Ruby Walsh Odds On To Be 2012 Cheltenham Festival Top Jockey

The Cheltenham Festival is fast approaching for racing fans across the UK and Ireland and all eyes are once again on Ruby Walsh who will be looking to claim the Top Jockey prize for the sixth time. The man from County Kildare has proven himself as top dog at Cheltenham over the years with no less than 30 winners to his name riding for the powerful yards of Willie Mullins and Paul Nicholls on both sides of the Irish Sea.

Walsh has the pick of the best rides from the two champion trainers in the UK and Ireland and he can look forward to the leg up on the likes of Big Bucks, Hurricane Fly and Kauto Star among many others at the Festival this season. Bet365 have been quick to notice his powerful book of rides and they make him the 5/6 favourite to claim the Thomas Pink award for most winners at the Festival. At the moment both Willie Mullins and Paul Nicholls are in great form ahead of the Festival which makes Walsh the clear favourite and it is hard to oppose him at this stage.

The jockey most likely to push Ruby Walsh the closest is Barry Geraghty who is sure to have plenty of ammunition from his boss, Nicky Henderson. The team at Seven Barrows will be sending the likes of Sprinter Sacre and Grandouet among others to Cheltenham in March which will ensure Barry Geraghty has a good chance to pick up a winner or two. With that in mind Geraghty is currently the second favourite in the Top jockey Betting with Bet365 making him a 3/1 shot to claim the Top jockey award. The Top Jockey Market is always a fun one for punters to get stuck into outside of the races themselves and in 2012 it will be no different with Walsh and Geraghty likely to going for it tooth and nail ahead of the likes of Richard Johnson and AP McCoy.

Cheltenham Festival 2012 Top Jockey Betting with Bet365

• 5/6 – Ruby Walsh
• 3/1 – Barry Geraghty
• 7/1 – AP McCoy
• 14/1 – Richard Johnson
• 20/1 – Robert Thornton
• 20/1 – Davy Russell
• 20/1 – Paul Townend
• 20/1 – Jason Maguire
• Bar

All the markets supplied by Bet365.com

Irish Trained Winner Just 5/2 In Special Grand National Betting

The Irish have a great record in the Grand National and with the 2012 race now on the horizon there are a number of top contenders expected to head across the sea to take their chance at Aintree for the big race. The last Irish trained winner of the National was Silver Birch back in 2007 who was trained by Gordon Elliott and punters may want to have a closer look at the 5/2 on offer from Betfred about there being another winner added to that list in 2012.

There are of course a number of potential Irish trained National winners currently featuring in the Aintree betting who may be worth considering, the trainers to keep an eye on include Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott who will both be looking to add to previous success in the race. Elliott could be running the likes of Chicago Grey and Beautiful Sound who both look to have decent chances while Mullins will be looking to The Midnight Club who was well backed last year only to finish sixth and could improve this time around.

Another nice special for punters to have a close look at is for Paul Nicholls to finally train the winner of the National, the Master Of Ditcheat can be backed at 10/1 with Betfred to claim his first win in the race in 2012. Nicholls has won just about every big race in the sport apart from the National and he will be hoping the likes of Niche Market and The Minack among others maybe able to help him put an end to that drought this season. The National is always the biggest race of the season and that is particularly the case in 2012 with one of the most competitive betting markets in years starting to hot up as we approach the big race.

Aintree Grand National 2012 Special Betting with Betfred

• 5/2 – Irish Trained Winner
• 10/1 – Paul Nicholls to train the Winner
• 12/1 – AP McCoy tio ride the Winner
• 12/1 – David Pipe to train the Winner
• 12/1 – Donald McCain to train the Winner
• 14/1 – Nicky Henderson to train the Winner

All markets supplied by Betfred.com

Kauto Star Slashed In Gold Cup Betting After Stunning King George Win

The highlight of the Christmas racing calendar was as always the King George Chase at Kempton and it was a special race as the legendary Kauto Star rolled back the years. The Paul Nicholls horse was already a four time winner of the race and he added a remarkable fifth win as he galloped and jumped the field off their feet to the delight of the crowd and the sporting world at large. Most had expected Long Run to claim the race for the second successive year but once again he could not live with the jumping and gallop of Kauto Star who is five years his senior.

