The Queen Mother Champion Chase is run over 2m on Wednesday, and features the highest rated chaser in the world.

Master Minded (pictured) is owned by Clive Smith and trained by Paul Nicholls. Last year he became the youngest ever winner of the race as a 5 year old, beating previous winner Voy Por Ustedes by 19 lengths, without coming off the bridle.

Having won the Tingle Creek and Victor Chandler Chase, he is best priced with Bet Chronicle at 2/5, but most of the other bookies make him a 1/3 shot. OK, there isn’t much between those 2 prices, but it may interest you if you are looking to ‘print some money’.

Blue Square have tried to add some extra interest into the market, with betting on Master Minded’s Starting Price. ’1/3′ is an even money shot, whilst they go 2/1 for a 1/2 SP. 5/2 to win by 14 lengths or more will appeal to many.

My initial instinct would be to lay him, having every other in the field on your side. At the price, you’d be risking £10 to win £30. After all, he has to clear 12 fences and he fell on his UK chasing debut.

His jumping is excellent nowadays and he’ll take all the beating. The each-way terms for the other runners are incredibly attractive.

Big Zeb is next in the market at 10/1, and will be ridden by Choc Thornton. I don’t fancy the horse, but 10/1 each way is a much better bet than 3/1 in the market without Master Minded. You’ll get a decent reward if he places, and you can always hope to get the favourite turned over. After all, there is no such thing as a Festival banker.

Big Zeb fell last time out at Punchestown (6/5), but was travelling well.

14/1 Well Chief was the evens favourite in 2007, but David Pipe thinks he has a chance.

16/1 Tidal Bay will probably join Voy Por Ustedes in the Ryanair Chase.

Nicky Henderson has 14/1 Petit Robin, who should finish closer to Master Minded now running left-handed. A very good place bet.

20/1 Twist Magic ran a blinder in the Tingle Creek only to fall, but is the second string. A horse of such class should be a shorter price with drying ground this year.

Recommendation:

1pt each way @ 20/1 Twist Magic (Ladbrokes, 1/4 odds 1-2-3)

bookies.com is your best bet for comparing odds for the Cheltenham Festival.

Champion Hurdle Betting

Champion Chase Betting

World Hurdle Betting

Gold Cup Betting

The mystery winner of last weekend’s Scoop6 will chase the £2,755,923 bonus fund in the Racing Post Chase this Saturday.

The punter has pledged the entirety of the fund to The Royal British Legion – a remarkable gesture and we’re willing to give it press even if doesn’t come off.

Big Fella Thanks is the 4/1 favourite for Paul Nicholls, who is 40/1 with bet365 to win both the RP Chase and the National.

Nozic is the mount of Harry Skelton, but he is worth his 5lb claim. Don’t be put off by the Ruby Walsh jockey booking, that means that you can get a price like 33/1 with Ladbrokes for a class act like Nozic, who’ll like the cut in the ground.

There have been a few whispers for 12/1 Possol who won the race a few years ago and is a progressive sort.

Richard Johnson has won the race 4 times before, and is 14/1 this year with Lacdoudal.

I feel that the value has gone from 12/1 Hold Em, who is at the bottom end of the handicap.

10/1 Nacarat will be ridden by AP McCoy, and will go well fresh. His form is very erratic, so I don’t think he’ll carry my money. He should be well supported in the betting tomorrow though.

Whatever your bet tomorrow, remember that in a 20 runner handicap that you’re better off with the bookies. 1/4 of the win odds for the each way terms is much more rewarding that the Betfair place market, even before commission.

The 2.05 at Kempton is a cracking novice hurdle contest. Ainama was so impressive at Kempton that he should probably be shorter than 10/11 (Paddy Power). Dee Ee Williams should place at 5/1, and his form was boosted by our Wendel last weekend. 12/1 Trenchant could do wonders for Torphichen’s form if he runs a big race under Choc Thornton.

bookies.com is the best place to compare horse racing odds:

Racing Post Chase Betting

Grand National Betting

11/8 Kauto Star

Kauto was odds-on to win his 3rd King George before he slipped up in the Betfair Chase, but drifted to a general 6/4. Kauto is now best priced at 11/8 to win the race, as punters simply cannot oppose a horse with Cheltenham Gold Cups in the bag. Champion trainer Paul Nicholls has been luke-warm as of late, and his double on Saturday was eclipsed by Nicky Henderson‘s big race 103/1 treble. Henderson won about £250k in prize money, meaning that some firms are opening books on the Champion Trainer market.

