Cheltenham Festival 155/1 Acca

The wait is almost over as the biggest week of the jumps racing year moves firmly into view. Whether you are travelling to Prestbury Park or enjoying the entertainment from the comfort of your sofa, the Cheltenham Festival represents a racing and betting spectacular quite unlike any other.

Whilst watching the greats of the game strutting their stuff is a fine spectacle in its own right, backing a winner or two never fails to add to the experience. With 28 races to choose from, there are no shortage of punting options, and here we pick out a five-leg accumulator, with the potential to break through the 100/1 barrier. All prices are from William Hill.

Tuesday 14th March: Arkle Chase – El Fabiolo @ 13/8

When selecting any Cheltenham acca, the yard of Willie Mullins is as good a place to start as any – the Closutton maestro is, after all, the most successful trainer in the history of the festival. Hopefully, Mullins will be amongst the winners on the opening day, as it is his El Fabiolo who gets the vote in the Arkle.

El Fabiolo made mincemeat of his rivals in the Irish equivalent of this at Leopardstown

Long billed as a head-to-head clash between Jonbon and El Fabiolo, for our money, it is the Mullins runner who has enjoyed much the more impressive route to the meeting. Whereas Jonbon underwhelmed in winning a two-runner event at Warwick, El Fabiolo made mincemeat of his rivals in the Irish equivalent of this at Leopardstown last time out. To slam the talented Banbridge by 10 lengths was no mean feat, and if in a similar mood here, he is going to take some stopping.

Wednesday 15th March: Ballymore Novices Hurdle – Impaire Et Passe @ 7/4

Another intriguing England vs Ireland battle in the opening event on the second day, with the Paul Nicholls-trained Challow Hurdle winner, Hermes Allen expected to make a bold bid for the home team. However, it is another Simon Munir and Isaac Souede-owned runner, hailing from the Mullins operation who gets our vote.

Judging by the noises coming out of the yard of the Irish Champion trainer, you get the impression that those closest to the horse are expecting something special from Impaire Et Passe. Judging from his three racecourse appearances to date, it’s easy to see why. An easy winner on his only start in France, he has delivered on that potential in no uncertain terms since switching to Ireland. Two runs have yielded two successes, including a deeply impressive win in the Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle at Punchestown last time out.

Wednesday 15th March: Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase – Gerri Colombe @ 13/8

We stick with the Irish contenders for leg three but switch to the yard of Gordon Elliott. The seven-year-old Gerri Colombe has been a talking horse for some time now, with many predicting he may even be aimed at the Cheltenham Gold Cup next season. Whether that comes to pass remains to be seen, but for now, he looks the one they all have to beat in this event for the novice chasers.

By an excellent sire in Saddler Maker, he looks the class act in this field

One from one in Point to Points, two from two in bumpers, and two from two over hurdles, that imperious record has continued on his switch to chasing, and he heads to Cheltenham bidding to make it a perfect four from four over fences. A Grade 1 winner at Limerick and Sandown, quicker ground was predicted to be a concern, but with the weather as it is, we likely don’t need to worry about that now. By an excellent sire in Saddler Maker, he looks the class act in this field.

Friday 17th March: Triumph Hurdle – Lossiemouth @ 15/8

If there is one race at the meeting which looks to be in the grip of a single trainer, it is surely the Triumph Hurdle, with the top three in the market all hailing from the Willie Mullins yard. Blood Destiny currently just shades favouritism, but faces a big step up in class, whilst third favourite Gala Marceau won nicely at Leopardstown last time out.

It is, however, the runner-up from that Leopardstown event who gets our vote, with the Rich Ricci owned, Lossiemouth having looked a most unlucky loser on the day. Badly impeded by the back-peddling leader on the turn for home, she found herself having to switch right around the field to challenge, by which stage Gala Marceau had opened up an unassailable lead. If able to avoid any such mishaps here, we would expect those placings to be reversed, which may be enough to see Lossiemouth come home in front.

Friday 17th March: Gold Cup – Galopin Des Champs @ 15/8

Our final selection comes in the big one, with Galopin Des Champs taken to round off what will hopefully be another memorable meeting for the Irish. A winner of the Martin Pipe race here in 2021, this horse was on the cusp of bagging a second Festival success when miles clear in the Turners Chase 12 months ago, only to slither on landing and fall at the final fence.

Three starts since have yielded three bloodless successes – all in Grade 1 company

Heart-breaking as that mishap was, it did little to derail the long-term momentum of a horse who looks to be out of the very top drawer. Three starts since have yielded three bloodless successes – all in Grade 1 company. The most recent of those wins came when powering clear of the strong stayer, Stattler, in the Irish Gold Cup last time out. Judging by his finishing effort that day, the punishing run up the Cheltenham Hill need hold no fears, and he is taken to gain redemption on the biggest stage of all.

A £10 Fivefold on the above selections with William Hill returns a bankroll boosting £1,556.27!

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