Cheltenham Festival 2016 Betting: New To This Town can give Jessica Harrington second Champion Bumper
Willie Mullins has a vice-like grip on this year’s Cheltenham Festival and he has won tomorrow’s closing race, the Champion Bumper (5.30pm), a record eight times.
Although firing blanks in the last two years, he is still coming mob-handed with seven runners set to line-up.
Easily the most high-profile is Augusta Kate, whose owners include Ant & Dec, Alan Shearer and Lee Westwood.
She has won both her starts comfortably and will bid to become the first winning mare since Total Enjoyment in 2004.
I’m not convinced she deserves to be as short as she is, however, and much prefer Ballyandy of the two at the head of the market.
Nigel Twiston-Davies’ horses are flying at the moment and this five-year-old has the best form in the field.
He must go close, but he has been beaten and there may be a couple that just have a little too much speed for him.
I’m hoping that one of them is NEW TO THIS TOWN for Jessica Harrington who won this race with Cork All Star in 2007.
The son of Milan was recently snapped up by Ann and Alan Potts following two wins, the last of which was at Gowran Park when he beat Mullins’ hot favourite Avenir D’Une Vie.
He stayed on really well that day and showed a courageous attitude which will stand him in great stead for the Cheltenham Hill.
Harrington has had plenty of winners at the Festival over the years and 10/1 with Betway is a very fair each-way price in what is always a hugely open race.
Pointers WEDNESDAY
New To This Town e/w 5.30pm Cheltenham