Cheltenham Festival
The excitement is building as the biggest four days in the Jumps racing calendar arrives next week. Don’t worry if you missed our very successful preview night held in Holborn on Sunday night. Sit back and let me give you a flavour of what was discussed.
I am a jumps racing enthusiast and have been ever since Dawn Run achieved greatness when winning the Blue Ribbon Cheltenham Gold Cup in 1986, having won the Champion Hurdle in 1984.
I remember the gallant girl battling up the hill and Sir Peter O’Sullevan calling “The mare’s beginning to get up. And as they come to the line she’s done it! Dawn Run has won the Gold Cup!”
The Cheltenham Festival is unique in that every type of National Hunt race has its finale; from novices to older horses, over hurdles, fences, long and short distances and even over the idiosyncratic cross country course. From October, when the season gets into full swing, the ambition for all trainers and owners is to get a horse to the festival. National Hunt differs from the flat in that the cream of the flat generally only race for two seasons as the best colts are worth more at stud. With National Hunt horses can be around for five years or more and they become like old friends. Cheltenham asks everything of a horse; agility for the turns and balance for the undulations. Most of all, and what you will not appreciate on television, is that they need bravery, fight and stamina for the final furlongs that are run up a race changing hill. Cheltenham in March is simply four days of cup finals - the equine Olympics!
There have been lots of ups and downs in the twenty two years that I have attended the festival, with an obvious highlight being 1997 when the legendary Tony McCoy rode Mr Mulligan to victory in the Gold Cup. It would be safe to say that it would be a struggle to recall any of the events that took place that evening!
For those of you who don’t know, Outstanding Customer Service is my PASSION!! This should be magnified throughout the week with all our extremely generous offers and promotions for this year’s festival. Let me take you on a brief journey of the four days and highlight a few major races of each day.
The Supreme Novices Hurdle, the first race of the day. Turn up the tannoy and just listen to the roar of the Cheltenham crowd that bellows out over the Gloucestershire hills.
I can’t emphasise strongly enough the importance of communicating the truly AMAZING money back offer that we are giving away in retail. This offer will be scrutinised from start to finish so please ensure that all team members follow the instructions outlined in the shop team briefer.
The meeting as always is headlined as the battle between England and Ireland. In the Irish camp on Tuesday there’s Willie Mullins
Tuesday could be a Willie Mullins benefit day?
Have a good look at this man ladies and gentlemen...... This is Willie Mullins, eight times Champion Trainer in Ireland eight times and champion for the last seven years. To have a favourite for a Festival race is an achievement in itself - Mullins has five of the market leaders on the first day, such is the power of his stable. Expect to be taking multiples on the following;
130 Supreme Novices Hurdle - Douvan (7/4)
205 Arkle Chase - Un De Sceaux (4/7)
320 Champion Hurdle - Faugheen (evens)
400 Mares Hurdle - Annie Power (10/11) Banker !!
440 National Hunt Chase - Don Pole (3/1) (Prices average at time of writing).
1.30 L’Ami Serge (Nicky Henderson) 5/1 (my selection/tip)
2.05 Vibrato Valtat ( Paul Nicholls)
3.20 The New One ( Nigel Twiston-Davies)
4.00 Sorry nothing comes close to Annie Power (TIP Mortgage Job!)
4.40 Sergo Success ( Alan King)
Let’s look at the two main races in a little more detail.
Un De Sceaux, like all the novices that make up The Arkle, is lightly raced. Unbeaten in seven hurdle races, Un De Sceaux fell in his first chase but was then hugely impressive in a beginner’s chase at Fairyhouse before taking the Irish Arkle at Leopardstown in January with a neat round of jumping. Clearly this animal has a Rolls Royce of an engine. Can he be beaten? Will he win? Your average customer in the shop will be looking for value in this race with such a short priced market leader. Some form students will point to the fact that he has only won on soft or heavy ground, conditions he will be highly unlikely to find at Cheltenham. That man Mullins has another top class animal entered in the race - Vautor has top draw form around Cheltenham winning last year’s Supreme Novices with ease but is as short as 2/1 for the JTL Novices Chase on the Thursday over 2 miles 4 f. If you want to stay out of the poor house at Cheltenham then I will always recommend you stay away from short price favourites and horses with no form at the track. I was very impressed with last year’s Supreme Novice form and the runner up, Josses Hill, looks like he just needed a bit of time to adjust to the bigger obstacles.
