The International Hurdle at Cheltenham caused little more than a ripple in the Champion Hurdle betting with no obvious challenger to Epatante emerging. The first six horses were covered by under 4 lengths as Song For Someone courageously held off the late challenge of Silver Streak. The consistent Ballyandy finished third with Sceau Royal, comfortably put in his place by Epatante at Newcastle last time, a close fourth.

The big disappointment of the race was Goshen who faded quickly and was subsequently found to have an irregular heartbeat. Last season’s unlucky last flight faller in the Triumph Hurdle will now miss his intended clash with Epatante in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton on Boxing Day. Goshen has been pushed out to 25-1 for the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham with Epatante now a best-priced 6-4 favourite.

JP McManus seeks tenth Champion Hurdle victory

Early tips and predictions on the Cheltenham Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy suggest it is going to be a very lop-sided betting heat. History would certainly appear to be in Epatante’s favour. She is owned by JP McManus who has won the race a record 9 times while Nicky Henderson leads the trainer statistics with eight. There have also been numerous back-to-back winners including Istabraq (1998-2000) and Buveur D’Air (2017-2018) who both raced inthe McManus colours.

JP McManus has won the last four renewals with the ill-fated Espoir d’Allen routing the opposition in 2019 for trainer Gavin Cromwell. Not even the tragic loss of Espoir d’Allen and an injury to Buveur D’Air could prevent JP from retaining the prize. Epatante announced herself as a Champion Hurdle contender when blazing to a 5 lengths win in last year’s Christmas Hurdle. At Cheltenham, she displayed an excellent turn of foot to beat Sharjah by 3 lengths.

Epatante outclassed rivals in Fighting Fifth

Her reappearance in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle was marred by a bizarre incident at the first. Not So Sleepy jinked to his rider and unshipped Paddy Brennan, the horse than galloping riderless and forcing Silver Streak to run out at the second. It was left to Sceau Royal to provide the only serious opposition but Epatante quickened impressively to win with plenty in hand.

The only significant trial in Ireland so far this season was the Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown in mid-November. This turned into a muddling affair with Mark Walsh coming in for criticism in some quarters for his neck defeat on Saint Roi. The odds-on favourite was beaten by Abacadabras with Jason The Militant only a short-head back in third. Saint Roi won last season’s County Hurdle before taking a Grade 3 at Tipperary in October.

Matheson Hurdle could hold Champion Hurdle clues

We will have a better idea of the merits of the Morgiana form when the front two renew rivalry in the Matheson Hurdle at Leopardstown on December 29th. Willie Mullins trains Saint Roi and has other entries for that race in Sharjah, Concertista and Saldier. Concertista won the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at last season’s Cheltenham Festival by 12 lengths.

Henry De Bromhead’s Aspire Tower is currently 20-1 for the Champion Hurdle, more than twice of the price of Abacadabras. Aspire Tower beat that rival by four and a half lengths at Down Royal in October under Rachael Blackmore. He finished runner-up to Burning Victory in last season’s Triumph Hurdle but his trainer felt that he was not quite as sharp as he had been earlier in the season.

The record of Triumph horses running in the Champion Hurdle the next season is dire with Katchit being the last to successfully make the leap in 2008. The Matheson promises to be an informative trial but it will take something special to challenge Epatante’s stranglehold on the betting market.

By Harvey Mayson

There is no doubt about it. When it comes to the Cheltenham Festival, it is one of the most famous congregations of the horse racing world. The entire makeup of the participants is of those that actually showcase the best horsemanship and training that you can ever possibly imagine. The horses that participate, are often a mix of young, and more mature horses. The festival is very open to older horses too, so no one is ever really singled out. It is purely about talent! 

The race really does make a select few horses stand out for their excellence in the sport, so punters tend to look out for them further across racing schedules around the world. Sportsbet is one site in particular that hosts all the major horse racing schedules that are available internationally. Definitely the place to make sure that you do not miss out a second on the Cheltenham horse racing!

Altior

Altior was bred within the region of Ireland and was bought by Patricia Pugh of Nicky Henderson in 2013. This is where his racing life really began. He took part in many national races working alongside Nico de Boinville throughout the career on the track. The first win that came about from this relationship was in the year 2016, at Cheltenham. He managed to win the Supreme Novices Hurdle and was moved up to take part in more races.

