The greatest show on turf is upon us! The biggest week of the Jump season is finally here and we couldn’t be more excited to get into this one.
Brand ambassador Ray Parlour is a Cheltenham fanatic himself and every year heads out to the Cotswolds for one of the year’s biggest festivals.
We sat down with Ray to get his top tips ahead of some of Cheltenham Festival’s most iconic races.
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Unibet Champion Hurdle: March 12th @ 15:30
“After the news that Constitution Hill has had a setback, this opens the door for State Man from Willie Mullins’ stable. Unbeaten in his last four races, State Man is a top hurdler and will take a lot of stopping at Cheltenham. This will be one of Mullins’ many winners at the Festival.”
State Man runs away as our star favourite. Although he didn’t win this race last year, it was his only defeat in eleven starts. The Mullins runner will be pushing hard and difficult to beat.
Ray’s Pick: State Man @ 1.36
Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase: March 13th @ 15:30
“The Queen Mother Champion Chase is going to be a two-horse race between El Fabiolo and Jonbon. With Nicky Henderson’s yard not in terrific form, this race can go the way of Willie Mullins as El Fabiolo wins the Champion Chase. Mullins has such a big stable of top horses coming into this year’s Festival, and with his horses in such good form, El Fabiolo can win here.”
El Fabiolo beat Arkle and continued a perfect six-from-six record in this race. He is 1.50 with the impressive Jonbon at 4.33 to come through and upset another Mullins winner.
Ray’s Pick: El Fabiolo @1.50
Cheltenham Gold Cup: March 15th @ 15:30
For centuries, the Gold Cup has stood as a coveted symbol of equestrian excellence. This prestigious trophy, awarded to the victor of the Cheltenham Gold Cup, represents the pinnacle of achievement in Jump racing.
“Unlike the last few years, we have a clear favourite in Galopin Des Champs, trained by Wille Mullins who looks in superb form. A winner last year, the horse ran a brilliant preparation race and looked like not getting out of 2nd gear.
I can’t see past Galopin Des Champs to win the Gold Cup this year, but it all depends on his jumping. Looking at a good each-way selection, then I will put up Hewick to run a big race.
Irish-trained, Hewick was the winner of the King George VI Chase at Kempton and has great stamina, so can run on well for a place, or if the race opens up can be in with a shout of the win.”
Galopin Des Champs leads the odds at 2.25 with Hewick an outsider finding himself just 15.00 for this one. Fastorslow is the second favourite at 6.00 with Shishkin, a previous strong runner in this race, placed at 7.00.
Ray’s Pick: Galopin Des Champs @ 2.25
Ray’s Pick: Hewick E/W @ 15.00
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