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Irish Independent
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Irish National prize goes to Wales as ‘Couleurs' scores for Rebecca Curtis and Sean Bowen
A winner at the Cheltenham Festival last month when his regular rider Sean Bowen missed out, the champion jockey-elect in the UK was back in the saddle and gave his mount the perfect ride up front. Haiti Couleurs was in the front pair throughout along with Bushmans Pass and when that one dropped away it became a case of could he hold on. The Ted Walsh-trained veteran Any Second Now emerged as a big threat, as did 11/2 favourite Quai De Bourbon, while Dunboyne had also travelled well into contention. But Bowen had saved plenty and his partner went away to win by just over three lengths from the gallant Any Second Now (finishing runner-up for the second consecutive year) with Quai De Bourbon third and Dunboyne fourth. 'I honestly can't believe it,' said Bowen. 'He was doing a half-speed the whole way round, he was hacking and at the same time I was frightened as he got fairly revved up beforehand. 'I actually thought I'm a bit too keen, as he was doing everything in second gear. I'm so grateful to everyone, obviously I couldn't ride him at Cheltenham and I'm so grateful to Becky for letting me back on him. He just stays very well and jumps very, very well.' He added: 'To be champion jockey is all I've ever wanted and I supposed when you get it then you want to do more. I need the big winners as well and it's great that this lad has done it for me.' Earlier, Gordon Elliott completed a Grade Two double when Found A Fifty bounced back from a couple of below-par runs to land the Jack McInerney Memorial Fairyhouse Chase. The eight-year-old has a good career strike-rate, having won five of his 10 runs over fences before his latest outing. Sent off a 5/1 chance, he was always going well under Sam Ewing as Saint Sam made a bold bid from the front. However, a mistake two out stopped the leader in his tracks and Found A Fifty went on to win by three-parts of a length. 'If we keep him in that class next year, he could win loads of races,' said Elliott. The Elliott brace was initiated by the victory of Maxxum (14/1) which made all the running to win the Rathbarry & Glenview Studs Hurdle at Fairyhouse. The eight-year-old was carrying a penalty for winning the Boyne Hurdle at Navan, but had been pulled up last time out in the Coral Cup at Cheltenham. Sent to the front by Danny Gilligan, Maxxum looked like a sitting duck at the top of the straight with Eagle Fang, Spread Boss Ted, Gala Marceau and Feet Of A Dancer all on his tail. But Gilligan had saved plenty and kicked on again approaching the final flight, holding off the favourite Gala Marceau by three-quarters of a length. 'Danny gave the horse a beautiful ride,' remarked Elliott. 'He missed the third-last, but after that it was poetry in motion. He's a lovely, quiet rider and he suits this horse very well. 'Where we go with him, I don't know. He could be a horse to go to France, he's nearly better in a smaller field. We'll have a look and see.' Willie Mullins was another trainer to record a double, spearhead by Blue Lemons' comfortable success in the O'Driscoll's Irish Whiskey Juvenile Hurdle. Down to Grade Two company after a poor run in the Triumph Hurdle, he briefly looked in trouble before sweeping to the front under Paul Townend to win by seven lengths from fellow 2/1 joint-favourite Its Bilbo. Assistant trainer David Casey said: 'It was obviously a big step down from the Triumph. Paul said they went quick and it suited the way he rode him. He's in Punchestown and he'll probably run, I suppose. He may as well at this stage.' Mullins had already won the opening novice handicap hurdle with the Mark Walsh-ridden Last Kingdom (10/1), which looked a long way ahead of his mark. 'He might make into a Lartigue horse (Listowel) down the line, he's only four. There's no real long-term plan with him,' said Casey.
