The highlight of the racing calendar is officially underway, the pints have been flowing and people’s wallets are growing.
Cheltenham Festival is the pinnacle of the jumping season, with the best riders and trainers from around the world competeing for the highest possible honors, and over £4.5 million in prize money.
The four-day long extravaganza kicked off on Tuesday, with the highlight so-far being Buveur d’Air’s pulsating narrow victory in the Unibet Champion Hurdle, a master-class from jockey Barry Geraghty which showcased everything that the festival is all about.
This isn’t just the jockeys’ event however, millions of punters are expected to try their luck over the course of the week, with massive rewards there to be won. It’s reported that around 30 grand in bets get placed every second during the tweed-fest, with a grand total of £300 million (yeah, you read that right) being splashed. Plus, as it’s St. Paddys day this weekend, around 265,00 pints of Guinness are thought to be supped.
The art of backing the right horse is something long pondered by racing aficionados, so what do the stats say? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.
The meetings most successful jockey is the legendary Ruby Walsh, who has amassed a staggering 56 wins before this years event, he’s a fairly safe shout if you see that he’s taking to the track. Two historic trainers will also be battling it out over the week in the form of Nicky Henderson (55 wins) and Irishman Willie Mullins (54). These gentlemen are iconic among the racing scene and their mares are well worth your money should feel the urge, although Mullins has never managed to win the Gold Cup, so maybe steer clear of him there.
There’s still a couple of days’ worth of action for you to have a tickle on; so here are a few tips for day-three to keep you in the know:
2.10pm – The Pertemps Handicap Hurdle – A Great View
3.30pm – STAYERS’ HURDLE – L’Ami Serge
4.10pm – Brown Advisory Handicap – Guitar Pete
4.50pm – Mares’ Nov’ Hurdle – Laurina
5.30pm – Kim Muir Handicap Chase – Actinpieces
If any of those have the pedigree to be winners (or have the coolest name), here’s what the bookies are offering:
Cheltenham Festival 2018 at William hill
A Great View – 10/1
L’Ami Serge – 11/1
Guitar Pete – 14/1
Laurina – 8/13
Actinpieces – 20/1
William Hill are also offering a 15% free-bet bonus on any Cheltenham race if your pick wins by five lengths, as a part of their ‘High 5’ deal.
To see complete odds and full race listings, head to their website . May the odds be ever in your favour.
