Ballymore Novices` Hurdle Preview - Cheltenham Festival
Published on: 14/03/2018
Ballymore Novices` Hurdle Preview - Cheltenham Festival
March 13, 2018 13:30pm - Cheltenham
Cheltenham Festival
Distance: 2m 5f 26y
Grade: 1
Runners: 15
Winner: £71,188
Going: Heavy (soft in places)
Wednesday`s Cheltenham action kicks off with the Ballymore Novices` Hurdle where the Gordon Elliott-trained Samcro is likely to head off as odds-on favourite. With many punters having this horse marked as their banker of the whole festival there will be a lot resting on the shoulders on the six-year-old. He arrives here having won six in a row including the Deloitte Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown last time out but this will be his toughest challenge yet. JW Kennedy will be in the saddle again.
The Willie Mullins-trained Next Destination (one of four Mullins` inmates featuring) is unbeaten over hurdles and his stable will be hoping he can keep that run going by toppling the favourite here. He has Cheltenham experience having run in the Champion Bumper last year, something that Samcro lacks. He could also benefit from the softer ground which will bring stamina into play. Has a big chance but Samcro still gets the nod.
Black Op erred in his last race and will need to put that behind him. If he can, he could keep a few each-way punters happy with prices as high as 10/1 available.
Ballymore Novices` Hurdle Winners - past four years:
2014: Faugheen (6) - Ruby Walsh (Willie Mullins)
2015: Windsor Park (6) - Davy Russell (Dermot Weld)
2016: Yorkhill (6) - Ruby Walsh (Willie Mullins)
2017: Willoughby Court (6) David Bass (Ben Pauling)
Latest Betting odds:
Samcro 4/5
Next Destination 4/1
Black Op 10/1
Duc des Genievres 10/1
Vision de Flos 16/1
33/1 bar
You can back Samcro at 6/1 and Black Op (E/W) at 10/1 .
By Neil Morris
Published on: 14/03/2018
Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (14/03/2018 09:18:01) but are subject to change.
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