The Cheltenham Festival is finally here. A superb four days of action awaits and Andrew Mount gives you his best day one bets at Prestbury Park.
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Posted: 9.45am, Monday, March 10th
2.00 Cheltenham – JANGO BAIE (1pt win – 15/2 William Hill, 888sport )
It’s disappointing to see only five runners declared for the Arkle but I still want to bet in the race, taking on short-priced favourite Majborough with Nicky Henderson’s JANGO BAIE. The jolly has not been entirely convincing in the jumping department and five-year-olds have struggled since the age allowance was done away with, all 11 qualifiers tasting defeat (albeit the expected number of winners from this sample was only 1.36). L’eau Du Sud has possibilities but JANGO BAIE, who often races keenly over 2m4f, won’t be inconvenienced by the cut back to 2m in what should be a fast-run race, despite the small field. He’s never been out of the first two places in his career and, on the clock- there’s very little between the front three in the betting, making odds of around 7-1 very tempting.
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2.40 Cheltenham – MYRETOWN (1pt win – 16/1 bet365, 14/1 Spreadex) & KING TURGEON (1pt win – 16/1 William Hill, Spreadex)
MYRETOWN was beaten on his point-to-point, bumper, hurdle and chases debuts but, aside from those runs, his record reads 1F11F1 (4-6). The first non-completion came at the last flight in a maiden hurdle at Ayr when two lengths up and travelling strongly and the latest mishap over fences at Windsor when in with every chance. He won comfortably at Kelso last month and looks worth a punt in the Ultima in the hope that he can dominate.
When I first previewed the Ultima for GG on January 7th KING TURGEON was three from three for the season after a hugely impressive 8-1 comeback win at Chepstow, victory in the Grand Sefton over the Grand National fences at Aintree and a three-length victory over Our Power on the New Course at Cheltenham’s December meeting. That winning sequence was broken when he finished a three-length third at Wincanton on January 16th, but he was only a short head behind subsequent impressive Kempton winner Katate Dori and the fourth also won at the next time of asking. I was surprised to see him asked to race on another sharp right-handed track next time, pulling up when 12-1 for the 3m7f Edinburgh National Handicap Chase at Musselburgh where he was reportedly never travelling. Freshened up since, the return to a galloping track, especially a left-handed one, is in his favour, as is the drying ground.
4.40 Cheltenham – STENCIL (1pt win – 11/2 William Hill, 888sport)
Sadly, my antepost each-way festival nap – TORRENT – didn’t make the cut but I want to back STENCIL in the Fred Winter as his form also ties in with Triumph Hurdle favourite East India Dock. The fist-named was 18 lengths clear of third-placed Torrent when chasing home East India Dock in Grade 2 company on Trials Day and clocked a fantastic speed figure for that effort. That form is working out well with Mambonumberfive (pulled up) landing the Grade 2 Adonis Juvenile Hurdle at Kempton on his next start, Galactic Charm (also pulled up) going close when 16-1 at Sandown last Saturday and 150-1 shot Victory Shout (yet another who was pulled up) finishing second at 50-1 on the Flat.
5.20 Cheltenham – RESPLENDENT GREY (1pt e/w – 12/1 bet365, Spreadex)
RESPLENDENT GREY recorded a pair of solid runner-up efforts over 3m earlier this season, going down by just half a length to Hyland in Listed novice chase company at Cheltenham in November before chasing home Handstands in a Grade 2 at Sandown. The cut back to 2m4f didn’t suit on Trials Day at Cheltenham in January where he kept on into a modest fourth in the Timeform Novices’ Handicap Chase. Olly Murphy’s seven-year-old has not always impressed with his jumping but the step up to 3m6f could bring about improvement in the Princess Royal National Hunt Challenge Cup and he tends to perform best in the warmer months, recording form figures over hurdles/fences in the March to October period of 112211 (4-6). His stable remain in fantastic form and the excellent Sean Bowen takes the ride.
I’m not providing selections for every single Cheltenham race today but thought I’d outline my thoughts for those other races…
1.20
I was taken with KOPEK DES BORDES‘ performance at the Dublin Racing Festival but apart from the Placepot, I won’t be having an interest on Willie Mullins’ five-year-old. The first-time hood goes on and hurdlers in this headgear are 0-34 at the festival since 2015, which is an obvious off-putter. William Munny also gets a first-time hood and the obvious each-way alternative to the short-priced favourite is ROMEO COOLIO.
3.20
This race looks dull from a punting perspective now that connections of LOSSIEMOUTH have chickened out of the Champion Hurdle and she’ll probably win. Those looking for an interest might want to consider small each-way plays on QUEENS GAMBLE (jockey upgrade after Rachael Blackmore rode her at Leopardstown last time) and DYSART ENOS. Both are likely to be ridden patiently and one of them might be able to sneak a place.
4.00
With only seven runners the each-way angle has gone, and I think CONSTITUTION HILL will win from STATE MAN. Not a race I want to bet in though, other than the Placepot.
Andrew Mount’s Best Bets
2.00 Cheltenham – JANGO BAIE (1pt win – 15/2 William Hill, 888sport )
2.40 Cheltenham – MYRETOWN (1pt win – 16/1 bet365, 14/1 Spreadex) & KING TURGEON (1pt win – 16/1 William Hill, Spreadex)
4.40 Cheltenham – STENCIL (1pt win – 11/2 William Hill, 888sport)
5.20 Cheltenham – RESPLENDENT GREY (1pt e/w – 12/1 bet365, Spreadex)
Jango Baie
Stencil
Resplendent Grey
Andrew Mount’s tips for Tuesday, 11th March 2025
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