Cheltenham accumulator tips
- Tuesday 10th March 14.40 – Highland Crystal @ 16/1 (bet365)
- Tuesday 10th March 16.40 – Relieved Of Duties @ 25/1 (Betway)
- Thursday 12th March 14.40 – Ben Solo @ 50/1 (bet365)
- Friday 13th March 14.00 – Puturhandstogether @ 20/1 (Betway)
- Cheltenham acca pays 377,909/1 with Betway
There’s nothing like setting yourself the toughest of tasks! The Cheltenham handicaps are notoriously tough to solve, but here are some horses that I think will run well.
I'll put them up as an each-way accumulator. If all of them win, this could be my last column, as I soak up the sun from an island paradise forevermore.
We can but hope, so here are my accumulator selections, with the win part of the bet paying 377,909/1 at Betway, while a place part would still make 2422/1.
Leg 1 - McCoy Contractors Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (14.40, Tuesday)
The McCoy Contractors Juvenile Handicap Hurdle, aka the ‘Fred Winter’ is the first handicap of the meeting and, if she takes her chance, I like the look of Highland Crystal at 16/1 on betting sites.
Gordon Elliott trains the four-year-old, who is unbeaten in three starts, including beating the ante-post favourite for this race, Saratoga, last time. She continues to improve and I can see her running a big race for us first up.
Leg 2 - TrustATrader Plate Handicap Chase (16.40, Tuesday)
I also think Gordon Elliott has a live outsider in the Festival Plate Handicap Chase at 16.40 on Tuesday, with Relieved Of Duties. If he makes the cut (he’s also entered in the Jack Richards and the Grand Annual) I’ll risk a couple of quid on him.
He’s a point winner who has raced only at around 2m so far. Admittedly, he’s been below par on testing ground at Punchestown on his last two starts, but his career best came at Cheltenham last October, and surely he can improve for the step up to 2m4f. He’s 1-4 so far over fences, but on that best effort, he’s well treated off 136 here.
Leg 3 - Jack Richards Novices' Limited Handicap Chase (14.40, Thursday)
On Thursday, we’re presented with another interesting handicap opportunity with Ben Solo in the Jack Richards Novices' Limited Handicap Chase (14.40). Rebecca Curtis trains this improving seven-year-old, who is 1-4 over fences and was still going well when unseating his rider at Chepstow last time.
From an official mark of just 127, I think there may be at least a stone better to come from him and he looks overpriced at 50/1 on horse racing betting sites.
Leg 4 - William Hill County Hurdle
Finally, on Friday, the William Hill County Hurdle (14.00) looks likely to be its usual hotly-contested race and I think the classy Puturhandstogether looks too big to pass over at 18/1 on some betting apps. He dotted up in the Fred Winter last year, winning by six lengths despite still looking plenty green enough.
Joseph O’Brien’s five-year-old went on to win last year’s Irish Cesarewitch and he possesses that combination of both speed and stamina that’s so vital in Cheltenham Festival races.
He was down the field in his only start since that Curragh success, when he had an excuse in that he was hampered late on. He looks to have been laid out for a tilt at this and although there’ll need to be some improvement to defy a mark of 144, he looks likely to have his best years still to come.
Responsible Gambling
Bettors should always gamble responsibly, especially during the Cheltenham Festival, when the number of offers available increases dramatically. You should always stick to a budget and never exceed it.
Anyone can lose a bet, even if they know a lot about horse racing. Never chase your losses. Always remain in control of your time and budget.
Bettors should use responsible gambling tools provided by gambling sites, such as deposit limits, loss limits and self-exclusion, among others. These principles should apply whether you are using new casino sites, football betting sites, bingo sites, or any other gambling medium.
In the UK, there are a number of gambling addiction charities ready and prepared to help you with counselling, support groups and practical advice on how to help you recover if you do lose control:
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