The road to the Cheltenham Festival begins

Samcro to stay over hurdles in a bid to give Gigginstown a first Champion
BY KITTY TRICE 10:17AM 29 OCT 2018
Gigginstown superstar Samcro will stay over hurdles this season with a tilt at the Champion Hurdle the main aim, trainer Gordon Elliott has revealed.

The six-year-old, who won four of his five starts over hurdles including the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, is likely to begin his campaign in the Grade 2 WKD Hurdle at Down Royal on Friday.

"I've spoken to Michael and Eddie O'Leary and we've decided to keep him over hurdles this season in the hope that he can develop into a Champion Hurdle contender," Elliott said in his Betfair blog. "I've never had a Champion Hurdle horse before and Gigginstown have yet to win it and we thought that it was worth giving Samcro a shot at that race."

Despite the temptation to go chasing with the son of Germany, connections have chosen to postpone going over fences for now.

"He started off in point-to-points and when we bought him at Aintree he was bought as a future chaser and hopefully we will see him over fences in the future," Elliott added. "As far as this season is concerned though he will be staying over hurdles and we are going to try to follow a path towards the Champion Hurdle.''

Dual Champion Hurdle winner Buveur D'Air heads the betting at 3-1 for next year's race with Paddy Power, while Samcro is second favourite at 100-30.

Betway offer 6-1 for Samcro to remain unbeaten this season, while Coral have placed him at the head of the Champion Hurdle market at 5-2.

Has to be one of my fav meetings although King George on boxing day hope we are firing on Might Bite

Pumped

Still some time Bob but yes to keep an eye for the potential stars making their reappearance

The Tizzard team insist they are not afraid about taking on Might Bite again as they prepare Native River for a Gold Cup rematch in the Betfair Chase at Haydock on Saturday.

Saturday's race is a cracker with a few star runners but as mentioned previously i am off the opinion that Might Bite will be the next jumps hero and a must to follow

Good punting

Well after a few cracking come back races from last years stars Cheltenham looks like being another star studded festival

Arkle ; Kalashnikov looks to be the one to beat
For the Champion hurdle and chase cant see past Buveur Dair and Altior
Mares Hurdle should go to Apples Jade
So four bankers with 3 months to go!!
The actual Gold Cup never that cut and dry with Might Bite focus King George on boxing day and Native River probably a better option , however a few in line that could show their intentions over the next couple of months (Presenting Percy, Thistlecrack ? ) not easy

Good punting

Kalashnikov and Altior both run today and hopefully no shock for Altior

Apples Jade runs today in Ireland

Well Apples was impressive but so was CHAMP today

Sky Bet will become the first bookmaker to go non-runner no-bet on all 28 races at the Cheltenham Festival from 8am on New Year's Day.

Starting on March 12, the festival is a renowned punting puzzle as not only are the races fiercely competitive but many horses have multiple entries, making ante-post wagering a minefield.

Three runners in multiple markets

Champ
Ballymore Novices' Hurdle 6-1
Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle 12-1

Delta Work
RSA Chase 6-1
JLT Novices' Chase 14-1

Tornado Flyer
Ballymore Novices' Hurdle 14-1
Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle 16-1

Sky Bet's PR racing manager Michael Shinners said: "With the jumps season getting off to a slow start with the lack of rain a major contributor, a number of the novice races look very difficult puzzles to solve, with a number of horses having multiple options.

"The non-runner no-bet concession is arguably the best offer a bookmaker can give for the festival and we have decided to kick off 2019 with a bang.”

Bet365 have been offering non-runner no-bet on the five championship races at the festival since December 20.

Having another early look at Cheltenham where speculation is high and not all the cards have been played.
What are the likely scenarios and is there any value on early ante post punts?

Supreme; The highly promising ANGELS BREATH at 7/1 could be answer.

Arkle; KALASHNIKOV disappointed last time but worth another chance at 8/1

Champion Hurdle ; I am sure we all thought BUVEUR DAIR would have started 4/10 and be impossible to beat, but after Kempton we can now get 15/10 certainly worth another go.

Mares Hurdle ; APPLES JADE looked great in comeback runs and at 16/10 the one to beat.

Champion Chase ; Where ALTIOR is the festival banker and impossible to oppose and the 11/20 even looks generous.

Ballymore Novice ; If the CHAMP runs will probably win at 5/1 current.

Cross Country; The popular TIGER ROLL at 3/1 will be a strong fancy with the punters.

The Gold Cup ; Start be scratching your head ?
NATIVE RIVER is probably the right one with Richard Johnson but MIGHT BITE i have no idea what has happened to the star?
Can THISTLECRACK get back to its best ........more to follow.

Good Punting