The latest in our Cheltenham Festival Lucky 15s series comes from our Irish Angle expert Donal Murphy. Four each-way selections for the visitors feature, all of which could be overpriced, including a 33/1 shot in the Martin Pipe…
This is very much an each-way Lucky 15, with the selections below competing in some of the most competitive contests at the Festival. Each-way terms vary from firm to firm, so it’s always worth checking conditions prior to placing a bet.
Coral Cup – Ballyadam 14/1
Lightly campaigned since finishing second in this very contest 12-months ago, few would begrudge this Henry de Bromhead trained 10-year-old of a win at the festival. Successful at the highest level over flights, BALLYADAM filled the runner-up spot in the Supreme Novices’ of 2021, finishing fifth in the County Hurdle the following two seasons. While sent off the outsider of three at Punchestown on New Year’s Eve, he registered a confidence boosting win and given a break since, he now looks primed for a bold bid at Prestbury Park, racing off a mark just 2lb higher than last year.
Cross Country Chase – Busselton 10/1
The Cross Country is more intriguing this year, as it reverts to being a handicap. Clearly the target for this Joseph O’Brien-trained eight-year-old for quite some time, BUSSELTON is guaranteed a run off a mark of 139. The winner of the Kerry National in 2022 and successful on the level at Galway last summer, he certainly can be described as a versatile performer. He gained valuable course and distance experience in November and December respectively and had a nice pipe opener over flights at Navan recently, acquitting himself well when fourth of seven in Grade 2 company. Available at 66/1 in early shows for this long-distance contest, he has come in for sustained market support in recent weeks and is now best priced at just 10/1.
Champion Bumper – Kaiser Ball 14/1
Successful in five of the last six renewals, it’s difficult to look beyond Willie Mullins. The master of Closutton is responsible for no less than eight of the 33 entries though, with each of them worthy of a place in the line-up. An easy winner on his sole start to date at Fairyhouse just last month, KAISER BALL really showed star quality. Given a patient ride, the French bred son of Nom De D’la made progress on the outer with half a mile to race and eased his way through the field, readily drawing clear in the closing stages, ultimately dismissing his rivals with the minimum of fuss. While only the fourth choice of punters on that occasion, he is again likely to be down the pecking order at Prestbury Park, mainly due to rider arrangements. With his mother Marie the owner, amateur Thomas Costello will take the ride and while undoubtedly the most inexperienced pilot set to take part, he did guide Asian Master to finish fourth in the Supreme Novices’ last year.
Martin Pipe – Fleur In The Park 33/1
Mooted as a potential Albert Bartlett horse after his win at Wexford in October, things haven’t gone according to plan for this Walk In The Park bay since. Now rerouted and with just one entry at the festival, FLEUR IN THE PARK looks overpriced at 33/1. Running in four graded races since that aforementioned Wexford success, he nearly beat leading Turners Novices’ Hurdle contender The Yellow Clay at Navan in December, ultimately going down by just a neck after bravely attempting to make all. While disappointing at Naas recently, he probably wasn’t suited by the heavy ground there and subsequently dropped in the handicap, he now looks reasonably well-treated off a mark of 133. Trained by the shrewd Andy Slattery, the six-year-old will likely be ridden by regular pilot Cian Quirke.
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