I fancy this 16-1 Gold Cup hope and why the Supreme market makes no sense for Cheltenham Festival

4 months ago 24

THE Gold Cup market is opening up and it’s difficult to find value in the race.

L’Homme Presse is top class on his day and looks a decent price at 16-1.

L’Homme Presse is a previous Festival winner having claimed the Brown Advisory[/caption]

He has yet to run this season which is the only negative, but he has earned his 170 rating. A tenner each-way please.

I need to cover Corbetts Cross for the Brown Advisory so let’s have £20 on the nose at 10s.

Meanwhile, last weekend’s racing was once again top class — especially the action at Fairyhouse.

Firefox got the better of Ballyburn in a maiden hurdle and both look destined to win a Grade 1.

On Sunday, Teahupoo showed his class to down young pretender Impaire Et Passe in the Hatton’s Grace.

Gordon Elliott’s star still looks good value at 4-1 for the Stayers at Cheltenham in March.

I MAY have egg on my face in three months’ time but my Irish pals are laughing their socks off at the price of Jeriko Du Reponet for the Supreme.

He won a very poor race at Newbury and he’s 8-1 while the top-class Firefox is 10-1. Make it make sense!

Cheltenham clue

Stick with Gold Cup contenders who are rated higher than 166.

And finally, everyone knows I love a good moan.

I do honestly try not to but sometimes you can’t help but have a good rant. This week it’s about how the majority of top contests pre Cheltenham are uncompetitive.

I do sense the irony about complaining about poorly contested Grade 1 races in a column dedicated to the Festival.

This weekend Jonbon and El Fabiolo are back in action — it’s just a real shame they’re not in the same race.

Nicky Henderson’s ace heads to the Tingle Creek at Sandown as the 4-11 favourite and Willie Mullins’ star returns in the Hilly Way Chase at Cork tomorrow where he will be eye-wateringly short to do the business.

There’s no better sight in racing than when a top two-mile chaser is in full flight.

Racing fans were spoilt in the early 2000s where the likes of Azertyuiop, Moscow Fyer and Well Chief all produced the goods regularly all season long.

The Tingle Creek is a major prize in its own right. El Fabiolo beat Jonbon in the Arkle at Cheltenham — but would the result be the same at the Esher track?

I’m hoping they clash in the Clarence House at Ascot next month and it would be a repeat of the 2021 classic where Energumene and Shishkin brought the house down.

That’s the sort of stuff we deserve to be watching. Come on lads, it’s time to do the right thing.