Don’t get me wrong, I love Kauto Star, but 11/8 is a bit short for a horse who has lost 3 out of his last 4. He has been turned over by Our Vic and Snoopy Loopy in this field, and Tamarinbleu travelled so well at Haydock that he asked questions of Sam Thomas early on.

Ruby Walsh is the man in the saddle this time, who knows Kauto’s quirks much better, and is capable of handling the big race pressure. Nicholls won’t campaign Kauto Star at Haydock again, because he doesn’t like the new chase track. Kempton Park suits Kauto much better, because the emphasis is on speed. 

4/1 Voy Por Ustedes

Very talented but question marks over whether he will stay the 3m for Alan King. If he does to good effect, expect to see him leap to the fore of the Gold Cup market. I say that because ‘Voy Por’ is very classy and even beat Master Minded at Aintree. Choc Thornton is one of my favourite jockeys and I am tempted to let him carry my money for this one, after he appeared to like the 2m4f at Aintree that day. One to consider.

8/1 Air Force One

Has been well supported from 12s recently, probably because the ground and track will suit him. I’m reluctantly leaving him out of calculations, because I don’t feel he has the quality required to win at this level. He was 2nd in the Hennessy, finishing in front of Snoopy Loopy. Trainer Charlie Mann regards him highly and will be hoping for a big run.

9/1 Imperial Commander

This represents a massive step up in class for Imperial Commander, and we would’ve known more about him if the Boylesports Gold Cup hadn’t been abandoned. His last run was the win in the Paddy Power Gold Cup, after which many thought he was a potential superstar. The form has been well advertised by Barber’s Shop, but the form of the Twiston-Davies yard is a slight concern. NTD has had only 1 winner from 43 runners, meaning that Imperial Commander has drifted out from 7s. I’d rather look elsewhere for a horse with proven class at the top level.

10/1 Our Vic

Has been supported into 10s from a high of 30/1, mainly after trainer Pipe has reported that he has been in blistering form and has schooled well with Grand National winning jockey Timmy Murphy. The Pipe yard is now on the cold list, but they have a knack for taking these big races. Our Vic’s last season reads 2211 and I would rather back him than Imperial Commander or Air Force One, who aren’t proven at this level. Perhaps Our Vic wants less than 3m but he was 2nd in the race last season. According to the lad who rides him out, he is ‘better than ever’

21/1 Tamarinbleu

Ran very well fresh in the Betfair Chase, only to be done on the line by Snoopy Loopy, who ate up the ground. I love a front-runner and I think that Pricewise antepost selection (at 20/1) will give a good account for himself around Kempton. He travelled much better than Kauto Star in his last race, and I fancy that he’ll turn the tables on Snoopy Loopy after his break since the November race.

22/1 Snoopy Loopy

According to Peter Bowen he has been schooling well and he was supplemented for the race at a cost of £10,000. His record of consistently placing (or better) at the highest level makes Snoopy a terrific each way bet. When will the bookies take note? He was weak in the betting for the Peterborough Chase, in which he finished 2nd to Monet’s Garden at 9/1 over a trip which was too sharp for him. For a horse that keeps improving, the price is insulting. Oppose at your peril. 

50/1 Albertas Run

We tipped Tony McCoy’s Albertas Run for the Henessy last month, but he was pulled up on a day when McCoy scored a four-timer. Jonjo O’Neill has said that key to his run is the ground, which was unsuitable last time. If he gets the good ground that is forecast, he could run a very big race indeed. 

53/1 Briareus

One for the Balding team, he is a huge horse but a decent jumper. He won at Kempton over 2m in a Class 2 Chase, but connections are confident that he will stay the 3m. With decent form in the book that price looks a bit big to me, although I agree that others are more appealing.

61/1 Exotic Dancer

Is 5/1 for the Lexus Chase; this is a horse that is extremely profitable to oppose. We advised a place lay in the Betfair Chase but be warned, the Lexus doesn’t look as strong this year.

1000/1 Mont Misere

Pulled up at Huntingdon and very easy to discount.

Recommendation:

I’d rather just watch this intriguing race, but if pressed for a selection, I’d go for Our Vic, each way. That said I’ll still be supporting Kauto Star.

