Races
Cheltenham Festival: Antepost Specials to Consider for the 2022 Renewal
Bookmakers are already preparing for the biggest week in National Hunt racing, the 2022 Cheltenham Festival
Even though the Cheltenham Festival finished less than three weeks ago, punters are already looking ahead to the 2022 edition.
The bookmakers are jumping in on the action for next year’s Festival as well, with some going as far as offering requested markets on the National Hunt showpiece.
Here are a few specials to consider for next year’s Cheltenham Festival.
Billaway to win the 2022 Foxhunters Chase (6/1 @ Sky Bet)
Willie Mullins’ nine-year-old has finished runner-up in the contest for the last two seasons, but Billaway could make it third time lucky this time around.
The gelding runs in the Aintree contest this weekend and if he puts in another strong performance here, his price for Cheltenham could well be shortened.
Billaway has been the starting price favourite (at 11/4 and 2/1) in both runs in the Foxhunters Chase at the Festival, so 6/1 could already hint at some value.
Appreciate It and Ferny Hollow both to win (any race) (20/1 @ Sky Bet)
Both under the guidance of Willie Mullins, Appreciate It and Ferny Hollow finished in the top two in the 2020 Champion Bumper, with the latter claiming victory for Cheveley Park Stud.
Appreciate It impressed in the Supreme this year when bolting up by an eye-catching 24 lengths, while Ferny Hollow had to sit on the sidelines this season after suffering a suspected stress fracture.
Both could produce memorable seasons next time around and 20/1 for both to win any race at the season could be worth some value come next March.
Jonbon and Sir Gerhard to finish 1st and 2nd in either order in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (20/1 @ Sky Bet)
Sir Gerhard produced a hard-earned victory on his Cheltenham debut last month, when fending off stablemate Kilcruit to win the Champion Bumper by half a length.
The six-year-old will make the transition to hurdles and will be arguably the standout contender for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle for the Willie Mullins yard.
A new contender for the race has emerged in recent weeks, when Douvan’s brother Jonbon dispatched his rivals in a National Hunt flat race at Newbury in late March, travelling smoothly to claim victory by four and a quarter lengths.
Both could impress over obstacles this season and it wouldn’t be considered too ambitious if both finish in the top two of the Supreme next year.
Hollow Games and My Drogo both to win (any race) (125/1 @ Sky Bet)
At the huge odds of 125/1, both runners here could have an outside chance of claiming success at Prestbury Park next season.
My Drogo has impressed over fences this season, winning three of his four starts including the Grade 2 Premier Novices’ Hurdle earlier this month.
Hollow Games has been equally as impressive in bumpers this term, winning both of his runs convincingly.
The pair are likely to progress to fences and hurdles next season, and if they continue to show talent, then 125/1 is a steal of a price for the 2022 Festival.