In 2018, he ran in the Queen Mother Chase, which was successful, due to him winning the minimum-distance race. This soon followed with Altior having to defend his title and coming back to return for the Celebration Chase and going home with 19 races that were one, one after the other.

Unfortunately, the return to Cheltenham in 2020, saw Altior losing the chase crown for champion. Nevertheless, he definitely will not be forgotten by the crowds and the sports fans that supported his races.

Willie Wumpkins 

Willie is a horse that is known for his racing capabilities and the name that he has. Very memorable-wouldn’t you agree? The first time Willie became recognised for his racing talents was when he managed to win the Neptune Novices Hurdle. He was 5-years old at the time and very much in his prime for racing. He did pick an injury in 1974, which many thought would have actually ended his career. However, he did disprove those that disbelieved in him, as he returned in the year 1979 and managed to take the Grade 3 Pertemps Final. Then again up until 1981, he won it one after the other for three years in a row. Not too bad if you ask us… Definitely a comeback from an injury that was first perceived as your downfall!

Persia War

Persian War was a foal born in 1963. During his life, he had many trainers that he had worked with. However, one in particular, named Astro Studs, came from a family who was fathered by a Triple Crown Winner. It was not until he passed into the right hands, that he began to show promise for his talent in horse racing. During the Ascot season in 1966-67, he managed to build quite the reputation for himself. Beating competition like Te Fou, he took the Triumph Hurdle by storm and became its champion.

It was onwards and upwards from then on, as he was literally victorious in all the Champion Hurdle tournaments, from 1968-70. Many believed however that his constant change of trainers to race with him is what made him not achieve more in Persians career. Due to being passed to many trainers within the school, he never really managed to take it further than the 70’s for his achievements. He still however managed to really prove everyone wrong, who first doubted him though. That is for sure.

Golden Miller

Golden Miller was a horse bred in the 1920’s and debuted to the nationals in the year 1931. During the period where he was actively racing. He was seen as the greatest of his time, why? Well, because he managed to win the Gold Cup consistently for 5 times between the years 1932 and 36. This was the achievement that allowed him to be remembered and will always remain on the lists of fame and of course the history books of racing, if you ask us.

Golden Miller also managed to beat the records further, when won the Grand National Aintree at the same time and year of the Gold Cup. He was really untouchable by many horses that had hoped to attain the same recognition at the time. A race course was also named after him too, meaning he will most definitely not be forgotten. There is even a statue within Cheltenham that is modelled after him, so he lays there as an example to many, even after he was gone.

Big Bucks

Big Bucks was born in France and trained by Paul Nicholls until when he retired in the year of 2014. Big Buck in total, managed to race thirteen times and won twice for his country and home France. He did however also win 11 of those races within national races too. In Cheltenham however, he managed to win the World Hurdle three times consecutively each year alongside the Long Walk Hurdle in 2009, 2010 and 2011 was the final win of this kind. In 2009 and 2012, he did manage to add the Cleeve Hurdle to the list of successes too and it was from then on that he managed to really make the long list of famous horses of Cheltenham’s time.

Istabraq

Istabraq is a very well-known bay gelding that hardly lost any wins that he put his mind to. It was in the 1990’s that he was paired with Charlie Swan, a jockey that was very involved in the racing world and had lots of experience tucked away under his sleeve. His debut in the year 1996, showed the world how good he was at hurdling and he ultimately did manage to win the Champion Hurdle in 1998 by a total of 12 lengths!

In 1997, the Neptune Novices Hurdle was also his and he managed to pocket that success over three times, one after the other for each consecutive year. These wins are what allowed Istabraq to be written in the famous races lists and of course make the history books too. He has become associated for the best horse hurdles over the years and the addition of the December Festival Hurdle also further added to the long lists of achievements.

More Cheltenham Tips
You can see more Cheltenham Festival 2021 tips at RacingInsider.com

Tiger Roll is set to feature in the Grand National once again in the 2020/21 National Hunt campaign. He will be bidding to become only the second horse in history to win the world’s most famous steeplechase for a third time.