Telegraph
14-03-2025
- Sport
- Telegraph
ITV Racing tips – Saturday March 15: Midlands National day at Uttoxeter and Kempton
ITV Racing presents action from Uttoxeter and Kempton on Saturday. Seven races, all National Hunt, will follow on from a historic and eventful Cheltenham Festival during the week. Our betting expert has selections from three of the televised races that make an appealing 540/1 each-way treble. Catch all the action on ITV4 from 1.30pm to 4pm. Today's best bets 2.25, Uttoxeter – Joyeux Machin @ 4/1 with Betfair 2.45, Kempton – Josh The Boss @ 11/1 with Betfair 3.00, Uttoxeter – Mr Vango @ 8/1 with Betfair Odds, provided by Betfair, are correct at the time of writing. If you already have a Betfair account and are looking for a new bookmaker to use for this weekend's racing, check out our list of free bets here. 2.25 Uttoxeter – JenningsBet Handicap Hurdle (Class 2, 2m 7½f) There will be voided and lost ante-post betting slips up and down the country with JOYEUX MACHIN on them for last Wednesday's Coral Cup at Cheltenham. The Skelton horse looked as though he was being prepped to peak at the Festival and was at the cusp of bottom weight, but excuses were being made that the going was not suitable. Cheltenham tends to be a very well-draining track so drying ground can get quite firm. Connections will be hoping for softer conditions on Saturday and a win can follow. Joyeux Machin's outing at Wetherby in February was the first eyecatching run where he was a fast-finishing third. That was followed up with a calculated never-nearer second behind likeable handicapper Altobelli, which affirmed everyone's suspicions that a big victory was just around the corner. 2.45, Kempton – Virgin Bet Best Odds Daily Handicap Hurdle (Class 2, 2m 5f) JOSH THE BOSS won on ground similar to this back in October at Chepstow and the form of that race has worked out very well with Doyen Quest, Take No Chances and Lowry's Bar directly in behind going on to have fabulous seasons. The same cannot be said for Josh The Boss, who has finished ninth and pulled up in two attempts on soft ground since. He has dropped a couple of pounds for those efforts, but can resume progress now with more suitable conditions. 3.00, Uttoxeter – JenningsBet Midlands Grand National (Class 1, 4m 2f) Today's feature selection is for MR VANGO who will need to defy trends and win today off top weight. Ten of the last 12 winners have carried 10st 12lb or less, but this likeable sort has to shoulder the full 12st. He has had a flawless season, winning twice over near-marathon trips and impressing by jumping like a stag in the process. He holds an entry in the Grand National, but looks like he will not qualify at this stage – so connections have reverted to today's Midlands National to sign off his campaign. Trainer Sara Bradstock will certainly be hoping the ground is softer than the current reporting but Mr Vango should have the class to handle this surface against today's opposition, which should lead to a big enough rise in the weights to target the 2026 Grand National next season.
Telegraph
12-03-2025
- Sport
- Telegraph
Betting offer for Cheltenham Festival: Enhanced odds
Trainer Willie Mullins had just one victory on day one of the Cheltenham Festival, in the first race, but was unlucky not to claim more with the last fence and hurdle proving troublesome. That same result today, however, could result in £60 of free bets with Sky Bet as it is offering boosted odds of 60/1 for the current Champion trainer to have a winner on Wednesday at Cheltenham. There is a maximum stake of £1 and the free bets will be paid as six £10 free bets to be used only on horse racing – a perfect amount to get you through the rest of the day, or maybe even the rest of the week. And if you are not a regular bettor on horses, do not worry as you have 30 days to spend your free bets. If the bet loses, new customers will still receive £30 in free bets. Mullins has every chance of a Cheltenham winner on Day 2 Today the trainer holds a strong hand with favourites in the first, second and final races among other promising runners. While not a certainty, his favourite in the first, Final Demand, has been well found in the market and if he can prove he has the speed for this trip should take all the beating. That first race was won last year by Willie Mullin's Ballyburn, who is the odds-on favourite in the next race, the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase. Ballyburn is being touted as a bit of a superstar so again it is hard to see him beaten today, as his odds reflect. In the third race, Mullins has Bunting, who held an outside chance in last year's Supreme. He steps up in trip for today's handicap debut in the Coral Cup, but faces a big field and stiff competition. It looks like other horses are attracting shorter odds than him as the day goes on. And in the final race of the day, Mullins holds all the cards with five runners, including the top three in the betting. Claim the Sky Bet 60/1 offer here How to claim the Sky Bet 60/1 offer Click here to sign up to Sky Bet New customers only First single and each-way bet only Odds of 1/1 or greater 6x £10 bet tokens Free bet stakes not included in returns Free bets for horse racing only Free bets are non-withdrawable Free bets expire after 30 days Sky Bet 60/1 offer T&Cs New customers only. First single and each-way bet only. Odds of 1/1 or greater. 6x £10 bet tokens. Free bet stakes not included in returns. Free bets for horse racing only. Free bets are non-withdrawable. Free bets expire after 30 days. Eligibility restrictions and further T&Cs apply.
