The Cheltenham Festival is just around the corner and as the ante post tips and rumour mill hits overdrive the team from the Racehour podcast and the Tote teamed up to bring you the best Cheltenham Preview night on the circuit once again!
An expert panel of special guests lined up to set the record straight at the famous Goat Bar in Dublin on Tuesday 28th February 2023. The evening is packed with a plethora of tips, analysis, entertainment and heated debate to get stuck into ahead of the four days at Cheltenham on a fully recorded preview night special.
This year’s panel is once again brilliantly marshalled by Up The Ante and Racing Post's David Jennings (host), Cheltenham Festival winning jockey Mikey Fogarty, Aintree Grand National winning jockey David Mullins, Racing TV presenter Donn McClean, and of course the #Racehour podcast duo of Diarmuid Nolan and Dean Ryan. From the Tote, the team were joined by Jamie Benson of “Beat Benson” fame from the Tote Betting Tournaments and creator of Tote Fantasy – a wonderful innovation for horse racing fans available only on the Tote platform.
Straight into the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and beyond as the panel debate Facile Vega, Tahmuras and more, who what and where will they run and more importantly who will win the first race of the week once the roar subsides and the horses do the talking.
All four days covered, the mares races and the handicaps discussed separately and then it’s time for the charity bets provided by the Tote to find the naps that can raise some money for a good cause after all the fun has been had for the week.
A few hours of Cheltenham Festival entertainment that is not to be missed!
The panel start at the beginning with the Supreme and whether Facile Vega will bounce back from the Dublin Racing Festival blip to claim honours for Willie Mullins in the opener.
The next race the panel discuss is the Arkle Novices' Chase where El Fabiolo and Jonbon fight out a split decision from the experts.
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Then it’s time for the Champion Hurdle and Constitution Hill. Is this the next true great horse for all to marvel over?
The National Hunt Chase is next up and favourite Galliard De Mesnil might not have too much trouble against weak field?
On to day two and the team discuss the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle where Hermes Allen might be a British banker for Paul Nicholls?
The Brown Advisory Chase could set up as one of the races of the week with Gerri Colombe putting unbeaten credentials to the test against Thyme Hill?
The Queen Mother Champion Chase is a repeat for last year’s winner Energumene or will this year be tougher with Edwardstone, Gentleman De Mee and others coming for a crack at the champion?
It’s a host of stars for the future for discussion in the Champion Bumper as It’s For Me, Fact Or File and others are discussed but the panel is split as you might expect.
The Thursday at Cheltenham starts with the Turners Novices' Chase which maybe provides the best bet of the week for some in Mighty Potter. As good a horse as some believe or more to proce at Cheltenham where he didn’t fire last season?
The Ryanair Chase is next of course, but should it be at the Festival, does it detract from the meeting given hot race favourite could go for a Gold Cup if this wasn’t an option? It’s not Allaho this year but Shishkin who looks already in the winners enclosure.
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The Stayers Hurdle is feature race of the day and according to the panel Blazing Khal is worthy to be market leader despite a few issues in the preparation.
Lossiemouth hogs the limelight for the Triumph Hurdle which kicks off Gold Cup day at Cheltenham.
The Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle has so many question marks to discuss, and the panel are divided on the best chances with some big priced horses mentioned favourably once again this year.
The Gold Cup is the big one and across the board opinions vary but strong cases made for Galopin Des Champs of course who seems to have the world at his feet with his blistering performances so far. The charge behind him includes a Grand National winner, last years Gold Cup winner, this years King George winner and more. Who will come out on top at Cheltenham in 2023?
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No Preview Night can be complete without the Cheltenham Festival naps and charity bets – this is where the panel pick the best bets of the week and discuss all the supporting contests in search of early value ahead of a brilliant week of sport at Cheltenham. Thanks again to the Tote for their generous sponsorship and watch out for the Racehour on Bookmakers.com this Cheltenham for more insight, tips, podcasts and media content on all things at the Festival.
Each day of the meeting will try to find the correct perm to win the Tote 1m Guaranteed Placepot pool which is a massive boost for the Festival and pools players that week.
Best of luck at the Festival to all.