As it stands there are likely to be a number of horses that will run that will be under 4/1 starting price that will be fav at the 2011 festival - in the last three years there have been 46 horses to start as fav that were priced under 4/1 - only 8 have won (Quevega = 25% of the winners total as well !). Many greats have tried and been beaten - so no matter how certain you think you are be careful !
2010 The favs under 4/1 Losers Dunguib 4/5, Captain Cee bee 5/2 (Unpl), Go Native 11/4 (Unpl), Garde Champetre 7/4 (unpl), Rite of Passage 7/2, Punchestowns 2/1 (Unpl), Master Minded 4/5 (Unpl), Shot from the Hip 3/1 (unpl), Alfie Sherrin 3/1 (unpl), Poquelin 11/4, Carlito Brigante 7/2 (unpl), Tell Massinni 10/3 (unpl), Kauto Star 8/11 (unpl) Winners Quevega 6/4, Big Bucks 5/6,
2009 The favs under 4/1 had a few winners 5 from 18 Cousin Vinny 9/4 (unp),Binocular 6/4,Lami 7/4,QUEVEGA 2/1 MIKAEL D ARGENT 5/2,COOLDINE 9/4,MASTER MINDED 4/11 Alexander Severus 11/4,Rite of Passage 5/2,Vor Por Ustedes 10/11,Kasbah Bliss 5/4 (unp),Poker di Siviola 7/2 (unp),Daves Dream 7/2 (unp),Pride of Dulcote,KAUTO STAR 7/4,Juveigner 7/2 (unp),Big Eared Fran 7/2,Poquelin 3/1 (unp)
2008 The age and finishing Stats didnt stand up this year with fine performances from Master Minded, Inglis Drever and Katchit defying stats and proving their undoubted talent. Cheltenhams greatest stat stood up again though !
The Under 4/1 fav losers were out in force: Kauto Star (evs), Franchoek (11/10), Ashkazar (15/8), Noland (7/4), Sizing Europe (2/1), Wonderkid (5/2), Vor Por ustedes (5/2), The Listener (10/3), Dont Push It (5/2), Zaarito (3/1), Chumba Wumba (10/3), My Petra (3/1)
Year after year markets formed essentially from winter form then meeting essentially what could be seen as a different season in terms of ground, condition of horses, exposure, different course form etc.
The beauty of the festival, writing is not on the wall.
Year after year markets formed essentially from winter form then meeting essentially what could be seen as a different season in terms of ground, condition of horses, exposure, different course form etc. The beauty of the festival, writing is not on