Despite the withdrawal of pre-race favourite, Grands Crus, this Grade 2 Argento Chase renewal at Cheltenham over 3m1f on Saturday still looks likely to be a cracking affair. With Grands Crus out it is the Phillip Hobbs trained Captain Chris who is attracting the tips and who has also been made the favourite with odds of 9/4 with Bet365 .
Captain Chris of course was the very impressive winner of the Arkle Challenge Trophy at the 2011 Cheltenham Festival but so far this season has disappointed. He unseated jockey, Richard Johnson on his seasonal reappearance at Exeter and then finished well behind Kauto Star and Long Run in the prestigious King George Vl Chase on Boxing Day. Nonetheless he has been in receipt of a number of high profile tips this week, suggesting that he is getting back to his best form.
Just behind in the betting at 3/1 is the Nick Williams trained, Diamond Harry, who was last seen finishing a distant fourth also behind Kauto Star and Long Run in the Grade 1 Betfair Chase at Haydock in November. That was his first run since winning the 2010 Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury which means he comes into Saturday’s race possibly in need of a run. Certainly there are not too many tips going around suggesting that the 9 year old can win, but nor were there when he took the Hennessy.
Talking about tips, trainer Paul Webber is very keen on the chances of his entry, Time For Rupert, who he says is really in great form at home. He disappointed back in November when only fifth in the Betfair Chase a defeat which means that he has seven lengths to find with Diamond Harry. However he returned to winning ways when winning a Graduation Chase over three miles on soft ground and according to Webber he will improve again for that run. Time For Rupert can be backed with odds of 7/2 with bet365
Midnight Chase from the Neil Mulholland yard has become somewhat of a Cheltenham specialist having enjoyed four wins over the last couple of seasons. His trainer thought him good enough last season to run him in the Cheltenham Gold Cup where although he did not trouble the leaders he did run with credit to finish fifth. There has been one or two tips circulating around Cheltenham this week indicating that the yard are very sweet on his chances in the ‘Argento’, for which he is now a 6/1 chance to win.
Champion trainer, Paul Nicholls has saddled the winner of this race for the last two season’s and is doubly represented on Saturday, firstly with The Minack who is a 10/1 shot and then secondly with the unpredictable Tidal Bay who will be the mount of Ruby Walsh. Tidal Bay as we all know is not necessarily a horse to put your mortgage on, however, now under the guidance of Nicholls it is possible that we will see a completely different version in Saturday’s race. He had a spin in a three mile hurdle at the beginning of this month finishing in third place a run, which should have him spot on to tackle this race on Saturday. Certainly he is not without a chance and with his odds being trimmed from 10/1 at the beginning of the week to 6/1 currently, then there is little wonder why there has been a number of tips for him to win.
The winner of this ‘Gold Cup’ trial should come from those profiled above, but which one it will be is difficult to say. However, with so much enthusiasm emanating from the Paul Webber stable concerning the well being of Time For Rupert then he will be our tip to win this week. As far as the tips are concerned for each way backers then a modest investment on the Nigel Twiston-Davies entry, Little Josh who is currently 20/1 could be the best option. He always runs well fresh and although he is coming back from an injury, the yard is quietly confident that he will run a big race.
Winners: Time For Rupert @ 7/2
Each Way: Little Josh @ 20/1
Argento Chase Odds
9/4 Captain Chris
3/1 Diamond Harry
7/2 Time For Rupert
6/1 Midnight Chase
6/1 Tidal Bay
16/1 Knockara Beau
20/1 Little Josh
50/1 Any Currency
66/1 The sawyer
The betting odds for this Argento Chase have been provided by Bet365.com
Posted: Friday, 27th January 2012
Author: Rodney Wise
Tags: argento chase, cheltenham, time for rupert, bet365,
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