Cheltenham Festival Trials Day is always an interesting event on the annual racing calendar, and this year sees a fascinating clash between Sir Gino and The New Lion in the Grade 1 Unibet Hurdle. Alongside the Grade 2 Cotswold Chase and a couple of competitive handicaps, it makes for an even more exciting spectacle. Who will impress ahead of the Festival in March?
Check out some of the best bets below, all of them featuring the latest horse racing odds from NetBet.
Written by Jake Wilkes
*All odds are subject to change
12:05 | Secret Des Dieux | E/W – 16/1
Starting Trials Day with an outsider is always risky, but Secret Des Dieux looks overpriced in the opening contest. He finished a length behind Barlovento on the last day at Kempton, and the Olly Murphy horse is 4/1 and Secret Des Dieux is 16/1. He is suited far better to two-mile four furlongs, as opposed to the minimum trip, and there should be plenty of scope in his mark of 123. Califet En Vol is a lovely horse, but I think better on a flat track and Jordans Cross is also interesting, although may be the reaching the upper end of his handicap mark.
13:15 | Jagwar | Win – 13/8
There is so much upside and potential with Jagwar, and if I believe he is a graded horse, which I do, he should take plenty of beating here. If his jumping sharpens up and he improves from his latest outing in the December Gold Cup, his class should come to the fore. Of the remainder, Booster Bob would be interesting if there was a hard gallop, as he needs a strong pace to aim at. Moon d’Orange is defending his crown in this race, but has been badly out of form since, and Javert Allen has questions over the trip. Full steam ahead, Jagwar.
14:25 AND 15:00 | Grey Dawning & Sir Gino | Double – 11/10
It doesn’t take a genius to realise Grey Dawning and Sir Gino have excellent chances in the Cotswold Chase and Unibet Hurdle respectively. The former is a live Gold Cup candidate who jumps well, stays strongly and oozes class. The latter is the antepost favourite for the Champion Hurdle, and in my opinion is the best horse in training. To make use of their short odds, a double seems the smartest play, with both horses having bigger targets down the line…
15:35 | Ma Shantou | E/W – 9/2
It is with extreme caution I take on Impose Toi, who has been brilliant this season and is more than worthy of being top of the betting. Just larger than even money is skinny enoughm and Ma Shantou’s unexposed profile is enough to tempt me to putting him up. The form of his latest win over course and distance received a nice form boost from the second this week, and in receipt of weight he could serve it up to the favourite. I would be against Strong Leader on the basis of his course record being disappointing.
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