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Three Tips for British Flat Season

With the Cheltenham Festival over for another year, attention now turns to the Flat season. We’ve looked at some of the major races over the summer and come up with the best bets for the campaign.

Baaeed To Win Lockinge – 4/7

William Haggas has revealed that he plans to run Baaeed in the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury in what will be the unbeaten colt’s first appearance of 2022. Last season’s Queen Elizabeth II Stakes winner is the 4/7 favourite to get off to a winning start to the campaign.


Baaeed showed exactly how good he was when he defeated Palace Pier at Ascot. John and Thady Gosden’s runner has consistently been the best miler in Europe over the last couple of seasons, so to get the better of the horse was a huge achievement.

In what will be his four-year-old campaign, we could see even more from Baaeed this season. All the leading 1m races will be on the table for him. It is going to take a big performance to stop him in each of those races.

Manobo To Win Ascot Gold Cup – 5/1

Charlie Appleby’s gelding Manobo has had a lot of international success over the last couple of years. He was victorious on Arc weekend in the Grade Two Prix Chaudenay back in October. More recently, he broke the track record at Meydan to win the Nad Al Sheba Trophy.

The Ascot Gold Cup is likely to be the main target during the summer as he switches back to turf. He is 5/1 in the betting for that 2m4f contest at Royal Ascot. For advice on how to place your bet on the race, research some site to learn how to bet successfully on sportsbook and give you all the pointers you need, including where to find a free bet to use on the meeting.

Manobo is the joint-favourite for the Ascot Gold Cup along with Trueshan. As talented as Alan King’s runner is, he is ground dependent. He missed the race last year as he did not get the rain he needed. This makes Manobo a much better prospect at the latest odds.

Golden Pal to Win King’s Stand Stakes – 4/1

US-based trainer Wesley Ward has had a lot of success in the sprint races at Royal Ascot over the last two decades. He looks set to be targeting the King’s Stand Stakes this year with his very talented sprinter Golden Pal.

The four-year-old colt finished second in the Norfolk Stakes in 2020 at the meeting. He came home just a neck behind The Lir Jet on what was just the second start of his career. Since then, he has developed into one of the fastest horses in the world.

Last season Golden Pal won three of his four starts on the track. He prevailed at Saratoga, Keeneland and Del Mar, the latter being the Grade One Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint. That race featured some of the best sprinters from Europe, so it was a strong test for him.

Ward’s runner is 4/1 to prevail in the day one contest at Royal Ascot in 2022. He looks the one they will all have to beat as he bids to go one place better on his second shot at glory at the meeting.

Good luck with the three above bets this Flat season. Remember to gamble with responsibility. Hopefully, the campaign ends as a successful one for you.

 

 

 

Three Potential Bets for Britain’s Summer of Sport

Aintree Grand National 2013” (CC BY 2.0) by stacey.cavanagh

Not many countries have such a rich and varied calendar of sports as the UK. There are major events that run throughout the year, from the Six Nations rugby tournament in February and March, all the way through to the World Darts Championships in December.

However, it’s from the spring through to the summer that many of the most exciting and high-profile events take place and, with them, naturally many betting opportunities arise. So, to set you thinking, here are just three events that you could put a bet on to make what is always a captivating season of sports even more exciting.

Rachael Blackmore to win her second Grand National in a row

Last year the Irish jockey rode into the history books when she became the first-ever woman to win the world’s most famous steeplechase on Minella Times. Last year she won while priced at odds of 11/1, but this year it’s highly unlikely that you’ll get odds as good at this. If she does come good, it will cap a remarkable season for Blackmore following on from her equally historic victories in Cheltenham’s Champion Hurdle and Gold Cup.

With 70,000 spectators expected on the day, it will certainly provide an unforgettable spectacle for them if she does indeed manage to ride Minella Times into the select group of consecutive winners of the race.

England cricket to return to its winning ways

Following on from their disastrous Ashes you, which saw the departure of head coach Chris Silverwood along with various other members of the back-room team, it was hoped that the 2022 tour of the West Indies would be the start of a re-set for English Test cricket. Nonetheless, following two close draws, the final match in the series saw England soundly beaten by 10 wickets with Joe Root’s role as captain hanging very much in the balance.