This race could turn into a bit of a procession. Any flaw in jumping however will be exposed around Cheltenham especially for novices over 2 miles. A fast pace is always guaranteed in this race so accurate jumping will win the day.
Mulligan’s tip - Josses Hill 12/1 e/w
This race is arguably the best renewal of the race we’ve had this century!
Faugheen, a winner of the Neptune at last year’s Festival over 2 miles 5, has been subsequently campaigned over 2 miles; gaining effortless wins at Ascot in November and Kempton on Boxing Day. Representing Mullins again and around an even money favourite with all the layers, this race is no procession. Lots of racing fans make a decision before Christmas as to what day of the festival they will visit. This year lots of people’s decision will be made on the strength of this race. There are any number of worthy challengers for this race. The New One, so unlucky in this race last year when nearly brought down by the ill-fated Our Connor, has barely put a foot wrong in his four wins this season. Locally trained by Nigel Twiston Davis he will be popular. Jezki, brave battling winner of this race last year, will surely be primed for a repeat bid and will have his followers. Jezki has no wins to his name this season for one reason; he has been beaten three times by the legend that is Hurricane Fly. If Ruby Walsh decides to ride Faugheen some lucky jockey will have a thrill of a ride on Hurricane. This is a horse we will talk about in years to come. Hurricane Fly has won 22 Grade 1 races. To contend in that many would be an achievement, to win that many is phenomonal. The Champion Hurdle winner in 2011 & 2013, the cheers and applause will certainly be special if he wins this year. With such a short priced market leader Hurricane Fly will be a popular each way selection in the shops. For me the interest is with the Mullins dark horse, Arctic Fire who I napped last year at odds of 16/1 to win the County Hurdle. Only to be beaten half a length by Lac Fontana. (If Ruby Walsh had not missed the ride due to a fall in the Triumph I still think he would have won the race!)
This is what Willie has to say about him ‘He is waiting in the wings, improving all the time and I am definitely not discounting him. As a 3 year old we thought this fella was better than anything in the stable, his age. A strong run race will suit and he loves the track.’
Mulligan’s tip Arctic Fire 16/1 E/W
Wednesday…Champion Chase Day
So Wednesday is upon us and we have The Queen Mother Champion Chase. This year’s race turns on the fortunes (or misfortunes) of two of the main protagonists. Paul Nicholls charge, Dodging Bullets (bred by a certain L Dettori) has progressed strongly since finishing fourth in last year’s Arkle. His below par run around Cheltenham in November was soon forgotten when he took the Tingle Creek at Sandown in December. He then demonstrated this was no fluke by taking Ascot’s Clarence House Chase in January. Such feats would ordinarily make him the market leader. The reason he’s not is due is below
Paul Nicholls. Can his Dodging Bullets deliver in the Champion Chase?
The Nicky Henderson trained Sprinter Sacre and the Gary Moore trained Sire De Grugy must be previewed together. Sprinter Sacre, an above average hurdler, has been a revelation over the bigger fences. The destructive manner of his wins at the highest level as a chaser took the breath away. Ten chase wins in a row and undefeated, it seemed nothing could stop him. When he pulled up at Kempton on Dec 27th 2013 with a heart condition the disappointment and concern was huge. As short as 1/3 for the Champion Chase at the time, Sprinter Sacre never made it to Cheltenham. Sire De Grugy, then 7/1 ante post 2nd favourite for the race, took advantage of his absence - a 6 length, 11/4 fav winner on the day. Sire De Grugy is a nine time winner over fences but largely because he has avoided a clash with Sprinter.
This season Sire de Grugy was off the track injured until returning and falling at Newbury on the 7th February. Connections took the brave decision to run him in a handicap at Chepstow on 21st February where, giving 22 pounds in weight to his nearest rival, he looked to be back to his former self dotting up a seven length winner.
Off the track for 13 months with a well-documented heart condition, Sprinter Sacre was second to Dodging Bullets in the Clarence House at Ascot. Connections are expecting more and a strong case can be made should he retain his old ability.
The three horses mentioned are all trading around 3/1 – 4/1 at the moment. For the class that is on show it is a wide open event. Could it be set up for another?
