Cheltenham Festival Preview

Three runners stand out so far in terms of numbers of bets taken on the festival opener; Recession Proof, Cue Card and Zaidpour. However, the early money seems to show a confidence in Cue Card.

Q's pick... Spirit Son

Well-regarded and well-made French import that has accomplished easier tasks with ease and looks to have plenty more to offer.

We've seen a lot of early bets for Kilmurray in the Arkle, although the stakes have been lower than for Medermit and Finian's Rainbow, it's to be expected as an outsider. He's clearly got a lot of support for a place here.

Q's pick... Merdemit

Not the strongest renewal of the race and the vote has to go to Medermit who was a class hurdler and has the best chance given his chase form so far.

There's not much between Bensalem and Blazing Bailey in the Antepost book and we've seen the majority of the early bets and the associated stakes going their way. However, as Bensalem is the favourite the market suggests confidence in Blazing Bailey.

Q's pick... Great Endeavour

A winner at last year’s Festival (Byrne Group Plate), David Pipe’s charge is only seven and the step up in trip could easily see him find the improvement required to collect.

We've had a few substantial bets on Binocular in the Champion Hurdle but now he's a non runner so it's Menorah who tops the rest. One runner that does stand out is the current 12/1 shot Khyber Kim.

Q's pick... Menorah

Last year's Supreme Novice winner, who was really impressive last time when taking his course tally to three. Only six and a lovely type who looks to be still improving.

Garde Champatre has seen the majority of the betting here both in terms of number of bets and stakes, but currently at 14/1 is Arabella Boy, and he's a close second in our Antepost book.

Q's pick... Gullible Gordon

Paul Nicholls' representative is a proper stayer who goes well fresh and at just eight years old should be capable of running up to his mark.

Despite being a 6/5 favourite here, we've not seen a massive amount of betting for Quevega. Instead the money has gone to Sparky May and L'Accordoniste.

Q's pick... Sparky May

Impeccably handled by her small stable so far and unbeaten in her four hurdle outings, more glory beckons.

We've seen a high number of bets for Definity in the last race of the opening day, but the stakes have been very low. If the early money is the indicator then Divers is the one to watch here.

Q's pick... Premier Sagas

Fenced really well when collecting a couple of Northern novices this year and could go well at a decent price with conditions likely to suit.

It's all about Alfa Beat in the Ladies Day curtain raiser. Out of all the betting in the Antepost book, by far and away the money has gone on the Irish 7-year-old.

Q's pick... Some target

is another bow to the string of Willie Mullins, he is lightly raced, improving all the time and unlike many, he’s almost guaranteed to get the trip.

So Young has seen the majority of the bets and the lion's share of the money staked so far. However, we have seen a number of substantial bets on Backspin, taking the Jonjo O'Neill trained runner into second for total stakes.

Q's pick... So young

again represents the powerful team of Willie Mullins. After apparently working well with Quevega, he’s been well backed in recent days so you should get on sooner rather than later. He will surely go close.

We've seen nearly as many bets for Aiteen Thirtythree as we have for Time For Rupert, but we've seen more than twice as much in stakes for the 9/4 favourite.

Q's pick... Time For Rupert

Time For Rupert will be many peoples' idea of a banker and it is hard to pick any holes in him. Mikael D'Haguenet is surely better than his last couple of efforts suggest and can run a big race.

As you have probably already guessed, it's Captain Cee Bee and the Irish trained Big Zeb who have stolen the show in our Antepost betting. The majority of punters have been getting on Captain Cee Bee.

Q's pick... Woolcombe Folly

Master Minded has yet to fully convince this season and Big Zeb was slightly disappointing last time so there could be a shock. Woolcombe Folly looks an improved performer this season, especially if the ground is nearer good than soft.

Unsurprisingly we've seen the majority of the stakes and the bets going on For Non Stop. There has been some interest for Aegean Dawn, but we've had a couple of substantial bets for Alvain too.

Q's pick... Ballyhaunis

The race has a typically open look to it at this stage. Call The Police has been well backed but perhaps another Willie Mullins trained horse Ballyhaunis could be some value if getting into the race.

The Antepost betting has thrown up a couple of surprises. Titan De Sarti doesn't get a look in the top 5 when we consider the number of bets placed, but we've taken the most money on him.

Q's pick... Celtus

Celtus travelled well for along way on his UK debut at Kempton last time and will probably prove better than his mark of 132. Professor Emery is perhaps more exposed than some but this confirmed frontrunner could lead them a merry dance and run a big race.

Persian Snow is the one to watch here. He doesn't get into to the top 5 when it comes to the number of people backing him but the only horse that we've taken more money on is the joint favourite, Knight Pass.

Q's pick... Knight Pass

As ever, several future stars likely to be in the line up. Knight Pass, Allure Of Illusion, Lord Gale and Montbazon have all impressed in their preps but my preference is Knight Pass.

