March 2018 – The Big Races

With less than two weeks to go, you will struggle to find a racing fan in this country who doesn’t have the Cheltenham Festival on their minds. Four days of the best National Hunt action, it’s the highlight of March and the entire year for a lot of racing enthusiasts. For this months Big Races article, we’ll be focusing on Cheltenham, giving you a run down of all the Cheltenham Festival races so you’re best prepared for what’s to start on March 13th. We have some Cheltenham Festival tips ready to view on site now, including a Mega Acca with six selections!

Cheltenham Festival Day 1 (13th March 2018)

Supreme Novices Hurdle (Grade 1) – Antepost Favourite – Getabird (Best Priced 7/4)
Arkle Challenge Trophy (Grade 1) – Antepost Favourite – Footpad (Best Priced 11/8)
Festival Handicap Chase (Grade 3) – Antepost Favourite – Gold Present (Best Priced 10/1)
Champion Hurdle (Grade 1) – Antepost Favourite – Buveur D’Air (Best Priced 4/7)
Mares Hurdle (Grade 1) – Antepost Favourite – Apple’s Jade (Best Priced 4/6)
National Hunt Chase (Grade 2) – Antepost Favourite – Dounikos (Best Priced 8/1)
Close Brothers Handicap Chase (Listed) – Antepost Favourite – De Plotting Shed (Best Priced 7/1)

Cheltenham Festival Day 2 (14th March 2018)

Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) – Antepost Favourite – Samcro (Best Priced 4/5)
RSA Chase (Grade 1) – Antepost Favourite – Presenting Percy (Best Priced 11/4)
Coral Cup (Grade 3 Handicap) – Antepost Favourite – William Henry (Best Priced 10/1)
Queen Mother Champion Chase (Grade 1) – Antepost Favourite – Altior (Best Priced 8/11)
Glenfarclas Chase (Cross Country) – Antepost Favourite – Cause Of Causes (Best Priced 7/2)
Fred Winter Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 3) – Antepost Favourite – Nube Negra (Best Priced 10/1)
Champion Bumper (Grade 1) – Antepost Favourite – Blackbow (Best Priced 6/1)

Cheltenham Festival Day 3 (15th March 2018)

JLT Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) – Antepost Favourite – Invitation Only (Best Priced 6/1)
Pertemps Final (Listed) – Antepost Favourite – Glenloe/Louis Van Pouch (Best Priced 10/1)
Ryanair Chase (Grade 1) – Antepost Favourite – Un De Sceaux (Best Priced 5/2)
Stayer’s Hurdle (Grade 1) – Antepost Favourite – Supasundae (Best Priced 4/1)
Festival Plate (Grade 3) – Antepost Favourite – Tully East (Best Priced 8/1)
Mares Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) – Antepost Favourite – Laurina (Best Priced 11/10)
Kim Muir Handicap Chase (Class 2) – Antepost Favourite – Squouateur (Best Priced 7/1)

Cheltenham Festival Day 4 (16th March 2018)

Triumph Hurdle (Grade 1) – Antepost Favourite – Apple’s Shakira (Best Priced 3/1)
County Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) – Antepost Favourite – Max Dynamite (Best Priced 8/1)
Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) – Antepost Favourite – Cracking Smart (Best Priced 6/1)
Cheltenham Gold Cup (Grade 1) – Antepost Favourite – Might Bite (Best Priced 4/1)
Foxhunter Chase (Class 2) – Antepost Favourite – Burning Ambition (Best Priced 4/1)
Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle (Class 2) – Antepost Favourite – Duc Des Genievres (Best Priced 10/1)
Grand Annual Handicap Chase (Grade 3) – Antepost Favourite – Theinval (Best Priced 12/1)

Other Races Of Note

Imperial Cup Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3)
10th March 2018, Sandown Park, 1m 7f 216y
2017 Result – 1st London Prize, 2nd Fixe le Cap, 3rd Darebin

Last year’s renewal went the way of the ill-fated London Prize and has been won by some other classy types in the past. It can be used as a stepping stone to the Festival, with Flying Angel narrowly missing out on the Sandown/Cheltenham double in 2016 when pipped in the Martin Pipe.

Midlands Grand National (Listed Handicap Chase)
17th March 2018, Uttoxeter, 4m 1f 92y
2017 Result – 1st Chase The Spud, 2nd Mysteree, 3rd Warrantor, 4th Houblon Des Obeaux

Always a hugely competitive marathon test, last year’s race turned into a war of attrition on softer ground where Chase The Spud ground out victory. Baywing shares early favouritism thanks to a perfect marathon debut in the form of a ready Eider Chase success. Big River is unexposed at these distances and Beware The Bear is another interesting candidate.