Beware the Willie Mullins Cheltenham Festival ‘banker’ who’s bound to let you down

11 months ago 61

THERE are SIX horses less than 2-1 in the betting to win this year.

A £10 accumulator on all six pays £680 if they all do the business.

However, you just know one will let you down. Here’s who will be top of the pops . . . and king of the flops!

MARINE NATIONALE
(5-4 for the Arkle)

WON last year’s Supreme with plenty in hand. Looked a natural on chasing debut at Leopardstown. Bags of class, brilliant in last year’s Supreme. If he jumps, he wins. Simples. BANKER

CONSTITUTION HILL
(1-3 Champion Hurdle)

YET to be tested, let alone beaten . . . Won the Champion last year by nine lengths with his only scare when taking off a stride too early at the final flight. Impossible to oppose. BANKER

EL FABIOLO (5-6 Champion Chase)

POWERFUL win in last year’s Arkle where he had market rival Jonbon five lengths behind. Nothing flashy about his return in the Hilly Way Chase at Cork but there will be even more to come as he gets his fitness edge this season. BANKER

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GAELIC WARRIOR
(5-4 Turners Novices’ Chase)

TALENTED and looks a better chaser than hurdler. Runner-up at the last two Festivals and seems to have a preference for right handed tracks. Risky bet at short odds. BUST

GALOPIN DES CHAMPS
(6-5 Gold Cup)

REIGNING champ. Beaten on next two starts, but roared back to form in the Savills Chase over Christmas. That victory suggests every other runner will be racing for second. BANKER

DINOBLUE (6-4 Mares’ Chase)

IMPROVING mare jumped well when winning her first Grade 1 at Leopardstown last month. Has the option of the Champion Chase, but will surely go for this easier contest. BANKER

Festival punt

LET’s keep things simple this weekend.

The Stayers’ Hurdle looks like a match-up between French star THELEME and Irish ace TEAHUPOO.

So let’s have £20 win on each of the raiders at 4-1.

BANBRIDGE is our Ryanair fancy. He has his first run of the season at Kempton today and he’ll shorten up for the Festival if he goes close. A fiver each-way at 10-1 please.