Festival Trials Day

This coming weekend will provide much food for thought for horse racing betting fans, their eyes on the Cheltenham Festival, as key runners reveal their strengths or weaknesses in the Festival Trials Day at Cheltenham on Saturday. Top of the list at this meet is the 3m, Grade 2 Byrne Group Cleeve Hurdle in which Punchestowns will be the one to beat following the shock retirement of Inglis Drever. This Nicky Henderson trained horse won by eleven lengths at Ascot in December in the Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdle over 3m1f and, at even money, is a generous gift from the bookies. And don’t worry about the weather – shrewd observers of his recent triumphs will have noted that Punchestown has an uncanny knack of delivering, whatever the going.

The Betchronicle.com Trophy Handicap Chase will set Gwanako, the Paul Nicholas-trained six-year-old, against Majimar, three years his senior and winner of the equivalent race last year. Runner-up on this track in March, Gwanako won both his subsequent completed chases and showed great style over the bigger jumps at Aintree.

Exotic Dancer, the Jonjo O’Neill nine-year-old, gets a chance to show a return to form in the Letheby and Christopher Chase following his 20-length win In the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown in December. Success here could see him earmarked for the Cheltenham Festival rather than a scheduled return to the Irish track in February.

First race of the day, the Classic Novices Hurdle, should see Diamond Harry maintain his unbeaten record with little to threaten him in this field. Oh, and Cheltenham betting enthusiasts take note – every winner, in the history of this race, won on its previous outing. Walkon, trained by Alan King, runs in the 2m1f Wragge & Co Juvenile Hurdle and only Reve De Sivola offers a challenge with a 7lb advantage although Simarian might be worth a look having won twice before on this course.