Wednesday 11th March 2015. Cheltenham Day 2

Only at Cheltenham.......

The bookies were saved the biggest payout in history when Annie Power came down at the last hurdle yesterday afternoon. Reports of 100 million pound liabilities were riding on the superstar mare but the betting gods had other ideas, it was the most profitable fall in history for bookmakers.

As highlighted yesterday it was pointless trying to take on Douvan, Un De Sceaux & Faugheen who all bolted up, the accumulator going on to Annie power was like backing an 18-1 winner but it wasn’t to be. The lucky 15, doubles & trebles still paid a few quid for us though whist Faugheen is the monster we thought.

So close but yet so far, still a profit though and we’ll take that on any day of the Festival.

Day 2 of the Cheltenham Festival

Two bets today but decent ones.

I’m starting off with Champagne Fever EW, I backed the horse a few weeks ago but took some of the 6-1 that was available last night, best priced now is 11-2.

It’s highly likely one of Sprinter Sacre or Sire De Grugy will not run their race for different reasons. If Sprinter Sacre is 90% of the horse he once was he will win, however I didn’t like the comeback run and the bleed has really put me off. More questions than answers.

Sire De Grugy was all at sea at Newbury when falling, the horse failed to get into any type of rhythm after returning from injury. Connections were forced to have another run in a bid to restore confidence at Chepstow. The race was ran on heavy going whilst Sire De Grugy carried 11-12, he did win and the effort looked impressive on the eye but that outing was only 18 days ago and that can’t be a great prep for the Champion Chase, it must have taken something out of him.

Dodging Bullets is arguably the safe EW bet and maybe should be favourite, he’s improving but if the Paul Nicholls horse does win the two above named runners have both definitely flopped.

Champagne Fever has little to prove apart from the drop back in trip, there looks to be a huge amount of pace in this year’s renewal and horses need to stay further than two miles. Champagne Fever isn’t a slow horse and I can see Ruby Walsh tracking the pace before kicking on quite early ensuring this a test of stamina. If Champagne Fever jumps a clear round I’m confident he will be in the first three and think he can win if Sprinter Sacre & Sire De Grugy both fail to give their running.

A small win saver on Dodging Bullets can also be placed.

Any Currency is one on my favourite horses in training, he’s won me a lot of money in the past and I can’t see him out of the first 4 places in the Cross Country at 4:00.

I make him one of the EW bets of the meeting priced 6-1.

The Martin Keighley trained horse doesn’t have Balthazer King to worry about this year and although higher in the weights this time around the race doesn’t look as competitive. Any Currency has been trained for this race all season and kept fresh since winning the trial over C&D back in December, with Aiden Coleman keeping the ride I fully expect the horse to be in the firing line from the off and think he will take some beating granted a clear round.

The odds of 6-5 for a place on Betfair should be prove to be buying money but I’m hoping for better.

I’ve also done the EW double on Champagne Fever & Any Currency.

Two small bets, Souriyan EW at 25-1 in the Fred Winter. Trained by our syndicate trainer Jamie Snowden the horse has been going well and is much better than his last run when getting chinned on the line at Ffos Las on ground he hated.

I don’t normally bet in any bumper races but the Philip Hobbs yard do like Wait For Me and think he’s smart. It’s impossible to know what you’re up against but he looks a sporting selection priced at 12-1, I’ve placed a few quid EW.

I’ve also done the accumulator on all 4 and lucky 15 for a token bet just in case.