14:00
Cheltenham
Odds correct as of 8:54am 11th Feb
Racing fans were dealt a massive blow when it was announced Sir Gino was out for the season and that has seemingly offered the Willie Mullins-trained Majborough a penalty kick for the Arkle next month. But, is it really a simple task for him or will he face a stern challenger?
Majborough is now best-priced 8/13 on the back of his dominant Grade 1 win at the Dublin Racing Festival. He has a huge engine but there could be reason to take him on. First off is the price – he is awful short. Secondly is his age. The last five-year-old to win the Arkle was Frozen Groom in 2000 and you have to go back to 1962 for the last one before that. Another slight niggle is his jumping. He can throw in the odd dodgy jump.
Taking everything into account, L’eau Du Sud looks like a stonking each-way bet currently at odds of 5/1. Okay, Dan Skelton’s seven-year-old only beat Rubaud by a length at Warwick last weekend but he did all he had to do and it was the perfect prep for Cheltenham.
L’eau Du Sud will have a couple of advantages over Majborough. Obviously, he is two years older and that matureness can be a big help around Prestbury Park. Unbeaten in four starts over fences, he also has experience over the Arkle course and distance when bolting up in a Grade 2 at Cheltenham in November.
This isn’t a deep Arkle field and with three places on offer at the moment, L’eau Du Sud could be the best each-way bet of the Festival as things stand.
If you back any of our selections you can watch them live on the free Racing Post app or racingpost.com. Simply log in to one of your bookmaker accounts and click ‘Watch live’ on the racecards.