In many ways, this is the best time of the jumping season.
We can all still dream of landing a big ante-post boat at Cheltenham Festival, and bookies are only too happy to come up with some decent prices on offer.
1
Thyme Hill is Templegate’s brainchild of the Stayers’ Hurdle winner
So let’s try a long-range Lucky 15 in the four flagship races in March.
CHAMPION HURDLE: FERNY HOLLOW 10-1
We didn’t see the best of the 2020 Champion Bumper winner over hurdles last season.
He only had one run in which he defeated Bob Olinger at Gowran Park in November.
This form was more than open and Willie Mullins wisely refused to bring him back after an injury.
The reports over the summer have been positive and he’s ready to go again.
The only negative is his penchant for soft ground, but he handled Cheltenham well at the 2020 festival and has a lot more to offer.
CHAMPION CHASE: ENERGUMENS 5-1
You might think Shiskin is crazy to take on, but this seven year old has a lot going for it too.
A minor setback forced him out of the festival last season, but he returned with impressive success in a Punchestown Grade 1.
That was only his fourth run over fences and improvement is guaranteed.
CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL ANTE POST GUIDE
STAYERS HURDE: THYME HILL 5-1
There is a chance to hunt, but hopefully the links stay over wood and go to the Stayers’ Hurdle.
He finished last season with a win at Aintree on the grade 1 of the game at a high level, so he’s at that level.
It can handle any surface and is still relatively smooth.
GOLDCUP: A PLUS TARD 9-1
He can improve on his former stable mate Minella Indo, whom he chased home in the Cheltenham Gold Cup last season.
He’s a year younger and has a crisp festival record thanks to his Close Brothers Chase win in 2019 and Ryanair’s placement the following season.
He has to reverse form from last year but is able to do so.
A £ 1 Lucky 15 at these prices would pay £ 6,467.
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