Gordon Elliott’s runner won the Aintree feature for the first time in 2018 when he scored by just a head. 12 months later, he became the first back-to-back winner since Red Rum in 1974, but on that occasion, the margin of victory was just under three lengths.

Tiger Roll featured just twice on the track last season. The horse racing results from Paddy Power show that he finished fifth in the Boyne Hurdle at Navan on his first outing of the campaign. This race was used to sharpen him up ahead of the Cheltenham Festival a month later.

There was no repeat success for Tiger Roll in the 2020 Cross Country Chase as he had to settle for second place behind the cross country specialist Easyland.

Where Will Tiger Roll Begin New Season?

Tiger Roll is expected to appear much earlier this season as he has recovered from the injury which kept him off the course in the early stage of the previous campaign. Elliott hinted that his first assignment could come on the flat. The Grand National twice-winner has featured in a flat race before, as he was second at Dundalk in 2016.

The Champion Chase at Down Royal is also on the Irish trainer’s radar. That contest takes place over 3m. It has been won three times by Elliott, with his most recent success coming in 2017 with Outlander.

There is also the option of the Open Meeting at Cheltenham in November. His involvement at all three of the above may depend on how much rain falls over the next couple of months.

Could the Gold Cup Be an Option in 2021?

According to Will Smith Racing Tips, Tiger Roll has had a rating over the last few years which indicates he is good enough to run in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Connections have, however, opted against the Blue Riband event at the festival.

The distance between the Gold Cup and Grand National in what has put Elliott off running in both races. The former is such a tough race to win that it would almost certainly take a lot out of his runner ahead of Aintree.

Golden Miller is the only horse in history to win both races in the same season. He achieved that feat in 1934. Given the success he has had in the Cross Country Chase in the past, that is probably the most likely race Tiger Roll will line up in at the Festival in 2021. The 10-year-old is 5/1 to reverse the form with Easyland this season and win the unique contest for a third time.

Fans of Tiger Roll will be very excited to see him return over the next few weeks. They will be hoping he can join Red Rum by winning the Grand National for a third time, something which will ensure he ends his career as one of the all-time great National Hunt horses.

For Some, horse racing takes pride of place on the sporting calendar. Without a doubt, it provides some of the biggest spectacles in sport. Year after year, many spectators watch their favourite races from around the world – some may even have a flutter on a hot favourite. Racing takes place in the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, The United States, and other great nations. The sport is worth billions and attracts a huge audience with each race. Here a glimpse at some of the World’s most famous horse races and what to expect if you get the chance to go to one.

The Grand National

Aintree is home to this famous 4-mile race that takes place every April. The course itself has 30 fences and is considered one of the toughest races in horse racing. There are the famous grandstands and top restaurants where spectators can go between races to relax, dine, have a drink, place bets, or play at   Regal Wins casino site. The festival lasts for three-day culminating in the Grand National. Some of the best horses and trainers attending the event.

Cheltenham Festival

Cheltenham is a big outing for all those concerned. It is one of the biggest races in the UK. Spread over four days, the festival features prize money which is divided among various Grade 1 Runnings. The main races include the Cheltenham Gold Cup – this years’ gold cup was won by Al Boum Photo – the winner can win up to £625,000. People flock from all over to attend these important races. The Cheltenham Festival sees up to 60,000 people daily.

Kentucky Derby

Every year, on the first Saturday of May, all eyes are on the famous Kentucky Derby. The race is run over 2,012m, each race attracts nearly 160,000 people. It is also famous for its “Millionaires Row”. This is where the world of celebrity assembles to watch the race. The winner is always draped in a cloak of roses – this is where it got it the name – “Run for the Roses”. In 2015, punters smashed all records when they bet around $133,000,000 on the race!

l’Arc de Triomphe

l’Arc is always eagerly awaited each year. Believed to be one of the most prestigious horse races in the racing calendar, and with a prize pot worth up to ‎5,000,000. This has made it one of the most famous races in the world. The race has been dominated by Frankie Dettori, his last win came in 2018. It is one of the top three richest races and is run over 2,400m. The race takes place in the Longchamp Racecourse in Paris.