The Independent
12-03-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Cheltenham Festival 2025 tips: Experts' best bets and 13 horses to watch on day two
The Cheltenham Festival is back and the 2025 edition has already got off to a barnstorming start, with Golden Ace a surprise winner of the Champion Hurdle after Constitution Hill fell among the storylines on a compelling first day. A cool, dry day two – known as Style Wednesday – promises more thrills with the Coral Cup and the Queen Mother Champion Chase among the highlights of a packed schedule. Nicky Henderson's Jonbon is back for glory in the Champion Chase, having withdrawn at the 11th hour last year. Henry de Bromhead's Captain Guinness triumphed in Jonbon's absence but the form book suggests defending his crown will be tough and betting sites make him a big outsider. Jonbon has been a superstar for owner JP McManus since he parted with £570,000 for the brother to Douvan and he is a rare example in National Hunt racing of a very expensive horse looking a bargain. He has won 17 races out of 20 under rules, with all three defeats coming at Cheltenham, albeit the first of those can be excused as he was up against Constitution Hill in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle. Find the latest Cheltenham odds and free bet offers with Independent Sport ready to provide daily coverage from the festival and get our free betting newsletter for the latest Cheltenham tips. Sign up here. Our racing expert Sam Turner will be at Cheltenham all week, plus legendary former jockey Ruby Walsh has shared his tips with Paddy Power, and Ed Chamberlin and Oli Bell share their tips with Sky Bet. Day two – Wednesday, 12 March 13.20: Turners Novices' Hurdle Ruby Walsh's tip: Final Demand 6/4 Final Demand is a very good horse. He jumped brilliantly at Limerick and brought that to a whole new level at the Dublin Racing Festival. He travelled really well and his jumping was rock solid. His form overall is more solid than The New Lion's. If Paul Townend is positive on him then he'll be hard to beat. The Yellow Clay is a bigger danger than The New Lion. Sam Turner's tip: Final Demand 6/4 A cracking renewal of this race with the powerful Dublin Racing Festival winner Final Demand facing a strong challenge The New Lion and The Yellow Clay, while the likes of Potters Charm (tongue tie for the first time) and Sixmilebridge help to provide a strong supporting cast. The shower that fell at the track on Monday may just play to the strengths of Final Demand who posted a freakish performance at Leopardstown and is held in extremely high regard by Willie Mullins and the team at Closutton. A decisive winner of the Challow Hurdle at Newbury, The New Lion must overcome the poor strike rate of those winners trying to win this, while The Yellow Clay could be slightly underestimated by the market given, he is tough and genuine and boasts a touch of class. Ed Chamberlin's tip: The New Lion 15/8 It's The New Lion – big head-to-head against Final Demand – who I think is going to be a Gold Cup horse, against The New Lion, who I think could be a champion hurdle horse, hopefully he'll have too much speed. Ruby Walsh's tip: Ballyburn 5/6 Ballyburn's jumping has improved throughout the season. He's the best horse in the race but I wouldn't rule out the outsiders. There may only be seven of them but it's a really decent race. I can't get away from Ballyburn being the best horse. Sam Turner's tip: Better Days Ahead 13/2 Ballyburn redeemed his reputation with a fine victory at the Dublin Racing Festival and, as a winner at last year's Festival, has already proven himself a horse for the big occasion. The one slight doubt is his exuberance and that might see him vulnerable at the end of three miles, a trip he has never run over before. If he settles, he will be difficult to beat, albeit stablemate Dancing City is a guaranteed stayer, almost certain to wind up the pace from some way out. The underrated Better Days Ahead and Gorgeous Tom are no back numbers either with the latter likely to find some improvement tackling three miles for the first time. 14.40: Coral Cup Hurdle Ruby Walsh's tip: Bunting 11/2 The Coral Cup is not a race I'd be mad keen on because it's one of those handicaps you need a lot of luck – and I hate races you need luck! Be Aware sticks out for the Skeltons and they are really positive about him. I like Bunting, but I wouldn't rule out Jimmy Du Seuil. It's more