LAST year’s Cheltenham Festival was in danger of becoming a bookies’ benefit for this hapless punter. Then along came tiny terrier Medinas. The little horse with the very big heart popped up at a huge price to win the Coral Cup – and got me out of jail. I’d backed him at 50/1 on the morning of the race and he scampered up the hill to victory. The championship races will grab the headlines at the 2014 Cheltenham Festival this week – and rightly so. But seeking out decent-priced winners or each-way value is just as much fun, especially as there is so much value out there.
Here are five to follow who might be worth a punt… be lucky!
MANYRIVERSTOCROSS (Rewards4Racing Novices’ Handicap Chase): Alan King says this nine-year-old is his best chance of the week. He jumps well and will enjoy the hurly-burly of the big field. He gave the classy Oscar Whisky a scare in a Grade One race at Sandown last time despite running too freely and the handicapper hasn’t hammered him for it.
BALLYALTON: (Neptune Management Novices’ Hurdle): The ground is coming right for this seven-year-old. After winning his third race on the bounce I thought he would be one of the market leaders for this race but he is still a biggish price. His one disappointing run came on ground that he couldn’t handle and with a question mark over the participation of several leading fancies, 14/1 looks too big for Ballyalton.
ANNACOTTY (RSA Chase): This horse is a Grade One winner but is still available at a big price. The 20/1 available with BetVictor looks tempting. The key to him running a big race is if jockey Ian Popham can bounce him out in front and then try to dominate the field. He ran a blinding race at Cheltenham in January under a big weight and seemed to enjoy the contours of Prestbury Park. He is outstanding each-way value.
WISHFULL THINKING: (Queen Mother Champion Chase): Third last year at a big price, Philip Hobbs’ 11-year-old comes into the race in sparkling form but, bizarrely, is as high as 33/1. There’s no Sprinter Sacre, of course, and the Hobbs horses are generally in much better form than 12 months ago. He is excellent each-way value, especially as he loves Cheltenham.
MONTBAZON (County Hurdle): A classy novice hurdler in 2012, he returned after almost two years out injured to run a nice race in the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury – despite tiring in the ground. I think he is a very well handicapped horse and good or good to soft ground would be perfect. He is overpriced at 25/1 and would be a cert to finish in the first four if he is anywhere near his best.
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