The arrival of the New Year means the build up towards the Cheltenham Festival ramps up a notch and the as always the gold Cup Betting is the feature attraction. Long Run has been the warm favourite since his win last season and he remains the jolly despite losing convincingly to Kauto Star twice already this campaign. The Nicky Henderson horse has proven he is a real stayer which will help him at Cheltenham despite his recent struggles with Kauto and he is currently available at 5/2 with Paddy Power to claim the Cheltenham Gold cup for the second successive year.

Plenty of racing fans were calling for Kauto Star to be retired at the end of last season but if it is possible he looks to be better than ever as he turns 12 and the nations favourite horse will now go to Cheltenham with the aim of winning a brilliant third Gold Cup. Kauto has been jumping better than ever this season and if he can win at the Festival again it would surely go down as one of the greatest achievements by a race horse in recent memory. The money has been coming for Kauto Star since he won at Kempton and the Paul Nicholls horse can now be backed at just 4/1 with Paddy Power to win the Gold Cup in March. It does look like a two horse race between Long run and Kauto Star but it is worth keeping an eye out for novice Grands crus who looks to have all the class in the world and could take his chance in the Gold Cup a year early in what looks likely to be fascinating renewal.

Cheltenham Gold Cup Odds 2012 with Paddy Power

• 5/2 – Long Run
• 4/1 – Kauto Star
• 7/1 – Grands Crus
• 10/1 – Synchronised
• 14/1 – Captain Chris
• 20/1 – Weird Al
• 20/1 – Time For Rupert
• 25/1 – Diamond Harry
• 25/1 – Quito De La Roque
• 25/1 – Jessies Dream
• Bar

All markets supplied by Paddy Power.com

Long Run Available In Tempting Cheltenham Festival Special Bet

As we head into the New Year, preparations for the 2012 Cheltenham Festival begin to really hot up with punters looking to find some value in the ante post markets. One of the stars of Cheltenham in 2011 was Long Run who memorably won the Gold Cup for Nicky Henderson and Sam Waley-Cohen and there are plenty of specials surrounding his chances of repeating that trick in 2012. Betfred are the new sponsors of the Gold Cup at the Cheltenham Festival and they in particular are offering some very attractive specials surrounding the biggest race of the season in March with Long Run featured highly.

As well as Long Run, the other big star of the Cheltenham Festival last season was Hurricane Fly who was the highly impressive winner of the Champion Hurdle for Irish Trainer Willie Mullins. Betfred are offering a cracking price of 10/1 for both Hurricane Fly and Long Run to repeat their success from last year and win the Gold Cup and Champion Hurdle respectively this season. Hurricane Fly was far too good for the field last year in the Champion Hurdle and if he arrives at Cheltenham fit and well he will be a short price favourite and the same can be said of Long Run who is still an improving horse at seven years old.

The Hurricane Fly/Long Run double looks to be excellent value for such two top class horses but there are doubts surrounding the fitness of Hurricane Fly at the moment and Betfred seem happy to take him on. Trainer Willie Mullins has stated on several occasions he is a tough horse to get right at the best of times so with doubts surrounding his fitness it will be an interesting build up to the Festival in March. Long Run on the other hand was a clear winner of the Gold Cup horse and with most of his main rivals seemingly past their best he looks a warm and justified favourite for the big race even at this early stage which makes this special an intriguing one for punters.

