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Today’s Sports Betting Preview – By Rick Elliott

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All Manchester Cup Final Gets Closer

The next stage of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s job interview for the permanent manager of Manchester United is the club’s FA Cup quarter-finals tie at Wolves. Fixtures at this stage will be decided after extra time and penalties as there is no provision for replays. United have not conceded in seven of their last nine matches in the competition. Solskjaer won the Cup with the club as a player and can keep alive the dream of doing it as the boss by progressing to the quarter finals. MANCHESTER UNITED are 4/6 with Ladbrokes to qualify for the next round. 

United and City have never met in a major final but that can come a step closer when the Blues knock out Swansea today. City have played eight matches in three Cup competitions in 2019 and have scored 36 goals. They do have some injury doubts but the squad is huge while Swansea’s top scorer is unlikely to start. The match precedes a two-week international break so there will be no need to rest players for bigger upcoming matches. Pep Guardiola should put out a strong starting 11 so SERGIO AGUERO to score two or more goals is the best bet at 3/1.  

We have tipped CRYSTAL PALACE to win the FA Cup so they should be backed at 11/10 with Ladbrokes to eliminate Watford in today’s other tie. The jumps racing bandwagon moves on from Cheltenham to Uttoxeter where the Midlands Grand National takes place today at 3.35. One of the highlights of the Festival was Bryony Frost and Frodon winning the Ryanair Chase. She rides the horse with the best Racing Post Rating at in the Midlands version of the National. MILANSBAR has the form to win the race and that outcome is 8/1 with Ladbrokes.  

Wales must beat Ireland in Cardiff today to complete the Six Nations Grand Slam but could come up short. If the home side fail to win England will win the title as long as they beat Scotland at Twickenham. England will know the result from the Principality Stadium at the start of their match. There could be an extra spring in the step of their players because IRELAND are fancied to beat Wales at 11/10.  

This Weeks Sports Betting Preview – By Rick Elliott

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Paul Nicholls is The Trainer In Form Heading In To Cheltenham

It’s the jumps meeting that matters most and the Olympics of National Hunt racing. The Cheltenham Festival dominates a sport like no other single event in any other sport. Most of the biggest betting races of the year take place at Cheltenham over the next four days. There are 40 Grade 1 jumps races each season and 14 are run at the Festival which features the main championship races over hurdles and fences.

The betting for the leading trainer is dominated by the Irish contingent of Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott who are a combined price of 4/6 to be the top trainer. The shortest priced British trainer is Nicky Henderson but the man in form is PAUL NICHOLLS who can be backed at 14/1 with bet365 to train most winners at the 2019 Cheltenham Festival.

By hook or by crook Manchester United and Tottenham are through to the quarter finals of the Champions League. Manchester City take a lead into the home leg of their last 16 tie against Schalke and should progress. Liverpool have a tough task in beating Bayern Munich in Germany after a goalless draw at Anfield in the first match. Real Madrid and PSG are out of the competition after being prominent in the outright betting. ENGLAND should have three representatives in the last eight and it could still be four so look interesting at 4/5 with Coral to be the winning nation.

The Players Championship is known as golf’s fifth major due to the quality of the field it attracts. There are rarely any absentees from the top 50 players in the world rankings and it is the prize players crave the most after the four majors. The championship has a fixed home at TPC Sawgrass which is famous for the island green on the 17th hole. It is a course that puts a premium on accuracy over distance and suits JUSTIN ROSE who is 16/1 with bet365 to win the title.

It’s the final match day in the Six Nations which has come down to a showdown between Wales and Ireland in Cardiff. Only a draw would let England in to win the title and they are rare in the sport. Wales have a superior average point’s difference of three over Ireland and home advantage is worth about six points. On that basis WALES -2 is the bet at 10/11 with Coral.

