Nicky Henderson (4/5 Paddy Power) is the most successful Cheltenham Festival trainer still in training with 31 winners over a glittering 25-year career and sits third in the all-time list behind Fulke Walwyn and Martin Pipe. Henderson will have some top quality horses when racing’s biggest four days gets underway on March 16th.
Henderson will saddle the likes of Punchestowns in the RSA Chase, Zaynar and Punjabi in the Champion Hurdle and Barbers Shop in the Ryanair Chase. All of these runners stand a magnificent chance of giving the 59 year-old another festival success and at 4/5 could mark good value.
Willie Mullins (100/30 Paddy Power) sits second in the market as he brings some of his stable stars over from Ireland.
With the likes of last season’s RSA Chase Cooldine vying for Gold Cup success, Mikael D’haguenet and Quevega in his armoury could send the Irish trainer to the top of the betting without Nicholls tree.
Third in the betting is Alan King (8/1 Paddy Power) who has had a difficult season. However, Medermit is one of the big hopes as he sets out on his quest to win the Champion Hurdle. The gutsy grey has ran well this season and could provide a shock in Tuesday’s big race. King also has the JCB Triumph Hurdle favourite Mille Chief and with Bensalem, Karabak and Manyriverstocross also in his arsenal could notch a few winners.
Of the other trainers who stand a realistic chance David Pipe (16/1 Paddy Power) will be hoping to emulate his father’s success but could struggle with actually producing a winner. Another who could have trouble finding the winner’s enclosure is local trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies (16/1 Paddy Power), who, although has a decent stable, will struggle to win the accolade.
As I am very confident Nicholls will bag his fourth consecutive crown, the value could be in the market betting without the Somerset trainer. Although, Nicky Henderson is a bit short at a shade of odds on, I still feel he has the team that could trouble the rest of the trainers and bring home the bacon.
|
Bookmakers Free Bets - Claim Exclusive Offers Today!
