We are now less than a month away from one of horse racing’s biggest roars as the some of the best names in the sport flock to
Gloucestershire.
In its 158-year history, the festival has become the signature event on the UK racing calendar and a meeting where reputations are forged, and also where big bucks can be made.
For example, take last years Queen Mother Champion Chase winner who was out at 11/1 prior to the race with overwhelming favourite Douvan expected to romp
home.
However, with Douvan struggling, Special Tiara swept home by a head from Fox Norton in something of a shock.
As the meeting draws ever nearer, we take a look at some of the runners and riders and who will have their eye on causing a shock.
Mohaayed
Trainer Dan Skelton will be entering Mohaayed in the County Hurdle with prices likely to be quite large allowing plenty of opportunity to win big with.
However, there is reason to believe that Mohaayed has the potential to go all the way and cause something of an upset in the grade 3 race.
The six-year-old finished second to Artic Fire in the Country Hurdle and Ayr as well as a third-place finish in the Scottish Champion Hurdle also at Ayr showing signs of good form ahead of the festival.
Mohaayed will be taking part in the County Hurdle for the second time and despite not placing last year, is five pounds higher in the ratings this year and looks certain to significantly improve.
Cue Card
Cue Card may not be the spritely young horse he once was, but it is a risky business betting against him.
The 2017 Ascot Chase winner is 33/1 as of the 13th February with Betway to win the Gold Cup and that is superb price for a horse with such high pedigree.
During the 2016 race, he was well in contention before falling at the third fence from home before doing exactly the same thing last year at the very same fence.
However, if he can stay on his feet then at 33/1 it makes one of the best opportunities to scoop a bumper pay day.
Cue Card is no stranger to a high-profile event and will fair much better in the early stages as opposed to those horses less inclined to the grander stage and that could prove critical.
Our 2017 tips highlighted a number of the lesser known competitors but this year with Cue Card, it could prove to be the perfect twilight to his illustrious career.
Unowhatimeanharry
Harry Fry’s rather fun named Unowhatimeanharry has been grabbing some of the limelight already in 2018 and has become a high-profile name in his own right.
Despite this, he is still only 12/1 as of the 13th February with Betway to win the Stayers Hurdle.
For a horse that has claimed the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham two years ago and the Champion Stayers Hurdle in Punchestown in 2017, it seems that Unowhatimeanharry may be going somewhat under the radar.
Ensuring the horses have as much energy as possible in the build up to the event is vital and although Supasundae heads into the race as 3/1 favourite as of the 13th February with Betway. There is value to be had in Harry Fry’s enigmatic horse.
Politologue
Nicky Henderson’s Altior may be the hot favourite ahead of the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase but Politologue at 7/1 as of the 13th February could be the best way to go for real value.
Performance is obviously vital but Poliologue has the mark of a champion about him and will be up for the challenge.
The Paul Nicholls trained horse comes from a strong stable and has six wins in his ten chase events. In fact, he has only to place four times in his entire sixteen races.
That makes for pretty good value and if something should happen to Altior over the unpredictable new course, then it is more than likely that Politologue will be there to pick up the pieces and quickly.
It is almost time for the action to start and for four days in March, the eyes of the racing world will descend on Gloucestershire once more.