This Weeks Sports Betting Preview – By Rick Elliott 

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Blues Could Have Good Derby Day

Everton fans don’t really hold much of a grudge against Liverpool but Goodison Park will be rocking if the home team wins the Merseyside derby. Not only will it be revenge for the freak winning goal for Liverpool in the corresponding fixture at Anfield in December. An Everton win would also have implications for their local rivals quest to be the champions of England for the first time in 29 years. Liverpool have won just one of five fixtures on the road and EVERTON can make that record worse by beating their neighbours at 5/1 with Betfair. So a win for the Blues. 

Passions are not quite so high in west London as in Liverpool on derby day. Chelsea visit a Fulham side who look destined for relegation to the Championship and a win would keep them in touch with the top four. Fulham are on their third manager this season. A new appointment usually sees a brief improvement in results but Scott Parker is in charge of a defense that has still conceded 63 goals in the Premier League. That total should increase to day without reply as a CHELSEA WIN TO NIL is the recommendation at 6/4 with Paddy Power. More joy for the Blues.  

There is more prize money on offer at Leopardstown in Ireland today that at the two UK meetings combined. Ireland run some of their major races on Sunday while in Britain the racing is usually average. The richest race of the day is the handicap chase over two miles and five and a half furlongs at Leopardstown (4.15). Monatomic is an improving horse who should relish the trip but Jett has something to prove. However, on ratings and the jockey’s allowance of seven pounds KYLECRUE is in good enough form to prevail at 8/1 with Betfair. The colours are not blue but football teams wearing shirts of that colour in derby matches should have a good day. 

Today’s Sports Betting Preview – By Rick Elliott

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Racing Continues In Ireland At Dundalk 

There are mixed messages coming from certain vested interests about the implications of the outbreak of equine flu that has led to the cancellation of racing in Britain for six days. One high profile trainer has used the word “unthinkable” for the potential damage to the industry but bookmakers “hope for a swift return”. 

The facts are that there has been an outbreak of equine flu and there will be no racing in Britain until next Wednesday at the earliest. The British Horse Racing Authority (BHA) have taken a precautionary measure and will review the situation with regards the resumption of racing on Monday. My view is that the early action will prevent an epidemic… but I’m not a vet! 

The lockdown of racing in Britain does not currently affect meetings in Ireland but there will be no British runners. That means tonight’s All Weather fixture at Dundalk goes ahead and there is some overseas action for those who want a bet. The 7.30pm race at Dundalk is a decent contest over two miles. Kerosin has proven ability in former days to be a major player and Chess Grand Master is unexposed at this level. However, on form and ratings the progressive RASHHAN is the horse to back at 5/4 with bet365.The show goes on in Ireland but racing in Britain has been halted.  

Tonight’s live football action in England is the Championship meeting between the home side in Aston Villa and Sheffield United. The visitors are 11 points ahead of their opponents in the current table. Villa have won just twice in their last 11 league fixtures and have conceded 27 goals at home in the Championship over 15 matches. If SHEFFIELD UNITED win tonight they will be top of the table at least until other fixtures tomorrow. On form that is a feasible outcome at 31/20 with Ladbrokes. 

Wigan and Leeds have got new coaches so both sides may take some time to reach the level that has seen the clubs win 13 Grand finals in total. They each lost their first fixture in the Super League so another defeat would be damaging. No side since 2005 have suffered defeat in their opening two matches and won the Grand Final. Wigan also have to deal with a two point’s deduction for breaking salary cap rules. The handicap seems too big so LEEDS +10 is the bet at 10/11 with Ladbrokes. 

This Weeks Sports Betting Preview – By Rick Elliott

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It Could Be Liverpool Again At Last For Their Fans

In a busy week for international sport the Premier League reconvenes with a full programme of fixtures this week and over the weekend. It’s now dawning on Everton and Manchester United fans that Liverpool could be the champions of England for the first time since 1990. It’s too soon to write off Manchester City but this is a two-horse race. The defending champions have marginally more difficult fixtures overt the next seven days and Liverpool’s four point lead is unlikely to be reduced. LIVERPOOL cannot be opposed at 8/11 with Betfair.

