King Nicholls of Cheltenham
March 3, 2010 by stellastevens
The 2010 Cheltenham Festival is threatening to come to the boil just nicely in the weeks leading up to the four day event. These preceding months have shown a number of top horses approaching their A-game and there are a number of intriguing races and battles to be had across the card. It is also an exciting time for punters as many bookmakers tart up their free bet offers which can allow punters to build up a portfolio of ante-post bets ahead of the festival.
No race is more eagerly anticipated than the 2010 Cheltenham Gold Cup where two of the best horses in the history of National Hunt racing will once again go head to head. Kauto Star has stolen favouritism from stable mate Denman after the latter put in a couple of suspect jumps which caused him to unseat jockey Tony McCoy in the recent Aon Chase at Newbury. However, that was McCoys first ride on the 2008 Gold Cup champion and he may have learned a few harsh lessons that will improve the chances of Denman in the 2010 Cheltenham Gold Cup. At 7/2 his shoulders could be a popular residing place for many punters free bet tokens.
Another Paul Nicholls trained and Clive Smith owned horse commands favouritism in the Queen Mother Champion Chase. Master Minded is the 4/5 favourite and looked to be on his way back to his very best in his recent run at Newbury despite a heart-in-mouth moment at the last fence which he blundered through but managed to stay on his feet. He had required surgery on a broken rib in November 2009 but if he can make a full recovery and win the race then it will be a hat-trick of Queen Mother Champion Chases for the horse and jockey Ruby Walsh, a feat which has only been achieved once in the 60 year history of the race.
The Nicholls trio of mouth-watering Cheltenham Festival runners is completed by World Hurdle favourite Big Bucks. The French bred horse won the race last year and has not looked back since, winning all of his subsequent three races including victory in testing conditions at Newbury at the end of December and another without coming off the bridle a month earlier. Those who are looking for a festival banker for their free bet could do a lot worse than plump for Big Bucks to make it a second World Hurdle in a row.
At time of writing the only odds on favourite going to the festival not trained by Nicholls is the big Irish hope Dunguib. Trained by Philip Fenton and the winner of the 2009 Champion Bumper at Cheltenham he remains unbeaten over obstacles and has put in an immaculate preparation campaign ahead of the 2010 festival. He is the odds on favourite for the opening race of the festival, the Supreme Novices Hurdle, and will be looking for a win to kick off a hugely anticipated Cheltenham Festival.