The summer sees two home series against New Zealand and South Africa, as well as a single test against India. This could very well be the chance for a new dawn for the team, if a long shot. For those avid bettors among you, perhaps it might be better to head for an online casino with a no deposit bonus, instead. That way, you’ll be able to play games for real money without any outlay yourself. There is a wide number of casinos to choose from and many also feature sportsbooks if you do fancy a punt on the cricket.

Rafael Nadal to win Wimbledon

Men’s tennis is at a crossroads with the old triumvirate of Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Nadal starting to show their age. The latter, in particular, has been plagued by injuries and must surely be looking towards the end of his career. So it would be a fairy-tale ending if he could claim a 22nd Grand Slam title at this year’s Wimbledon, not to mention a joy for his many fans all around the world.

So there you have them, three very different bets for this summer of sport. Put them in an accumulator and, if all three do come off, that really would be something to celebrate.

 

 

 

Choosing The Best Casino Site in 2022

Every year more and more online casinos are popping up for punters to enjoy. With the industry growing year on year thanks to more and more countries legalising online casinos and the development of technology.

One of the biggest reasons that players love these online casino sites is the fact that they are incredibly convenient and offer most of the benefits you can find in a land based casino. Whilst sites like CasinoSource offer players a comprehensive list of some of the best online casinos out there, you can go through various steps to help you choose the best online casino site for you.

Here are some of the aspects you should take into consideration when choosing the best online casino site for you:

Only play on reputable casino sites

This is one of the biggest factors when it comes to choosing the best online casino to play on. You only want to be playing on casino sites that have a great reputation and that are run by legitimate operators. 

The best way to check whether an online casino operator is legitimate or not is to make sure that they are fully licensed by a well known gambling authority. The biggest authorities you want to look for include the United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC) or the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA).

These two governing bodies are the most prestigious in the world and any online casino that has a licence from them will have had to pass incredibly strict tests to earn the licence. 

Another good thing to look out for is major sponsorships. If a certain online casino sponsors a major league football team or some other big name in sports, it can be a good sign that the casino is legitimate and reputable. 

Check out the bonuses on offer

Thanks to the fact that so many new online casinos are popping up every week, they often offer extremely lucrative bonuses to people who want to sign up. These one time deposit offers can be incredibly fruitful for new players to the sites and can come in many shapes and forms.

You’ll have casinos that offer tons of free spins, percentage deposits on however much money you deposit, free chips for table games or even a combination of all of the above! There are also no deposit bonuses available, which reward players for simply signing up to the casino – although these no deposit bonuses are quite rare. 

But before you rush out and simply choose the online casino with the most free spins available, make sure you thoroughly read through the terms and conditions of any casino bonus you’re thinking of claiming.

This is vital, as many of the deposit bonuses you see will have wagering requirements, time limits and certain games that the bonuses can or can’t be played on. But there’s a growing trend of online casinos with no wagering bonuses, which are always worth looking out for!

Have a look at the selection of games on offer

No matter whether you’re a keen slots player or a pro at table games, you want to make sure there is plenty of variety on offer from whatever casino you play on. At many online casinos you’ll mostly find slots, and plenty of them to boot. These slots will also be in a whole different array of themes – from ancient romans to the wild west and everything in between (Including futuristic samurai, caped superhero Batman and gangster cats!)

Table games can be found at many casinos, although you often won’t find as much choice as in the slots selection. You can find some incredible and engrossing live casino games though, where you’ll be interacting with trained and professional croupiers and dealers. The sets for these live casino games are also top notch, with some software companies actually staging them inside real casinos. 

You’re also going to find online video poker, which is a great way to get in some poker training. Don’t forget lotto and bingo and even all new types of games such as slingo, a unique fusion of slots and bingo.

Secure methods of payment

Finally, one last thing you want to look out for is the different methods you can deposit and withdraw money from the casino. From popular e-wallets such as Paypal and Neteller to more traditional methods like bank transfers and debit cards, any casino worth its salt will have plenty of different options available.

You always want to make sure that there are methods that you’re both used to and that are well known. You also want to make sure there aren’t any sneaky fees added onto the transactions.

 

 

 

What is the Secret to a Successful Week’s Betting on the 2022 Cheltenham Festival?

The Cheltenham Festival is one of the biggest horseracing events on the global horseracing event calendar – it’s considered by many to be the ‘World Cup of Jumps Racing’.

This idyllic corner of the Cotswolds hosts hundreds of thousands of fans across the four-day festival. With so many of the sport’s best steeplechasers and jockeys travelling to the southwest of England, the festival creates plenty of opportunities for bettors to get involved with the markets.