England suffered the nightmare scenario of a defeat to the West Indies in the First Test by 381 runs. That came after a declaration by the match winners in their second innings so it could have been an even bigger drubbing. The consensus amongst the pundits is that England selected the wrong team and played rubbish cricket which was obvious. It’s difficult to see how they can reverse the form for the second match which begins on Thursday. WEST INDIES are 5/2 with Ladbrokes to go two-nil up in the three Test series.

Justin Rose returns to the European Tour to play in the Saudi International this week. The world number one recorded a hugely impressive win in the Farmers Insurance Open on Sunday. The 2013 US Open winner has a team in place that supports his ambition to win more majors. He has a good record at Augusta so JUSTIN ROSE is the ante post tip to win the 2019 US Masters at 11/1 with Betfair.

This weekend sees the start of the Six Nations in rugby union. The three home teams are handicap favourites including Ireland against England. The handicap has been set at 9 points which seems somewhat excessive. Ireland have won the last two meetings by a total of 13 points and England won the previous two fixtures. Recent results suggest ENGLAND +9 is the bet at 10/11 with Ladbrokes.

The highlight of the racing week is the Dublin Racing Festival on Saturday and Saturday. The timing is deal for Cheltenham Festival bound horses and there will be some key trials. Running plans for the weekend have not been confirmed so the graded races and handicaps could have a different shape to the state of affairs today. At this early stage the banker is FOOTPAD at 11/8 with Betfair in the Dublin Steeplechase.

Today’s Sports Betting Preview – By Rick Elliott

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Wolves Can Hold Their Own Against Liverpool

Wolves were one of the best sides to be promoted from the Championship to the Premier League when they came up last season and have had no problems taking on the big boys. They are at home to unbeaten Liverpool tonight who will end the first half of the season at the top of the league if they pick up three points at Molyneux. The betting suggests an away win is on the cards but Wolves would disagree. The club with a strong Portuguese influence can avoid defeat. 

The home team have met sides from the top six five times this season and have only suffered one defeat. Wolves beat Chelsea at home earlier this month and drew the other three fixtures against the Premier League elite. The Liverpool defence is disrupted by injuries but Wolves are just about at full strength. Wolves play deep and hit teams on the counter attack. They are just one of three teams to take points of Manchester City this season so the DRAW is the bet at 7/2 with bet365. 

There are eight second round matches in the PDC World Championship today. Despite having a pint of beer thrown on him during the walk-on Michael Van Gerwen kept his composure to record a comfortable first round win. Several seeds on the other side of the draw are gone from the darts tournament at the Alexandra Palace in London. MVG at his best will take some beating but the ante post tip, MICHAEL SMITH, has looked good and can still be backed at 8/1 with Ladbrokes.     

There is an excellent card at Ascot today featuring a novice chase and novice hurdle worth almost £20,000 to the winner. Lil Rockerfeller has the best hurdles form of the four runners contesting the chase over two miles and five furlongs at 2.30 but unseated the rider at Cheltenham a week ago. The Grade 2 hurdle for inexperienced horses at 1.55 over just less than two miles looks open. On form figures THISTLE DO NICELY is a big price at 16/1 and is the each way nap.  

Unowhatimeanharry Is The Nap Of Saturday At Ascot  – By Ian Hudson 

There is no racing in Britain and Ireland for three days which means Saturday’s fixtures are the last betting action before the start of two major jumps festivals in Britain and Ireland on Boxing Day. The JLT Long Walk Hurdle is the highlight of Saturday’s card at Ascot and Unowhatimeanharry is the horse to back to cover some of the expenses over Christmas. Kempton and Leopardstown are the venues for the main holiday meetings in Britain and Ireland and the racing is superb at both tracks. 

