THE biggest week of the racing year is fast approaching – meaning time is running out to get real value on some fancied runners.
Already we have seen the likes of Constitution Hill go long odds-on to win the Champion Hurdle.
But there is still plenty of money to be made elsewhere from some the bookies may have missed.
Here, Sun Racing’s top tipster goes through his best fancies – and don’t forget you can back them non-runner money back with William Hill.
He recommends placing the below in an each-way Yankee. Good luck!
PROTEKTORAT – Cheltenham Gold Cup (10-1)
I still think A Plus Tard will put up a good defence in Friday’s big one but, until he comes back and shows his Haydock blip was just that, we should have a look elsewhere too.
The horse that beat him in the Betfair Chase – PROTEKTORAT – probably hasn’t had the credit he deserves because Henry De Bromhead’s star had an off day.
But it was a scintillating effort from Dan Skelton’s now eight-year-old who jumped beautifully and was full value for his 11-length success.
The Skeltons are aiming him solely at the Gold Cup now and he can at least repeat last season’s third.
EPATANTE – Champion Hurdle (50-1)
I know Nicky Henderson is leaning towards the Mares’ race with his Champion Hurdler but she’s simply too huge a price not to include her in this bet.
She was again no match for Constitution Hill in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton but clocked up another Group 1 second behind that machine.
JP McManus has shown down the years that he’s willing to go for a more prestigious target and, let’s face it, the Mares’ Hurdle will be tough too with Honeysuckle and Brandy Love in there.
You could argue she’s only playing for a place in that race too – and the Champion may actually be a softer race aside from Constitution Hill.
And there’s the chance of a one-two for the Henderson yard.
Let’s hope she turns up here as there’s every chance of her making the frame again at massive odds.
BALLYGRIFINCOTTAGE – Cheltenham Festival Brown Advisory Chase (14-1)
The Skeltons look to have a really nice staying chaser on their hands after he won impressively on his chase debut at Haydock in November.
There are a couple of slight worries in that he likes soft ground and has also been backed for the National Hunt Chase over a longer trip.
But the Brown Advisory looks a wiser target and, the way the weather has been in the past few years, there’s every chance it will be testing at Cheltenham in March.
Either way he has a bright future and looks a fair price.
IMPERVIOUS – Cheltenham Festival Mares’ Chase (4-1)
To go with the hefty prices, we have a possibly more realistic contender in Impervious for Friday’s Mares’ Chase.
She has looked electric on both runs over fences and clocked a swift time when winning a Cork Grade 2 last time out.
That was over two miles but she had lots left in the tank and can cope with the extra half-mile of this Festival contest.
What’s more, JP McManus has just secretly bought her – indicating he is targeting Festival riches.
When is Cheltenham Festival?
Cheltenham Festival runs from Tuesday, March 14 to Friday, March 17.
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