Just like that, it’s nearly all over. Jubilee Alpha ran respectably yesterday, but could never seriously land a blow, finishing out of the places in 8th. On we go with the final day.
| Cheltenham - 17:20 |
Doyen Quest |
20/1 (each way, 6 places) |
Ahead of the fourth and final day, I like the look of Dan Skelton’s Doyen Quest in the seventh and final race of the meeting, the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle.
We haven’t seen much from this runner in his last two races, with the seven-year-old not really getting involved over three miles at Musselburgh, before delivering a similarly modest performance at Kempton, though I wouldn’t be too surprised if such low-key efforts were exactly what Dan Skelton was looking for. Let’s face it, it wouldn’t be the first time that this trainer tried to nudge one down ahead of a festival handicap.
Clearly likes it at Cheltenham
This horse scored over course and distance back in April of last year, before improving to finish second (of 17) at Chepstow on his first start of the current season.
That Chepstow second was followed by a very smart win over three miles at Cheltenham’s November meeting, where he scooted clear of Gowel Road, a horse that yesterday ran respectably in the Grade 1 Stayers’ Hurdle. Such form tells me that this one could very easily be leniently handicapped as he lurks in this field from a mark of 133.
It’s also worth noting that Skelton does quite well with horses that go to Cheltenham (the track in general not just the festival) following a run at Kempton, winning with five of his last nine such runners, with a further one of those nine placing.
Ultimately, he goes for a wily trainer that loves a Cheltenham handicap, while we know that he stays further, which ahead of a big-field race of this nature is absolutely a plus. Ticks a few too many boxes for me not to conclude that odds of 20/1 are well worth taking each way.
Based on a £10 level-stakes example, the Nap of the Day (after 101 Naps) has a running P/L of -£28.00 (since switching to being published here (10/09/2024) rather than on the ‘Nap of the Day' page).
For those interested, here’s a monthly profit and loss breakdown (again based on a £10 level-stakes example):
September 2024 = +£34.00
October 2024 = +£6.00
November 2024 = +£15.00
December 2024 = +£50.00
2024 Overall = +105.00
January 2025 = -£120.00
February 2025 = +£20.00
Cheltenham Festival 2025 betting guides
- Cheltenham 2025: Which trainers and jockeys to back
- Cheltenham 2025: Expert tips and trends to follow
- Cheltenham 2025: A beginner's guide
- Cheltenham 2025: Race-by-race schedule
- Racing form cards explained
- Top horse racing betting tips for beginners
- Horse racing 101: The best betting guide for beginners
- Betting odds explained
GambleAware