13:30 Cheltenham: Some Target to star for Mullins
Published:Some Target looked a progressive staying chaser in the making when winning at Punchestown on his latest start and his solid jumping may just ensure he has the edge in the National Hunt Chase.
Willie Mullins will be keen to begin day two of the Cheltenham Festival on a winning note to build on Hurricane Fly’s Champion Hurdle win and must have been pleased with the way Some Target out-jumped a field of handicappers in the Punchestown success.
Jumping is going to be vital in the four-mile showcase, which bodes well for Some Target, while he has the added advantage of having reigning champion amateur Patrick Mullins on board.
Some Target certainly represents great each-way value at 8/1 in the Cheltenham betting in what on paper looks a tricky race to call.
The one possible problem may lie in the ground as the conditions at Cheltenham are likely to be on the better side of soft and Some Target has largely been at his best with the surface racing fairly soft.
Meanwhile, some of the leading statistics in the race also work in Some Target’s favour.
No horse to have been rated at 140 or more has ever won the race and Some Target arrives at Cheltenham off a mark of 139, while seven of the past nine winners either won or finished second on their latest start ahead of the Festival.
Another horse that fits this criteria is Aberdale, who has to have a chance based on his performance off level weights behind Wayward Prince on his latest start.
Furthermore, Jonjo O’Neill has trained five of the last ten winners, which can be seen as another plus towards Aberdale’s chances.
He is 12/1 in the Cheltenham betting for the National Hunt Chase.
A £20 stake on Some Target winning the National Hunt Chase would return £160. New customers can sign up here for a free £60 bet.
