Green and gold of JP McManus set to be among the winners once more
NO OWNER’S colours have been carried to the Festival’s winner’s enclosure more frequently than those of JP McManus.
The Irish business magnate, infamous among the betting ring for legendary gambles, has had 39 Festival heroes and is odds-on across the board to be leading owner once more this week.
He has two outstanding chances in two of the big handicaps today. PENDRA runs in the concluding Rewards4Racing Novices’ Handicap Chase (5.15pm) and Charlie Longsdon’s inmate is one of my strongest fancies of the whole Festival.
A really promising hurdler, the six-year-old lined up as favourite for the Coral Cup last year on the back of a second to today’s Champion Hurdle contender Melodic Rendezvous.
Sent off the 6/1 favourite, Pendra disappointed in finishing down the pack but the hustle and bustle of a 28-runner handicap on just his fourth start over hurdles perhaps came too soon. His finishing position was also exaggerated by the fact he was given an easy time when it was clear he wouldn’t win.
Pendra will go off favourite again this afternoon – he’s market leader at 7/1 with Unibet – but that’s worth taking. I know Longsdon thinks this is the best horse in his yard and believes him to be more a 150-rated animal, rather than the 137 he runs off later.
The stable warmed up in fine fashion with a treble on Sunday and Pendra simply has more potential against what looks like a pretty moderate and exposed bunch.
The National Hunt Chase (4.40pm), run this year in memory of Terry Biddlecombe, was the original showpiece of the Festival. Featuring the leading amateur jockeys battling it out over four miles, it can be a real test of composure and talent in the saddle.
Foxrock has been warmly supported in recent weeks and is Unibet’s 9/2 second favourite on the back of what he’s achieved so far for Ted Walsh. Never out of the frame in five chase starts, he was third to two of Ireland’s best novice chasers, Carlingford Lough and Morning Assembly, in a Grade One in December.
That obviously makes him of real interest in a Listed chase like this but I’m going to side with McManus’ SHUTTHEFRONTDOOR.
Foxrock has relished the heavy ground in Ireland, but Cheltenham is drying all the time and, over a mile further than the son of Flemensfirth has raced, this will be a totally different assignment.
Shutthefrontdoor, on the other hand, has form on good ground and looks to be crying out for a proper test of stamina judging by his efforts this season. Nina Carberry, no stranger to Festival success, takes the ride and this consistent sort looks the bet at 7/2 with Unibet.
The Baylis & Harding Handicap Chase (2.40pm) isn’t always the easiest puzzle for punters to solve, as evidenced by 50/1, 33/1 and 28/1 winners in the last seven years.
However, shorter-priced horses have won and no-one will forget the ride AP McCoy gave 5/1 favourite Wichita Lineman to get up near the line in this back in 2009.
The champion jockey has gone for Alfie Sherrin, who won this race two years ago, over top weight Cantlow and that has seen his price contract massively. I wouldn’t put anyone off as conditions look set to be perfect for the 11-year-old, but he is pretty short now and can’t be improving.
Hadrian’s Approach is interesting on his RSA third, although the form of that race isn’t great and I’m not sure his jumping will stand up in a 24-runner handicap.
Those down the bottom of the weights have had a significant advantage in recent years and there are two outsiders that have caught my eye.
TOUR DES CHAMPS was a big gamble for the BetBright Chase last month and he finished a creditable third. I’m not sure if Kempton is his ideal track, though, and the return to Cheltenham will be a big plus, so at 20/1 with Star Sports he is worth backing.
My other selection is KING MASSINI who won over 2m 5f at this course back in December. That was the bare minimum trip for him and this step up to 3m 1/2f is exactly what he needs. Evan Williams has been waiting for better ground and 25/1 with Paddy Power is a fair price.
Racing UK is the only channel showing all 27 races live from Cheltenham, including seven exclusive races. You can watch the entire Festival on up to three devices for the same price as the standard subscription too, so you won’t have to miss a race. Visit racinguk.com to join today.
Pointers…
TOUR DES CHAMPS e/w 2.40pm Cheltenham
KING MASSINI e/w 2.40pm Cheltenham
SHUTTHEFRONTDOOR 4.40pm Cheltenham
PENDRA 5.15pm Cheltenham