BETTING ODDITIES: Just Appreciate It

CHELTENHAM’S HERE – DESPITE ROADWORKS

The road to Cheltenham is finally at an end (thank goodness) and it’s time to enjoy a Festival like no other as there’ve been plenty of roadworks along the way. ‘The Festival’ and ‘behind closed doors’ are not really phrases that sit comfortably together but most of us will hopefully be sitting comfortably to watch the 28 races unfold over four days – and well done ITV Racing for showing the first six live each day.

It’ll certainly be better than 2001 when the meeting was cancelled due to foot and mouth and (hopefully) 1974 and 1978 too when the weather claimed several races. Whilst it won’t exactly be tropical in the Cotswolds this week, the forecast is upbeat enough for it not to be a concern.

The headlines today were grabbed by the first day entries – 86 including the smallest Supreme field ever with just eight – headed by Appreciate It.

It might be half the size of race that we are used to for the curtain raiser but it won’t stop punters and bookmakers going into battle. Whilst the Festival is a marathon not a sprint for both – who doesn’t want to get off to a good start?

There are plenty of reasons why Appreciate It will win – he’s a class act as he proved when finishing second to Ferny Hollow in the Champion Bumper here 12 months ago.

But there’re also several reasons for the layers to have hope too:

1️⃣ Appreciate It has lost twice in his career – once at Cheltenham.

2️⃣ This race, as our Stats Guide points out, has a poor record for favourites.

3️⃣ Willie Mullins arrives here on a losing run of 18 and eight days without a win – by his standards that at least raises half an eyebrow.

4️⃣ Appreciate It’s three wins this season have come on softer ground.

5️⃣ Whilst he holds Ballyadam on the formbook – Metier still could be ‘anything’.

Of course these five reasons might be blown apart come 1.25pm on Tuesday but layers will be struggling to find a SINGLE reason to get some of the later ‘bankers’ beaten.

So although we’re down on numbers – rest assured this could still be an explosive start on Tuesday.

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YOU CAN EAT VALUE

Spot the difference at Waitrose? Whoever said you ‘can’t eat value’ – this is comprehensive proof the theory is wrong ….

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WHEN SUNDAY, MONDAY, TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY, FRIDAY and SATURDAY COMES ….

I think it’s safe to assume that the 3pm football kick offs appear to have been purloined for ever.

The new COVID enforced structure to the season has seen matches split up and matches spread over the weekend and frankly the rest of the week too. Generally they don’t overlap.

It’s taken some getting used to but I confess I think it’s BETTER. Armchair fans have never had it so good, although I am convinced that Southampton and Brighton have played each other 10 times already this season. GULP.

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‘THE’ TEXT HAS ARRIVED

The jab is booked for 7pm next Sunday. Even THAT can’t get in the way of Cheltenham week.

David

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DAVID STEWART is a freelance digital betting producer and journalist. His CV includes: The Sun, The Sporting Life, Racing Post, At The Races, The Sportsman, lead feature writer for Sky’s Betview magazine and senior producer Timeform Radio.

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Views of authors do not necessarily represent views of Star Sports Bookmakers.

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