Latest news with #MarcusArmytage
Telegraph
05-04-2025
- Sport
- Telegraph
Live Grand National 2025 live: Latest updates from Aintree before today's big race
12:14PM What of the National favourite? It will be a tough gig for last year's winner I Am Maximus. He might start favourite but this time he has to carry top weight, a feat not achieved since Red Rum, and his build-up has not been as smooth as it was a year ago. However, at this moment in time Willie Mullins can pretty much walk on water - that appears to be what the punters think at any rate. The trainer runs six. Minella Cocooner bids to become only the second horse to win a National and a Bet365 Gold Cup but will relish the ground, Grangeclare West might have shown the handicapper his hand too soon when chasing home Galopin Des Champs at Leopardstown before the weights came out while Nick Rockett comes into the race in the form of his life and cannot be ruled out of giving amateur Patrick Mullins the day of his life 12:09PM An unlikely training duo Prominent National contender Iroko is trained by Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero. Greenhall is the heir of a brewing dynasty while Guerriero is the son of a chef who came over to run an Italian restaurant in Penrith. The pair had two winners from just five runners at the Cheltenham Festival. Marcus Armytage tells their story here. 12:04PM Punters are already through the gates at Aintree 11:53AM Some notable non-runners The enigmatic Jeriko Du Reponet will not run in the handicap hurdle at 1.20pm but the bigger news is that Lulamba does not go in the Mersey Novices' Hurdle. The Nicky Henderson horse ran ever so well at Cheltenham but was pipped at the post in the Triumph. The ground is considered just too quick today, which is a shame for punters. Severable notable non-runners at Aintree today including Lulamba. — Racing TV (@RacingTV) April 5, 2025 11:50AM Our experts' tips Looking for a steer in today's big race? Our racing experts have you covered as they name their National winner as well as a predicted first four home if you are looking for each-way chances. Click here to see who Marlborough, Charlie Brooks, Marcus Armytage and Tom Ward fancy. 11:48AM Ground in Hyland's favour for the National but dozen or so in with chances Good-ground horses have been increasingly marginalised in modern Grand Nationals as Aintree waters the track in an attempt to slow the race down but, with the going drying as fast as it can be irrigated this week, they will never get a better chance and Hyland can capitalise on that by winning the 177th edition of the world's greatest steeplechase. The eight-year-old novice, one of seven greys in this year's line-up, has a lot going for him; a light weight, the best ground he is ever likely to get in a National, Grade One form having chased home arguably the leading staying novice in the country at Christmas, a solid warm-up for this at Kempton in February and, crucially, he comes in without having had a hard race at Cheltenham three weeks ago. In the 'old days' running a novice in the National would have been considered foolhardy but Rule The World and Noble Yeats, both winners within the last 10 years, were novices, indeed Rule The World had not won a race over fences when he turned up at Aintree in 2016. As such there is every possibility Hyland is still ahead of the handicapper, another box which needs to be ticked in order to win a modern National. Much is made of his trainer Nicky Henderson's record, 43 runners since 1979 including nine first-fence fallers and no winners but in the early days Zongerlero, Classified, The Tsarevitch and Brown Windsor were all placed and his last runner, Mister Coffey, led the field over the Melling Road for the last time which will also have given Nico de Boinville a bit of confidence in the race. But this National is nothing if not open and a dozen or more have good chances. We'll be providing live updates from all the day's races, starting with the 17-runner William Hill Top Price Guarantee Handicap Hurdle at 1.20pm.
