- Supreme Novices Hurdle
- Arkle Challenge Trophy
- Will Hill Trophy Handicap Chase
- Champion Hurdle
- Cross Country Handicap Chase
- David Nicholson Mares Hurdle
- Centenary Novice Chase
- National Hunt Steeple Chase
- Neptune Investment Hurdle
- RSA Chase
- Queen Mother Champion Chase
- Coral Cup
- Fred Winter Handicap Hurdle
- Champion Bumper
- Jewson Novices Chase
- Pertemps Handicap Hurdle
- Ryanair Chase
- Ladbrokes World Hurdle
- Byrne Group Plate
- Kim Muir Challenge Cup
- JCB Triumph Hurdle
- County Handicap Hurdle
- Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle
- Cheltenham Gold Cup
- Foxhunter Steeple Chase
- Conditional Jockeys Hurdle
- Grand Annual Chase
Cheltenham Ladbrokes World Hurdle
Cheltenham Festival race guide – Ladbrokes World Hurdle betting
Can anyone stop Big Buck’s retaining his World Hurdle crown in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle? He was made to work a little harder for his 15th straight success in the Grade 2 Cleeve Hurdle over course and distance last time before drawing comfortably clear and should take all the beating at Cheltenham again. Oscar Whisky rates the main danger with Thousand Stars. Free £25 bet from William Hill.
Form, facts and records
The World Hurdle is a real test of a staying hurdler and as Howard Johnson’s Inglis Drever proved on three occasions, the ability to get up the Cheltenham Hill when there’s little left in the tank is the key. Big Bucks has proved his worth at it and we’re all anxious to see whether he repeat his successes and enter his name in the Cheltenham record books. Its worth taking in the trial runs at Cheltenham in January, the Byrne Group Cleeve Hurdle will provide a good idea as to where Big Bucks and other World Hurdlers are in terms of their peak performances. However, it might pay to stay away from the Irish for a change though, they have a dismal record in this Grade 1 and haven’t trained a winner since the 1995 renewal, but could their luck be in this year?
Realistically, it would be nice to pitch up some other potential winners of this race but its just so hard to get away from Big Bucks. And while you may not get big bucks back if you do back him, he’s sure to be one of the most backed horses of the entire festival. We saw punters hopping on at 5/6 last year and that is sure to happen once more although it’s not something punters enjoy – backing horses at odds on. But it does look like his race to lose but if he does fail in his hat-trick bid it will be his own doing and not because he was beaten by a better horse!
Ladbrokes World Hurdle verdict:
Oscar Whisky must be respected on the back of his recent hurdles form but if BIG BUCK’S runs to anything like his best, then he should win his fourth consecutive Ladbrokes World Hurdle. Usual rider Ruby Walsh had to get a tad more serious with him over course and distance last time before he quickly stretched clear from Dynaste, and he should win again.
1- Big Buck’s
2- Oscar Whisky
3- Dynaste
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