Friend or enemy? Which of the Cheltenham Festival favorites such as Galopin Des Champs and Honeysuckle are worth backing and which could disappoint punters?
- Gaillard Du Mesnil should have his moment in the sun at the National Hunt Chase
- But Honeysuckle is not the tempting bet it seems for the Mares Hurdle.
- The highly praised Galopin Des Champs remains a very difficult horse to oppose
Andy Holding is a daily columnist for the odds checker website and contribute to www.andyholdingspeedfigures.co.uk.
Here he analyzes for sports mail several of the Cheltenham Festival races and reveals whether the likely favorites are friends or foes of the sponsors.
EL FABIOLO (Arkle Novices’ Chase – Tuesday) Paddy Power odds: 6/4
The Irish Arkle Novices’ Chase looked like a deep race beforehand and it certainly did not disappoint as the presence of Dysart Dynamo ensured a very strong gallop.
His stablemate El Fabiolo picked him up on the home turn, staying strong to beat the very useful duo Banbridge and Appreciate It and looks very solid.
It looks like El Fabiolo has taken his game to another level this term and may reverse Aintree’s form from last season with main market rival Jonbon.
Friend or enemy? – FRIEND
El Fabiolo is a worthy favorite in the Rookie Chase as he looks to beat his Jonbon (hidden) rival
GAILLARD DU MESNIL (National Hunt – Tuesday) Paddy Power Odds: EVS
It looks like Gaillard Du Mesnil only has to beat Churchstonewarrior and Mahler Mission in this event and I’m not so convinced about Chemical Energy if they have a drop of rain or water the track.
Mister Coffey doesn’t seem to have the heart to battle on this type of ride either, so Gaillard Du Mesnil is the favourite, having the top three figures in our speed rankings and already boasting Cheltenham Festival form.
This looks like a great opportunity for him to finally get his moment in the sun.
Friend or enemy? – FRIEND
The National Hunt Chase could come at just the right time for the in-form Gaillard Du Mesnil
HONEYSUCKLE (Close Brothers Mares Hurdle – Tuesday) Paddy Power odds: 2/1
Even allowing for the fact that Nicky Henderson will probably want to run Marie’s Rock in Stayers’ Hurdle, he still looks like plenty of competition for Honeysuckle here and at around 2-1 or 9-4 he looks like someone to go up against.
She has to beat the likes of Epatante, Brandy Love, Echoes In Rain, Queens Brook and Love Envoi so it looks like a very strong race and I really don’t feel like Honeysuckle is such an attractive bet as she doesn’t look like the same mare this season.
Friend or enemy? – ENEMY
Last year’s Champion Hurdle winner Honeysuckle, ridden by Rachel Blackmore, is yet to win a race this season (pictured at Leopardstown in February)
GERRI COLOMBE (Hunt for brown advisor novices – Wednesday) Paddy Power odds: 13/8
There is a chance that the much-vaunted Gerri Colombe is a bit vulnerable here, especially at a rather prohibitive ante-post price. He has two or three very good horses to beat, including The Big Whacker, who scored a big mark in our figures when he won the Chase for Dipper Novices.
If the latter comes out ahead, we have seen this year that some of the horses trained by Patrick Neville are very difficult to catch. At around 7-4, Gerri Colombe looks a bit low, so overall he would be up against her at those odds.
Friend or enemy? – ENEMY
Gerri Colombe is trained by Gordon Elliott and unbeaten this season at Sandown, Fairyhouse and Limerick
GALOPIN DES CHAMPS (Boodles Gold Cup – Friday) Paddy Power odds: 6/4
Is Galopin Des Champs a friend or a foe? I’d probably say he’s a friend, as I certainly wouldn’t want to leave him at 2-1, as he’ll probably reach that kind of price and be a little bit bigger that day.
He is very difficult to beat as he has a clear lead on our numbers and has already put up a great run at Punchestown this year, so he is a tough horse to play against.
I have backed Sounds Russian at a price, but he has a lot to find in the numbers, and we have long believed that Galopin Des Champs is a potential Gold Cup winner.
Friend or enemy? – FRIEND
Race favorite Galopin Des Champs is highly regarded as a Gold Cup winner-in-waiting.