Betting
CHELTENHAM DAILY NEWS NOTES | Thursday 10th March
The Cheltenham.co.uk team pick out some of the biggest Cheltenham stories from the past 24 hours
The excitement for the 2022 Cheltenham Festival has hit boiling point, with only five days remaining until the meeting gets underway.
In our latest edition of the news segment, the team look at two hurdlers that could be major players in the contests they head to.
Here are the Daily News Notes for Thursday.
KAHALA’S NOT STAYING SAFE
Trainer Peter Fahey is potentially eyeing up the Stayers’ Hurdle for Royal Kahala, after her latest success at Gowran Park raised some questions.
The seven-year-old is also entered into the Mares’ Hurdle, but connections are opting for a big day out on the Thursday instead.
Speaking to the Racing Post, Fahey pointed out the preferred destination for his recruit.
“We’re leaning towards running her in the Stayers’. If things changed and the ground went very slow we could revert back to the Mares’ Hurdle, but the Stayers’ is the preferred target right now.
“She travels out on Saturday and couldn’t be in better form. We met with the owners on Tuesday night and the point was made that her best run was her last run when winning the Galmoy Hurdle at Gowran Park.
“She achieved her highest rating there and it was over three miles so why not roll the dice in the Stayers’?
Royal Kahala is a 10/1 chance for the Stayers’ Hurdle currently.
HILLCREST GIVEN ALL CLEAR
Hillcrest will be heading to the Albert Bartlett next week, as trainer Henry Daly has given the green light for the seven-year-old to run at the Festival.
The gelding is currently unbeaten over hurdles for his connections and holds favouritism in the contest following Minella Crooner’s withdrawal.
Speaking to Racing TV, Daly is looking forward to seeing Hillcrest in action next Friday.
“We came to the conclusion that if the horse is well, which I think he is, the plan is to run in the Albert Bartlett.
“We know we get the trip, we know we don’t mind the track, the ground is fine from anything from good through to heavy so why wouldn’t we have a crack if he’s ok, which he is.”
Hillcrest is currently the 10/3 favourite for the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle.
