Cheltenham Thursday - And We Soldier On...

Cheltenham Thursday

Daft as it may sound when I am tipping a different horse, I would love to see Bob Olinger win this after all his issues over the years have so severely restricted his racecourse appearances. He can go well, but this looks all about the Gordon Elliott trained Teahupoo, the winner in 2024 and out to gain revenge on his compatriot who took this as a ten-year-old in 2025. He arrives at the top of his game after wins at Punchestown, Fairyhouse and Leopardstown this year, and is reported to be in the form of his life at home. We know he handles the trip and the track, we know he is in winning form, and we know this has been his target, and at odds of 9/4 as I write, that looks a bargain price to me and one I will quite happily snap up if it is still available come race day, which I doubt.  

 Teahupoo 3.20pm Cheltenham

The Irish have long considered the Willie Mullins trained Bambino Fever as their banker of the meeting, and although I am loathe to bet odds-on I really can’t see her being beaten and a winner is a winner. She heads off to the Ryanair Mares’ Novice Hurdle on the back of a 12 length win to take her maiden at Fairyhouse in January. Prior to that she won her only point-to-point at Stowlin by 40 length and three bumpers including the Champion bumper here last year, and the Irish equivalent at Punchestown in April, with her only defeat at Naas at odds-on on her hurdling debut when beaten half a length after looking as if she may have needed the race more than connections hoped. Her inexperience is more of a worry than her rivals in this field, and a clear round ought to see her home in front this afternoon.  

Bambino Fever 1.20pm Cheltenham

With odds-on shots in the better races this afternoon I need to look elsewhere for a bit more value and I am drawn to Fergal O’Briens Sixmilebridge as an each way shout ahead of the Jack Richards Novices’ Chase at 2.00pm. The son of Affinisea has done nothing wrong since switching to the larger obstacles, winning three out of three including a novice chase over course and distance by 13 lengths in December. The five length winer of the Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase at Sandown on his latest start, he races off a mark of 150 here which seems more than fair (and possibly a few pounds short of his ability), and if the Irish runners aren’t as good as they hope (it happens), he could win this or at least land the place part of our bets.

Sixmilebridge each way 2.00pm Cheltenham 

The Rest of the Cheltenham Card in brief.

You will see my three best bets elsewhere, but as it is the one and only Cheltenham Festival, every race deserves at least a passing mention! 

2.40pm – With Lossiemouth diverted to the Champion hurdle this looks a gift to Gordon Elliott’s Wodhooh who will start at prohibitive odds. Her career record of nine wins from 10 starts stands up to the closest scrutiny with her only defeat by the aforementioned rival, and with two confortable wins this season at Ascot and then Leopardstown. I did look for an each way alternative but the truth is I struggled and as I was always told, better an odds-on winner than a 25/1 last!

Wodhooh

4.00pm – Another odds-on shot won’t be too popular I accept and Fact Or File is a lousy price despite a win at Leopardstown last month. He is rated 6lb superior to Banbridge according to the handicapper which make the odds about right in my eyes, and its hard to see past him. Jonbon is sent here and is a sensible each way alternative at 7/1 but the reality is the bookmakers look to have it correct once more.

Fact Or File

4.40pm – One of the more complicated handicaps each year, but we had Doddiethegreat at 25/1 in 2025 so the race doesn’t owe us anything. Even a look through the attributes of past winners over the last 20 years left me with a shortlist of seven, but one of those was the underrated Absolutely Doyen for Paul Nicholls, who has won his five starts since arriving at the yard from Fergal O’Brien’s. He is clearly an improving novice and has a willing attitude about him, and at 14/1 a shilling each way may not go amiss. 

Absolutely Doyen each way 

5.20pm – This three and a quarter mile handicap is the race of the year for amateur jockeys, though I have to add they are far far better in the saddle than we used to witness years ago, I assure you. I have it down to three (as if it was that easy), of Herakles Westwood, Waterford Whispers, and Prends Garde A Toi, who gets the nod thank to his price around the 14/1 mark, and Gordon Elliott’s record in this race over the years. Fourth to My immortal at Punchestown last month, he races off 1lb higher here, but with only six races over fences we can but hope there is still improvement to come, while jockey is as experienced as any, and more than capable if the horse is good enough.

Prends Garde A Toi each way