The spell from Saturday to Tuesday is the longest break of the season and the only blank days in the calendar. Good Friday was another protected day but now the All-Weather finals at Lingfield are the highlight of the Easter period for some racing fans. The lack of racing from Saturday adds to the anticipation for the racing on Boxing Day when the King George V1 Chase at Kempton is the highlight. There are eight Grade 1 races during the four day Leopardstown Christmas Festival. The meeting features many trials for the championship races at the Cheltenham Festival.  

The Long Walk Hurdle is a Grade 1 race run over three miles and one furlong and there are 12 obstacles to be jumped. The race is one of the major trials for the stayers’ hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and since 1971 five horse have won both races. Thistlecrack was the latest in the 2015-16 season and that horse is now entered in the King George on Boxing Day. Thistelcrack won that race in 2016 which was just his fourth race over fences. The horse ran pleasingly in the Betfair Chase at Haydock in November and was not far off his best on ratings. There should be some improvement for the King George and Thistlecrack is a leading contender.  

Bristol De Mai won the Haydock Grade 1 for the second year in a row. The horse will run in the King George which is the second leg of a series which offers a one million pound bonus for any horse that wins the three most prestigious staying chases of the season. Bristol De Mai is ideally suited to Haydock but Kempton and Cheltenham are not his forte which means winning the King George and the third leg of the bonus series, the Cheltenham Gold Cup, looks beyond him. Thistlecrack can win the King George for the second time and get right in the mix for the Gold Cup. 

Unowhatimeanharry won the Long Walk Hurdle in 2016 but could only come third in the stayers’ hurdle the following March. Sam Spinner won the race last year but then disappointed at the Cheltenham Festival. The Ascot feature has a history of producing multiple winners and Big Buck’s and Reve De Sivola won it three times in as many years. Baracouda is the only four times winner from 2000 to 2004 only missing out in 2002. The trainer, Francois Douman, has the same record while Richard Johnson is the leading jockey with four wins between 1999 and 2013. 

The last 10-year-old to win the Long Walk Hurdle was Deano’s Beano in 2002 and Unowhatimeanharry is now that age. The horse was the best staying hurdler of two seasons ago but did not produce his form at the Festival. He was back to his best in winning the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury at the end of last month. 

Unowhatimeanharry can win at Ascot on Saturday and thus again become a leading contender for the staying hurdle race that matters most at Cheltenham next March. 

Premier League TV Fixtures To Go To Form – By Ian Hudson

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Liverpool are the only unbeaten team in the Premier League but Manchester City have the superior goal difference by eight. The league leaders deserve respect for not losing any of their first 17 matches. Liverpool have conceded just seven goals in those fixtures and the forwards are now showing the form they produced last season. They are aiming to be the champions of England for the first time since 1990. The club can stay on track with a win at Wolves on Friday night.

The home side can expect to earn more points after Christmas than during the first half of the season. In fact Wolves have the potential to break into the top six. They have won their last three matches in the Premier League and are now in seventh place, just one point and one position behind Manchester United. Wolves have underachieved based on statistics but avoiding defeat against Liverpool even at home looks beyond them. 

Arsenal lost to Southampton in their last league match after an unbeaten run of 14 fixtures. However, they have conceded 23 goals which is the highest total of the top five by seven goals. Arsenal also have the worst goal difference of the quintet of teams at the top of the table. The club has new energy under Unai Emery but Arsenal could be in a slightly false position but are 8 points ahead of Manchester United in sixth place. Burnley are at the Emirates on Saturday. 

Burnley overachieved last season based on wealth and their wage bill and playing in the Europa League at the start of the season did not help. The weekly cycle of playing on Thursday and Sunday set the club back at the start of the season. Burnley are now in the bottom three and a match at Arsenal is unlikely to bring any points. However, they are slowly turning things around and losing to Arsenal on the road would be expected of a team further up the table. 

