Cheltenham ante-post eye-catchers: weekend review 21-22 November
Slot Betting reviews the newest Cheltenham Festival ante-post betting after compelling performances from Ryanair Chase and Cheltenham Gold Cup hopefuls throughout the weekend of 21-22 November
The National Hunt season continues to move up via the gears and it was one other beautiful weekend of racing across the UK and Ireland, headlined by Bristol De Mai gallantly regaining his Betfair Chase crown at Haydock.
The noble gray will not be fancied to copy his Grade 1 heroics come the spring, but there have been loads of different eye-catchers in the Cheltenham ante-post betting following one other excellent weekend of jump racing.
Aura about Bailey’s Ryanair hopeful
Odds right at time of publishing and subject to alter.
The 1965 Chase at Ascot has a strong monitor document of being received by Cheltenham Festival heroes, with Albertas Run, Master Minded, Al Ferof, Vautour and Politologue among the more recent scorers.
Imperial Aura, profitable within the now defunct novices’ handicap chase at the Festival back in March, was the latest winner on Saturday and Kim Bailey’s cost was very spectacular.
The type of his Cheltenham win is already appealing, with runner-up Galvin achieving a sequence of victories since to command ante-post favouritism for the National Hunt Chase again in the Cotswolds in March.
Imperial Aura made the right return this month when taking the Colin Parker Memorial Chase at Carlisle and he built positively on that at Ascot on Saturday, swatting aside the likes of Itchy Feet and Real Steel (sixth in last season’s Gold Cup) for an authoritative success.
It was sufficient to earn him a quote for subsequent month’s King George but connections had been fast to pour cold water on the suggestion of him contesting that. The Boxing Day showpiece is a “year too soon” for a horse whose longer-term ambition is to hold Imperial Commander’s colors to Gold Cup glory.
For now, the Ryanair Chase is the plan, as proprietor Ian Robinson rapidly ascertained that “if we’re serious about the Ryanair then we should depend back” from March and plan accordingly.
With figures of 2-2-1 at Cheltenham and a progressive nature, Imperial Aura justifiably heads the Ryanair betting now ahead of Allaho and Min. He will be powerful to cease on final weekend’s evidence.
Could Nicholls Master the Ryanair again
Odds correct at time of publishing and subject to change.
No trainer has received the Ryanair Chase more than Paul Nicholls because it was added to the Cheltenham programme in 2005, though Ireland’s Willie Mullins is on the same mark. He triumphed within the first operating with Thisthatandtother and has tasted success with Taranis (2007) and the gutsy Frodon in 2019 since. Could he have one other possible front-running Ryanair player in Master Tommytucker?
Saturday’s success at Haydock definitely suggests he may. Under Sam Twiston-Davies, the flippantly raced nine-year-old delivered essentially the most polished effort of his career so far and gained his third win in seven begins as a chaser.
Hitherto, his problem has been leaping. Before Saturday he had more falls (three) than wins over fences however he was near-foot perfect this time. He’s had his fitness issues prior to now and missed chunks of time but that is the primary time he’s been capable of string three runs collectively.
Second to Al Dancer on his return at Newton Abbot, when he was eager however lacked fluency, he has warmed to the task since and may lastly be able to fulfil his undoubted potential this season. He continues to be a really respectable each-way price to reinforce the Ditcheat handler’s tremendous Ryanair document.
Minella Indo enters Gold Cup fray
Odds correct at time of publishing and topic to change.
Minella Indo was the principal loser in the exceptional RSA Chase again in March as Champ came from an improbable place on the last fence to win in stunning style.
A 50/1 winner of the Albert Bartlett in 2019, that was another step up the ladder for Henry De Bromhead’s charge who had finished second to Laurina on his chasing bow final November and then gained at Navan in his solely begin in a light campaign earlier than Cheltenham.
With the rest of the spring marketing campaign lost, Minella Indo has now furthered his expertise with two successes this autumn in Ireland. The second of these got here in a Grade 2 three-mile chase on Sunday, a new race in the calendar for second-season novices owing to the spring abandonments.
He was anticipated to win, as odds of 2/11 reflected, however it was one other completed displaying nonetheless and sets him up for a Christmas showdown within the Savills Chase at Leopardstown the place he could meet old foe Champ, Delta Work, Presenting Percy and more.
After Minella Indo’s Navan win, De Bromhead stated: “Now we’ve to go in opposition to the massive lads and see how we fare.” It provides the Waterford handler, in addition to owner Barry Maloney, a strong hand as 171-rated Monalee completed fourth in the Gold Cup in March and is much from forgotten at this stage.
Indeed, there shall be plenty keen to consider the 50/1 about Monalee making the Gold Cup minimize once more in 2021, however his stablemate is making waves now and could be an rising contender. All the more so given his excellence at the Cheltenham Festival already.
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