William Hill's decision to offer odds from month's onset for all Festival races introduces new excitement, especially for followers of multi-race entries like Blue Lord.
This week marks the unveiling of entrants for three Championship races at the illustrious Cheltenham Festival in March, sparking interest in evaluating both the confirmed participants and notable omissions at this preliminary registration phase.
Moreover, the strategic move by William Hill to initiate actions from the start of this month for all festival races is adding an intriguing angle to the betting markets, especially for enthusiasts wagering on horses like Blue Lord, who is poised for multiple races. Non Runner No Bet The absence of the contender Shishkin in the two-mile chase is the most stirring revelation following the release of entries for what is arguably the week's feature race.
Nicky Henderson’s prodigy, who was practically invincible during his novice phase in the 2020/21 term, was predicted to be a standout contender heading into last year's competition.
Unexpectedly, the gelding didn’t cope well with soft terrain this time, despite having triumphed in similar conditions earlier in the season, contributing to an unexpectedly underwhelming performance.
This season, the gelding faced a substantial setback against the previous Arkle Trophy victor Edwardstone at Sandown’s Tingle Creek, making the absence from the year's premier two-mile contest somewhat surprising as connections contemplate their strategy.
Though Edwardstone faced a hiccup with an early fall in the Desert Orchid at Kempton, his prior nine-length victory in the Tinkle Creek was impressive.
Alan King’s athlete shows promising course credentials and comes from a stable well-versed in winning such events, with the Kayf Tara gelding being the prime choice among domestic options, ensuring his position as the second favorite in the current market at 11/4.
Despite Gary Moore’s Editeur Du Gite not possessing the form strength of top competitors, his front-running show in the Desert Orchid was striking, though replicating such successes in Grade 1 circumstances remains uncertain given his history of handicaps.
Standing as a 25/1 prospect, some analogy is drawn between him and the previous Moore wonder Sire De Grugy, who also claimed this distinction for the same team.
Nube Negra , currently at 33/1, showed prowess in November's Shloer Chase here, but failed to make the most of Edwardstone’s early mishap in the Desert Orchid and serves as Dan Skelton's sole representative.
Energumene , saddled by Willie Mullins, has faced defeat only from Shishkin at Ascot to date, yet excelled winning this race last year and a subsequent Punchestown follow-up, ensuring his strong start this season with justified favoritism at Cork.
His impressive fence record keeps him as the prime target with 8/11 odds from many betting houses, including BetVictor.
Reflecting a recurring trend of strong representations, Willie Mullins holds a reliable hand here featuring Blue Lord at a best of 7/1 for a prestigious Christmas performance at Leopardstown, and the seasoned Chacun Pour Soi at 33/1 as a robust third choice. Boylesports .
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Among those, a crucial entry is Shishkin at 7/1, potentially extending his range to engage in this race, alongside Blue Lord who is also set for the Champion Chase.
There were 27 entries made for the Ryanair Chase Allaho at 7/4, two-times winner of this challenge, carried his momentum with a triumph at the Punchestown Gold Cup over three miles this past April.
He’s yet to debut this cycle after a November setback postponed his spell at Kempton’s Christmas meet, making his solitary Cheltenham engagement even more striking as a potential history-maker with three Ryanair Chases.
Blue Lord , similarly lined up for the Champion Chase, maintains an 85% win rate, and currently sits as the second-rated contender at 6/1. Despite focusing mostly on minimal distances, he bagged a Grade 2 at Clonmel last November.
Fellow Stattler at 16/1, winner of last year's National Hunt Challenge Cup, recently missed taking Minella Indo by just a neck.
A logical path emerges for this eight-year-old.
Fakir d’Oudairies at 10/1 looks strong in giving Ireland another triumph in this event, having trailed Galopin Des Champs (at 14/1) over Punchestown's two-and-a-half-mile course last month. Cheltenham Gold Cup Without Shishkin , the home roster appears slim, with Eldorado Allen at 28/1 being the standout UK runner.
Joe Tizzard's trainee, often favored in enduring challenges, had been prioritized towards longer routes this season, following a third-place finish here last year.
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As the climax of the week, Friday's highlight has 27 entries led by Willie Mullins’ Galopin des Champs positioned as the favorite at 7/4.
The seven-year-old has shown brilliance in his five outings over obstacles, and although a fall thwarted a likely Turners win last Festival, he hasn’t extended over three miles yet.
However, that may shift with the upcoming Dublin Racing Festival – his stamina, till then, remains speculative.
Re-entry for long-absent stablemate Monkfish , off since his runner-up at Punchestown April 2021, is intriguing.
As a novice star, he claimed victory in the Brown Advisory here two years prior.
His presence catches interest, though winning after nearly two years away would require phenomenal preparation.
Last year's Brown Advisory victor L’Homme Presse at 7/1 had a hiccup with his King George exit last month.
Despite his unlikely triumph over Bravemansgame (9/1) then, he boasts two Cheltenham wins as a novice, contrasting with Paul Nicholls’ charge, unacquainted with the track's contours.
A likely headline for Bravemansgame here, though there's still a window to gain track familiarity with an upcoming Trials Day.
Dan Skelton’s Protektorat at 9/1 showed gains from respiratory tweaks, enhancing a striking eleven-length win in Haydock's Betfair Chase in November.
After placing third in this race last year, his endurance was tested. How he'll fare this round is to be monitored.
A Plus Tard at 8/1, noted for his dominant fifteen-length win here in 2022, fell short in the previously cited Betfair Chase but holds substantially more talent than that day suggested.
Minella Indo at 20/1, a winner two years back and runner-up last year, enters veteran stages at ten but remains potent, proven by his Tramore victory this month.
Dublin Racing Festival likely beckons, marking him as a notable Irish entry.
Grand National victor Noble Yeats at 10/1 continues to evolve at eight and, overcoming a pulled-up finish in October, has impressed twice since, notably in Aintree’s Many Clouds contest.
Emmet Mullins’ horse showcases ample stamina and, despite needing improvements, caution should be exercised discounting him.
Hewick at 25/1 has voyaged anew, notably with Shark Hanlon’s charge clinching a Grade 1 at America's Far Hills in October.
Yet off since this progressive horse still has a ways to match his hurdles form over fences, despite commendable progress, marking his latest UK track win in Sandown’s Bet365 Gold Cup last April.
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William Hill's decision to offer odds from month's onset for all Festival races introduces new excitement, especially for followers of multi-race entries like Blue Lord.
Day two's key event is mired in curiosity, notably due to the absence of Shishkin, a pivotal figure in the two-mile chase scene.
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The gelding didn't handle the heavy going, despite prior triumphs on similar terrain and his Arkle Trophy success, ultimately explaining his disappointing performance.
This time around, Shishkin was overshadowed by Edwardstone in Sandown's Tingle Creek, marking a surprising strategic shift absent from the season's headline chase.
Though Edwardstone had an early mishap at Kempton's Desert Orchid, his prior nine-length win in Tingle Creek showcased his true potential. Alan King's ward, with reputable showings at Cheltenham and a knack for race-day savvy, emerges as homegrown talent to watch, reflected by his current betting position.
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