Melbourne Cup

Dating back to 1861, the Melbourne Cup never fails to thrill racing fans year in and year out. It is seen as the biggest and best race found anywhere in the world. It has entrants from all over the world. The Cup is a very fashionable affair where attendees must be suited and booted. The race takes place on the first Tuesday each November. The Melbourne Cup lasts all week long, and there is much to enjoy in this ultimate racing fest.

The horse racing calendar is packed full of high-quality events and races that always attract attention.

For some, the Grand National is the number one race of the year, and it’s easy to see why due to the historic and legendary winners it has produced. Meanwhile, others will prefer the Cheltenham festival and the non-stop big races that come over the four days.

However, there are plenty of excellent races that go on up and down the United Kingdom regularly, even if they don’t get the same publicity or attention as those high profile events.

And, one race that certainly falls into that category is the St Leger Stakes at Doncaster.

September 1970
Lester Piggott on Nijinsky II (green & yellow) winning the St Leger Stakes @DoncasterRaces pic.twitter.com/pzNZn9pvDk

— Anaglogs Daughter (@AnaglogsDaughtr) August 7, 2016

The Group 1 Flat race is for three-year-old horses and is one of the five Classic races run during the Flat season. The others are the 1,000 & 2,000 Guineas Stakes at Newmarket, Epsom Oaks and the Epsom Derby. All of these are races well-known to fans as they bring the best horses in that age category together, and there have been some significant winners over the years.

The St Leger Stakes is the oldest of the five Classics as it was established in 1776, which also means it’s one of the oldest horse races around. As well as that, it’s also the longest of the five races as it covers a distance of one mile, six furlongs and 115 yards. Again, all of that just adds to the appeal of the race, and the traditions are passed from generation to generation ensuring it remains a popular event.

Therefore, all eyes will be on the race later in the year, and it will be interesting to see what names will feature as punters look to pick a winner when the horse racing betting odds for the race are revealed.

Arguably one of the biggest names to secure a win at Doncaster was Nijinsky, who secured several major wins throughout his impressive career. He remains the last horse to win the Triple Crown, winning three of the major Classic races in one year.

That came back in 1970 when ridden by Lester Piggott, as Nijinsky won the 2,000 Guineas Stake at Newmarket, the Epsom Derby and he completed the treble with a win at Doncaster, making history in the process and the first to achieve the feat in 35 years.

As you would expect for such a prestigious event, high-profile jockeys have regularly featured at Doncaster too, with Frankie Dettori picking up his sixth win of this particular race in 2019 as he won with favourite Logician. Incredibly, his first win in the race came in 1995 and the success on Logician ended 11 years without a win in the St Leger Stakes for Dettori. That victory ended two successive wins for Ryan Moore and trainer Aidan O’Brien,

Even though there is plenty of racing to enjoy between now and the event in September, the St Leger Stakes is a race that stands out in the calendar. The historic race is sure to provide more entertainment and memories when the day arrives.

Although the summer is the time for the stars on the Flat to shine in the sun, it won’t be long before the jumpers are back in action.

Now the dust has settled on the 2019/20 National Hunt campaign, we have put together what we believe are three great bets for next season.

Lostintranslation to Win Betfair Chase (2/1)

Lostintranslation proved his class last season in what was his best campaign outside of novice company. Not only did he prevail in two races, he was third in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, coming home just 1½ lengths behind Al Boum Photo as you can read at https://www.theguardian.com/sport.

Colin Tizzard’s chaser’s biggest win came in the Grade One Betfair Chase at Haydock. He went off as the 5/4 joint-favourite at the Lancashire racecourse where he defeated two-time winner Bristol De Mai.

Lostintranslation is a chaser you should have on your side next season. He is 2/1 at https://www.betfair.com/sport/horse-racing to defend his crown in the Betfair Chase, while those who want to back him in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, can get 14/1 on the eight-year-old.

Altior to Win Tingle Creek (7/2)

The Queen Mother Champion Chase was expected to be the race of the week at the Cheltenham Festival in 2020, however, Altior and Chacun Pour Soi both had to miss the contest due to injury.

