This week at 888sport we have gone “Non-Runner, No Bet” (NRNB) on several of the top races at The Festival in order to give you the best possible chance of backing a winner or two at one of the biggest sporting events of the year.
The Champion Hurdle, Mares’ Hurdle, Champion Chase, Ryanair Chase, Stayers’ Hurdle and Cheltenham Gold Cup are all part of our NRNB offer.
Let’s take an early look through each of these races and see if we can identify some value bets:
Day One: Champion Hurdle
The Nicky Henderson-trained Epatente (3/1) currently heads the market on the back of her five-length victory in last month's Christmas Hurdle at Kempton.
She was however disappointing when favourite for the Mares' Novices' Hurdle at last season's Festival so punters may be looking to take her on with something else.
The recent Matheson Hurdle scorer Sharjah (8/1) is an interesting contender from the Willie Mullins stable.
Brought down at the third in last year’s race, the seven-year-old has gone from strength to strength and can be a formidable player if the ground comes up right - he certainly ticks all the boxes in our Champion Hurdle trends.
Day One: Mares’ Hurdle
After Benie Des Dieux registered an impressive 21-length triumph in the Galmoy Hurdle at Gowran Park the other day, she rapidly cemented herself as the horse they have to beat in the Mares’ Hurdle and we make her a 4/5 Non-Runner No Bet chance to do so.
The popular mare Lady Buttons won the Yorkshire Rose at Doncaster again in fine style at the weekend and at 16/1 she will be a popular each-way fancy for her fans and punters alike.
Day Two: Champion Chase
Defi Du Seuil (7/4) reinforced his Cheltenham Festival claims by landing the Clarence House Chase at Ascot on his latest run and will certainly be giving the Altior (7/2) team plenty to think about should they meet in the 2020 Champion Chase.
Henry De Bromhead's improving chaser A Plus Tard was a winner at last year’s Festival and the Cheveley Park-owned gelding has the ability to ruffle a few feathers in this contest.
Day Three: Ryanair Chase
Riders Onthe Storm (8/1) was the emphatic winner of the Graduation Chase at Ascot and must come into the reckoning here based upon that run.
At longer odds, Politologue (20/1) probably won’t have to contend with any of the big superstars for a change and looks an attractive price given his back class.
Day Three: Stayers Chase
Paisley Park is looking increasingly like one of the sure things of the 2020 Festival and Non-Runner No Bet odds of 5/6 may look huge come raceday itself.
Summerville Boy (10/1) should be in the fray and is a backable price if you fancy taking on the favourite. Though the Stayers Hurdle statistics and trends point to a Paisley Park success...
Day 4: Gold Cup
Al Boum Photo is a 4/1 shot in our horse racing betting odds to retain his title but punters will be wise to the fact that Gold Cup winners rarely score back-to-back wins and will perhaps looking for a new contender?
The Gordon Elliott-trained Delta Work is a rapidly improving chaser and the recent Savills Chase winner can improve again to become one of the best in the business. At 8/1 he’s too hard to ignore.
*Credit for the main photo belongs to Tom Hevezi / AP Photo*
