Cheltenham Betting
Triumph Hurdle Betting Preview
The Triumph Hurdle will kick start Cheltenham Gold Cup day on March 19 and it looks set to be a piping hot contest.
Raced over the minimum trip often at a blitzkrieg gallop, it usually suits what you might describe as a ‘staying’ two miler.
There has been one horse who has really fit that bill so far this season in the shape of Nick Williams’ Me Voici. He has form at Prestbury Park following his ten length demolition of a strong field at Christmas and he recently hammered Diktalina, a horse who had previously won at Sandown, by an equally impressive margin.
Needless to say I almost had a heart attack when I saw his ante post odds drift out to a whopping 20/1 on the back of this form.
It turns out however, that he is likely to miss the Festival, as trainer Williams believes his charge is best saved for next season when he will tackle a further trip and bigger obstacles. Therefore I will not waste too much more paragraph space on the red hot four year-old.
Williams has said though that he may let Me Voici take his chance if the ground comes up soft or heavy at Cheltenham, where his staying qualities would give him a massive advantage. If he is left unscratched from the final declarations he cannot be ignored.
The aforementioned Diktalina (40/1) was beaten fair and square by Me Voici but the race probably came too soon after her victory at Sandown. She has shown plenty of ability and may well be a beneficiary of a quickly run race - she has a tendency to come late and her weight allowance will help.
The most well backed horse to date is Secant Star who is now 8/1 from 16/1. Willie Mullins has a great reputation of producing talented young hurdlers, and his horse was well in command at Leopardstown on his debut before falling at the last.
Secant Star bounced back however in convincing fashion a month later at Gowran Park under the guidance of Ruby Walsh, recording a seven length success with tremendous ease and he now be well amongst the favourites for the big race. It is sheer folly to turn a blind eye to notable market movement and this has to be said with regards to Secant Star.
If Walsh opts to ride Mullins’ horse at the Festival that also has to read significant, as Paul Nicholls is likely to offer Walsh the ride on Advisor (16/1) who has won both his starts over timber to date. He is another who looks well in the mix alongside Carlito Brigante (7/1) and Mille Chief (5/1).
Preference on sheer form has to go to Me Voici however, if he runs. If the ground at Cheltenham suits a stayer then the mare Diktalina is a more than solid each way alternative.
