Cheltenham Festival 2011 Guide - Trainers
Cheltenham Festival 2011 Guide - Trainers
Nicky Henderson
With 37 Cheltenham Festival to his name, Lambourn-based Nicky Henderson is the obvious place to start. He is just three shy of Falke Walwyn's all-time record of 40 winners and has a great opportunity to surpass that number at this year's meeting. With prime candidates for big-race victories in Binocular, Long Run, Riverside Theatre, Punchestowns plus others, it is not hard to see why bookmakers have priced Henderson up as 13-8 second-favourite to be crowned top trainer. Henderson loves the Festival and his horses always arrive in peak condition.
Paul Nicholls
Ditcheat-based handler Paul Nicholls has been crowned top trainer five times in last seven years at this prestigious meeting and he is available at 6-4 to do so again. With 27 Festivals winners to date, Nicholls is a master at producing his horses to give their best on the day. It is fair to say he lacks the firepower that old rival Nicky Henderson has at his disposal this year but he can, at least, rely on the services of stable stars Big Buck's, Master Minded, Kauto Star and Denman. Nicholls is also exceptional at getting his horses well-in for the valuable so treat his runners in the those races with the utmost respect. Whether the current champion trainer is a good bet at 6-4 to be crowned top trainer is arguable, especially with Henderson among others holding big chances in each race throughout the four days.
Alan King
Although he couldn't buy a winner during last year's Festival, Alan King has his string in much better order this term and he has some interesting contenders throughout the week. With 11 Festival winners to his name, King no longer has the old guard such as Katchit or Voy Por Ustedes to rely on, but he does have some hot young talent to go to war with. His best chance of the meeting is Arkle fancy Medermit, who has some excellent Cheltenham Festival experience. He also has Mille Chief, Bensalem and Blazing Bailey who could provide him with a much-needed Festival winner. King is 16-1 to be top trainer, a price which is a fair reflection of his chances.
Willie Mullins
Always to be feared when bringing runners over to the Festival, Irish champion trainer Willie Mullins has an impressive tally of 17 winners at the meeting. He has some outstanding chances at this year's Festival, too, which makes his price of 9-1 look like good value. Among his main chances are Hurricane Fly, a strong fancy for the Champion Hurdle, and Quevega, chasing her third successive win in the David Nicholson Mares' Hurdle. He has also has a handful of novices to choose from, including Zaidpour, So Young and Day Of A Lifetime. As always, Mullins has plenty of entries in the Champion Bumper, the last race on the Wednesday, and it would not be a surprise if he won that race for a spectacular seventh time.
Ferdy Murphy
Based in the north of England, Ferdy Murphy is an exemplary target' trainer and he always manages to produce a couple to deliver the goods at the Cheltenham Festival. Murphy tied with Edward O'Grady and Martin Pipe on two winners for the race to be top trainer in 1996 and his runners at the meeting are always to be feared. He landed the National Hunt Chase with Poker De Sivola at last year's Festival and he has some interesting contenders this year. Divers, who looks like a typical Murphy-plot horse, is in entered in the novice handicap chase and should be competitive off a lenient mark. Murphy also has Kalahari King to rely on in the Queen Mother Champion Chase and will be bidding to build on his third in the race last season. Keep an eye on the betting whenever the trainer has a runner at the Festival. He is currently 40-1 to be top trainer. Glimpses of European history with tours of Rome Washington DC, Independent Film Festival March Must Have Skirts For Spring Why Americans Should Look at Long Term Care Problem Seriously? Spend Your Cornwall Holidays at the Beach Celebrities Gossips - Celebrity Gossips - Fun-Gossips Storing Luggage Whilst On Holidays Playa de las Americas: A Purpose Built Paradise Find Out About Holidays in Tenerife Travel to black sea Turkey Carnival Imagination Cruises For Your Next Holiday New Growth - spring 2011 Relax In An All Inclusive In Maldives