Cheltenham Festival Ante-Post Round-Up – Jonbon unshipped at the head of Arkle market

There is now just a month left until the Cheltenham Festival and plenty of connections are getting their prep runs into their horses ahead of next month. This weekend saw plenty of top-class action at Newbury, Warwick, Naas, Exeter and Fairyhouse.

Hot favourite Greaneteen beaten at Newbury

Starting at Newbury and Greaneteen was expected to land the Game Spirit Chase at Newbury with a possibility of being a realistic hope in the Champion Chase next month. Things did not go to plan though as he didn’t find a great deal when the pace quickened late on. His jockey reported that 2m on a flat track doesn’t suit so maybe going to Cheltenham will see a better performance, but a price of 33/1 with Bet365 pretty much sums up his chances. You can get an even bigger price for the impressive winner Funambule Sivola with Venetia Williams’ charge 40/1 with Bet365 for the Champion Chase.

The Betfair Hurdle is one of the biggest handicaps during the season and Aucunrisque provided a big race winner for small trainer Chris Gordon. This was his first run back over hurdles as he has been chasing this season and he was able to take advantage of a lower mark over hurdles. After the race, his trainer said he will go back over fences at The Festival for the Grand Annual and he now heads that market at 12/1 with Betfair.

Over at Warwick, it was a shame that the Kingmaker was reduced to just 2 runners, but it was expected to be a very easy success for Arkle favourite Jonbon ahead of Cheltenham. Things didn’t go smoothly though and he was only workmanlike in beating his sole rival who he would have been conceding a further 18lbs if the race was a handicap. He was pushed out to 2/1 with Bet365 for the Arkle and it means that last week’s Irish Arkle winner El Fabiolo is the new favourite for the race.

Billaway unimpressive at Naas

At Naas, last year’s Festival Hunter Chase winner Billaway landed the Hunters Chase on the card for the 4^th year running. On the face of it, he wasn’t overly impressive though making one really bad mistake and having to work harder than ideal to win. He was pushed out to 12/1 for The Festival with Betfair although it is worth remembering he has yet to finish out of the first 2 in his 3 attempts at the race.

Luccia has options at The Festival

The Listed Novices’ Hurdle at Exeter on Sunday has seen some good horses win it over the years and there is every chance this year’s winner Luccia could be another. She was forced to miss the Grade 1 Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown last month with an unsatisfactory scope, but she won with this prize with ultimate ease. It is no surprise she is 7/4 favourite with Bet365 for the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle, but she could go for the Supreme Hurdle instead and she is 10/1 with the same firm for that.

Khal returns in superb form

In the action at Navan, the feature was the Grade 2 Boyne Hurdle and it saw the return of Blazing Khal who had not been seen for 14 months. He jumped straight to the head of the Stayers’ Hurdle market though with a very impressive victory. Given there is likely to be an improvement to come for the first run in so long it is easy to understand why he is now 5/2 for the race with Bet365.

The other Grade 2 on the card was the Ten Up Novice Chase and it was won by the through stayer Churchstonewarrior. Connections after the race only said that the National Hunt Chase at The Festival was an option at this stage, but he is into 13/2 with Bet365 for that race. 2^nd Mahler Mission didn’t do much wrong either and he also remains a leading hope for the National Hunt Chase and is 10/1 with Bet365 for it.

All odds accurate at time of writing.