THE Cheltenham Festival has a rollcall of equine stars as ever, however it is so disappointing to think that the mighty Altior will be not there for the second year running in the Queen Mother Champion Chase, as he is once again sadly a late withdrawal. You have to feel for Unibet Ambassadors Nicky Henderson, Nico de Boinville, all the team at Seven Barrows and particularly Altior’s owners Pat and Christopher Pugh. Let’s hope for better news for Nicky Henderson and all the team today as they have won the last two renewals of the 2.30 Handicap Hurdle.
Another equine star running today is Monkfish, and you can’t see past him in the six runner 1.55 Brown Advisory Novices Chase at Unibet odds of 1/2.
Remember Unibet are non runner no bet (NRNB) for all the races at the 2021 Cheltenham Festival.
Enjoy all the action.
Cheers
The Wine Tipster
1.20 Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 5f
Bob Olinger (nap) for Henry De Bromhead has done nothing wrong in two starts this year, winning his maiden at Navan in December and then drawing clear of Blue Lord at Naas in a Grade 1 back in January. Bob Olinger certainly has a good mix of speed and stamina, with the unexpected rain very welcome. Bravemansgame, the Challow winner and Gaillard Du Mesnil are the dangers, however Bob Olinger will come out on top here. Unibet's 15 To Go Offer is running on all Cheltenham Festival races.
Unibet 15/8 win NRNB
2.30 Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) 2m 5f
Birchdale for Unibet Ambassador Nicky Henderson has a good each way chance here. Birchdale was eighth last year off a two pound higher mark and whilst fences didn’t work for him this season he showed himself to be in good form when third in a jumpers bumper last month at Kempton. There was plenty to like about that performance and he will come on for the run. It is worth remembering that he is a course and distance winner here at Cheltenham. Unibet's 15 To Go Offer is running on all Cheltenham Festival races.
Unibet 12/1 each way NRNB
Thomas Darby shoulders top weight here, yet this classy performer can get right in the mix.
Last time out at Kempton in the rescheduled Relkeel Hurdle he was third to McFabulous, with On The Blind Side in second, having previously finished third to Summerville Boy at Aintree. Thomas Darby has Festival form, as he was second to Klassical Dream in the Supreme in 2019. Unibet's 15 To Go Offer is running on all Cheltenham Festival races.
Unibet 14/1 each way NRNB
3.05 Queen Mother Champion Chase (Grade 1) 2m
Nube Negra was originally marked up in my Ante Post piece back in February and remains my selection from a highly confidant stable. His Desert Orchid success when beating the mighty Altior is worth rewatching for his quality of jumping and how well he travelled throughout. On official ratings he is eight pounds off Chaucun Pour Soi, yet he will be much closer that many believe as Kempton was no fluke. His form figures over fences are 11221 and whilst he has to prove himself at Cheltenham over the larger obstacles he will stay on up the hill, having run well to finish third in the Juvenile Hurdle back in 2018. Unibet's 15 To Go Offer is running on all Cheltenham Festival races.
Unibet 8/1 each way NRNB
3.40 Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase 3m 6f
Le Breuil, who won the 2019 National Hunt Challenge Cup, is an interesting contender if he takes to the Cross Country course with doubts about those at the head of the market. He has certainly proved himself to be a spring horse for his best performances and could really go well here. Unibet's 15 To Go Offer is running on all Cheltenham Festival races.
Unibet 18/1 each way NRNB
4.15 Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase (Grade 3) 2m
Embittered for Joseph O’Brien (runs Us And Them see below) was tipped up last year when third in the County Hurdle. Embittered has been keeping smart company this season running well in the top novice chases, including a couple of Grade 1s. He looks like he has been found a good opportunity here in a race where the yard can go very well. Unibet's 15 To Go Offer is running on all Cheltenham Festival races.
Unibet 11/2 each way NRNB
Us And Them for the astute Joseph O’Brien, who knows what he is doing when it comes to handicaps at Cheltenham, has been laid out for another crack at the Grand Annual after his third last year. He was originally marked up in my five Irish handicappers to follow and last year he came from way off the pace to get placed and should have been closer with better jumping. This season Us And Them’s form figures are not exciting and nor were they for the previous season coming to The Festival. However, he simply comes alive at Cheltenham, second in the Arkle in 2019 and having his fourth successive appearance at The Festival. He can’t be discounted in this race where runners often run well year on year. Unibet's 15 To Go Offer is running on all Cheltenham Festival races.
Unibet 14/1 each way NRNB
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