Upping The Ante – Episode 1

Today marks the release of the first episode of the Racing Post’s Upping The Ante, an Antepost Cheltenham special hosted by David Jennings and featuring Cheltenham expert Gavin Lynch, a man whom the former said “thinks about Cheltenham more than he thinks about his wife and kids.” Sponsored by redzone.bet, Upping The Ante contains reflections on the weekend’s racing, the pointers it contained and advice for betting on Cheltenham both Antepost and on the day. Further to that, both Gavin Lynch and David Jennings provide their Antepost selections for the 2019 Festival. We have our own Cheltenham Clues for the weekend each Monday.

This marks the second year of the special Cheltenham previews, which are released once a week in the run-up to the festival. Last year they provided punters with expert advice and Antepost selections from David Lynch that returned a profit of £200 to a £10 level stake, the expert advising punters to back Footpad at 5/1 for the Racing Post Arkle, a race he won comfortably at odds of 5/6 on the day, Grand National hero Tiger Roll to win the Cross Country Chase at odds of 12/1, exciting Mullins’ prospect Laurina at 3/1 for the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle, and Rathvinden, a huge 12/1 at the time of selection for the National Hunt Chase. The expert compère David Jennings was also similarly successful, choosing two big priced winners of the RSA Chase and the Ryanair Chase. 

Today’s subjects varied from the weekend’s action, or lack of it in the case of Samcro, and those horses who have enhanced their Festival claims with their return to action this weekend. Early thoughts and opinions were given on the Gold Cup, the Champion Chase and the Champion Hurdle, and specific Antepost selections, all enhanced by sponsors redzone.bet. Further to that, Lynch revealed who he thinks is the best horse in training, and why he thinks the King George is the ideal location for him.

• Malone Road, Champion Bumper, enhanced from 11/2 to 8/1 – the selection of Lynch who was mightily impressive at the weekend.
• Lalor, Racing Post Arkle, enhanced from 5/1 to 7/1, an emotional winner at Cheltenham this weekend for connections
• Paloma Blue, Racing Post Arkle, enhanced out to 18/1, Jennings’ own selection for the race, the Henry de Bromhead-trained horse, whose price should shorten once he makes his reappearance