If the 2022 Cheltenham Festival is the first time you plan to bet on this iconic event, read on as we explore the top tips to give you the best possible chance of finishing the four-day festival in the green.

Increase your Bankroll with Bookmaker Promotions

If you want to maximise your betting bank for the 2022 Cheltenham Festival, many of the UK’s most reputable bookmakers can help you out.

If you only have one or two accounts with bookies that you’ve used over the years, now is the ideal time to broaden your horizons. That’s because most sites will dish out free Cheltenham bets to those creating accounts for the first time. Some will give you free bets just for signing up and becoming a member, while others may hand out free bets matched to the size of your first real-money deposit.

Spread your Risk with Each-Way Bets

Many of the 28 races staged across the Cheltenham Festival feature sizeable fields of horses. We’re not just talking seven or eight, it could be double that amount.

When you factor in the large fields with Cheltenham’s gruelling racecourse – and the plentiful fences to overcome – there is plenty of risk for punters to negotiate. Not to mention the plethora of failed betting systems that you’ll encounter in the lead up to Cheltenham.

One way to spread your betting risk at Cheltenham is to bet on horses each-way. This means you’ll not only get a payout if your selection wins, but you can also receive a percentage of your profits if your horse places.

Take Advantage of ‘Best Odds Guaranteed’ Promotions

Source: Photo

If you don’t have the time to place your bets at the Cheltenham Festival in the minutes leading up to the big races, it’s no problem. You can place your wagers for the upcoming day in the morning, just make sure you choose a bookmaker that offers ‘Best Odds Guaranteed’ on all its markets.

This gives you zero downside to your early selections. If the price falls on your selection, you’ll still get the odds available at the start of the day. However, if the price rises before the off, you’ll get the better starting price. This all adds up and gives you optimal value for your Cheltenham bets.

Look at the Past Performances of Runners at Cheltenham

It’s a good idea to get a measure of how well certain horses have raced at Cheltenham in the past. Of course, if you’re betting on a horse running at Cheltenham for the first time, it’s not possible to use past form as a guide.

Many races, however, feature regular runners at the festival. Some horses simply thrive off the Cheltenham atmosphere and the ground itself. Meanwhile, others may be well-suited on paper but lack the stamina to stay the distance.

Take Note of the Best Trainers at the Cheltenham Festival

One of the main talking points at the 2022 Cheltenham Festival will be which trainer finishes top of the pile as the most successful across the four days. It’s often a battle between Irish and English trainers. Ireland is well-represented with the likes of Gordon Elliott and Willie Mullins leading the way in recent years.

Meanwhile, English trainers Nicky Henderson and Paul Nicholls have made their mark too. Keep an eye out for these names on the form guides, as well as emerging names like Henry de Bromhead.

With so many races, there are plenty of opportunities to profit at the Cheltenham Festival. You can afford to be selective and pinpoint the best picks of each day to give yourself the best chance of ending the week as a winner.

 

 

 

Grand National Tips Following Latest Declaration Stage

The Grand National entries were reduced to 92 runners following the latest declaration stage. There were some notable scratchings for the race, none more so than two-time winner Tiger Roll.

After a careful look at the weights for the 4m2½f contest, here are two horses who have an excellent chance of adding their name to the Grand National roll of honour.

Mount Ida (20/1)

Irish chaser Mount Ida is one of a strong number of horses from Gordon Elliott’s yard who is set to travel across to Liverpool for the Grand National this year. She has been in excellent form this season, with victories coming at Clonmel and Fairyhouse.

The eight-year-old is one of the popular tips for Cheltenham for the Liberthine Mares’ Chase on day four. She is the 5/2 joint-favourite for the newest race on the schedule at the Cheltenham Festival.

 

Mares don’t have a record in the Grand National. It has been 71 years since a mare was successful in this race. Mount Ida’s latest success in the Grade Three John & Chich Fowler Memorial EBF Mares Chase proves she has a lot of class about her.

Last season’s Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup winner will be taking a big step up in distance at Aintree. However, Elliott has won the race three times, so he knows what type of horse is needed for the contest. He clearly has a lot of confidence in his mare, who can be backed at 20/1 for the marathon affair. 

Fiddlerontheroof (25/1)

 

Colin Tizzard’s Fiddlerontheroof was one of the leading novice chasers of his age group last season. He finished second in the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at the Festival, while he was third in the Mildmay Novices’ Chase at the Grand National Meeting.