Cardiff have limited resources but two wins in four fixtures have taken them into 16th place ahead of the home match against Manchester United. However, only one of their 14 points has been won away from home and they have already played six of the bottom nine at home. Cardiff have the least financial clout in the Premier League which means other clubs can afford to spend more money during the transfer window. 

Finishing in the top four looks out of reach but United still have the quality to pick up three points in South Wales. 

Tottenham are third in the Premier League despite a difficult start to the season. Nine of their squad were involved in the World Cup semi-finals. The club did not invest in players during the summer and there is the ongoing issue of the new stadium. Nobody really knows if Mauricio Pochettino will have his head turned by overtures from Manchester United. Tottenham visit Everton on Sunday afternoon.

 

The home team are still in the top half of the table despite no wins in four fixtures. Losing at Manchester City is no disgrace and they were within a fluke goal at Liverpool in the 96th minutes from drawing the Merseyside derby. Everton look destined for mid-table safety, with little chance of qualifying for the Champions League and free of relegation issues. A draw at home to Tottenham would fit that scenario which means there should be no shocks in the live TV matches.  

Today’s Sports Betting Preview – By Rick Elliott

The Baby Faced Assassin Is Back At Old Trafford 

Three words are engrained in the heart and mind of Manchester United fans: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, otherwise known as the baby faced assassin. The clubs new caretaker manager scored the winning goal against Bayern Munich in the final of the 1998-99 Champions League in Barcelona. He has been plucked from the mediocrity of Norwegian football to take over at one of the biggest football clubs in the world.  

The United cult hero is unproven in management at this level and his only Premier League experience was a disaster at Cardiff City in 2014. Mauricio Pochettino is the favourite to be in charge at Old Trafford at the start of next season while SOLSKJAER is 3/1 with William Hill to be the permanent appointment. 

There are eight second round matches in the PDC World Championship today, starting from 12:40 until about 10pm. The closest match according to the betting is Mervyn King against Jan Dekker. The former is the marginal favourite and should have enough to beat an opponent who has had a poor season. KING is 20/23 with Betfair to progress to the third round of the world darts. 

There are two huge jumps festivals over Christmas in Britain and Ireland, both starting on Boxing Day. Kempton over two days and Leoparsdtown over four stage several mid-season championship races that could have implications for similar contests at the Cheltenham Festival. The King George V1 Chase and Christmas Hurdle are the features at Kempton but there are eight Grade 1 races at Leoparsdtown 

The best trainers and jockeys come to the fore at the Irish track at this time of the year. Six days ahead of the meeting APPLE’S JADE is the banker at 4/5 with Paddy Power to win Ireland’s Christmas Hurdle. The race and the other 27 races over four days will be covered by our Leopardstown Christmas Festival special.  

Chelmsford should be applauded for putting up over £100,000 in prize money at tonight’s All-Weather fixture. The feature race is the Class 2 handicap over one mile and six furlongs at 8pm. On ratings there is very little to choose between most of the field but one horse is progressive and stands out at the weights. AIRCRAFT CARRIER is well treated and is the nap of the day at 15/8 with Coral.  

Irish Trainers Can Win The Big Races – By Ian Hudson

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There is a significant trial for the Champion Hurdle and one of the most prestigious handicap chases of the season on Saturday. The action takes place in the north east and south of England at Newcastle and Newbury racecourses. The Fighting Fifth Hurdle and Ladbrokes Trophy Chase are the highlights of the televised racing but both are key in the context of more important races later in the season. Samcro and Kemboy, both trained in Ireland, can put down markers for bigger tests.      

The big hurdle race at Newcastle is a Grade 1 race over two miles and half a furlong and horses aged four and over are eligible. It’s the first leg in the Road to Cheltenham series which also includes the International Hurdle and Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham. It’s a recognized trial for the big one in March. Buveur D’Air won the race last season and then won a second successive Champion the following March. Two horses won three renewals back in the 1970’s and Irving was the winner in 2014 and 2016. The race has a history of producing multiple winners.   

