Cheltenham Betting
Grand Annual Handicap Chase
The Grand Annual Handicap Chase will draw down the curtain on the Cheltenham Festival this year, and whilst it almost brings a tear to the eye to think about the end before everything has even begun, now is the time to get the bets on as your money back is guaranteed in the event of a non runner.
Currently, the favourite heads the market at 8/1, but you can be sure that the sort of prices now available will literally be a thing of the past come race time.
That favourite in question is Jered, owned by J.P McManus and trained by Noel Meade. A classy type, he is definitely there with a chance racing off 11-0. However, his previous runs over fences have been over two and a half miles and in such a competitive race, there is a strong possibility that he could well be outpaced, especially down the back of Cheltenham’s undulating track.
French Opera (10/1) seems to have been around forever despite being only seven. Nicky Henderson’s charge is in fact a bit of a rarity being a second season novice chaser and he could well take a tilt at the Arkle Chase.
That company could possibly be a little too hot for him to handle, however should he run in the Grand Annual, he has a cracking chance. His odds of 10/1 with the assurance of money back for a non run call for a good each-way bet. Third in the race last year, he will carry joint top weight of 11-12. He is, though, used to carrying big weights and has form over quite a few of the other likely runners. Not to mention French Opera has now won his last three chases on the spin.
Copper Bleu (14/1) and Leo’s Lucky Star (16/1) must surely go close off their weights of 10-11 and 10-7 respectively, but the horse who looks on an extremely handsome mark is another from the J.P McManus team - Song Of Songs (12/1).
The eight year-old has failed to reach the winners enclosure since around this time last year, when he beat the talented Deep Purple in a novice chase at Sandown.
His potential and credentials have yet to be fulfilled following that success and in truth he has looked a very difficult ride for A.P McCoy, who was last seen battling from some way out to get his mount going at Sandown in February, when fourth behind Russian Flag.
The feeling is that it has taken trainer James Fanshawe a fair while to get his horse in shape, but running off 10-8, he is perfectly weighted to win a race like this. J.P McManus is not a successful and wealthy man from buying donkeys, and Song Of Songs is a far cry from a no hoper regardless of his recent scratchy form.
A confident ride is needed from A.P McCoy to keep him on his toes and if that is the case he would hold massive claims in this at 12/1.
