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..:: Deficiente-Forum - Internacional ::.. => English => Noticias Internacionais => Sport => Tópico iniciado por: RoterTeufel em 07/03/2018, 14:14
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Cheltenham 2018 Tips: Best bets for Supreme Novices Hurdle on Day One of the festival
THE opening race at the four-day Cheltenham Festival which starts on Tuesday is hugely significant – everyone wants to start with a winner.
If you don't find the winner, you immediately find yourself out of pocket, albeit after only one of the 28 races.
The Sky Bet Supreme Novices Hurdle (1.30) has been the starting point for more years than I care to remember.
In recent years Willie Mullins has run some of his best youngsters in it and three have won – Champagne Fever (2013), Vautour (2014) and Douvan (2015).
All three ran in the pink and green colours of his principal owner, Rich Ricci.
Ricci's Min came second to Altior in 2016 and Mullins also trained last year's runner-up, Melon.
Little wonder then that the Mullins-Ricci runner, GETABIRD, will start favourite this time round.
He has won both his starts over hurdles in Ireland impressively, going clear in the final half-mile.
Mengli Khan was giving him 6lb at Punchestown when beaten nine lengths. This time they both carry 11st 7lb.
No-one really expects Mengli Khan to turn the tables but at around 12-1 – as opposed to Getabird's odds of 11-8 – he appeals each-way.
Amy Murphy will be hoping Kalashnikov will run a big race. Her stable star did not appear to have a hard race when winning the valuable Betfair Hurdle at Newbury last month. Appearances can be deceptive but if that race has not bottomed him he should be on hand at the finish.
Summerville Boy beat Kalashnikov fair and square in a trial at Sandown Park for today's race yet he is twice the price of Murphy's horse.
That may seem odd but punters are put off by his 66-day absence from the track.
In contrast, Kalashnikov's Newbury success last month is seen as a plus. It ticks the fitness box and is indicative of improvement since his Sandown defeat.
PADDY POWER ODDS: 11-8 Getabird, 5 Kalashnikov, 8 Next Destination, 10 Summerville Boy, 12 Duc Des Genievres, Mengli Khan.
Daily Star Sunday