Altior has been off the track since February now and a long break is exactly what he may have needed. Hopefully Nicky Henderson’s superstar can return to his best next season.

It is worth remembering that Altior has won 15 of his 16 races over fences. His only defeat came in the Ascot Chase where he featured over 2m5f for the first time. Expect to see him campaign back at 2m next season.

His return to action is likely to come in the Tingle Creek where he is as big as 7/2 to win the race for the second time in his career. If all goes well, he should be back at the Festival in 2021 for the Queen Mother Champion Chase.

Champ To Win King George VI Chase (8/1)

Champ was one of the star novice chasers last season, with the highlight of his campaign being his victory in the RSA Chase at the Festival. A full report on that success can be found at https://www.itv/com/racing.

Henderson’s runner won three of his four starts. His only blip came in a Grade Two contest at Cheltenham where he fell at the last fence when clear of his rivals.

His success in the RSA Chase suggests he could be a Gold Cup horse this year. He powered home up the hill at the end of that 3m contest so the distance is clearly not a problem for him.

Champ’s first real test against the older horses in the 2020/21 season may be the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day. He is 8/1 to win that race and given it has an open feel to it. He looks great value to add his name to the roll of honour.

It should be an exciting National Hunt season and one where hopefully you will find plenty of winners throughout the campaign.

Another Cheltenham Festival has been and gone, but that just means it’s time to take stock and what we learned during four superb days of jumps and horse racing action.

The next big event following on from Cheltenham in the National Hunt calendar is the Grand National – the world’s most famous steeplechase over legendary spruce-covered fences like The Chair, Canal Turn, and Becher’s Brook.

Some of the races that really test horses’ stamina at Cheltenham can give punters pointers towards the Aintree showpiece. This year’s Festival is no exception, with a couple of winners shaping like Grand National horses of the future.
Easysland

An obvious place to start on this subject is with a young, improving horse that didn’t just beat dual Aintree hero Tiger Roll, but left him for dead up the famous Cheltenham hill. That is exactly what French raider Easysland did in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase.

The way in which the David Cottin-trained six-year-old disposed of four-time Festival winner Tiger Roll was something you couldn’t help but be impressed by. Easysland is so young that he wouldn’t have been eligible for the 2020 Grand National, but there is nothing to stop new owner JP McManus from entering him at Aintree in 2021.

Purchasing this prolific French Cross Country winner could prove a very shrewd move by the legendary gambler indeed. It’s worth checking horse racing results today to see how Easysland gets on in whatever events he is entered into next.

The fact he already gets a distance of three-and-three-quarter miles with a gruelling uphill finish at a course like Cheltenham bodes well for any potential future Grand National bid. Easysland should stay further in time, so the extra half-mile at Aintree shouldn’t be a problem for him, and he by and large handled the variety of obstacles on the Cross Country course well.

Ravenhill

Gordon Elliott’s week at Cheltenham:

? Envoi Allen
? Samcro
? Ravenhill
? Chosen Mate
? Aramax
? Sire Du Berlais
? Milan Native pic.twitter.com/mwJXoLJkxn

— ODDSbible Racing (@ODDSbibleRacing) March 13, 2020

Recent National Hunt Chase winners like Rathvinden, Tiger Roll, and Cause Of Causes have all gone on to run very well in the Grand National. The fact that this Grade 2 novice chase for amateur riders had its distance shortened for the 2020 running shouldn’t be seen as a negative for Gordon Elliott’s Irish raider Ravenhill.

He won it well, despite being sent off at 12/1 and the ten-year-old outstayed the prominent, race-hardened and younger Lord Du Mesnil for Cheltenham glory. County Meath trainer Elliott is invariably mob-handed in the Grand National, so it will be no surprise to see Ravenhill line-up at Aintree in future.

Unlike Easysland, time isn’t so much on his side though. Ravenhill may only get one or two tries at the Grand National but, as Rathvinden showed as an 11-year-old when third in 2019, being a more mature horse is no barrier to success.

Stamina is not in doubt, so the only thing Ravenhill needs to prove is that he can take to the unique demands of the course at Aintree. He is a 66/1 shot for the 2020 Grand National, but probably won’t sneak into the race this year, so all eyes are on prepping him for 2021.