13:20 Cheltenham Tips: Six appeal Willie dominates Turners field
Day 2 of the Cheltenham Festival kicks off with the Grade 1 Turners Novices' Hurdle (2m 5f) at 13:20. Two horses are vying for favouritism as I write - one from Ireland, the other representing the home side. Messrs Mullins and Skelton - with the small matter of nine other hungry opponents waiting in the wings.
Let's get on with it - wonderful Wednesday at the Festival beckons.
13:20 Cheltenham Tips - Wednesday March 12
Final Demand to win @ 6/4
There's no hiding from, or disguising the fact, that Willie Mullins is often the starting point when considering your wagering plans at the Festival. He's beyond brilliant, the yard is full of champions, either established or in-waiting; and his record here is awesome.
Final Demand bids to extend an unbeaten run on Wednesday, as the six-year-old Walk In The Park gelding has registered two proverbial walks in the park so far, in his native Ireland; barely breaking sweat.
Limerick maiden? Canter. Leopardstown Grade 1? Impressive, 12 lengths. He's not been put under any real pressure yet, and that will of course come this afternoon - but he looks built for it and then some.
This is a very hot contest but we might just have something out of the ordinary on our hands. A certain P Townend, who else, has the riding assignment.
Odds correct at time of publishing.
The Yellow Clay each-way @ 11/2
Gordon Elliott saddles this six-year-old gelded son of the mighty flat stayer Yeats, and he too is impressively unbeaten over timber, running up a four-timer (including winning his own G1 last time).
He was second in Punchestown's Champion Bumper after running a decent sixth in the Festival's version last term, so he's battle-hardened in a way that Final Demand isn't.
The Yellow Clay has been to these rodeos before, whereas his likely main rival on paper is all about what he MIGHT just find when push really comes to shove in more exalted company. Fantastic e/w shout in my book. Jack Kennedy rides.
Odds correct at time of publishing.
Sixmilebridge each-way @ 18/1
One for the home team - a six-year-old Irish-bred gelding trained by Fergal O'Brien close by in Withington. Kielan Woods is on board.
Sixmilebridge has won here previously, and is three-from-four for the yard since joining from Ben Pauling in October, after a wind op a couple of months earlier.
He's hardly looked back since, and comes here with a valid e/w shout though he's officially rated 12lb inferior to Final Demand but only 7lb behind The Yellow Clay.
In this championship contest all runners carry 11st 7lb and Willie's likely favourite has 5lb and more in hand over his field - but this is a championship race on the grandest stage of all, and no-one will be battling harder.
Fergal's team always appear a happy bunch with an entertaining social media presence and will be thrilled to be bang there with a real live chance.
Odds correct at time of publishing.
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Cheltenham Tips from Betfred Insights.
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