The eight-year-old has performed well this season outside of novice company. He made a winning return to action in a Listed contest at Carlisle (2m4f) back in October, scoring by just under two lengths.

The horse showed he has great stamina when he stayed on strongly at Newbury in a Grade Three contest on his second appearance of the campaign. He finished less than a length behind Cloudy Glen in one of the most prestigious prizes of the season in jumps racing.

Tizzard’s runner’s latest appearance came in the Swinley Chase at Ascot. Once again, he was in contention at the business end of the race. The talented chaser came home second behind Fortescue.

With Elegant Escape now out of the Grand National, Fiddlerontheroof is the yard’s leading hope this year. The Tizzard team have come into form at exactly the right time of the season, which could indicate they are set for a strong Cheltenham Festival and Grand National Meeting.

Fiddlerontheroof has been handed a fair allocation of 10st 12lb. He will be receiving weight from many of his main rivals in the race. At 25/1, he represents good value in the betting for this year’s famous steeplechase.

The 2022 Grand National takes place on the 9th April, and once again it will feature in the late afternoon at 17:15.

 

 

 

Horse Racing Bet Offers: Why You Should Read the Small Print

Betting on horse racing has always been a popular pastime in the UK, but that popularity has headed to the stratosphere in recent years. Aided by accessible and mobile-friendly online betting platforms, Brits are now betting more than ever on the races.

Unsurprisingly, the bulk of horse race wagering in the UK takes place across a very small number of high-prestige events. The Grand National, Ascot, Cheltenham, and Epsom Derby all take the lion’s share of UK horse racing betting, with hundreds of millions of pounds wagered on each of these events.

To capitalise on the popularity of high-profile racing events, it is now standard practice for bookmakers to offer free bets on these events, in order to encourage punters to create an account and make a deposit. Of course, a free bet is a great way to get the most out of your favourite races, but it is worth reading the small print before you claim. This will help you to get the most value out of your free bets this year. 

Minimum wagers

First off, it is important to note that many free bets for major events consist of “bet and get” promotions, where you must spend some of your own money first before you get a free wager. This might not sound like a free bet, but some of the promotions on offer can be generous. For example, the latest Cheltenham betting offers from the UK’s top bookmakers offer promotions such as “bet £10 get £30”, where you just need to make a single £10 bet to get an additional £30 to wager on Cheltenham. If you know how to shop around, you can rack up plenty of free bets this way. 

Odds requirements

One common stipulation in betting offers is that you must meet minimum odds requirements on a bet before you can use your free cash on that bet. This varies depending on the bookmaker, but it is typical for an offer to state that you must use your free bet on a wager with 1.5 odds or higher, or 1/2 odds or higher. This should not be much of a problem for most of the bets you can make on the likes of the Grand National or Cheltenham, but it is definitely worth keeping in mind if you are trying to claim a free bet to use on a very specific wager. 

 

 

 

UEFA Europa League Round of 16 Preview

As we enter the beginning of March, the football season within Europe starts to edge closer to its conclusion across a plethora of the countries that form the continent.

Indeed, many of the domestic leagues are starting to take shape in regard to titles, promotions and relegations, whilst cup competitions start to begin to enter the final knockings. This includes the biggest club cup competitions, including the UEFA Europa League.

Widely considered to be Europe’s second competition – at least behind the UEFA Champions League which is regarded to be elite and amongst one of the best in the whole of football – the beginning of March will see the Round of 16 take place after some of the participating teams competed and qualified in the recently introduced playoff knockout round.

Which teams are involved and when will the matches be played

Although you would expect that there are 16 teams to be competing in this stage of the tournament, only 14 will be playing as the match between RB Leipzig and Spartak Moscow has been cancelled. The Germans will be provided with a place in the next stage automatically, though.

Indeed, there are a number of exciting matches scheduled to take place which will have many interested in gambling online as the encounters will likely provide a number of top betting opportunities throughout the two legs to be played.

The matches of this stage are scheduled to be played on the 9 & 10 March in regard to the first legs, whereas the second legs will take place a week later. Let’s take a look at the matches that will be played:

  • FC Porto vs Olympique de Lyonnais (9 Mar & 17 Mar)
  • Real Betis vs Eintracht Frankfurt (9 Mar & 17 Mar)
  • Sevilla vs West Ham United (10 Mar & 17 Mar)
  • RB Leipzig vs Spartak Moscow (Cancelled)
  • FC Barcelona vs Galatasaray (10 Mar & 17 Mar)
  • Rangers vs Crvena zvezda (10 Mar & 17 Mar)
  • Braga vs AS Monaco (10 Mar & 17 Mar)
  • Atalanta vs Bayer Leverkusen (10 Mar & 17 Mar)

Which fixtures are the most interesting and worth keeping an eye on?