Samcro was still scheduled to run on Thursday so a great race and showdown is on the cards. Samcro and Buveur D’Air are first and second favourites for the Champion Hurdle so the race on Saturday will be a good form guide. Despite being one of the best novices last season Samcro has not delivered against seasoned hurdlers. The horse is a potential winner of the Gold Cup and not going chasing this season is a surprise. Maybe connections are looking at Samcro being just the second horse ever to win the Champion Hurdle and Gold Cup because he has the scope to emulate Dawn Run. However, Sommerville Boy could be the fly in the ointment on Saturday. 

The winner of the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the festival in March is running against experienced and proven horses for the first time. The way Sommerville Boy won at Cheltenham suggests the horse could be something special. Mistakes at the last two hurdles would have cost lesser horse the race but Sommerville Boy recovered and stormed up the hill to record a narrow win in the festival opener. The Fighting Fifth brings together the best novices from last season and the Champion hurdler in a race which can establish Samcro is the best horse over hurdles in Britain and Ireland.   

The Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury was called the Hennessy for many years and some stalwarts still call the race that name. It’s a handicap chases over three miles and two furlongs and has a history of being a good form guide for the Cheltenham Gold Cup and Grand National. Since 2012 the winner has then won one of the two biggest chases of the season three times. Native River won the race in 2016 and won the Gold Cup in March. It’s a race in which horses in the first season out of novice company also have a good record. Kemboy has an excellent profile for the race.  

Samcro and Kemboy are trained by Gordon Elliott and Willie Mullins in Ireland. Both trainers have wealthy backers and dominate jumps racing at home. Their horses are primed and ready to take two big pots back across the Irish Sea. 

Today’s Sports Betting Preview – By Rick Elliott

Cardiff Can Beat Out Of Form Wolves

Cardiff and Wolves have history from their time in the Championship because a crucial fixture ended in acrimony last season. Wolves won that match in south Wales but the outcome could be different in Cardiff tonight. The home team are in the relegation places and the excellent start made by Wolves in the Premier League has been negated by four defeats in their last five matches. 

Despite having potentially the more experienced players proven at a higher level Wolves were outplayed by Huddersfield at home last Sunday and lost the match quite comfortably. Wolves have not scored more than one goal in seven league matches on the road. CARDIFF are the team to back at 29/10 with Betfair to record a third home win of the season. 

Its FA Cup weekend and there are 20 ties in the second round. The winners go into the pot with the Premier League big boys. The Golden Ticket of an away match against Manchester United and life changing gate receipts is getting closer. For non-league teams losing at the second round stage is akin to losing a semi-final for the bigger clubs. 

Solihull Moors are one step away from that potential dream tie but BLACKPOOL are tipped to win on one of the smallest grounds in the fifth tier. The League One team are in the mix for promotion to the Championship but can also reach the third round of the FA Cup by beating Solihull in 90 minutes on the road and that outcome is 19/20 with bet365.    

The best bet of the night could be Dundee United to beat Ayr at home in the Scottish Championship at odds against. The visitors are the league leaders but their opponents have won five of their last six fixtures since the appointment of a new manager. DUNDEE UNITED are an improving team playing with enough confidence to win this fixture and a home win can be backed at 11/10 with Ladbrokes. 

There is a decent televised card at Newbury today on the first day of the track’s winter festival. It seems just about anything that lasts more than one day is called a festival and what we actually have is what for many years was the first day of the Hennessy (Ladbrokes Trophy) meeting. UKNOWHATIMEAMHARRY is not bothered about word games and the horse is the nap in the 3.00 race at 7/2 with William Hill.