That man Mullins has an interesting one entered in this by the name of Champagne Fever. Entered also in the Ryanair and Gold Cup, this horse is pure class!!!! 2012 Champion Bumper winner, 2013 Supreme Novices Hurdle winner, 2014 Arkle second. Difficult to rule him out with any conviction in what looks like another exciting renewal.
Mulligans tip Champagne Fever 6/1 E/W Nap of the meeting!!
Thursday…World Hurdle & Ryanair Chase Day
Zarkandar representing Paul Nicholls is many people’s idea of this race winner. Triumph Hurdle winner in 2011, Aintree Hurdle winner in 2013 he has a lot of class. Some doubt the trip at Cheltenham for this animal and he has been beaten at the shorter trip at this track over 2 miles 4. Clearly a talented horse, he’s hard to place. A lively outsider in this race is the Nick Williams trained Reve De Sivola. If this was at Ascot he would be much shorter than the 20/1 readily available. A winner of the last three Long Walk Hurdle renewals at Ascot he clearly retains his best form for that track. At Cheltenham he has mixed it with the best, winning the Cleeve Hurdle at the trial meeting in 2013 and was second to Saphir Du Rheu in this season’s renewal. Saphir Du Rheu has been ok at Cheltenham. He has the Cleeve Hurdle win at Cheltenham and the 2014 Lanzarote Hurdle at Kempton on his CV. Representing the powerful Paul Nicholls stable he will be popular in the Stewart family colours of four time winner Big Bucks.
Another horse that has come into the race under the radar finished 3rd in last year’s race and has pretty decent Cheltenham form. This is the JP MacManus owned At Fishers Cross. Without the pair that finished in front of him last year the general 40/1 on offer is extremely tempting. Could the legend that is Tony McCoy take the ride and storm up the Cheltenham Hill?!?
Mulligan’s Tip At Fishers Cross 40/1
This is the Championship race for those who will not get the trip in the Gold Cup and those for whom the Champion Chase over two miles is too short.
The Gordon Elliot trained Don Cossack heads the market in this race. A four time winner this season he has been very impressive in his wins, none more so than when landing the Grade 1 John Durkan Memorial at Punchestown. The Alan King trained Balder Success demonstrated he is a quality horse landing the Grade 1 Ascot Chase on Valentine’s day this year. Despite this animals obvious ability even the most romantic of supporters could surely not dream of this horse winning around Cheltenham, having fallen twice and unseated the rider on his other starts at the track. The Nicky Henderson trained Ma Filleule is a lively contender. Second to Holywell at last year’s Festival he was mighty impressive a few weeks later over the National fences at Aintree, winning the Topham Chase. His 3 ¼ length second to Balder Success on Valentine’s Day looks good, given he has made it around Cheltenham. The John Joseph Hanlon trained Hidden Cyclone will be looking to go one better than last year’s second in the race. On his only other run at Cheltenham he was placed in the 2013 Paddy Power Chase in the November so his form at the track is decent. He fell on his debut this season before a Grade 1 placing over Christmas at Leopardstown. He was back in the winner’s enclosure at Punchestown taking the The Tied Cottage Chase early February.
Mulligan’s tip Balder Succes 7/1 e/w
The Cheltenham Gold Cup is the most prestigious race in the National Hunt calendar. The Grand National will make you more famous, as globally more people will watch the race. Anyone in National Hunt when asked what race they would like to win will say almost immediately the Gold Cup. Big races generate a unique atmosphere and experience, none more so than this. This year’s renewal has all the top horses in it that it should and it is difficult to side with any one animal. Take market leader Silviniaco Conti. Paul Nicholls charge, generally 3/1 with all the firms, is by any measure an outstanding chaser but a doubt exists. If this race was at Kempton, Haydock or Aintree he would be shorter in the market. The fear is the extra two furlongs up the hill at Cheltenham is a little too far for him. Two out last year he looked for all the world a winner before treading water and letting three horses pass him. He seems much better at relatively flat tracks. Oliver Sherwood’s Many Clouds has a progressive profile this season. Taking a Listed Chase on his seasonal debut at Carlisle he then went to Newbury and won the Hennessey Gold Cup Handicap carrying 11-6, no mean achievement. He cemented his place high in the market by taking the Betbright Cup on Festival Trials day in January. The JP McManus owned Carlingford Lough will be popular this year as it is likely to be AP McCoy’s final ride in the race and he has a live chance on form. After finishing sixth in last year’s RSA Chase he has progressed to win the Grade 1 Hennessey Gold Cup at Leopardstown in February. Holywell looks short enough at 10s in the market. He will have to recapture his dazzling spring form of last year and then improve some to be competitive, not an impossibility given he is trained by Jonjo O’Niell. Last year’s winner Lord Windemere has top Cheltenham credentials, having taken the RSA Chase in 2013 before taking the Gold Cup in 2014. Despite some below par efforts this year his trainer ( three time winner with Best Mate) Jim Culloty remains bullish for a repeat performance come the Gold Cup. Bobsworth is also interesting at around 16/1 in the market. A five time winner at Cheltenham including the RSA in 2012 before Gold Cup glory in 2013, Nicky Henderson’s charge could well be in the mix if retaining any of his old ability and enthusiasm. A wide open renewal this year in the most eagerly anticipated race of the season. Let’s hope all the animals get home safe.