Betfred Cheltenham Festival 2012 Betting Specials

• 10/1 – Hurricane Fly and Long Run Double To Win At the Cheltenham Festival
• 5/1 – Paul Nicholls to train the winner of the 2012 Gold Cup
• 5/1 – Irish trained horse to win the 2012 Gold Cup

All markets supplied by Betfred.com

Kauto Star Confirmed For Long Run Rematch In King George Chase

Last month Kauto Star produced one of the most memorable performances in recent memory to roll back the years and win the Betfair Chase and connections have now confirmed the 11 year-old will take his chance in the King George on Boxing Day. The Dual Gold cup hero is a four-time winner at Kempton and his participation is exactly what the race needs as he gets ready to take on Long Run once again. It was Kauto who came out on top last time out at Haydock but the younger Long Run was the star last season as he won the King George and the Gold Cup in a remarkable few months for connections.

Long Run looked like he needed the race at Haydock last time out and should improve in time for the defence of his King George but all the sentimental money will go on Kauto Star who is without doubt the nations favourite horse. After Paul Nicholls confirmed Kauto for the race the bookmakers trimmed him for Kempton and he is now as short as 4/1 with Boylesports to win a record fifth King George Chase. The Champion Trainer has also confirmed that his long time jockey Ruby Walsh will be on board the horse with Daryl Jacob given the plum ride on board stable mate Master Minded who will also take his chance.

While many punters will have a few quid on Kauto Star it has to be said that Long Run remains the justified favourite after his comfortable win in the race last season. He blew the field away in style and although he was below his best in the Betfair Chase, Long Run is still the 6/4 favourite with Boylesports to claim the win for the second successive year. The Nicky Henderson horse has age on his side as he is only just about to turn seven and might still be improving but the hearts of many racing fans will be with the great Kauto Star as he goes into battle at Kempton for what is likely to be the final time.

King George Chase Odds 2011 with Boylesports

• 6/4 – Long Run
• 4/1 – Kauto Star
• 5/1 – Master Minded
• 7/1 – Captain Chris
• 12/1 – Somersby
• 12/1 – Diamond Harry
• 20/1 – Noble Prince
• 25/1 – Riverside Theatre
• 25/1 – Weird Al
• 40/1 – Planet Of Sound
• Bar

All betting prices are supplied by Boylesports.com

Synchronised The Favourite For Repeat In Welsh Grand National Betting

As we head towards Christmas the racing calendar is starting to hot up with the Welsh Grand National at Chepstow on of the biggest races of the festival period in the UK. The big race at Chepstow is always run on the 27th December and with the weights being announced this week we are starting to see a top class field take shape for the first of the ‘Nationals’ to be run this season. Last year we saw AP McCoy take the win on board Synchronised and he will be back again going for the repeat win off of the same weight of 11st 6lbs with the bookmakers making him the warm favourite at this stage.

It’s always hard for a horse to claim the win here two years in-a-row but despite that Paddy Power make Synchronised the 6/1 favourite to take the glory at Chepstow for connections once again with AP McCoy likely to stay faithful to a horse who brought him a big success last year. Punters looking further down the weights may want to take a closer look at Beautiful Sound who has been given a feather weight of just 10st by the handicapper for the Welsh National, the Gordon Elliott has shown some good form and his price of 10/1 with Paddy Power could be value if he makes the cut for the race.

Perhaps the horse with the best form entered in the Welsh National is Carruthers who will go to Chepstow off of the back of a wonderful win in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury recently. The Mark Bradstock stable star loves to bowl along at the front as he did in the Hennessy and on his best day he could have too much class for a welsh National field, with that in mind Carruthers is available at 8/1 with Paddy Power.com to claim a second successive major race win. The Welsh National has grown into a major race in its own right over the past few years as the quality has increased but it also acts as a trial for the Grand National itself, making it one of the most important races on the calendar over Christmas.

