Looking for Cheltenham pointers? Read on

2020-02-29

Looking for Cheltenham pointers? Read on

The roar. The greatest four days of the year. A carnival of racing. Annual bookies benefit. Call it what you will, but you can’t ignore it. The Cheltenham Festival is less than a fortnight away – so long as the weather and/or the coronavirus don’t spoil the party. It’s the biggest betting event of the whole racing year, with more than £500 million wagered over the four-day meeting.

And despite annual moans to the contrary, most of that money will remain with the layers. So, as informed punters (that’s you, dear readers), what can you do to avoid adding to the bookies’ holiday funds?

Firstly, be selective. You don’t have to bet in every race. Take an occasional break; sometimes it’s a joy to watch a race for its own sake rather than with a gimlet eye set on your selection as is backpedals on the turn for home.

Second. If you must have a bet in a twenty-odd runner handicap, check which bookmakers are offering additional places – sometimes sixth, seventh or even eighth place will earn a pay-out. (And don’t forget to take full advantage of best odds guarantees when available.)

Thirdly, follow horses with proven course (particularly festival) form, as year after year, races are won by runners who have demonstrated a liking for the track, and the unique rigours of the March meeting.

Pertinent though the above remarks are, perhaps the best advice I can offer is to place trust in the Besttipping stable of tipping services. At the moment it’s impossible to ignore the claims of Daily Bargain. Not only did Steve Jones’ value-based service secure last year’s title, but he’s started this year in outstanding shape, finishing top of the lists in January and February. The current profit is 31 points with last month’s winners including Treacysenniscorthy (12/1, Leopardstown, 2 February), Piazon (16/1, Southwell, 12 February) and Connetable (9/1, Newbury, 28 February).

Not only is Daily Bargain bashing out the winners, but the service seems to revel in solving those Prestbury Park conundrums. Two years ago, Daily Bargain advised the Gordon Elliott-trained Delta Work in the Pertemps Final. The five-year-old duly obliged under Davy Russell, holding another Elliott horse in a thrilling finish. Best of all was the price; the selection was advised on the eve of the race, when 14/1 was available. (The horse was backed down to 6/1 second favourite at the off.) The meeting’s final race, the Grand Annual saw another Daily Bargain tip prevail – that was Le Prezien (20/1 when advised, 15/2 sp).

Twelve months ago, Beware The Bear (20/1) landed the spoils on the opening day in another fiendish handicap – the Ultima Handicap Chase. Combining the two years efforts results in a staggering 612.5% return on investment (ROI).

Another service that consistently comes out of Cheltenham week on top is Personal Info. Altior and Samcro did the business in 2018, while, last year’s festival winners Envoi Allen (5/1 advice) and Paisley Park received the Personal Info seal of approval.

Finally, Cheltenham week seems to bring out the best in Mark Your Card. Tiger Roll (7/1) was the only 2018 winner but loads of each-way selections earned place money including a 50/1 shot, three at 25s, one at 18s and two at 16/1. It was a similar story last year as the placed each-way bets paid handsome dividends (25/1, 16/1, 14/1, 12/1).

However way you approach next week’s action, enjoy. And only bet what you can afford to lose. Remember there’s plenty more to come once Cheltenham’s consigned to history.