UK Horse Racing Tips

Archive for the ‘Racing Festivals’ Category

The Crabbie’s 2014 Grand National is almost upon us. On April 5, this Aintree spectacular will once again get the nation talking, tuning in and having a flutter. Whether it’s an office sweepstakes, a tip from a friend or relative who ‘wins every year’, or a horse that amazingly has the same name as your long dead parrot we can’t help but find a reason to place a bet and get involved.

There is such history to this prestigious event, it epitomises tradition. Although officially starting in 1839 many view the winner of the first ‘unofficial’ Grand National to be The Duke. Without The Duke the Grand National as we know it probably wouldn’t even exist today. Moving on to 1927, the BBC covered the event for the very first time, heralding a new era for the festival, and bringing it to an audience of millions. That year the race was won by Sprig , perhaps not a name many of us would know. That’s certainly not true of three time winner Red Rum though, two of which were back to back. Trained by Ginger McCain the staggering achievements of Red Rum took the National to new heights.

Today interest in the even is as high as ever, and this year punters may well be spurred on by the fact that last year’s winner, Auroras Encore, won at an incredible 66-1, and 130-1 on Betfair. Suited by the ground on the day and given every chance by jockey Ryan Mania , the Sue Smith trained 11 year old took first place, followed by Cappa Bleu in 2^nd at 12-1 and Teaforthree 3^rd and 10-1.

This year’s Grand National looks to be a competitive affair. Teaforthree, trained by Rebecca Curtis stands out of the crowd somewhat, which is likely why it’s currently 10-1 favourite with most bookmakers. Curtis says of the ten year old, “He is in great form and has come out of the Cheltenham Gold Cup really well.” Second favourite is the Paul Nicholls trained Tidal Bay. Along with Rocky Creek, Tidal Bay is his main hope for the National. He’s likely to be ridden by Sam Twiston-Davies, a big plus as this pairing has already resulted in a win this season. For a more ambitious punt, I wouldn’t rule out Tony McCoy’s Double Seven at 33-1. Despite the odds he’s won five times this year and if the ground is good he’s in with a shot.

So, if I was forced to give a finishing order for the top four places I’d go: Teaforthree (10/1) , Tidal Bay (10/1),  Double Seven (33-1) and Same Difference (40-1) and if that pays out and you bet on it feel free to buy me a house.

The next exciting event on the racing calendar has to be the Cheltenham Festival, taking place in March .With more prize money than any meeting bar the Grand National, excitement swirls around this prestigious occasion held in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. The show-piece of the festival is the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

The four day festival starts with Champions Day on Tuesday March 11th. Don’t miss the Championship Hurdle, or the Grade 1 Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy, won last year by Simonsig. Wednesday is Ladies Day, where we have an exciting seven day card. There’s St Patrick’s Thursday to look forward to on the 13th, where we anticipate the thrilling Ladbroke’s World Hurdle (favourite Big Bucks is available at 2-1). The festival culminates with the Cheltenham Gold Cup, won in 2013 by Bobs Worth, available at 9/4 and one of the main 2014 Cheltenham tips to win this year. Silviniaco Conti second favourite at 7/2.

Terry Biddlecombe is due to be honoured at the event this time around following has sad passing on 5th January. Biddlecombe both trained winning horses at the festival – including as Gold Cup winner Best Mate – and rode an amazing nine winners as a jockey, includng, yes you guessed it, a Gold Cup winner – Woodland Venture.

Despite there being flood warnings less than 10 miles away earlier this month, Cheltenham’s clerk Simon Claisse assures us that the the show most go on stating that ‘the track is in very good shape’. Fingers crossed this will be one party the weather won’t crash. Shown live on Channel 4, this is a national hunt extravaganza not to be missed.

Buck’s on the trail to historic Cheltenham repeat

(Cheltenham Festival tips)

As the countdown well and truly gathers momentum to the eagerly anticipated Cheltenham Festival there appears to be growing confidence behind the chance of top-class staying hurdler Big Buck’s regaining his World Hurdle crown after making a highly satisfactory return to action at the Prestbury track in January, writes Elliot Slater.

Paul Nicholls’ all-time great staying hurdler had a stranglehold on the three-mile title, winning the crown for four years in succession between 2009-12 before being ruled out of a fifth title last season due to an injury that kept him off the track for nearly 14 months. At the age of 11 it was asking a lot for the great horse to return to action at his very best, and in the circumstances he ran a great race to finish a close third behind shock 66/1 scorer Knockara Beau, another course specialist, albeit at a lower level.

There are always masses of Cheltenham Festival tips flying around in the build-up to the greatest show on turf, but one thing to always bear in mind is that the unique course seems to bring out the best in specific horses, and none more so that Big Buck’s. It’s not that he isn’t high-class everywhere else that he competes, it’s just that the way races are run at Cheltenham and the steep uphill finish, seems to play to the strengths of the winner of 23 of his 39 career starts and over £1.3 million in prize money.

They say that at the top level in sport “they never come back”, but Big Buck’s will be fitter on March 13 than he was in January, and as far as Cheltenham Festival tips go, the current ante-post offer of 9/4 looks extremely tempting for a horse whose been there and done it many times before, and still seems to have that all-important will to win.

It’s never too early in the year to start talking about the jewel in the crown of UK racing, the Grand National. It has to be the one racing event that draws people in regardless of their love of or level of interest in the sport. Held on 5^th April this 4 mile plus race, watching by over 500 million people worldwide is bound to be the subject of office sweepstakes and newspaper headlines alike. The most valuable jump race is Europe is not to be missed.

Grand National Chief John Baker is chomping at the bit to see punters enjoying the Grand National, with loose plans to add an open day or even a family day in future years with the hope of creating something akin to an Olympic Experience for those attending the event. Baker was especially pleased last year since all 40 horses safely completed the course. The eventual winner is 2013 was 66-1 outsider, Auroras Encore, making for an unpredictable and enjoyable spectacle. Previous to that Neptune Collonges won in 2012 at 33-1 and Ballabriggs in 2011 at 14-1.

For the first time, the Aintree held Grand National 2014, now sponsored by Crabbie’s ginger beer will have prize money of over £1 million. I wonder who will come out on top over the 16 fences this year? Remember to add April 3^rd – 5^th to your calendar. Tune in and enjoy the Opening Day, Ladies Day and of course the main event, Grand National Day.