Welcome to my Cheltenham Festival 2022 tracker where I will keep a log of all my pre-card bets. We’re nearing a time of festivities that’s always been an incredible month for National Hunt enthusiasts, capped off with King George on Gift Day.
I will have a pick for all my followers weekly and will only pick one horse per race. All my horses will be found at the end of my weekly posts. So let’s move on to my next pick and how this horse is priced with bet365 is beyond me. I don’t think 20-1 will last for Forlonge, pardon the pun.
Ryanair Chase
Allaho is currently the favorite with a score of 5-2 to beat Ryanair Chase back from success in the John Durkan match at Punchestown last weekend. He was excellent in the race last year but I have no doubt that he will finish second in the race if Asterion Forlonge didn’t do triple hash from home and unlock his rider.
Beautiful gray trained by Willie Mullins is a bit confusing but now he is a 1st place winner over the fence. He’s the erratic type, can overdo his features, that’s his main cause, but the price Allaho paid for Ryanair Chase in March is beyond me.
It should come as no surprise to see Mullins sending Asterion Forlonge to Kempton for King George on Gift Day. A flat track more than three miles long could certainly suit him the way he walks. He is a class horse, evident by beating opponents by 14 points in a 152 handicap at Punchestown last April. He’s prone to mistakes, which is always a worry, but if he stays at Cheltenham he could be the man they all have to beat.
Cheltenham Festival Ante-Post Selections
Rush of the supreme novices: My Mate Mozzie – 1pt win @ 14-1 (bet365, Paddy Power)
Champion Chase: Nube Negra – 1pt win @ 10-1 (SkyBet, BetVictor, Boylesports)
People who stay ‘Hurry: Buzz – 1pt win @ 8-1 (bet365)
Festival Newcomers Pursuit: Beacon Edge – 1pt win @ 20-1 (Boylesports)
Ryanair Chase: Asterion Forlonge – 1pt win @ 20-1 (bet365)
If you support any of our picks, you can watch them live on the free Racing Post app, or racingpost.com. Simply log into one of your betting accounts and click ‘Watch Live’ on the racing cards.