Telegraph
13-03-2025
- Sport
- Telegraph
Cheltenham Festival day 4: Tips, odds, races and weather for Friday
After three spellbinding days at the Cheltenham Festival we arrive at the biggest of all. God Cup day is the very peak of jump racing and this year we have suitable storyline to match the occasion within reach. Galopin Des Champs could join the sport's true immortals just past 4.00 this afternoon if he wins a third a straight Cheltenham Gold Cup. Click here for our full Gold Cup runners and riders guide. Looking for the latest Cheltenham betting offers? Our comprehensive list contains all leading bookmakers. Cheltenham Festival day 4 tips 1.20: JCB Triumph Hurdle (Grade 1) Marcus Armytage: East India Dock. Has the form in bag having been a wide margin winner at the track already Charlie Brooks: Lulamba. Mixed week for Henderson, but yard in form and this horse has the right profile. Marlborough: East India Dock, A repeat performance of his win in January would be enough here and had a nice break since. 2.00: BetMGM County Hurdle (Grade 3) Marcus Armytage: Absurde. Won it last year, first since since Melbourne Cup not a worry Charlie Brooks: Pinot Gris. Very lightly raced, but has age on his side and may be unexposed Marlborough: Kargese. Handicap mark looks to have been saved for this and trainer won with a similar type Wednesday. 2.40: Paddy Power Mares' Chase (Grade 2) Marcus Armytage: Allegorie De Vassy. Very little between her and Dinoblue but a better price. Charlie Brooks: Dinoblue. Has by far the best form of these. Hard to oppose. Marlborough: Brides Hill. Very good last season and wouldn't be a surprise to see her bounce back to form here after a quiet preparation. 3.20: Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) Marcus Armytage: Jet Blue. Impressive winner at the track earlier in the year. Charlie Brooks: Jet Blue. Impressed on his only previous start at Cheltenham in December. Marlborough: Derryhassen Paddy. Did very well to win at Windsor and today's stiffer test is sure to suit this unexposed stayer. 4.00: Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup (Grade 1) Marcus Armytage: Galopin Des Champ. Loves the track and no horse arrives at the meeting with better form. Charlie Brooks: Galopin Des Champs. Only has to reproduce what he has done in the past to win. Marlborough: Galopin Des Champs. Seemingly scared off majority of opposition and very hard to oppose in his hat-trick bid. 4.40: St James's Place Hunter Chase (Listed) Marcus Armytage: Music Drive. Hacked up in a Brocklesby point-to-point last time. Charlie Brooks: Ryehill. Hard to fault his most recent performance at Naas in February. Marlborough: Music Drive. Two impressive British Point wins in recent months and he is a leading candidate here. 5.20: Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle Marcus Armytage: Kopeck De Mee. Useful French purchase having first start for Mullins. Charlie Brooks: Wodhooh. His defeat of Joyeuse at Cheltenham in December was eye catching, and the form maybe of more substance than others. Marlborough: Doyen Quest. Prospect of better ground, first time cheekpieces and a strong pace to aim at make his forecasted odds look appealing. Cheltenham Festival day 4 ground and weather Little threat of rain overnight should see the ground remain good to soft on Gold Cup day despite overnight temperatures plummeting to near freezing. The weather is set to be grey but dry throughout, with highs of 8C. Betting on Cheltenham? There's a lot of competition between bookmakers for customers during the festival and they will often run their best promotions of the year, especially earlier in the week. Take a look at these Cheltenham betting offers to find free bets to use throughout the week. How to watch Cheltenham Festival day 4 ITV will show the first six races of the day on ITV1 on free-to-air television and via its streaming platform ITVX. For full coverage of all seven races, you need a Racing TV subscription.
Telegraph
11-03-2025
- Sport
- Telegraph
Cheltenham Festival day 2: Tips, odds, races and weather for Wednesday
After a dramatic, emotional opening day of the Cheltenham Festival, attention now turns to day two on which another Nicky Henderson star, Jonbon, will take centre stage in the Queen Mother Champions Chase. The superstar chaser has only been defeat three times in 20 starts under rules and arrives at Cheltenham in the midst of a superb season, that has seen him sweep up two Grade 1 wins already. He looks a tough nut to crack but as ever there is danger lurking at every corner. Marine Nationale and Energumene are both former festival winners, while last year's Champion Chase winner, Captain Guinness, returns to take his chance. Looking for the latest Cheltenham betting offers? Our comprehensive list contains all leading bookmakers. Cheltenham Festival day 2 tips 1.20: Turners Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) Marcus Armytage: Challow Hurdle winners have a poor record at Cheltenham but there's never been an easier winner of it that The New Lion and this horse can change that. Charlie Brooks: Final Demand. The fact that he was entered by Willie Mullins in the Supreme and the Albert Bartlett tells you he has an abundance of speed and stamina. 