Welcome to Cheltenham, the best week of the year
Racing Post betting editor Keith Melrose sets the scene for four days of red-hot action
You might hear Cheltenham compared with the World Cup, or the Olympics. But it is more joyous, more intense than either. When so much of a sport is squeezed into four days, rather than several weeks, the release is incomparable.
Racing fans have been waiting all winter for Constitution Hill to meet Jonbon, which will happen right out of the gates in the Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle. Bob Olinger versus Gallopin Des Champs on Thursday is a meeting between a horse that could have won this year’s Champion Hurdle, and one that might well win next year’s Gold Cup. We have already seen Energumene take on Shishkin, but round one left us hungry for more and Cheltenham has filled our plate by throwing in Chacun Pour Soi, Nube Negra and Envoi Allen against the big two in Wednesday’s Champion Chase.
Even if you are just checking in for Cheltenham week, and maybe stopping by for the Grand National and Royal Ascot, the sense of what this week means is impossible to escape. Hear the roar, watch the Racing Posts fly into the air, see the reaction of the jockeys, trainers, owners and stable staff as winners cross the line and enter immortality. This matters.
There are 28 races to come this week. That is 28 chances to find that rush of a winner, with Sky Bet having an offer in every race to make it that little bit sweeter once the first one comes.
Even though Cheltenham flies by, some of us will need patience. No one should pretend betting in the most competitive races of the year is easy, and if you want to be in every race you should start the week by staking as if you are going to have 28 losers. Hopefully a couple of nice results on Tuesday will lay the worst-case scenarios to rest.
Acca punters have plenty to go at this week and can choose between a whole-week approach, which gives more odds-on shots, or a Tuesday bet centred on Champion Hurdle favourite Honeysuckle (3.30) with Edwardstone (2.10), Gaelic Warrior (4.50) and Run Wild Fred (5.30) the other likeliest candidates.
Long-shot hunters have the Ultima (2.50) and plenty of choice in a red-hot handicap. Corach Rambler (pictured) and Kiltealy Briggs would be my two against the 24-strong field.
That leaves a conspicuous gap in the first race, a Sky Bet Supreme for the ages. Constitution Hill, Jonbon or Dysart Dynamo would be favourite for most runnings but they are all meeting here. Sky Bet’s £/€10 money-back offer could hardly have landed in a better race. Choose wisely, let the experts on hand guide you and have a brilliant Cheltenham week.
