Can Willie Mullins Bash the Bookies at the 2024 Cheltenham Festival?

Can Willie Mullins Bash the Bookies at the 2024 Cheltenham Festival?  Willie Mullins is generally a trainer to follow at the Cheltenham Festival, with his tally of 94 winners at the meeting putting him well clear of his nearest rival.

Mullins topped the trainer standings with six winners at this year’s event and has plenty of fancied runners lined-up for the 2024 edition of the meeting.

A measure of the strength of his stable can garnered by looking at the latest ante-post markets, which paint a worrying picture for other trainers in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Of the 20 races which have already been priced up by the betting sites featured on horse-racing.ie, Mullins has the favourite in more than half of them.

With that in mind, we have scoured the lists to assess the chances of some of Mullins’ runners, starting with one who has already been well backed by punters.

Bunting – Triumph Hurdle

Barely a season goes by in racing without at least one of Mullins’ horses being touted a potential future superstar and this year is certainly no different.

Bunting has been backed from 20/1 to 12/1 for the 2024 Triumph Hurdle, despite never running over obstacles during his short career.

The horse won its solitary start at Fontainebleau on the flat over eleven furlongs earlier this year before being purchased by Brighton & Hove Albion owner Tony Bloom.

He is well known for wagering on his horses and his latest acquisition could be extremely tough to beat when the Triumph Hurdle is staged next March.

Redemption Day – Supreme Novices’ Hurdle

Several horses from the Mullins stable are towards the head of the betting in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and it would be no surprise is one of them won the race.

However, looking a little further down the list there is another Mullins runner who leaps off the page as a potential value bet at odds of 25/1 in the opening race of the meeting.

Redemption Day was heavily touted for the 2022 Champion Bumper, but failed to live up to expectations on unsuitably heavy ground.

He went on to finish second at the Punchestown Festival before missing last season through injury, but could take high order over hurdles if Mullins can keep him fit.

Allaho – Ryanair Chase

Two-time Ryanair Chase winner Allaho produced a stunning performance to win the Punchestown Gold Cup in April 2022 before suffering a bleed on his spleen.

After missing the whole of last season, the horse recently returned to action in the Clonmel Oil Chase and barely broke sweat on his way to an effortless victory.

Mullins has never made any secret of how highly he rates Allaho and he looks a good bet at odds of 10/3 to win the Ryanair Chase for a third time.

British trainer Paul Nicholls will fancy his chances of winning the race with Stage Star, but his horse could find it difficult to topple Allaho.

Ile Atlantique – Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle

After finishing third on his hurdles debut in France, Ile Atlantique was a stylish winner of a bumper for Mullins at Leopardstown in December 2022.

The horse subsequently finished second in two bumpers at Naas and Fairyhouse, although there was no disgrace in either of those defeats.

Ile Atlantique looked to have grown into his frame on his first start over hurdles at Gowran Park this month, roaring home 19 lengths clear of his rivals.

That performances saw the Bloom-owned horse slashed from 33/1 to 14/1 for the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle – odds which still look decent value.

The Santa Anita Breeders’ Cup: 7 Essential Tips for a Weekend to Remember

The Santa Anita Breeders’ Cup: 7 Essential Tips for a Weekend to Remember  It’s finally here! The Santa Anita Breeders’ Cup is an exciting event horse racing calendar, with events starting today and ending tomorrow (Nov. 4). Set against the stunning backdrop of the San Gabriel Mountains, this event combines the thrills of high-stakes racing with the glamor of a Hollywood soiree. But, like any major event, the key to an unforgettable experience lies in the details.

Whether you’re a seasoned racing enthusiast or a newbie drawn to the excitement, these seven tips will guarantee you have the time of your life at the Santa Anita this weekend.

1. Dress the Part

The Santa Anita Breeders’ Cup isn’t just a horse race; it’s a fashion spectacle. Ladies often don dresses and sophisticated hats or fascinators, while gents fashion themselves in dapper suits and ties. While there’s no strict dress code, remember, it’s better to be overdressed than underdressed. This is your chance to embrace the old-world charm of horse racing, so don’t be shy about going all out.

2. Get Familiar with the Field

Instead of simply putting stakes on a horse, take the time to familiarize yourself with the contenders. Read up on their previous performances, their trainers, and jockeys. There’s a certain thrill in rooting for a horse you have a personal connection with, even if it’s just because you admire its name or back story.