Although it is a bit of a cliche within football, there truly are no bad games in the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 and each of them has its own merits as a potential top clash.

There is no denying that many will look at Sevilla’s game with West Ham United as a potential one to watch, with both sides looking to go for glory. The Spaniards might have an advantage as they have been highly successful in this competition in the past, though, whilst they also have the stadium which will host the final.

FC Barcelona will be considered one of the favourites to win, though, which is why many will look at their game against Galatasaray as one to watch, especially as the Turkish side has always proven to be tough opponents in continental football.

Honourable mentions need to go to the games between Porto and Lyon, as well as the matches that will be played between Atalanta and Bayer Leverkusen, as these ties will see four big teams go at it with places just for two of them available. Many of the teams involved will be happy to see any two of the four depart.

 

 

 

When is the 2022 Grand National and Who Will Win?

Courtesy of Jeff Griffith via unsplash

The Grand National is the biggest horse race in the United Kingdom and one of the most-watched on the entire planet.

In 2022, it will take place on Saturday, 9th April, and will involve as many as 40 runners and riders competing across a gruelling 4-mile jump course in front of a huge cheering crowd. Its popularity has also made it the most bet-on event in the country, attracting many non-horse racing fans who may not wager on anything else for the rest of the year. That’s why, in the run-up to the event, all of the UK’s biggest bookmakers run promotions offering free bets specifically for the Grand National. 

If you’re considering using one (or more) of these offers, then you’re probably also wondering which horses have the best shot at winning the biggest prize in British jump racing. 

Minella Times

Minella Times is an early favourite for the 2022 Grand National thanks to it being the horse that cross the line first last year. The horse helped to make history in April 2021 when his jockey, Rachael Blackmore, became the first female to win the famous National Hunt event. 

Going into last year’s race, Minella Times had strong odds at 11-1 and is being backed by the bookies again with early odds of 16/1. It’s not yet confirmed who will ride him, but rumours are circling that Blackmore could be back in the saddle. If that gets confirmed, expect those odds to shorten sharply. 

Any Second Now

Any Second Now is a nine-year-old horse who managed to finish in third place in last year’s Grand National. By the time this year’s Grand National comes around, it will be almost 10 years old, but that hasn’t stopped the bookies tipping it as an early favourite. 

Tiger Roll

Tiger Roll is another record-breaking horse. From Ireland, the gelding is a hugely-decorated champion with five wins at the Cheltenham Festival and two back-to-back Grand National victories. 

He had been a strong favourite in the 2020 race before it was cancelled and again in 2021, but he was withdrawn due to the weight that had been allocated. 

It’s not yet confirmed whether Tiger Roll will run again in 2022, but if he does, it will likely be for the last time. 

Cloth Cap

Cloth Cap was a strong contender in 2021, up there with Minella Times. He started strong and was looking like the bookies had got it right, but he stopped on the second circuit of the course. If he can get over that problem this year, Cloth Cap could be one of the favourites again in 2022. 

 

 

 

IPL 2022 Betting Preview

The Chennai Super Kings stunned the cricketing world by winning the Indian Premier League for the fourth time in their history.

The Super Kings were seemingly in decline with an ageing squad after recording their worst IPL finish in the 2020 campaign since the inception of the league in 2008. However, they produced a solid regular season to finish second in the standings before dispatching the top-ranked Delhi Capitals in Qualifier 1 in a thriller that went down to the final over.

 

MS Dhoni’s side would meet Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL final and outbattled their opponents to secure a comfortable victory, earning their fourth crown and first since the 2018 campaign. The Chennai Super Kings now face the challenge of defending their title amid the influx of two new franchises for the 2022 season as Gujarat Titans and Lucknow Super Giants have joined the fold. It promises to be a thrilling competition, and the battle for the crown will be intense given an influx of talent and the overhaul of rosters following the IPL auction.

