NAAS Journey With Me and Rachael Blackmore win a Grade 3 for trainer Henry de Bromhead © Photo Healy Racing
National hunt’s A-listers are currently being wrapped up in cotton wool in preparation for the Cheltenham Festival. Meticulous daily checks are carried out - from every scrap of food eaten up to weight fluctuations to feedback from staff after exercise and a horse’s general demeanour - it is a vital time for those taking to the big stage.
Punters therefore, are depending on those running over the next week and a half to strike at nice prices and to boost their Cheltenham funds.
To qualify for your BoyleSports Cheltenham free bets, you must place a multiple bet. Emma Nagle and Stephen Harris have served up their best bets of the weekend, including some big-priced fancies to make an attractive treble.
This week, BoyleSports is offering €50 in free bets to Irish customers, well worth your time with Cheltenham in mind.
Journey With Me, 4.23 Navan, Webster Cup Chase, (Grade 2) 2m. 4f. 90yds.
Henry de Bromhead's Journey With Me was a smart novice last term and despite a long layoff should get back to winning ways on reappearance. Looking back on his novice chase form, he is very hard to oppose against rivals who all have question marks about them after recent runs. The De Bromhead yard is hitting good form operating at around a 21% strike rate in the past three weeks and he should be ready for this.
Elvis Mail, 3:25 Kelso, bet365 Premier Chase (Listed Race) Cl1, 2m. 7f. 96yds.
Nick Alexander’s chaser is a much more settled character these days, and has an excellent record at this course on soft ground over the last few seasons. He had excuses for a lesser effort when seventh in a hot Cheltenham handicap last time out (shaping better than the bare result out of his usual comfort zone), and his previous win over 3m2f at this track is solid form for the grade.
Certainly Red, 3:40 Doncaster Grimthorpe Handicap Chase, Cl2 3m. 2f.
Lydia Richard’s stayer has been building up to peak fitness this winter, and a repeat of his latest runner-up effort at Sandown would put him bang in contention for this ultra-competitive prize. He has won 4 of his 12 career starts over fences, and a strongly run race over this 3m2f trip should be ideal under regular rider Marc Goldstein.
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