Mulligan’s tip Holywell 10/1 e/w (How could Tony McCoy pick the wrong horse in the Gold Cup?)
So, now you have an idea of the main players in the showcase races, let’s remind ourselves of the fantastic headline offers available to our customers this week;
-Supreme Novices - Guaranteed Return
From 27th February any customer who places a bet on the 1:30 Supreme Novices Hurdle and gets a Zero return will get their stake back (up to maximum of £10) as a free bet on the 2:40 Ultima Business Solutions Handicap Chase. Full details of this fantastic offer are in Shop Team Briefer but please remember to keep the mark sense slips for this behind the counter.
The ever popular Yes No coupons will be about for the Festival. The first batch will be in shops 2nd March. This early coupon will have the usual questions on it and in addition will have a section asking whether the six biggest fancies for the week will win or not. For each day of the Festival we will have something new in Yes / No coupons promoting both racing and football on the one sheet!
Limited Availability Prices from 9AM
Prices will be promoted in the press, via our live broadcast and gantry. Offers will be communicated via ALBOS each morning
12 – 1PM each day will see the price of four horses / markets boosted. Keep an eye on ALBOS for limits but also keep your customers informed that this is happening to get them in for the offer.
With the best offers and best shop teams on the high street we at William Hill are in a strong position to make the most of this year’s Cheltenham Festival. There are talking points a plenty this week with Champions League football continues and with Linked sign up starting on day one of Cheltenham
Have a good night’s sleep, a hearty breakfast and most of all let’s make sure our customers and all colleagues enjoy the best race meeting of the year.
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Don’t forget that the Go Live date for the William Hill LINKED accounts is also the first day or the Festival, March 10TH so let’s show the Company the way. Offering Outstanding Service, putting our customers at ease and signing up all our customers early, in a truly professional manner.
On top of the LINKED incentive Martyn has kindly agreed to finance an Area Cheltenham Top Tipster competition.
It’s very straight forward just send your selections to the following races to your DOM by Text/Email/Postcard or Fag Paper by the 10TH March 1PM.
The rules are easy 20pts for a win, 10pts for a second and 5pts for a 3rd. If in the event of a tie the highest returning SPs for the winning selections will take the pot.
There is £50 for the winner in each district and £100 for the Top Tipster in the Area!! Can you beat your DOM?
That should not be a problem in District 081 given that the last time Andy Hunt picked a winner Henry V111 was contemplating taking a 2nd wife.............
If you don’t trust my Tips??? I popped the question to the up and coming Irish Trainer and Jockey Denis Hogan. The question I asked Denis ‘who are your Dark Horses for the festival. And who would he like to be training or riding at the festival.’ Check out what Denis had to say on the District Website.
This is for District 082 eyes only.
It’s vitally important that we all deliver our absolute A game next week as new faces will be coming into the shops. Cheltenham is the perfect time for shop teams to deliver CBS and show that we are the betting shop of choice in competitive locations. Let’s demonstrate our Famous Expertise by understanding and effectively promoting our offers and ensure Friendly Service with plenty of shop floor interaction and teas & coffees. Let’s deliver a Great in Shop Experience by ensuring shops are well presented and all of the Cheltenham marketing materials are properly displayed. Let’s deliver tip top NPS scores if we have any Mystery Shopper visits over Cheltenham – no excuses for failing to offer a promotion. Please maintain Daily Focus and ensure all team members truly deliver our MISSION STATEMENT.
Be lucky, enjoy and have some fun
