/1, and Nick Rockett has been in decent form for Willie Mullins of late and should be one for the notebook.
This is potentially an interesting competition with a lot going on and is difficult to call, yet the favourite certainty justifies that position in the betting. Keep a close eye on the market as we near the start of the festival as there may be a few suprises in the lower ranks in this race that could add to the interest. For now, we’re going with Embassy Gardens.