a race for the Eliminator than trying to find the winner. I wouldn't put you off Bunting, but it's a race I could never figure out. Sam Turner's tip: Impose Toi 15/2 Be Aware fits several key trends required to win this race –12 of the past 15 winners had run at Cheltenham previously, while 10 of them had finished in the top four at the very least. Top handicap form over the minimum trip is also a positive as is less than nine hurdle starts, two criteria both Be Aware and Impose Toi fulfil. The latter represents Nicky Henderson who has won four of the past 15 renewals and this looks to have been the plan for some time. Henderson's gelding was a good winner at Newbury when last seen and the first-time cheekpieces could produce further improvement. At bigger prices, Jimmy Du Seuil is an intriguing runner, while Beckett Rock makes some appeal for a stable in better form now. 15.20: Cross Country Steeple Chase Ruby Walsh's tip: Vanillier 6/1 I've been all over Vanillier for a while. He's the one for me in the Cross Country Chase. Galvin is a bigger danger at the weights than Stumpton. Gavin Cromwell and Keith Donoghue are keen on Stumpton but I'm not listening, I'm still going with Vanillier. Sam Turner's tip: Stumptown 9/4 The vibes for both Stumptown and Busselton have been strong for some time and narrow preference is for the former who is equipped with the cheekpieces for the first time. The selection won a similar race over course and distance before Christmas and, although he has been punished by the handicapper for that defeat of Mister Coffey, his trainer is a master at finding improvement. Busselton has been backed from 20-1 into a third of those odds in the ante-post lists and has 15 lengths to find with Stumptown from December, however he is better off at the weights here and could trouble the market leader. 16.00: Queen Mother Champion Chase Ruby Walsh's tip: Jonbon 4/5 Jonbon, all day, every day. He comes here on an upward curve and I hope he wins. He's a brilliant horse and I hope he gets the credit he deserves. He's an absolute good thing. Sam Turner's tip: Jonbon 4/5 Jonbon's critics will point to the fact he has been beaten three times at Cheltenham, while handicappers will point to his best six career efforts taking place away from Prestbury Park. However, the nine-year-old has won all eight of his starts with Nico de Boinville on board and he looks sure to have a good pace to aim at here with the front-running Solness in opposition. Of his rivals, Marine Nationale should relish the drying ground and strong pace and looks the best placed to cause Jonbon most problems. Ed Chamberlin's tip: Jonbon 5/6 The Queen Mother Champion Chase is the big race of the day, and one of the big horses of the week. I can't wait to see Jonbon – I love him. Sir Anthony McCoy would come back and ride him if he could. He's unbeatable, I think, under Nico de Boinville – and how pleased am I that Sky Bet are going to super boost Jonbon – fantastic! 16.40: Grand Annual Steeple Chase Challenge Cup Ruby Walsh: Third Time Lucki 22/1 Last year's winner Unexpected Party has a massive chance again. Third Time Lucki ran well enough on his first run for Fergal O'Brien's yard, he's dropped enough in the weights and he's an each-way poke. Sam Turner's tip: My Mate Mozzie 6/1 No horse has won this event back-to-back since 1959 so Unexpected Party must defy history to repeat his win from 12 months ago. However, his trainer is brilliant at targeting Festival handicaps so he can't be discounted despite the stats. Proper spring ground is ideal for My Mate Mozzie who came from a long way back to take second in a hot Leopardstown handicap last time. He could be the chief beneficiary from a strong gallop. JPR One (ground will also suit), Traprain Law (should relish a generous pace) and Dancing On My Own (decent course form) also made the shortlist. 