We Are Betting Against Goals Today 

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Their opponents have scored in each of Arsenal’s away fixtures in the Premier League this season. Arsenal have not reached half time in a league match in 2018/19 as the team in front. Both trends are under threat in the fixture at Bournemouth today against a side who have lost their last two Premier League fixtures. The combined statistics over the last 10 matches have produced a both teams to score rate of 62.5% which equates to odds of about 8/13. You can only back that outcome at 4/9 so the value bet is BOTH TEAMS NOT TO SCORE at 7/4 with Ladbrokes. 

Wolves were one of the best teams to be promoted to the Premier League when they came up last season. The club has a strong Portuguese influence and that includes the manager who is mates with an agent with connections. There has been a dip in results but not form over the last few matches but that could change when Huddersfield visit Molineux today. The trends in this match strongly suggest fewer than 2.5 goals but that is reflected in the odds. The Yorkshire outfit are the lowest scorers in the league so the bet is WOLVES TO WIN TO NIL at 11/8.  

Sunday racing in Ireland again delivers a lucrative meeting with almost €300,000 up for grabs at Navan while the two meetings in Britain offer a total of £144,000 in prize money. The Troytown Handicap Chase over three miles is the feature race at Navan (2.30) in which 12 of the 25 runners are trained by Gordon Elliott. His great rival for the trainer’s championship in Ireland, Willie Mullins, has only one runner. MINELLA BEAU has the form and ratings to win this race at 7/1 with William Hill.     

Footpad Can Put Down A Marker For The Season – By Ian Hudson

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The significant action in the context of the Cheltenham Festival this weekend is in Ireland and the star of the show is Footpad. There is a competitive handicap chase at Aintree on Saturday but Naas and Navan stage races that could have a bearing on the jumps meeting that matters most next March. Footpad won the Arkle at the festival last season and could graduate to being a leading contender in the Champion Chase at Cheltenham in the spring. 

The National Hunt season is now in full swing and the turf Flat season ended last Saturday at Newmarket. From now until Christmas there is a major televised jumps race each Saturday as the best horses reappear after a summer break. Between now and the end of the year there are competitive handicap chases at Cheltenham and Newbury. The Ladbrokes Trophy, formerly the Hennessey Gold Cup, has historically provided pointers for the Grand National and Cheltenham Gold Cup. 

There is a £1 million bonus up for grabs for any horse who can win the Betfair Chase at Haydock later this month, the King George at Kempton on Boxing Day and the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Kauto Star (2007) is the only horse to win the bonus so it takes a special steeplechaser to win the three most important staying chases in the same season. Might Bite has the versatility to win three Grade 1 chases on different types of track. Bristol De Mai and Native River could both win one of the three but Might Bite can act going right and left handed and on a flat and undulating track. 

Footpad won the Arkle over two miles at Cheltenham in March. The horse was ridden off the pace by Ruby Walsh who made his move approaching the straight. The race was put to bed in a few strides and the manner of the win suggested that stamina would not be an issue. Footpad is prominent in the betting for the King George and speed will be important at Kempton over Christmas. Willie Mullins has never won the Gold Cup and this weekend will be informative about his leading contender. 

Footpad is entered at Naas on Saturday and Navan the following day. The Naas race is a better opportunity but the horse won’t be tested. The tougher assignment is at Navan in the Grade 2 Fortria Chase, which is run over two miles as is the option at Naas. At some point Mullins will step the horse up in trip and how he copes will determine the season-long target at Cheltenham. Mullins has another potential winner of the Fortria Chase in Great Field so the easier race is on the cards. 

The Rewards4Racing Handicap Chase at Aintree on Saturday is a Class 2 contest over 2 miles, three furlongs and 200 yards. At the time of writing the final field was not known but 23 horses were still in the race ahead of the declarations. If Value At Risk is a runner the horse would be of interest. A run 13 days ago means fitness won’t be an issue and many of the leading contenders have not run for more than 200 days. Value At Risk is a solid handicapper but Footpad is the best horse running in Britain and Ireland over the weekend.