Foxhunter Chase Preview - Cheltenham Festival
Published on: 15/03/2019
Foxhunter Chase Preview - Cheltenham Festival
March 15, 2018 16:10pm - Cheltenham
Distance: 3m 2f 70y
Grade: Class 2
Runners: 24
Winner: £26,685.00 2nd: £8,379.00 3rd: £4,190.00 4th: £2,092.00 5th: £1,048.00 6th: £526.00 7th: £266.00 8th: £126.00
Going: Good to soft
First held in 1904, the Foxhunter is the traditional follow up to the Gold Cup and provides some great entertainment after the main event. In recent years, Irish runners have done well with six winners from the last eight.
It is also a race where repeat winners have emerged in recent times including last year`s winner Pacha Du Polder who will be back to try and make it three in a row. Now 12 years old, he faces a massive task and did not look great on his one and only outing this term. However, the same was said when he lined up to defend his crown at a big price 12 months ago. At 18/1, some might be tempted to take an each-way punt.
Road To Rome is unbeaten in seven starts since switching stables and stormed home in a two mile six furlong hunter chase at Haydock last month. That 34-length win capped of an incredible run of form leading up to this. This promising looking nine-year-old could be the star of the race if he can bring that form here.
Will Biddick brought Caid Du Berlais home in fifth last year and he looks set to do even better this time round. He won with ease at Punchestown over three miles last April and has been prepped for this ever since. He sets off at around 7/1.
Foxhunter Chase Winners - past five years:
2014: Tammys Hill (9) - James Smyth (Liam Lennon)
2015: On the Fringe (10) - Nina Carberry (Enda Bolger)
2016: On the Fringe (11) - Nina Carberry (Enda Bolger)
2017: Pacha Du Polder (10) - Bryony Frost (Paul Nicholls)
2018: Pacha Du Polder (11) - H C Tucker (Paul Nicholls)
Latest Betting odds:
Ucello Conti 9/2
Stand Up And Fight 11/2
Hazell Hill 11/2
Caid de Berlais 7/1
Shantou Flyer 8/1
Road To Rome 8/1
Pacha Du Polder 18/1
Haymount 22/1
33/1 bar
Balnaslow 22/1
25/1 bar
You can back Road To Rome to win or E/W at 8/1. Pacha Du Polder can be backed (E/W) at 18/1.
By Neil Morris
Published on: 15/03/2019
Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (15/03/2019 11:18:13) but are subject to change.
Go To bet365
Bet Credits
