Racing
Preview of the 9 handicaps at Cheltenham 2022
With the Cheltenham Festival fast approaching, the fields for the 28 races are beginning to take shape. With the contenders for the big races already known, this week saw the entries for the handicaps revealed. And we take a closer look at all nine handicap races in our guide to the Cheltenham Festival handicaps.
Ultima Handicap Chase – Tuesday
Eighty-two are entered in the Ultima Handicap, with Frodon, winner of the King George in 2021, a surprise entry at this stage.
Does He Know heads the ante-post betting after success in the Reynoldstown but novice chasers have a poor record in the race, with experienced chasers winning this race on the last three occasions.
Aye Right was 3rd in last year’s race and has been in good form this season – currently 12/1 for the Ultima – he looks a solid each-way play at the moment.
Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle – Tuesday
Irish-trained horses have dominated this in recent years, winning the last four renewals and once again, the ante-post market is headed by Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott horses.
Jeff Kidder won last year’s race at a massive 80/1, and one at a double-figure price this year that could run well is Bell Ex One.
He won on the flat at Galway last summer before bagging two wins in three starts over hurdles in Ireland – now switched to the Paul Nicholls stable, he looks to offer excellent each-way value.
Coral Cup – Wednesday
Last year’s Coral Cup saw one of the rides of the week at the Festival as Richie Condon, and Heaven Help Us made all to take the victory at 33/1.
In another competitive ante-post market, Good Risk At All is the current favourite on the back of a strong winter, including chasing Jonbon home at Newbury back in November.
At a big price, though, Commander of Fleet looks a potentially interesting runner for Gordon Elliott.
Second in the Albert Bartlett in 2019, he lost his way a bit but looked on the way back when landing a competitive handicap at Navan in December – 33/1 currently looks another solid each-way play.
Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase – Wednesday
Sky Pirate is set to defend his crown, having won this last year for Jonjo O’Neill, one of a handful of UK trained winners at the 2021 Festival.
However, Brave Seasca heads the ante-post market on the back of running up a hat-trick of wins, including defeating Sky Pirate, before placing 3rd behind the highly-rated Edwardstone at Warwick.
Available at 9/1, Brave Seasca looks a solid each-way play in a wide-open looking renewal.
Pertemps Network Final – Thursday
Ireland have won this for the last six years, and they once again look to have a strong hand heading into this year’s Festival.
British hopes this year look to lie with Alaphilippe, trained by Fergal O’Brien.
Fifth in last year’s Albert Bartlett, he’s only had one run this season when placing 5th in a qualifier for this race.
He was 2nd jumping the final flight before running out of steam, and you can be assured he’ll be primed for the Festival – 10/1 looks a great price currently.
The Cheltenham Plate – Thursday
UK trainers will be eyeing up victory in this race with the top two in the ante-post betting market trained on these shores.
Celebre D’Allen has won three on the bounce for the Philip Hobbs yard, while Imperial Alcazar also holds a strong chance on the back of an impressive debut season over fences.
At the prices, though, Celebre D’Allen looks the one to side with who has experience on his side and crucially, it seems as if the handicapper has still not got to grips with him.
Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup – Thursday
Gordon Elliott has won the last two runnings of the Kim Muir, and he has an excellent chance of success again this year with Frontal Assault.
Eighth in the Martin Pipe at last year’s Festival, Frontal Assault has had three runs over fences, and although yet to win, he has an appealing handicap mark.
Of the UK horses, Oscar Elite is an interesting runner on the back of a disappointing season so far.Second in last year’s Albert Bartlett, he’s struggled over fences so far, but a step up in trip in the Kim Muir could see him in a better light.
County Hurdle – Friday
Belfast Banter produced a shock in last year’s County Hurdle, taking the victory under Kevin Sexton at 33/1.
The County is either won by a big-priced outsider or a horse who has already shown Grade 1 quality.
Again, the ante-post market is dominated by Irish runners, but West Cork, trained in the UK by Dan Skelton, who has won the County on three occasions, looks a solid each-way play at 8/1.
West Cork has defeated Adagio in the Greatwood Hurdle, highlighting his suitability for Cheltenham, before finishing a respectable 5th in an ultra-competitive handicap at Ascot.
Martin Pipe Conditional – Friday
The curtain-closer of the Cheltenham Festival, last year’s Martin Pipe, was won by the high-class Galopin Des Champs, who edged out Langer Dan.
And Langer Dan heads the ante-post market for this year’s contest, which again looks like a competitive renewal.
Deploy The Getaway at 12/1 looks solid each-way value currently though on the back of solid winter over hurdles for owners Cheveley Park Stud and trainer Willie Mullins.
