14:00
Cheltenham
Odds correct as of 9:34am 11th Jan
We are now just two months away from the greatest showpiece on turf and thousands of punters are working on their ante-post portfolios at present. I have been sifting through the markets myself and I just can’t figure out why one particular horse is such a big price for the Arkle! Let’s delve into things in more detail.
Slade Steel
Arkle Novices’ Chase
Odds: 50/1
There’s no better trainer of a chaser in Ireland or Britain than Henry de Bromhead in my opinion, and with that in mind, I can’t believe Slade Steel is 50/1 for the Arkle at Cheltenham in March. Last season’s Supreme Novices’ Hurdle winner hasn’t got off to the start he wanted over larger obstacles but there’s no point having him peak too soon and we should see a much better horse as the season progresses.
Beaten by Better Days Ahead at Navan on his chasing debut and then beaten by Lecky Watson at Naas last month, both at around 2m4f, he was without question disappointing on both occasions when sent off an odds-on chance. It’s also correct to question that Supreme form as it is turning out to be a weak renewal.
Nonetheless, I have had a small wager on Slade Steel for the Arkle. The drop in trip and a much sterner gallop up front should help him in a championship race and if the ground turns up soft or heavy on the day, I do think they will stick with the 2m option. It wasn’t that long ago that he was one of the market leaders for the Arkle so many seem to be writing him off far too soon for me.
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