THE BERNIE THE BOOK COLUMN
RAMS MARCH TO SUPERRBOWL GLORY BUT ALL EYES NOW ON PRESTBURY PARK
HELLO SPORTS FANS Well I did tip them – pre-season…before a ball had been punted on 4th down. Who? The LA RAMS of course and at a juicy 16/1 as my column in September attests to.
AMERICAN FOOTBALL
Staying in the States, the new NFL season begins on September 12 culminating in the “greatest show on turf” on the first weekend in February 2022. As mentioned in a previous column, last year the inspired decision by the management of Tampa Bay in recruiting a legend in Tom Brady paid dividends, resulting in Superbowl victory for the Bucs. On the same theme this year might be the time for the LA RAMS at a massive 16/1 in some lists (general 14/1).
From September 2021 issue
But hey ho, yesterday’s news is today’s fish and chip wrapper! And so all my eyes are looking west (from where I am writing) to THE CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL, four scintillating days of blood curdling, Guinness-swilling, money-wagering madness, but IT IS the only game in town. Just a quick recap on my selections in January and February first, ante-post and remember most layers are now going NRNB, admittedly at lesser odds but you don’t want your fancy developing a fever overnight and being withdrawn. Non Runner No Bet (NRNB) ensures you get your stake money back if your selection doesn’t turn up on the day or contests a different race.
In January’s column, I advised:
CONSTITUTION HILL – SUPREME 9/2, currently 9/4 EDWARDSTONE – ARKLE 5/1, currently 2/1 JOURNEY WITH ME – BALLYMORE 7/1 currently 11/2 ENERGUMENE – CHAMPION CHASE 11/4 now 3/1 KLASSICAL DREAM – STAYERS 5/2 now 9/2
In February:
QUIXILOUS – CHAMPION HURDLE 20/1, currently 25/1 TORNADO FLYER – GOLD CUP 12/1, currently 10/1 GALOPIN DES CHAMPS – TURNERS 4/1 currently 15/8 GINTO – ALBERT BARTLETT 7/1 currently 5/1
MARCH 2022
That covers nine of the 28 races and most of the Grade 1s, so now that most meaningful trials have been run on Trials Day and the Dublin Racing Festival (DRF) let’s explore more deeply.
THE CHAMPION BUMPER You might start thinking that the Prestbury Cup will be won once again by Ireland and you would be right because another major race, the Champion Bumper is surely a match between Gordon Elliot’s AMERICAN MIKE and Willie Mullins Facile Vega. There is no doubt the Mullins horse looked so impressive at the DRF and he is now Evens to win in March, but my preference is for Mike at 3/1.
Battle will also be joined by the two Irish juggernauts in the TRIUMPH on Gold Cup day and preference is for PIED PIPER at 5/2 for Elliott who was so impressive round Cheltenham in January. That course form could be crucial so its Pied Piper over Vauban in Friday’s opener. As alluded to above, the Prestbury Cup is contested between the Irish and English trainers at the Festival…The Irish have dominated in recent years (last year the score was particularly embarrassing at (23-5), scored out of the 28 races and this year, although the Irish will retain the Cup, the 1/9 is only of interest to the owners of Addison Lee. The score will be closer this year, somewhere around 20-8/21-7. As I said only of interest if you have a spare 100 grand spare. However, nearer the day some layers will be offering prices on the actual score and the two scenarios above will be somewhere near the 6/1 mark. However, taking my assumption on board about the number of English-trained winners at about 7, this leads to an interesting bet. Who will they be trained by?? I certainly don’t fancy the 4/7 being offered about Nicky Henderson’s chances, especial- ly if his two hotpots (Constitution Hill and Shishkin are overturned), no far better to highlight the chances, espe- cially in the handicaps of the Skeltons and the 11/2 offered against DAN SKELTON just has to be taken. Finally, away from Cheltenham but in the same sphere the Grand National meeting is moving nearer and at this point my original marker is for another Irish trained horse, LONGHOUSE POET at 20/1 for the Aintree centrepiece. He might just be sailing under the radar, as he’s trained away from Ireland’s big three. Well that’s the craic this month. Good punting…
Bernie the Book 85
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