Cheltenham 2020 betting: weekend review 21 & 22 December
Find out who announced themselves a Champion Hurdle betting outsider and whose Ryanair Chase odds have been slashed on a supposedly quiet weekend before Christmas
Ascot survived a late inspection on Saturday within the ultimate day’s racing in the UK and Ireland before Christmas. Unfortunately, Paisley Park missed the Marsh Hurdle, which gave a few his rivals the possibility to prove their credentials.
There was additionally a performance within the Betfair Exchange Trophy that might tempt you into backing an outsider for the following yr.
Odds right on the time of publishing and are subject to change.
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Not So Sleepy could be awake for Champion Hurdle bid
Not So Sleepy established himself as a Champion Hurdle contender on Saturday when he made all to prevail within the Betfair Exchange Trophy at Ascot.
Hughie Morrison’s runner took benefit of his low weight to win by 9 lengths in an emphatic performance in the Grade 3 contest.
There was one nervous moment midway via the contest for many who had backed the seven-year-old, when he virtually ran out at a flight.
Jockey Jonathan Burke did a fantastic job preserving his mount on the course although and he was rewarded with success.
Although Not So Sleepy will want to enhance once more to match something achieved by the likes of Klassical Dream, Saldier or Pentland Hills, he has been minimize to 40/1 (from 66/1) for the Champion Hurdle by Slot Online and may nicely be an each-way various for many punters within the premier two-mile hurdle.
Not So Sleepy has now received three of his 5 races over hurdles. The heavy floor was not a problem for him at Ascot so if the rain did come down just before the Festival, there would be no query marks in regards to the surface.
The vibes have been additionally good from Morrison after the race as he in contrast his runner to Marble Arch who won the same contest in 2001 earlier than finishing second within the Champion Hurdle.
The 40/1 available on Not So Sleepy could additionally be price including to your Cheltenham Festival portfolio.
The Worlds End might be the largest risk to Paisley Park in Stayers’ Hurdle
Although Ascot was given the green mild on Saturday morning, Emma Lavelle took no chances with Paisley Park as she concluded that the bottom was unsuitable for the Stayers’ Hurdle favorite.
In the defending champion’s absence, The Worlds End and L’Ami Serge fought it out on the end of the Marsh Hurdle with the previous justifying 15/8 favouritism to prevail.
This was The Worlds End’s second Grade 1 success of his profession as he additionally received the Sefton Hurdle as a novice at Aintree. He was in a position to reel in L’Ami Serge, who was leading the contest leaping the last, as he had too much for his rival in the closing stages.
Tom George’s runner has now put himself ahead as a real threat to the 11/8 favorite for the staying contest over hurdles at the Festival where he is now 10/1 (from 16/1).
He struggled with injuries final season over fences, together with when he was pulled up in the RSA Chase.
The 2020 Festival could be his alternative to win one of the big races throughout the week at the four-day meeting.
Riders Onthe Storm one to keep an eye on for the Ryanair Chase
Riders Onthe Storm has been significantly better since moving to Nigel Twiston-Davies’ yard and he produced a career-best efficiency on Saturday to win the Betfair Exchange Graduation Chase.
The six-year-old was one of the fancied runners for the Caspiar Caviar Gold Cup at Cheltenham a week earlier, nevertheless, an administrative error led to him being withdrawn from that race.
Twiston-Davies’ horse proved to be match and fresh at Ascot, scoring by seven lengths within the five-runner area.
The Ryanair Chase seems to be the most logical target for the horse on the Festival given how strong he seems at that distance.
His odds have been slashed in half to 14/1 (from 28/1) for the race after his newest victory and on the proof of that efficiency, he stands out as a great bet in a contest the place a selection of the market leaders also have entries elsewhere across the week.