1pt each way @ 10/1 Our Vic

King George VI Betting

Christmas Hurdle Betting

Coral Welsh National Betting

Lexus Chase Betting

Paddy Power Chase Betting

The feature race of tomorrow’s televised cards is the Hennessy Gold Cup, where 17 runners will each be hoping to emulate Denman‘s victory last year.

2.40 Newbury HENNESSY GOLD CUP CHASE 3m21/2f

11/2 Big Buck’s (167)

Stablemate Denman won this race last year at similar odds, and we all know what happened next. Paul Nicholls has been talking this one up for some time now, earning the horse ambitious 25/1 quotes for the Gold Cup. Even if he was to win this race, I wouldn’t be sure about backing him for the festival. Big Buck’s made a few mistakes at Aintree in his last race, and he’ll need to put in a better performance to win this. Kauto Star was hugely disappointing last weekend, meaning that the bookies are happy to push the horse out to 11/2 from 5/1.

6/1 Air Force One (168)

Reported to be in the ‘form of his life’ by trainer Charlie Mann, and should come on for his Ascot run, in which he finished 2nd to Roll Along. A decent alternative to the favourite, but you’d be happier taking the 10/1 on offer earlier this month.

7/1 Character Building (157)

A big scopey chaser, this one fills the Denman mold, who he finished 3rd to in last year’s edition. He stays well and jumps fluently and currently well fancied for the Grand National at 25/1

8/1 Island Flyer (166)

Should improve for his appearance at Wincanton and carried the ideal weight, 10 stone. No surprise to see that he has been subject to a mini gamble, and has been halved in price from 16′s.

9/1 Albertas Run (165)

Won the SunAlliance at Cheltenham last season, and I think he could well turn the tables on Big Buck’s after finishing 3rd in the same race at Aintree. The race wasn’t run to suit, but the Hennessy should have a strong gallop as the Newbury course is flat. He didn’t give a true account of himself at Carlisle this month because of the ground, but is entitled to come on for the run. AP McCoy’s ride has been supported into 9/1, a price that I’m happy to take.

14/1 Oedipe (172)

Nicky Henderson is in terrific form and Oedipe looks to have a good chance, having found 2m4f inadequate at Punchestown. Will go on any ground and shouldn’t need prep race.

16/1 Slim Pickings (160)

Perhaps he doesn’t stay the Grand National distance, so he’ll be one to keep an eye on this Saturday. Will jump well and should be tip-top after a 2m prep race at Navan. Each-way chance.

16/1 Royal County Star (160)

The Irish haven’t won this race for some time now, but Tony Martin will be hoping that a prep race at Navan has blown away the seasonal cobwebs.

18/1 High Chimes (160)

Horse has been on the upgrade but more will be required to win a top class race like this. Another that will welcome any rain before the off.

19/1 Dear Villez (160)

Won the Munster National and will love the ground. Could well run a big race for Paul Nicholls.

21/1 Snoopy Loopy (172)

Snoopy is going for the Order of Merit and was a shock winner of the Betfair Chase last week. His big price probably reflects the view that the 2 races are too close together, but don’t rule him out!

25/1 Verasi (157)

Reported to be fit and well and will welcome the forecast 5mm to 6mm rain between now and the race. Trainer gives him an each-way chance.

30/1 Knowhere (167)

Will find it difficult under top weight, but Denman defied the same penalty to win it last year. This horse is classy on his day but probably best watched. Having beaten Snoopy Loopy and Exotic Dancer last time out, I make him around a 15/1 shot.

40/1 Always Waning (163)

Likes a strong pace, but Peter Bowen is probably relying on Snoopy Loopy to get in the money. Targeting the National, in which he is 100/1 in the antepost market.

50/1 My Will

Hasn’t raced since April 2007, and jockey booking confirms that Big Buck’s is the stable’s main hope.

50/1 Madison Du Berlais (168)

Was ‘lazy’ at Ascot when beaten by Air Force One.

66/1 Monkerhostin (167)

A massive price for such an honest horse. Monkerhostin won the Bet365 Chase last season at Sandown but disappointed in the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby when he made a mistake. Phillip Hobbs believes the horse will act on the ground and will like the course. Let’s hope that we aren’t discounting a big price winner after we thought 50/1 Snoopy Loopy was a massive price in the Betfair Chase last weekend.

Recommendation:

2pt each way 9/1 Albertas Run

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