We take a look at this week's racing.(credit:
James from SoGlos.com)
Some classy action at Navan, Exeter and Kempton is a prelude to a bumper Saturday featuring plenty of exciting betting opportunities. Live-horseracing brings us the best of the week's racing action.
Follow this link to Betfair to see all the markets for this week's racing and for information on how to get a free bet on the action.
Sunday February 14
Navan
2:10 Ladbrokes.com Boyne Hurdle
There are some decent horses entered for this top class hurdle over a tough two miles and five furlongs. Mouse Morris's old stager War of Attrition will be bidding for a second Grade Two win on the bounce, ahead of possible tilts at the World Hurdle and the Grand National.
4:25 Ten Up Novice Chase
A three mile Grade Two features some interesting young jumpers. Willie Mullins Uimhiraceath was a comfortable winner on his chasing debut at Gowran Park last time and is sure to be popular in the market.
4:55 Flyingbolt Novice Chase
A Grade Two contest that usually features some potential Arkle types, although only two of these are entered for the big one next month, most notably, former top class hurdler Osana, runner up to Sizing Europe last time and 18.5 for the Arkle.
Exeter
3:00 Be a toteswinger Valentine Novices' Hurdle
Only five entries for this Listed event, but as previous winners have included Noland and My Way de Solzen, it could be worth taking an interest in. Paul Nicholls has another potential star from the French conveyor belt in Najaf.
Kempton
3:45 betdaq.co.uk Ladybird Stakes
On what is a run of a mill card, this Listed contest stands out from the rest. Run over a mile, in three runnings to date, it has provided strong form, with last year's winner, Premio Loco using this race as a launching pad to a successful campaign that included a couple of Group Two wins.
Thursday February 18
Kelso
3:20 Morebattle Hurdle
This modest looking Class Two event has been given quite a boost by the decision of Nicky Henderson to send Zaynar north for his final Cheltenham prep race. The 6.2 favourite for the Champion Hurdle has at least two stone in hand on his rivals on official figures and anything less than an easy win would be a major surprise.
Friday February 19
Sandown
3:20 Royal Artillery Gold Cup
Always a popular meeting, this is the centrepiece, a three mile and half a furlong amateur riders handicap confined to horses owned or leased by current or ex Royal Artillery personnel. Paul Nicholls has an outstanding recent record in this race, saddling three of the last seven winners.
Saturday February 20
Ascot
2:05 Sodexo Prestige Reynoldstown Novices' Chase
Named after the winner of the 1935 and 1936 Grand National, this was once considered a major trial for the Royal and Sun Alliance at the Festival, with Alberta's Run the latest to triumph at the Festival after victory here, in 2008. Three-miles-and- half-a-furlong offers quite a test for some classy staying novices.
3:10 Betfair Ascot Chase
The Betfair Ascot Chase is a top class Grade One, won by some high calibre horses, including One Man, Teeton Mill and the mighty Kauto Star. The intermediate distance means that some Gold Cup contenders may be meeting those aimed at the Ryanair and it is a fascinating event.
Haydock
2:20 Joseph Heler Cheese Hurdle
Originally known as the Rendlesham, this is a real clash of the best staying hurdlers, many of which will be reappearing at the World Hurdle next month.
2:55 Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle
Registered as the Prestige Novices' Hurdle, this is a three-mile-and-one-furlong Grade Two event for some stamina-laden novices.
3:30 Blue Square Gold Cup Chase
A great betting contest, the focus of much betting activity throughout the week, this is a popular handicap, run over three and a half miles. Expect a big field of staying handicappers and keep your eye on the market for fancied and unexposed types. The market is currently immature, but David Pipe's horse The Package is slight antepost favourite at this stage.
Wincanton
3:45 Bathwick Tyres Kingwell Hurdle
Another Graded hurdle and likely to be another top class field assembled to tackle the two miles of this prestigious Grade Two race. Katchit won this contest in 2008 en route to the Festival and it has a very good record as a Champion Hurdle trial so is well worth watching as you put the finishing touches to your Cheltenham portfolio.