Cheltenham Festival
Wednesday 13 March Preview & Predictions
All information as of Monday 11 March (Odds taken from Labrokes)
Predictions based off Paddy Power
13:30 - Gallagher Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) (Baring Bingham) (GBB Race)
Distance: 2m 5f
Going: Heavy
Runners: 8
Winnings: £75,965
Our Picks
To Win: Ballyburn (1/2)
No match for Firefox, who came 3rd in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle on Day 1 of Cheltenham. Blitzed rivals at Leopardstown at Christmas, before beating Slade Steel by 7 lengths, the winner of the Supreme Novices' Hurdle. Top prospect.
Each Way: Handstands (14/1)
start over hurdles, winning all 3. Jumps well, full of stamina, should improve. Good price.
14:10 - Brown Advisory Novices' Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race)
Distance: 3m 1/2f
Going: Heavy
Runners: 6
Winnings: £101,919
Our Picks
To Win: Stay Away Fay (10/3)
Won the Albert Bartlett last year at this meeting. Better over fences, winning 3m at Exeter and Sandown. Back against novices, cheek pieces go on.
Each Way: American Mike (11/1)
Runner up in 2022 Champion Bumper. Got better over fences, beat Fact To File on return at Navan. Also. Won grade 2 at Navan last month, supplemented and could figure.
14:50 - Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap)
Distance: 2m 5f
Going: Heavy
Runners: 25
Winnings: £56,270
Our Picks
To Win: Doddiethegreat (7/1)
Won off a 2 year absence in 2m Ascot conditions race in November. 2nd to Go Dante next time, who won the Imperial Cup. Back up in trip, should suit.
Each-Way: Ballyadam (16/1)
3rd time lucky over fences at Wexford last summer. Been a while since winning in this sphere. 11 1/2 lengths behind Irish Point in the Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown. Should run well.
15:30 - Betway Queen Mothers Champion Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race)
Distance: 2m
Going: Heavy
Runners: 8 Winnings: £225,080
Our Picks
To Win: Jonbon (7/2)
Grade 1 winning hurdler, top class chaser. Only defeat in 8 chase starts, against El Fabiolo. 2nd of 5 on Trials day, making a shocking mistake at 4 out, the obvious threat to El Fabiolo.
Each Way: Edwardstone (15/2)
Won the Arkle at 2022 Cheltenham Festival. Jonbon was too strong in first two meetings this season. Looked back to his best when changing tactics to make the running (usually held up). Should run his race.
16:10 - Glen Far Clas Chase (Cross-Country Chase) (GBB Race)
Distance: 3m 5f 1/2f
Going: Heavy
Runners: 12
Winnings: £39,023
Our Picks
To Win: Minella Indo (2/1)
Has tremendous results at Cheltenham Festival. Flopped in last years Gold Cup (won in 2021, 2nd in 2022). 4th under a big weight in December at Cheltenham, did not finish strongly. Cannot dismiss chances.
Each Way: Stattler (18/1)
Won the 2022 National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham Festival, lost his way this season. Should outrun his price, if back on form.
16:50 - Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)
Distance: 2m
Going: Heavy
Runners: 17
Winnings: £70,338
Our Picks
To Win: Madara (8/1)
On the upgrade for this yard. Won over Course & Distance, then winning listed handicap at Leopardstown, beating Path d'Oroux and Solness, who reoppose. Should be more to come.
Each-Way: Unexpected Party (16/1)
Competed well against the top British chasers in the 2022-2023 season. Has made a fine return, when winning 4 runner listed novice at Chepstow in October. Is on a good mark for those efforts and has been disappointing since. Could run well if back to form.
17:30 - Wetherbys Champion Bumper (Grade 1) (GBB Race)
Distance: 2m 1/2f
Going: Heavy
Runners: 24 Winnings: £45,560
Our Picks
To Win: Jalon D'Oudairies (13/2)
Won only Point-to-Point start and unbeaten in 2 bumpers. Looks an excellent prospect when winning 8 runner event at Leopardstown 75 days ago. Likely to be ridden positively, should put up a bold showing.
Each Way: Teeshan (10/1)
Won an Irish Point-to-Point easily. Won Exeter bumper impressively last month. Looks very talented and the pick of British-trained horses.
The sad passing of Highland Hunter
Unfortunately we lost a beautiful horse today, Highland Hunter. He had a wonderful career and today at 11 years old at Cheltenham we lost him.
Recently he won a class 2 handicap at Newbury, but more importantly he led the funeral of a wonderful young jockey Keagan Kirkby who sadly lost his life in February.
In an incredibly unfortunate turn of events, a week after Keagan's funeral, Highland Hunter sadly passed away.
We would like to send our condolences to all involved with this wonderful horse.
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