2.00: Brown Advisory Novices' Chase (Grade 1) Marcus Armytage: Ballyburn was last year's two and a half mile novice hurdle winner looks ready made for this step up in trip. Charlie Brooks: Ballyburn. His defeat by Sir Gino was no disgrace and he looked back in his comfort zone over a longer trip at Leopardstown. This is the right race for him. 2.40: Coral Cup (Grade 3) Marcus Armytage: Impose Toi is an the radar Henderson runner who was once too keen to handle this trip, now wants it. Charlie Brooks: Bunting. Paul Townend wasn't overly hard on him over half a mile shorter than this in his prep race at Clonmel, where he was a good second. 3.20: Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase (Listed) Marcus Armytage: Escaria Ten seemed rejuvenated by his first crack at cross-country when a close fourth to Stumptown and should, at least, outrun his odds of 50-1. Charlie Brooks: Mister Coffey. He has run some great races in defeat, but every dog has his day and this could be his. 4.00: Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase (Grade 1) Marcus Armytage: Jonbon is the preeminent two mile chaser, don't listen to the popular argument that he does not like Cheltenham. Charlie Brooks: Energumene. I don't think he likes Ascot much, and so has a chance of turning things around with the favourite on a track he much prefers. 4.40: Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Handicap Chase (Grade 3) Marcus Armytage: A faller at the second last a year ago, The King Of Prs beginning to put together a good profile for this race now. Charlie Brooks: Conyers Hill. This is a good race for a novice, as they aren't totally exposed, and I liked the way he battled and showed a turn of foot last time out at Down Royal. 5.20: Weatherbys Champion Bumper (Grade 1) Marcus Armytage: Bambino Fever was a wide - margin winner of two bumpers and point-to-point and Paul Townend's going let his sister win one isn't he? Charlie Brooks: Copacabana. I suspect Patrick had first choice of Willie Mullins'; that's good enough for me. Cheltenham Festival day 2 ground and weather After a dry day on Tuesday, the ground should remain good to soft on Wednesday but there is a touch more inclement weather forecast. Temperatures will drop close to freezing overnight before a morning of sleet and rain. Afternoon temperatures will get up to around 7C with a few spots of rain also forecast. It will be important to monitor what the weather does to the ground throughout the afternoon when it comes to betting purposes. Betting on Cheltenham? There's a lot of competition between bookmakers for customers during the festival and they will often run their best promotions of the year, especially earlier in the week. Take a look at these Cheltenham betting offers to find free bets to use throughout the week. How to watch Cheltenham Festival day 2 ITV will show the first six races of the day on ITV1 on free-to-air television and via its streaming platform ITVX. For full coverage of all seven races, you need a Racing TV subscription.
Telegraph
09-03-2025
- Sport
- Telegraph
Cheltenham Festival day 1: Tips, odds, races and weather for Tuesday
The first day of the Cheltenham Festival is very nearly upon us, drawing back the curtain on four days of the very best jump racing has to offer. The undoubted highlight of day one is the Unibet Champion Hurdle (3.00), in which Constitution Hill is the red-hot favourite to regain the crown he first one back in 2023. Brighterdaysahead and last year's winner State Man will be those attempting to stop Nick Henderson's charge from making it a perfect 11 wins from 11 starts in his career. The first race of the meeting has been renamed the Michael O'Sullivan Supreme Novices' Hurdle, in honour of the late jockey who died after a fall at Thurles last month. Click here to remnind yourself of some of Telegraph Sport's ante post Cheltenham selections. Cheltenham Festival day one tips 1.20: Michael O'Sullivan Supreme Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1 ) Marcus Armytage: The red hot favourite has an engine but pulls hard and Tripoli Flyer beat a good horse at Kempton and has a massive engine for a 25-1 shot. Charlie Brooks: Willie Mullins says Kopek des Bordes may be one of the best he has. He looks like a champion. 2.00: My Pension Expert Arkle Novices' Chase (Grade 1) Marcus Armytage: Again the favourite Majborough looks like his jumping might be flawed and L'Eau du Sud can kick off a good week for Dan Skelton. Charlie Brooks: I loved the way L'Eau de Sud quickened up at Cheltenham in November and was really clever when wrong at the last. 2.40: Ultima Handicap Chase (Grade 3) Marcus Armytage: A runaway winner at Kempton last time, Katate Dori is fast improving and jockey's 3lb claim comes in handy. Charlie Brooks: I like horses that come through the Kempton meeting before the Festival. Some people thinks its too close to Cheltenham, but I don't. Katate Dori has gone up 12lbs but he's got a nice racing weight. 3.20: Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle (Grade 1) Marcus Armytage: Joyeuse won the Betfair Hurdle off a low weight but rapidly improving and the favourite Lossiemouth had the mother and father of falls last time. Charlie Brooks: Fancied Lossiemouth for the Champion hurdle, and this is much easier. Kempton at Christmas was too sharp for her, and her fall last time was a one off blip.
