Five Cheltenham Festival movers from the weekend

A LOOK at five notable Cheltenham movers from a wonderful weekend of racing in both the UK and Ireland which saw Unibet's Road To Cheltenham get underway at Wincanton with the Unibet Elite Hurdle!

 

Unibet Champion Hurdle

Fusil Raffles 10/1 from 14/1

 

Fusil Raffles got the job done at Wincanton in the Unibet Elite Hurdle, the first leg of our Road To Cheltenham, up against a tough and race fit rival. Henderson’s charge was having his first run of the season and he remains unbeaten in three starts for this handler. Our traders thought it was a solid enough performance, clipping him to 10/1 (from 14s) for the Unibet Champion Hurdle.

@Unibet Elite Hurdle (@WincantonRaces) FUSIL RAFFLES

10/1 from 14s for the Unibet Champion Hurdle #RoadToCheltenham pic.twitter.com/MGs22q93zq

— Unibet Racing (@UnibetRacing) November 9, 2019

 

Arkle Chase 

Fakir D’oudaries 8/1 from 20/1

 

Fakir D’oudaries and Melon faced off in a fascinating clash at the weekend with the former, in receipt of weight, coming out victorious. The 4yo impressed with the manner of his jumping and the three length margin of victory didn’t tell the whole tale. A talented hurdler, and in top hands, Joseph O’Brien’s charge is now just 8/1 for the Arkle – joint favourite with Laurina.

Lovely performance from Fakir D’oudaries. Jumped well in-front and had plenty left in the tank. Not one to be underestimated.

Melon also jumped well on the whole and should do well over fences.

pic.twitter.com/F2n22u1PwW

— Stuart 'Jimbo' Williams (@Jimbo_JumpsMan) November 10, 2019

 

Champion Chase

Cilaos Emery 10/1 from 16/1

 

With Altior seemingly set to step up in trip, anyone with a decent two mile chaser will be licking their lips at how open the division now looks. Cilaos Emery is very unexposed over fences but reached the top tier as a hurdler and has won both his starts over fences. His latest effort was in Grade 3 company but he couldn’t have won any easier and our traders were suitably impressed, slashing him into 10/1 from 16s for Cheltenham Festival Wednesday’s feature race.

Cilaos Emery put up a nice performance at @NaasRacecourse on Saturday.

Champion Chase claims? #TheVerdict pic.twitter.com/5XaMAnydtJ

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) November 11, 2019

 

Stayers Hurdle

Bacardys 16/1 from 50/1

 

Bacardys upset the Apple cart (see what we did there!) on Sunday when running out a ten length winner over his 4/1 on rival who, it must be said, probably underperformed. The winner shouldn’t be crabbed though as he still pulled away from Magic Of Light to score at Grade 2 level and the 50/1 about Mullins’ charge has long gone as he’s now into 16/1 with us to land the Stayers Hurdle in March.

Ruby Walsh on Apple's Jade

"She never looked in control of this race. More people might go to the Hatton's Grace because they know she is beatable"

Results ⏩ https://t.co/BnGTfBq5GU pic.twitter.com/Mt9MxWmvEf

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) November 10, 2019

 

Albert Bartlett

Andy Dufresne 10/1 from 20/1

 

Andy Dufresne looks an absolute monster in the making after effortlessly pulling clear in a decent enough Maiden Hurdle, backing up the promise he showed when winning his bumper in similar style. He’s got gears but also won a point over 3 miles and although over half a mile shorter on Saturday, the ground was testing and he halved in price (and is favourite) for the Albert Bartlett following his stylish success.

Andy Dufresne

✅ Unbeaten in two starts under Rules Winning debut over hurdles £330,000 purchase A very exciting prospect

A lovely performance from the son of Doyen for @gelliott_racing & Mark Walsh

Results ⏩ https://t.co/BnGTfBq5GU pic.twitter.com/FEbiq2svVc

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) November 10, 2019