*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widget, while in-copy odds are accurate at the time of publication but subject to change
Frank Hickey has cast his expert eye over the St James’ Place Hunters’ Chase as we continue our extensive preview of the 2021 Cheltenham Festival.
The top Paddy Power trader has rattled through the pros and cons of the main players in the field, and has managed to put a line through plenty of the market leaders.
Cheltenham Festival: Dates, race times and antepost tips from our experts
Speaking on the latest episode of Paddy Power’s From The Horse’s Mouth ‘Countdown to Cheltenham’ podcast, Frank revealed who he fancies to hit the frame on the final day of the festival.
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BOB AND CO ran at Grade 1 level in France, and while he didn’t do much that is still pretty high. He pulled up on his debut for Paul Nicholls against Minella Rock at Warwick but then won at Bangor, Fontwell and Haydock since – all on soft ground. Good ground would be a question mark as all his form in France was on testing ground. It would be a small worry, and I’m siding more with the Irish horses as I don’t think he has achieved any more than Billaway, Staker Wallace and It Came To Pass have already.
I’m not sure the track plays to the strengths of CAID DU BERLAIS. He is really suited to Punchestown and has been wildly impressive there on a couple of starts and He was fifth here in 2018 but was pulled up in this the last two years.
HAZEL HILL was an impressive winner of this in 2019 but was a non-runner last year and has not really in the same form since. He is 13 now and was workmanlike during his win at Ludlow in January, but no better. At his best he would go close, but I don’t fancy him.
IT CAME TO PASS is massively ground-dependent and it was a great result for us last year when he won, being a big price but we were also keeping it onside. We were 25/1 and 33/1 when other firms were offering 100/1+. We had the double-whammy of getting Billaway beaten to stop the Willie Mullins multiple and staying way under the winner’s price elsewhere. It Came To Pass is no use when he runs on testing ground but bolted up in this last year. He Was awful at Thurles only three weeks ago when unseating and a big bounce back is required.
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We have to mention STAKER WALLACE, who was second to Billaway at Naas last season beaten by eight lengths and this year he was only beaten just over two lengths. He was kept on the inside at Naas and I think there was a huge advantage in being on the outside against the nearside rail on the home straight so the pair are probably closely matched. He was fourth in this last year but looks to have had a better run into it this year, as last year’s run was only his seventh career start. He has a big chance.
If BILLAWAY jumps cleanly he will have a huge chance, but that is not a given. Meanwhile, I would also give a mention RED INDIAN for Kelly Morgan. This horse was rated in the 140s as a handicap chaser. Kelly went close to winning this with Top Wood who was third in 2019 and second in 2018 when he was caught on the line by Pacha Du Polder. Top Wood also won the Aintree Foxhunter so she knows what she’s doing. Red Indian bolted up in two points this season, beating the useful Master Baker in Bishops Court back in October, and he could go well at a fair price.
Staker Wallace is one that I think has a great chance, and I’ve backed him each-way.
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widget, while in-copy odds are accurate at the time of publication but subject to change
Frank Hickey’s St James’ Place Hunters’ Chase bet summary
CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL‘S BIG RACES
March 16 – 13.20 – Supreme Novices’ Hurdle latest odds and tips
March 16 – 13.55 – Arkle Chase latest odds and tips
March 16 – 15.05 – Champion Hurdle latest odds and tips
March 16 – 15.40 – Mares’ Hurdle latest odds and tips
March 17 – 13.20 – Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle latest odds and tips
March 17 – 13.55 – Festival Novices’ Chase latest odds and tips
March 17 – 15.05 – Queen Mother Champion Chase latest odds and tips
March 18 – 13.20 – Marsh Novices’ Chase latest odds and tips
March 18 – 14.30 – Ryanair Chase latest odds and tips
March 18 – 15.05 – Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle latest odds and tips
March 19 – 13.20 – Triumph Hurdle latest odds and tips
March 19 – 14.30 – Albert Bartlett Novices’ Chase latest odds and tips
March 19 – 15.05 – Gold Cup latest odds and tips
March 19 – 16.15 – Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase latest odds and tips
CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL DAY FOUR SCHEDULE
13.20 – JCB Triumph Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 179y
13.55 – County Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) 2m 179y
14.30 – Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 7f 213y
15.05 – Cheltenham Gold Cup (Grade 1) 3m 2f 70y
15.40 – St. James’s Place Festival Challenge Cup 3m 2f 70y
16.15 – Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase (Grade 2) 2m 4f 127y
16.50 – Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle 2m 4f 56y
*Paddy will be all over your telly box throughout the Cheltenham Festival sponsoring ITV’s live coverage from Prestbury Park – and you can get free and exclusive tipping columns EVERY DAY from Ruby Walsh, Matt Chapman and Mick Fitzgerald here on PP News.
Read More on Cheltenham 2021
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- Cheltenham tips: Matt Chapman’s 5 to keep the dream alive at Prestbury Park
- Cheltenham tips: Mares’ Hurdle antepost picks from Frank Hickey
- Cheltenham tips: Ruby Walsh’s National Hunt Chase antepost picks