Mumbai Indians

Mumbai Indians are perhaps the biggest threat to the Super Kings’ crown, and are the favourites in the betting odds at 9/2 to win the tournament. The Indians famously beat Chennai off the final ball of the 2019 IPL Final as Lasith Malinga held his nerve under pressure. Battles between the Indians and the Super Kings are one of the reasons why live cricket betting is so compelling on the IPL, almost anything can happen out on the field due to the sheer amount of talent in the competition.

Mumbai are the only team to have won the IPL more than Chennai and will be hungry for success after a down year by their high standards. They are led well by Rohit Sharma and made savvy moves in signing Ishan Kishan and Jofra Archer to their squad for the 2022 campaign. The Indians are ones to watch out for in the upcoming campaign.

Delhi Capitals

The Delhi Capitals have been the nearly side of the IPL. They were beaten finalists in 2020 against the Indians and although they finished top of the standings in 2021, they failed to rise to the occasion in the post-season, losing both of their matches.

The Capitals have completely overhauled their side after their disappointment, allowing captain Shreyas Iyer to leave the franchise. Rishabh Pant has replaced him as skipper, while David Warner, Lungi Ngidi, Rovman Powell and Kuldeep Yadav have provided an influx of talent, but it remains to be seen whether there is too much overhaul for one off-season.

Punjab Kings

The Kings have underwhelmed more often than not during their IPL tenure, finishing in the top four only twice in their 12 seasons. Last term was yet another disappointment as they finished in sixth, prompting an overhaul in the squad and captain Lokesh Rahul.

 

Rahul left the franchise, who spent heavily in the auction. Punjab made the biggest splash of the auction to secure the signing of Liam Livingstone for 11.5 crore, while Kagiso Rabada and Jonny Bairstow also penned lucrative deals. There will be high levels of expectation for the Kings, but there are a lot new faces in the squad, therefore they may have issues with cohesion.

Can the Super Kings do it again?

The Super Kings have the experience and have not made drastic changes to their roster that won the tournament last season. Ruturaj Gaikwad was the standout batsman in the competition in 2021 and he will have to maintain that standard especially due to the departure of Faf du Plessis. Running it back for a second-straight season might just be beyond Dhoni and his team due to the changes and their advancing years in vital positions.

 

 

 

2022 Cheltenham Gold Cup Looks Wide Open

Cheltenham RaceCourse” (CC BY 2.0) by AndyLoos

The Cheltenham Festival is the centrepiece of the national hunt season, and when it comes to individual races at the festival, none are bigger than the Cheltenham Gold Cup. A battle over three miles and two furlongs, this race demands quality, staying power, good jumping, and plenty of heart and will to win.

The 2022 renewal looks to be wide open, with plenty of contenders lining up and thinking they are good enough to get involved. The betting markets reflect that too, for those looking to bet on horse racing in the UK, with A Plus Tard leading the way as the 10/30 favourite. He finished second last year to Minella Indo, who is also close up in the betting.

Then we have Galvin as the current 4/1 joint second-favourite with Minella Indo, he is the newcomer on the scene, taking his first steps into open company at the festival, after winning the National Hunt Chase for novice horses last season. The winner of the 2019 and 2020 races, Al Boum Photo, is leading the rest of the pack.

The one constant with all of these challengers is that they are from Ireland. This is a race that the Irish have dominated in recent years, and it is highly likely that they are going to take home the Gold Cup prize once again, if the betting market is to be believed.

 

 

Can Any Outsiders Upset the Market?

Of course, while those at the head of the betting market will take most of the interest in this race, they won’t take it all. Behind them, we are likely to see a big field, with a number of outsiders that will be hoping to pick up the pieces, if any of the big guns fail to fire on the day.

One of the most interesting of these runners is Ahoy Senor, who won a strong novice chase at Newbury in November by 31 lengths. He looks to be a very nice horse, and one for the future, but with ambitious connections, they may throw him in at the deep end in 2022, and he would certainly add some intrigue to the contest.

There are many horses in the contest that have the ability to cause an upset on the day, but generally, most are probably not quite good enough to win a Gold Cup. Horses such as Tornado Flyer, Royale Pagaille, Mount Ida and Asterion Forlonge could all be involved, but need things to go their way, and probably for some of the more fancied runners to disappoint.

With all of the names mentioned, we look set to see a big, competitive field go to post for the feature race of the Cheltenham Festival. The race will take place on the Friday of the meeting and round off a fabulous four days. Many connections will fancy their chances, but given the number of names involved from Ireland, it seems as though whoever wins the contest is likely to be from across the Irish Sea.