Get Me Out Of Here can get Festival off to a flyer
WILLIAM Hill are as short as 4/6 about Irish raider Dunguib in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, the opening contest of the four day meeting. Last year’s Champion Bumper winner could well be something special, but that is more than reflected in his price. I think he will probably win, but certainly wouldn’t be backing him at odds-on in a field as competitive as this.
Instead, I’ll be backing GET ME OUT OF HERE each-way at 9/2 with Paddy Power as the Irish firm have promised to refund all losing ‘win’ singles if Dunguib does win. That seems more than a fair offer to me as last month’s Totesport Trophy winner looks a decent match on paper. I’d be surprised if he isn’t the one who chases Dunguib home and wouldn’t rule out him actually winning.
If you follow this column, you will have taken some 20/1 about SOMERSBY winning the Arkle Chase and William Hill now go just 10/3 about Henrietta Knight’s runner. He may have only run twice over fences, but he looks the ideal type for this and is still a confident selection.
The William Hill Trophy looks like a puzzle that will take some solving, but Alan King holds BENSALEM in high regard and he will go close if his jumping holds out against vastly more experienced handicappers. The 11/2 available with Paddy Power looks fair value although he looks sure to trade bigger in-running on Betdaq if he makes his usual array of mistakes.
Enda Bolger has farmed the Cross Country Chase in recent years and holds another strong hand this afternoon. His Garde Champetre has more than filled the hoofprints left by the stable’s great SpotTheDifference and will be a tough nut to crack at around the 2/1 mark. He is preferred to stable companion L’Ami, but both will have to be at their best to fend off MONKERHOSTIN if he takes to these unique fences.
Philip Hobbs’ veteran looks a decent each-way bet at 16/1 with Skybet as he reportedly schooled very well over these fences last week. The 2008 bet365 Gold Cup winner still retains plenty of ability as he showed when winning at Sandown last time and could surprise a few here.
Finally, Quevega and Voler La Vedette are battling it out for favouritism in the finale, but there are definite grounds for opposing both. The former may have won this contest in emphatic style last year, but has had plenty of problems since and may not be as good as she was. There also has to be a major doubt about whether Voler La Vedette truly stays a strong run 2 ½ miles. At around 6/4, I’m not prepared to pay to find out and would be far more interested at laying her at heavy odds-on late on.
I have already recommended NO ONE TELLS ME at 10/1, but will also be having a small each-way bet on Emma Lavelle’s EASTER LEGEND at 25/1. The race looks tailor made for an upset and she looks just the type to do it, staying on past beaten horses.
POINTERS…
GET ME OUT OF HERE e/w 1.30pm Cheltenham, today
BENSALEM e/w 2.40pm Cheltenham, today
MONKERHOSTIN e/w 4.00pm Cheltenham, today
EASTER LEGEND e/w 4.40pm Cheltenham, today
SOMERSBY already advised at 20/1 in 2.10pm
NO ONE TELLS ME already advised at 10/1 in 4.40pm