17.20: Champion Bumper Ruby Walsh's tip: Copacabana 5/2 Bambino Fever surprised up a bit at Leopardstown. She's a pretty good mare. We've only had Aqua Force a couple of weeks. Gameofinches came to us after winning a point-to-point in November so we didn't have him in the yard until a couple of weeks after that. He had been trained to win that so he's a very lean horse. He's not difficult to train but you can't train them like one you've had through pre-season and you're building through the year. Copacabana is that horse. He's been in the routine a long time. I was impressed with him at Navan. I put him up after that and I haven't changed my mind. He's the one. Sam Turner's tip: Bambino Fever 6/1 Given Willie Mullins has trained the winner of this contest a staggering 13 times, it seems prudent to seriously consider his five runners. The market seems to favour Navan scorer Copacabana and Gameofinches, a good winner at Punchestown last month, and both look to have all the skills required to win this finale. However, Bambino Fever looked an exceptional mare when scoring at the Dublin Racing Festival and she might put her turn of foot to good use. No Drama This End could be the best of British, while El Cairos will be overlooked in the market given his amateur rider.
The Independent
12-03-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Best New Betting Sites with Free Bets for Cheltenham Festival Day 2
Day two of the 2025 Cheltenham Festival sees a number of key races, including the Queen Mother Champion Chase, Coral Cup and Champion Bumper, with elite competitors and up-and-coming stars running throughout the day. The Cheltenham Festival is the biggest betting event of the year in the UK and betting sites trying to grab the attention of punters often attract interest via a range of new markets and fresh offers. We've compiled a guide to the best new betting sites and free bet offers for day two at Cheltenham, alongside our best racing bets for Wednesday's feature races, so read on for Champion Chase and Coral Cup tips. Key races on day two of Cheltenham Queen Mother Champion Chase 2025 The Champion Chase is the signature event of day two, featuring the elite chasers over two miles. It has a history dating back to 1959, and trainers Nicky Henderson and Paul Nicholls have dominated the event with six wins each, though neither has won it in the last four years. Henderson's Jonbon is the leading contender on betting apps having won the Clarence House Chase in January, although two-time winner Energumene is a solid shout for Willie Mullins in the Champion Chase odds. Captain Guinness, who won in 2024, is a 50/1 long shot. Coral Cup The Coral Cup is one of the most fiercely competitive handicap races of the meeting. Nicky Henderson has fared well in the 31 years of the event, with four wins to his name, although Dan Skelton and Langer Dan have recorded successive wins. Langer Dan is chasing a historic third win a row, but is an outsider at 16/1 with horse racing betting sites. In terms of the others in the Coral Cup odds, Kopeck De Mee and Be Aware are the bookies' favourites, but this race tends to be an open affair with one single-figure price winner in the past 10 years. Browns Advisory Chase This race dates back to 1921 and was previously known as the RSA Chase until 2020. Nowadays, it's one of the key battleground races for owners and trainers to win a Grade 1 event at the Festival. It is often a prelude to a Gold Cup run the following year, with Lord Windermere the last horse to complete the double in 2013 and 2014. Willie Mullins has had six winners of this race previously and saddles the favourite Ballyburn, who won the Ladbrokes Novice Chase at Punchestown in February. But the level of competition is stiff and the likes of Dancing City and Better Days Ahead may spring a suprise. Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase The Cross Country Chase was added to the Cheltenham card in 2005. It provides a real examination of endurance and can offer a testing ground for a future run at the Grand National. Two-time Grand National winner Tiger Roll has won this event three times, while trainer Gordon Elliott has five wins to his name, including the last two. This event did not take place last year due to a waterlogged track. Stumptown and Galvin are the stand outs in the Champion Bumper odds, with Galvin aiming to become the latest Elliott runner to triumph. Champion Bumper This is the only flat race at the Cheltenham Festival and it features the next generation of horses that will compete over jumps. Talented runners such as Envoi Allen and Cue Card have won this race in the past, although it is another event that has been dominated by Willie Mullins. In terms of Champion Bumper tips, Copacabana and Windbeneathmywings are two of the leading fancies for the race, with the former notably being a Mullins horse. At present, Champion Bumper odds include 4/1 for Gameofinches, who recently won at Punchestown, with Copacabana at 5/1 and Windbeneathmywings offered at 13/2. It is worth noting that the last time a horse won this race without having won its last race was in 1999, and all three horses mentioned won last time out. Best free bets offers for Cheltenham from new betting sites Rank Bookmaker Offer 1 BetGoodwin Money back special up to £100. BetGoodwin offers bettors their money back as free bets if their horse loses by a nose, is beaten by a 50/1 shout, loses a chase by half-a-length or falls at the last while leading. 