The last Cheltenham and Grand National trials take place this Saturday, so which horses are among our experts’ Fairyhouse betting tips for February 27? It’s Bobbyjo Chase day there in Ireland, while the marathon Eider Chase headlines the card at Newcastle. There’s graded action at Kempton too, so who do you back?
Fairyhouse betting tips – Burrows Saint the Bobbyjo bet
It was bizarre that Willie Mullins didn’t run Burrows Saint in the extended 3m 1f Grade 3 Bobbyjo Chase last year. He’s among declarations for this renewal, however, with race terms in his favour (14:52). Mullins has won the race a record 10 times, including the last five.
Despite the presence of previous winner Acapella Bourgeois in the line-up, Burrows Saint has the scope for plenty more progress over fences. Connections have clearly run him over hurdles so his chase mark remains competitive for Aintree.
In order to show his well-being, Burrows Saint must win this. He has a race fitness edge over Grand National veteran Anibale Fly and sits top on official figures. The winner of the 2019 Irish Grand National at this venue, Burrows Saint is fancied for more success at 15/8 with the Betfair Sportsbook around Fairyhouse.
Jason The Militant the Red Mills Trial Hurdle choice
In the 2m Grade 3 Red Mills Trial Hurdle moved from Gowran Park (13:45), Jason The Militant puts his Cheltenham claims on the line. Trained by Henry De Bromhead, this seven-year-old gives weight all-round here but has to do that if he is worth his Champion Hurdle entry.
Progressing last season for a Grade 2 victory at Naas, he beat subsequent Boyne Hurdle winner Beacon Edge by a nose. The third home that day, Andy Dufrsene, came into that off the back of landing the Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle. He has also since taken a Grade 3 novice chase.
That back form Jason The Militant brings to the table stacks up, then. He has finished third in higher grades this season after winning on the Flat. A repeat of his half-length defeat behind Abacadabras should be good enough to win this. Jason The Militant, a 7/4 chance with bet365 may do just that.
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Teahupoo a Winning Fair bet in opener
The last of our Fairyhouse betting tips is Teahupoo in the 2m Grade 3 Winning Fair Juvenile Hurdle that kicks off the card (13:10). Trained by Gordon Elliott, who has won two of the last four renewals, this Robcour owned gelding brings decent form into this contest.
A winner in France over subsequent Exeter victor Good Ball before joining his current stable, Teahupoo bolted up by 15 lengths on this course and distance on his Irish debut. He was left in the lead at the last, but only needed pushing out for an easy success.
The runner-up, Druid’s Altar, has since confirmed the form with the third home. That gives it a solid look. Despite the presence of some unexposed Mullins Flat converts in the line-up, Teahupoo has been progressive already. He is therefore taken for a hat-trick and to continue his unbeaten run.
Kempton betting tips – Atholl Street can deliver in Dovecote
There was lots to like about the facile way in which Atholl Street went about winning two minor events at Taunton, so he can make the step up in class and land the 2m Grade 2 Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle at Kempton (15:00).
Trained by Paul Nicholls for Trevor Hemmings, this six-year-old son of Jeremy represents a yard with four previous victories in the race. The way in which Atholl Street won at a canter from Heart Of A Lion on his last start suggested he had tons of ability.
He has to prove that here in deeper waters, but it looks significant that Hemmings kept this horse rather than selling him. A rating of 135 may underestimate Atholl Street, who holds an entry in the Supreme at Cheltenham. There’s only one way to punch his ticket there, and that’s winning this trial. Atholl Street is 2/1 with Unibet to do just that.
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Double Shuffle an each-way play in Close Brothers Handicap Chase
Popular veteran Double Shuffle has rolled backed the years this season, so looks each-way value and is among Kempton betting tips for the big field 3m Grade 3 Close Brothers Handicap Chase (15:35). He was seventh in this race for trainer Tom George last year, but gets in off 5lb lower this time around.
Double Shuffle has posted improved efforts with every outing this term. After needing his reappearance run at Chepstow, he shaped encouragingly when third to Royale Pagaille over course and distance during the Christmas Festival. He now meets the runner-up, Cap Du Nord, on 9lb better terms and that one didn’t fire last time out at Doncaster.
It gives Double Shuffle a chance of reversing form. The winner has since bolted up in the Grade 2 Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock and is now regarded as a Cheltenham Gold Cup contender. Double Shuffle got his head back in front over course and distance in January when last in action. As the third and sixth home have both come out and won, the form has substance to it. Back Double Shuffle each-way at 12/1 with BetVictor around his happy hunting ground.
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Newcastle betting tips – Cyclop the each-way Eider Chase choice
In the extended 4m 1f Eider Chase at Newcastle (15:15), Cyclop looks weighted to run well. A late-bloomer over fences, this 10-year-old is now trained by Matt Sheppard. Twice a runner-up in the Lincolnshire National, this King’s Theatre gelding has at least hit the frame in 13 of 30 chase outings.
Cyclop has been rejuvenated this season, winning three of his six starts. He bolted up at Plumpton by 20 lengths on his penultimate appearance and a 7lb rise for that looks fair. Trying this marathon trip should also suit and an official rating of 132 translates to a nice racing weight of 10st 8lb.
Connections mean business here as they have booked champion jockey Brian Hughes for the ride. There are questions hanging over the Eider Chase market principals, so on that basis Cyclop looks worth a wager at 9/1 with William Hill and bookmakers paying extra places.
Wetlands appeals in Newcastle opener
Hughes also rides Wetlands in the extended 2m 4f novice hurdle that opens proceedings (13:35). Trained by Nicky Richards for Hemmings, this six-year-old by Westerner won a course bumper almost 12 months ago. He has also progressed with each outing over hurdles and stepping up in trip should suit based on how he shaped at Ayr.
Wetlands was sent off 1/5 that day, but bolted up like an odds-on shot should. He was 28 lengths and upwards clear of the remainder. It was the nature of his bloodless win that suggested he was a cut above his rivals. A 7lb rise in his rating to a mark of 125 may underestimate Wetlands too.
Richards sent out a winner from his Cumbria stables in the week and likes having runners at this venue. On that basis, and with Hughes again in the saddle, Wetlands just had to be among our Newcastle betting tips at 9/4 with 888sport to follow-up under a penalty.
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