Cheltenham 2020 betting: Weekend review 18th and nineteenth January

One weekend winner now seems to have a Cheltenham Festival championship race at their mercy, whereas others are beginning to look serious contenders.

Defi Du Seuil rubber-stamped his credentials for glory on another busy and intriguing weekend of jumps racing.

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Odds right at the time of publishing and are topic to change

Champion Chase odds: Defi the one to beat now

Philip Hobbs was agency in stating earlier than Saturday’s Clarence House Chase at Ascot that he’d leave a call on Defi Du Seuil’s Cheltenham Festival goal until the last minute. Surely now the Minehead coach’s hand will be compelled.

That’s how good Defi Du Seuil seemed in reaffirming his Tingle Creek win by placing clear water between himself and Sandown runner-up Un De Sceaux.

Everything was in favour of the Irish raider on Saturday. Heavy floor around Ascot, a observe at which he was 2-2 beforehand and seemingly in with an excellent likelihood of a fourth Clarence House win.

Paul Townend set the fractions and had the race run as he desired however Barry Geraghty and Defi Du Seuil tracked all of them the means in which. On the landing aspect of the second last, the Hobbs horse put the outcome to bed in seconds, scooting four-lengths clear.

Few would have predicted it beforehand, but the winner was eased proper down running to the line such was his authority.

Running scared from Altior (now 7/2 to win his third Champion Chase) in March is unquestionably not an possibility for Hobbs. Defi Du Seuil cruised into this race and has jumped superbly all season.

The form of last season’s JLT win is robust, as is his Cheltenham record. He’s going to be a really tough nut to crack in the Queen Mother.

Champion Hurdle odds: Hills nonetheless to be climbed

Ballyandy got up in the final stride to disclaim Pentland Hills in a dramatic end to The New One Unibet Hurdle at Haydock on Saturday, leaving the runner-up in something of a quandary.

Nicky Henderson’s pre-race enthusiasm about last season’s Triumph Hurdle winner appeared to be well-founded when Pentland Hills travelled all over the pace-setting Fighting Fifth winner Cornerstone Lad coming to the last; despite not jumping the earlier two nicely.

Nico De Boinville’s mount moved on quickly and appeared to have the race within the bag, only for the rallying Ballyandy to earn the decision in a photo end.

The winner is now a 20/1 likelihood for glory having won the race named in honour of former stablemate The New One but much of the post-race conjecture surrounded Pentland Hills.

The argument goes that a stronger pace and the stiff end of a Champion Hurdle will higher suit the Seven Barrows inmate, however he is obtained that to show and his price may nicely get larger between now and March 10. He isn’t one to write down off, just but.

Mares’ Hurdle odds: Magic books Mares’ ticket

Magic Of Light was spectacular in profitable the Grade 2 Mares’ Hurdle at Ascot on Saturday. Jessica Harrington has confirmed she plans on going to Cheltenham in March for the Mares’ Hurdle on the opening day of The Festival.

Robbie Power dictated matters on the entrance finish at Ascot on Saturday and his mount never appeared like being headed in reality as she gained the contest for the second year running.

Last month’s Long Walk third Papagana was a significant disappointment having run with little enthusiasm from an early stage.

Having found only Tiger Roll too robust within the Grand National last season, Magic Of Light is being geared toward Aintree once more within the spring. Harrington wants another run subsequent month earlier than going to Cheltenham with a mare that clearly takes her racing nicely.

Can she upstage the likes of Benie Des Dieux, Honeysuckle or Apple’s Jade if all of them flip up in the Cotswolds? That remains to be seen but she definitely will not look misplaced and remains a good worth.

Triumph Hurdle odds: Moore delighted with relaxed Goshen

Trainer Gary Moore got a lot from watching Goshen justify his lengthy odds-on favouritism within the Ascot IJF Ambassador Programme Juvenile Hurdle at Ascot.

He is now a perfect 3-3 over timber, all of his wins on softer surfaces, and is yet to be significantly examined. He’s making very good progress and may, all being nicely, make the Triumph Hurdle in March.

For Moore, the preliminaries have been essential right here, the coach instructed Goshen was “as cool as a cucumber before the race – before he has been edgy.”

That’s of a lot significance to these prepared to help his Triumph Hurdle claims. Getting labored up earlier than the beginning come March could be a recipe for catastrophe.

Goshen is one to keep on facet, as trainer Moore bids for a first Festival winner since Sire De Grugy.

Ryanair Chase odds: Steel shines as Footpad fails

Willie Mullins continues to be contemplating the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham for each Real Steel and Footpad after the latter was upstaged by his stablemate in a Thurles Grade 2 on Sunday.

Former Arkle winner Footpad was expected to construct on his King George third as he dropped back in distance but he had no reply when Paul Townend and Real Steel served it up to him within the house straight.

Mullins was ‘very pleased’ with Real Steel and advised he is ‘nonetheless improving’. That being the case, he’ll have robust claims in the Ryanair.

Is it too quickly to be writing off Footpad? He’s received loads of inquiries to answer at this juncture in his career, though it could prove that his Thurles race came a little quick following that Boxing Day effort at Kempton.

The pair have flip-flopped in the Ryanair market, with Footpad now out to 12/1.…