The two runners that stand out in the betting so far are Wishfull Thinking and Noble Price. We've seen both a high number of bets and a high number of stakes here. However, we've taken a decent amount of money on Mr Gardner so far.

Q's pick... Wishfull Thinking

Wishfull Thinking is still progressing; he's never been out of the first two in completed outings and has strong form on any going. He has a formidable claim in the Jewsons Novices' Chase.

Bellflower Boy and Buena Vista don't feature in the top 5 in terms of number of bets taken but there have clearly been fewer bets of a much higher value so the minority could be in the know here. However, Lush Life is leading the way in the Pertemps Final and despite the early money, there is still plenty of value at 16/1.

Q's pick... Buena Vista

Buena Vista has given impression that this has been his target all year. It would not be a surprise to see him bounce back to form here.

We've seen a smaller number of bets for Tranquil Sea but at a consistently higher stake. In fact, the average stake is 20% higher than that of Kalahari King, who is leading the way in terms of bets taken and total stakes in our Antepost book.

Q's pick... J'y Vole

J'y Vole was a shade unlucky in this race last year and has run well enough this season to suggest the Willie Mullins' charge retains all her ability.

The majority of the money so far has gone for Big Buck's in the World Hurdle but there has been a huge amount of each way bets for Spirit River. Although the stakes might be smaller on the 33/1 shot, we've taken more bets than on any other runner.

Q's pick... Fiveforthree

Big Bucks v Grand Crus has grabbed the headlines. However, if you're looking for a better price it could be worth taking an interest in Fiveforthree. His return was full of promise and he should not be underestimated.

We've seen the majority of bets placed on Fistral Beach in the Byrne Group Plate as the 20/1 shot has attracted a large amount of each way interest. However, we've taken the most money, and a large proportion of the bets have been for Aigle D'Or at 16/1.

Q's pick... Aerial

If he takes his place Aerial is an interesting runner for the Nicholls camp. An easy winner on his UK debut he has the scope to be better than his rating here.

Nearly all of the early money and the early bets (75%) have come for Galant Nuit. Although he doesn't represent a massive percentage of the bets taken, Carrickmines has attracted some decent sized bets at 25/1.

Q's pick... Leading Contender

Leading Contender could live up to his name in the Kim Muir Chase, but a lot depends on whether his jumping holds together.

It's all fairly even in the Antepost book so far. In the top six of the bets taken so far everyone is fairly evenly placed. The highest average stakes in this race however have been taken on Smad Place.

Q's pick... Third Intention

Third Intention has shown solid form in the Cheltenham trials and he looks sure to run a big race in the Triumph Hurdle. Particularly if he's held up for longer than he was at Haydock last time out.

16/1 shot Snap Tie has dominated the betting so far. The Philip Hobbs trained nine-year-old has seen a lot of bets, but is still slightly behind Ski Sunday in terms of average stakes.

Q's pick... Snap Tie

Snap Tie looks to have been laid out for the race. He comes here off a mark 8lb lower than his highest and the Irish runner looks set to make light of an absence dating back to October 2009.

Betting in the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle is all about Champion Court so far. The Irish 6-year-old has attracted consistently more bets for a higher value than any other runner.

Q's pick... Kilcrea Kim

Kilcrea Kim can put his experience to good use. He was the winner of a hotly contested Sandown handicap last time out and he still has the ability and scope to improve further.

The early money suggests that Imperial Commander can't repeat last year's success and the majority of the early punters have gone for Kauto Star to land a third Gold Cup, currently at 11/2.

Q's pick... Denman

I think that Denman can regain his crown at the expense of Imperial Commander in this year's Gold Cup. His cracking third place finish in the Hennessy is arguably the best performance put up by a chaser this season.

Not much in terms of surprises in the Antepost betting here. Baby Run has seen consistently more money and a higher number of bets than any of the other runners.

Q's pick... Baby Run

Despite being an 11-year-old now, Baby Run has looked better than ever this season and boasts two comfortable wins. He will be the one to beat here.

Dynaste is head and shoulders above the rest in terms of total bets placed and total stakes. However, although we've had fewer bets, the average stake on Ocean Transit has been 40% higher.

Q's pick... Sir Des Champs

A virtually impossible race to decipher but Sir Des Champs was very impressive at Navan on his first start for Willie Mullins and in my opinion he could have got in lightly for the Martin Pipe Conditional off 134.

The majority of the betting in the Antepost book has been for Tanks For That. He's had a higher number of bets and more staked than any other runner. However, we've also taken a number of decent bets on Peak Raider, pushing him up into third in the total stakes.

Q's pick... Oh Crick

Oh Crick has been working hard and is gradually regaining his best form this season. It's for that reason I think he can gain his second victory in this race.