2 LiveScore Bet Money back as a free bet on selected races each day of the Cheltenham Festival. Just place a maximum £10 bet on the selected race within 48 hours of the start time. If your horse finished second, third or fourth, you'll get your stake back as a free bet. Only the first bet on the race will be eligible for the money back offer. 3 BetMGM BetMGM offer one of the best sign-up offers around. New customers can claim £40 in free bets, £30 of which can be used on horse racing. All users have to do is sign up, deposit £10 and bet £10 on any market with odds of evens or greater to claim the offer. 4 TalkSport Bet TalkSport Bet offers punters their money back up to £100 through their Run For Your Money offer. Refunds are available in the following circumstances: refuse or whip around at the start, fail to come out or lose all chance at the stalls. 5 Betano Betano will give new customers their first stake back in free bets, up to a maximum value of £40. Simply stake a minimum of £10 on any horse at odds of 2/1 and punters can earn up to £40 in free bets, split 50:50 between being eligible for wagering on a horse racing acca and lengthen your odds special. How we rate new Cheltenham betting sites Licensing: Our recommended new Cheltenham betting sites are licensed by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). We only recommend UKGC-licensed operators, ensuring that customers' details are protected and that the betting sites are regulated. 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Our recommended operators tick all the boxes when it comes to usability, providing a sound online betting experience. App: The best new Cheltenham betting sites should offer a quality native betting app for both Apple and Android users. Our carefully selected betting sites all deliver a sound experience for mobile users with their dedicated betting apps. Payment options: We scoured the available payment options across Cheltenham betting sites and only considered the ones that offered a wide variety of options, including PayPal betting sites, Apple Pay, Google Pay and more. Cheltenham day two tips for betting offers Read the terms and conditions: Ensure that you fully understand all the terms and conditions before placing your wager. Read the fine print on offers to ensure your bet is valid for any promotion you wish to partake in. Get the best value: Sign up for more than one betting site to ensure you're getting bang for your buck. Look around at all the prices available on horses and make sure to stay up to date with any price boosts on selected horses. Using an odds comparison sites is a great way to compare prices quickly. Research: Use betting tips and form guides to steer you in the right direction when it comes to placing your bets online. If you don't know much about horse racing, reading through tips and guides can ensure you make an informed decision. Free bets: Use your free bets wisely and ensure that your bets are valid before using them. Free bets have an expiry date, so ensure you maximise your opportunities when using free bets online. Please gamble responsibly Bettors should always follow responsible gambling practices. Even the most knowledgeable punter can lose a bet, so always stick to a budget and never chase your losses. When using gambling sites be aware that sports betting can be addictive so please take steps to remain in control of your time and budget. The same applies whether you're using slot sites, casino sites, casino apps, or any other gambling medium. It's particularly important not to get carried away by any free bets or casino offers you might receive, both of which are available in abundance on gambling sites, but must be approached with caution. You can stay in control by making use of the responsible gambling tools offered, such as deposit limits, loss limits, self-exclusion and time-outs. You may also want to visit the following free organisations to discuss any issues with gambling you might be having:
