This tip has expired. Please check our free horse racing tips section of the website to find the most up to date.
2.10 County Handicap Hurdle
Friday 13 March | Age: 5yo+ | Prize: £100,000
The County Handicap Hurdle was first run in 1920 and was traditionally the meeting’s curtain-closer. It is still run on the fourth and final day, but following a reshuffle of the schedule in 2009, it has been moved from being the last race, to being the second.
CARNAGE is almost guaranteed in the County Hurdle as 20-odd keen beans all jostle for position.
You need a horse who can get a good position, go a frantic gallop and then find a bit more at the end as they come up the hill. It’s usually a brilliant race.
My pick for the race is MOHAAYED who won it in 2018 and has clearly been campaigned for this all season. His handicap mark looks brilliant now and although he is shortening in the market I am very keen on him.
I had my eye on one or two others but they are now non-runners so it’s Mohaayed all the way for me.
There is some 10-1 about but I’m taking 9-1 and 6 places each way with Betway, 888 Sport and Betfred.
JP McManus has enjoyed a sensational week and in the County Hurdle his CIEL DE NEIGE (2.10) hasn’t been over-burdened by a 4lb rise for running second in the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury.
He finished an excellent third in last year’s Boodles Handicap Hurdle won by Band of Outlaws and has been well found in the betting market.
His trainer Willie Mullins saddles another McManus hopeful in easy Tramore winner Saint Roi, the mount of Barry Geraghty, while Aramon moves into handicap company under Paul Townend on the back of a respectable fifth to Honeysuckle in the Irish Champion Hurdle.
JP’s quintet is completed by Buildmeupbuttercup and Tiger Tap Tap.
Joseph O’Brien’s Embittered was an eye-catcher in a handicap hurdle at the Dublin Racing Festival, running sixth to the Charles Byrnes-trained Thosedaysaregone.
He was a decent enough bumper horse last season and has slipped under the radar for Gigginstown.
Dan Skelton has won three of the last four renewals of the County Hurdle and Mohaayed, first in 2018 and seventh last year behind stablemate Ch’itbello, has dropped to an attractive mark.
Yet another very competitive handicap hurdle race, which is always a great spectacle.
From a betting view, this is very hard to try and find the best handicapped horse in the race, with there being 26 runners. The one I'm siding with is EMBITTERED, trained by Joseph O'Brien.
I'm hoping the weather forecast is accurate and the rain stays away from the course, as I think a sounder surface will pay dividends for Embittered.
His bumper form on good to soft ground is impeccable, he finished 3 lengths behind Envoi Allen, who we all know is a superstar, and then he finished 4th behind Colreevy & Abacadabras in a Grade 1 bumper.
His hurdle form is decent, especially his latest run where he finished 6th in a big field handicap at Leopardstown, which will set him up perfectly for this.
There are many horses in with a good chance, so I advise to have a deep look for yourself, but if you're following me then Embittered is the one.
ITV Racing 4/1 Offer at Bet365
Back a winner at 4/1 or more and get a risk free bet on the next live ITV race (up to £50).
Only available to new and eligible customers. Bet restrictions and T&Cs apply.
Bet365 – £100 in Free Bet Credits
Simply open a new account, make you first deposit and Bet365 will match that deposit with up to £100 in bet credits.
Open Account Offer. Up to £100 in Bet Credits for new customers at bet365. Min deposit £5 and 1x settled bet requirement to release Bet Credits. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply.
888Sport – Bet £10 Get 40
Use promo code: RACING to claim £40 in Free Bets at 888sport when you open a new account and place a first bet of £10.
New customers only – £10 deposit using promo code “RACING” – First bet must be placed on any market – Minimum stake £10 at odds of 1/2 (1.5) – Free bets credited upon qualifying bet settlement and expire after 7 days – Free bet stakes not included in returns – Deposit balance is available for withdrawal at any time. General deposit method & withdrawal restrictions apply & Full T&C’s apply.
Paddy Power – Bet £20 Get £5 for Each Race
Place a £/€20 sports bet on the first race at 13:30 (Supreme Novices' Hurdle) Tuesday, 10th of March. Get a £/€5 free bet for every other race on the card.
Place a single £20 (or £10 e/w) Sports bet on the first race Cheltenham
Tuesday 10th March and get a £5 free bet for each of the subsequent
races on the Card.. Deposits using Cards, ApplePay or PayPal only. Free
bets are only valid for the specified race and are awarded when the
qualifying bet has been settled. Free bet stakes not returned with
winnings. T&Cs Apply.
BetVictor – Bet £10 Get £50 + 50 Free Spins
Place your first bet of £10 or more at odds of evens (2.00) or greater and get £30 in Sports Free Bets, a £20 Casino Bonus + 50 Free Spins.
New Customers, register and place your first bet of £10 or more at odds of evens (2.00) or greater; excludes cashed out bets. Get £30 in Free Bets, plus a £20 Casino Bonus, wager 40x to withdraw winning 7 day expiry and 50 free spins on Scudamore’s Super stakes 3 day expiry. Offer Valid 10:00GMT Monday 2nd March 2020 until 23:59GMT Friday 13th March 2020. Credit/Debit Card deposits only. Geographical Restrictions and T&C's Apply. Please Gamble Responsibly.
Unibet – Bet £10 Get £50
Bet £10 on Cheltenham and get £50 worth of free bets (which includes a £10 Casino Bonus) at Unibet.
New customers only. 18+, BeGambleAware.org. Min deposit £10. £40 Racing Bonus. £10 Casino Bonus. Once your £10 qualifying Cheltenham bet is settled your £40 Racing bonus will then be triggered. Wagering requirements: Racing 1x, odds of 2.00 minimum (1/1) for each bet placed. £10 Casino Bonus, 35x. Only one bonus can be used at a time. Racing bonus must be wagered before using the Casino bonus, unless the Racing bonus has been forfeited. Bonus will expire after 7 days of opt-in.
Ladbrokes – Get £20 in Free bets when You Bet £5
Use promo code: 20FREE to claim £20 in Free Bets when you open a new account and bet £5 at Ladbrokes.
18+ Eligible UK+IRE players. Paypal & some deposit & bet types excl. Min first £5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 = 4x £5 free bets. Free bets valid for 7 days, stake not returned. No cashout, restrictions + T&Cs apply.
William Hill – Bet £5 Get £10
Bet £5 to claim a £10 Free Bets at William Hill when you open a new account and place a first bet.
New online customers only, min £5/€5 stake, win only, min odds 1/2, free bets paid as 2 X £5/€5, 30 day expiry, free bet/payment method/player/country restrictions apply. See full terms below.
SBK – Deposit £20 Get £20 Risk-Free
Grab a £20 risk-free bet on the brand new betting app from SBK. They'll give a £20 risk-free bet when you open a new account and deposit £20.
New customers only. Deposit £20 by card. Trustly or bank transfer only, for a refund of your first £20 of losses. T&Cs apply. 18+. BeGambleAware.org
Mansionbet – Up to £50 Welcome Bonus
New customers can claim up to £50 as a welcome bonus at Mansionbet.
New customers only. Min Deposit £10. Deposit & bonus amount must be wagered 6 times (min odds 4/5) prior to withdrawing bonus funds and any winnings. Wins from real money bets withdrawable at any time. Bonus on sports betting only. T&Cs apply.