There's only one Stat that matters in the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Willie Mullins trains the hot favourite Galopin Des Champs as he attempts to win the Festival’s biggest prize for the third time but I prefer his stablemate STATTLER (3.30).
He took well to fences last year, completing a hat-trick of wins when cruising to victory in the National Hunt Chase at this meeting 12 months ago.
His comeback run, when beaten a neck by Minella Indo at Tramore, was a splendid effort considering the 2m6f trip was way too short and he was giving weight to the winner.
He was brushed aside by Galopin Des Champs in the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown’s Dublin Racing Festival last month but it might be a different story this time.
The recent rain has come in time for Patrick Mullins’ mount as, coupled with the extra quarter of a mile, it will turn it into much more of a stamina test. Have 2pts each-way at 14-1. Most bookies are paying out on four places with Sky Bet stretching to five.
MONTY’S STAR (2.50) looks a cracking prospect in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle.
Henry de Bromhead’s hope stays incredibly well and that’s just what you want in this 3m contest.
The step up to this distance for the first time saw him surprise smart stablemate Hiddenvalley Lake on testing ground at Clonmel last month.
His jumping is good and he is clearly open to loads of improvement. There’s every chance he could go one better than his half-brother Monalee did in this race six years ago. Have 1pt each-way at 16-1. Sky Bet are paying out on six places with several others going five.
BALLYADAM (2.10) was a smart novice a couple of years ago and he looks worth a bet in the McCoy Contractors County Hurdle.
Things haven’t exactly gone to plan since then but he did finish a solid fifth behind State Man in this race 12 months ago.
He comes into this year’s race in better form having made a very encouraging return from a six-month break when third behind smart novice Gaelic Warrior in a hot handicap at the Dublin Racing Festival. Have 1pt each-way at 18-1. Most bookies are going six places with Sky Bet offering a generous eight.
BILLAWAY (4.10) has a fourth crack at the St James’s Place Festival Hunters’ Chase.
He was twice runner-up before making it third time lucky with a strong finishing burst last year. It’s hard to see him out of the frame. Have 1pt each-way at 8-1. Several bookies are going five places.