3. Plan Your Arrival

The Santa Anita Park, though vast and accommodating, can get crowded on the day of the Breeders’ Cup. To ensure you get a good parking spot and a comfortable viewing position, aim to arrive early. Also, keep in mind that there might be traffic snarls. Using a ride-sharing service can save you the stress of driving and parking.

4. Indulge in the Culinary Delights

From gourmet dining options to food trucks offering local delights, the Santa Anita Breeders’ Cup offers more than just equine excitement. Before diving into the races, make it a point to explore the culinary spread. Many visitors claim that some of their most memorable moments come from the delightful flavors they’ve savored at the event.

5. Engage in Non-Racing Activities

While the races are the main attraction, the Santa Anita Breeders’ Cup has evolved to be a full-fledged festival. Between races, stroll through the grounds, enjoy live music performances, or even partake in wine and craft beer tastings. Embracing these activities ensures a well-rounded and enjoyable experience, even if your favored horse doesn’t win.

6. Be Smart with Your Wagers

The excitement of the 2023 Breeders Cup betting scene can be electric, and while it’s tempting to dive into the action, remember that the essence of the day should be enjoyment. Set aside a predetermined amount that you’re comfortable parting with. Whether you’re using the classic method of placing a wager or using apps and other digital platforms, always play responsibly. If you’re unfamiliar with the terms, ask around or read up on wagering guides. Remember, it’s not just about the stakes but the thrill of the game.

7. Make Memories

Last but certainly not least, remember to soak in the ambiance and make memories. Whether it’s capturing the race’s high-speed moments with your camera, having a picnic on the lush grounds, or simply reveling in the joy of the event with friends and family, ensure you create moments you’ll cherish for years to come.

In summary, the Santa Anita Breeders’ Cup is more than just a horse race—it’s an experience, a festival, and a display of equine brilliance. As you look forward to the weekend, remember that enjoyment doesn’t solely come from picking the winning horse. It comes from the laughter you share, the food you taste, the music you dance to, and the memories you make. Embrace the entirety of what the Breeders’ Cup offers, and you’re guaranteed a weekend like no other.

What is a ‘nursery’?

What is a 'nursery'?  In horse racing parlance, ‘nursery’ is short for ‘nursery handicap’ and describes a handicap race run on the Flat and restricted to two-year-old or ‘juvenile’ horses. To be eligible to run in a nursery handicap, a two-year-old must have run at least three times in Flat races in Britain or Ireland, or run twice, having won its first race.

In common with older horses, the official handicap ratings assigned to two-year-olds by the team of handicappers at the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) are based on performances on the racecourse. Thus, nurseries do not appear on the British racing calendar until mid-summer, typically July, so that the handicappers have a stockpile of form on which to base their assessments.

Hundreds of nurseries are run throughout Britain and Ireland in the second half of the Flat season. Such races are hugely popular with trainers, often resulting in large fields and competitive betting heats. The most valuable nurseries on either side of the Irish Sea include the Sky Bet Nursery Handicap and Sky Bet EBF Stallions Nursery Handicap, both staged during the ‘Welcome to Yorkshire Ebor Festival’ at York in August, and the Tally-Ho Irish EBF Birdcatcher Premier Nursery, staged at Naas in November.

Which horse was Sam Twiston-Davies’ 1000th winner?

Born in Naunton, Gloucestershire on October 15, 1992, Sam Twiston-Davies is, of course, the elder son of two-time Grand National-winning trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies. He began his riding career in 2008/09, but came to the attention of the wider racing public when, on March 19, 2010 – as a 17-year-old amateur – he rode Baby Run, trained by his father, to victory in the Christie’s Foxhunter Chase Challenge Cup at the Cheltenham Festival.

The following season, 2010/11, Twiston-Davies set his sights on winning the conditional jockeys’ championship and achieved his ambition, riding 59 winners and, thereby, losing his claim during the campaign. Further success followed, with 81 winners in 2011/12, 87 in 2012/13 – including his first Grade 1 winner, The New One, in the Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival – and 145 in 2013/14. At the start of 2014/15 season, Twiston-Davies landed the job of stable jockey to multiple champion trainer Paul Nicholls, replacing Daryl Jacob, and would remain in that position until 2018, when he left go freelance.

Twiston-Davies brought up 1,000 winners on British soil when winning a novices’ handicap hurdle at Southwell on Chef De Troupe, trained by Dr. Richard Newland, on June 23, 2019. Reflecting on his achievement, at the age of 26, he said, ‘Obviously, it’s great. I’ve been very lucky, supported by a lot of really good people over the years, especially my dad, and Dr Newland has been fantastic; then obviously, the years with Paul [Nicholls] were amazing.’

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