Welsh Grand National Betting 2011 with Paddy Power

• 6/1 – Synchronised
• 8/1 – Carruthers
• 9/1 – Giles Cross
• 10/1 – Wymott
• 10/1 – Galaxy Rock
• 10/1 – Beautiful Sound
• 11/1 – Master Overseer
• 14/1 – As de Fer
• 14/1 – Hey Big Spender
• 14/1 – The Minack
• 14/1 – Cappa Bleu
• Bar

All markets supplied by Paddy Power.com

Big Bucks A Short Price With William Hill To Remain Unbeaten Through Another Season

No horse has been more dominant in the world of National Hunt racing over the past few years than the great Big Bucks who has proven to be invincible since returning to hurdles at the start of 2009. Trainer Paul Nicholls and connections decided to switch Big Bucks back to the smaller obstacles after he fell in the Hennessy gold Cup in 2008 and it has proven to be a fantastic decision. Since then Big Bucks has won a remarkable three consecutive World Hurdles at the Cheltenham Festival as well as a number of other Grade 1 races which have come in a run of  12 consecutive race wins which is an astonishing feat in such a competitive sport.

The usual route for Big Bucks through a season is the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury, the Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot, the World Hurdle at Cheltenham and the Liverpool Hurdle at Aintree and all the indications are that he will follow that path once again this season. William Hill are convinced that the Paul Nicholls horse will hold off all challengers once again and he is as short as 3/1 to do just that and keep his unbeaten record over hurdles through untill a possible run at Aintree in April.

The main aim for Big Bucks is of course the World Hurdle at Cheltenham and at this stage he is the hot favourite to claim a fourth successive win in the race, William Hill make him as short as 4/5 to claim the historic win and at the moment it is hard to oppose him. No horse has been able to get close to Big Bucks at Cheltenham over the past few years, his ability to gallop at a strong pace is second to none and it is hard to remember a race where jockey Ruby Walsh has ever had to get serious with him over hurdles. As a betting prospect Big Bucks will always be a tough one for punters as he rarely goes off at anything longer than odds-on which is why backing him to remain unbeaten through the winter may prove to be an excellent piece of value.

2012 Big Bucks Betting Specials with William Hill

• 3/1 – Big Bucks to remain unbeaten through the season
• 4/5 – Big Bucks to win the World Hurdle at Cheltenham

All markets supplied by William Hill.com

Long Run Evens For King George Chase After Initial Entries Announced

The initial entries for King George Chase at Kempton have been announced and there is no surprise to see Long Run the hot favourite to win the race for the second consecutive year. The Nicky Henderson horse had a wonderful campaign last year in winning the King George and the Gold Cup at Cheltenham and many believe he will do the same double this season with the bookmakers believing he will have too much for the field at Kempton on Boxing Day. At the first stage of declarations we have 24 entries for one of the most prestigious races of the season and outside of Long Run we also have a number of interesting contenders who will be hoping to mix it with the favourite at Christmas.

Long Run realised his potential last season on the King George when he routed a top class field at just six he is probably still improving which is a scary thought for his rivals. At the moment Long Run is the Evens favourite with Boylesports to claim the win at Kempton and at the moment it is hard to argue with that assessment as we look for challengers to his crown. One that punters hope will take Long Run on is the great Kauto Star who may take his chance at Kempton for the last time, the Paul Nicholls horse is a four-time winner of the race and although he is clearly past his best he may still have one big run left in him.

Another interesting potential King George runner on Boxing Day is the excellent Master Minded who this season is being stepped up in trip for the first time. The dual Champion Chaser is as classy as any horse out there and if he puts his best foot forward could be a major player on Boxing Day, at the moment Master Minded can be backed at 10/1 with Boylesports to take the win and that could prove to be an interesting price. The King George is without doubt the most prestigious chase of the season outside of the Gold Cup and falling as it does on Boxing Day it really is one of the highlights of the racing calendar. There will be a massive crowd at Kempton for the while the betting turnover will also be substantial and most of that attention will be firmly on the current champ, Long Run.

