CUP LINE-UP ALL GOLD Bookies predict a Festival thriller
PUNTERS cannot split Al Boum Photo and Santini for Friday’s Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup after 12 horses stood their ground at yesterday’s latest entry stage.
“We have Al Boum Photo and Santini both at 4-1,” said Coral spokesman David Stevens.
“This year’s renewal has a wide-open look to it with seven runners currently at single figures.”
Only the Grand National attracts more betting turnover than the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Willie Mullins, who celebrated his first success in last year’s race with Al
Boum Photo, has also left in Kemboy and Real Steel.
Unlike last year when Santini finished second in the RSA Chase at the Festival, after an interrupted preparation due to a late flu jab, his trainer Nicky Henderson is delighted with his lead-up to this season’s big occasion.
“At the moment everything is going a bit too easily – it makes you nervous,” said Henderson.
“He’s having an untroubled run and it’s scary as you’re half-waiting for something to go wrong.”
Colin Tizzard’s principal hope Lostintranslation, third choice in the betting at 11-2, will be joined by stable mate Elegant Escape.
Paul Nicholls, attempting to equal the late Jim Dreaper’s record of five victories in the race, will be represented by the dual King George VI Chase winner Clan Des Obeaux. Bristol De Mai, third home in last year’s contest for Nigel Twiston-Davies, has another crack too. Delta Work, Presenting Percy, Chris’s Dream and Monalee are all expected to make the trip over from Ireland.
Clerk of the course Simon Claisse reports the ground to be soft, and good to soft in places.
Rain is expected before the meeting gets underway on Tuesday but the rest of the week is expected to remain dry.
Claisse said: “We’ve done quite well. We’ve had a relatively dry week apart from a little bit of a shower or two on Wednesday but I’m delighted with the way the ground is walking.
“We must remember what we are racing on next week they’ve not set foot on, other than where the old and new courses cross, for 12 months.
“We’re really pleased with it and the professionals who have been round here the last week have said likewise.”
Meanwhile, Paddy Power will be running for the hills if Not So Sleepy captures Tuesday’s Champion Hurdle.
“He’s a six-figure loser,” said Paul Binfield of the betting firm.
“We went big at 66-1 after he won at Ascot in December and were a bit slow to cut him.
“He’s now down to 25-1. He disappointed in the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury last month but lost a shoe so he could be a Cinderella horse!”
Jonjo O’Neill is a significant booking for the JP McManus-owned Front View in Friday’s Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Hurdle.
Trained by Joseph O’Brien in Ireland, the gelding now heads the market at 6-1.