King George Chase Odds with Boylesports

• Evens – Long Run
• 6/1 – Captain Chris
• 10/1 – Master Minded
• 12/1 – Wishfull Thinking
• 12/1 – Noble Prince
• 16/1 – Weird Al
• 16/1 – Kauto Star
• 16/1 – Somersby
• 16/1 – Kauto Stone
• 20/1 – Medermit
• 20/1 – Riverside Theatre
• 20/1 – Nacarat
• Bar

All markets are supplied by Boylesports.com

Ruby Walsh A Short Price To Regain Irish Champion Jockey Title

The new jumps season is now in full flow on both sides of the Irish Sea and all eyes are on Ruby Walsh as he looks to regain his Champion jockey crown in Ireland, the eight time champion is looking to win a ninth title after missing much of last season through injury. Walsh has dominated the Championship over the past decade and will be eager to get back on track with a good start to the season having seen the young pretender, Paul Townend, take the honours in his absence last winter. Walsh is the clear favourite to add another crown to his already bulging CV with a strong book of rides guaranteed on a daily basis from his boss Willie Mullins, if he remains fit and healthy he looks a sure thing in the betting.

The market is being dominated by Ruby Walsh and Stan James make him the 4/6 favourite to rack up the most winners this season and it has to be said it is hard to argue with that assessment. The only jockey who may be able to challenge Walsh according to the market is Davy Russell who has proven himself a top class rider over the past couple of years. He has been racking up the big race winners recently and will go into the new season full of confidence, with that in mind he is available at 5/4 with Stan James to claim his very first Irish Championship this season.

Current Champion Paul Townend will face a tough task if he wants to repeat that this year as he will go back to playing second fiddle to the more experienced Walsh. Willie Mullins has used both Jockeys over the past couple of years and Townend will struggle to get enough rides to retain his championship, this is reflected in Townend’s current price of 33/1 with Stan James to take the title. It is hard to look past Ruby Walsh once again this season provided he can remain injury free and that is showing in the market, he has dominated the Championship for a decade now and that looks like continuing for a little while longer yet.

Irish Champion Jockey 2011/12 Betting with Stan James

• 4/6 – Ruby Walsh
• 5/4 – Davy Russell
• 25/1 – Barry Geraghty
• 33/1 – Paul Townend
• 40/1 – Paul Carberry
• 50/1 – Andrew McNamara

All odds are supplied by Stan James.com

Americain The Favourite For Second Successive Melbourne Cup Win

The Melbourne Cup is without doubt one the most important and prestigious flat races in the world and with the race at Flemington now on the horizon the betting is starting to hot up. We are seeing more and more European runners heading down under for a tilt at the big race and we have a French favourite at this stage with 2010 winner Americain heading back to Melbourne to defend the race he won so memorably 12 months ago. The Alain De Royer-Dupre horse came with a run last season which simply blew the field away at Flemington and he looks to be in tip top form as we head towards the 2011 renewal of the ‘Race That Stops A Nation’.

Americain had a prep race in Australia recently and he duly impressed onlookers by winning the Group 2 Drake International Cup in impressive fashion, that win saw his Melbourne Cup price slashed and Ladbrokes now make him a 7/2 shot to win the race for the second successive year. The last horse to win the race more than once was the great Makybe Diva who famously won the race three successive times in the early 2000′s, in fact she and four others are the only ones to have won the race more than once which highlights the task facing Americain this year.

Outside of the favourite there are a number of horses being backed including the exciting Dunaden who is another French trained contender heading to Melbourne at the start of November. He is trained by Mikel Delzangles and enhanced his reputation recently with an impressive weight carrying win in the Geelong Cup, he is now as short as the 7/1 second favourite with Ladbrokes to claim the glory at Flemington and looks a live threat. Americain has every right to be the favourite for the race but history suggests he is up against this time with plenty of other strong contenders ready to win one of the biggest races in the world. The threat from Europe is however looking particularly strong this season and it would be no surprise to see the prize pot heading to the northern hemisphere once again.

Latest Melbourne Cup 2011 Odds from Ladbrokes

• 7/2 – Americain
• 7/1 – Dunaden
• 7/1 – Lucas Cranach
• 10/1 – Jukebox Jury
• 16/1 – Bauer
• 16/1 – Illo
• 16/1 – Midas Touch
• 16/1 – Green Moon
• 16/1 – Tullamore
• 20/1 – At First Sight
• Bar

Market supplied by Ladbrokes.com

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