The Cheltenham Festival attracts a lot of attention, which is hardly surprising considering its tradition and the fact that it features the second highest prize pool of all festivals in the UK, behind the Grand National. It is a place where you can see the best UK and Irish horses and it is a chance to see so many great jockeys and horses at the same place. It is quite favourite among punters too, and huge amounts are wagered every year. If you’re one of those who’re considering betting on the Cheltenham, check https://www.freebets.com/horse-racing/cheltenham-festival-betting.

The 2018 Cheltenham Festival is set to last from March 13 until March 16 and jockeys, trainers, breeders, but also fans and punters are slowly getting ready, even though there’s still plenty of time. The line-ups and the participants are being confirmed and everyone eagerly awaits to see which horse is going to participate in which race.

There are favourites, of course, but we should never forget that the Cheltenham has witnessed a fair share of shocking results over the years. In fact, it has happened on more than one occasions for a horse at odds 33/1 or, even 100/1 to win a race, and nobody can rule out that something similar might happen again this years. People are still talking about the 1990 Gold Cup, when the Norton’s Coin, trained by a person whose primary job was a dairy farmer, managed to win in spite of the 100/1 odds.

O’Brien Confident of Poetic Rhythm’s Form

Poetic Rhythm, a horse with a rather poetic name is now a confirmed participant at the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle. Penhill, trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by Paul Townend was the last year’s winner at this Grade 1 hurdle race.

Fergal O’Brien, the trainer of Poetic Rhythm confirmed in a press statement that the horse will participate in the 3-mile race and this is the first time since the introduction of the new rules for this horse. The trainer also considered registering Poetic Rhythm for the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle, a race with a shorter distance that’s going to be held on the 14th, but instead opted for the Albert Bartlett race which is scheduled for the 16th.

Poetic Rhythm hasn’t participated in a race since December when it managed to win the Challow Hurdle, which was held at Newbury racecourse. That victory was rather astonishing considering that only few weeks before the seven year-old gelding was suffering from colic.

The trainers assured the press that he will be able to get his horse ready, despite the fact that the race is a rather difficult one. He added that the fact that the horse is practically a novice, it’s his second season here, will have a positive effect on the horse’s performances.

O’Brien went to add that his horse gave his best at Challow and that he was struggling really hard, but eventually managed to win, which is a true testament that Poetic Rhythm is a good horse. The trainer concluded that he is delighted with his horse, after admitting that he did ‘proper work’ for the first time few days ago.

O’Brien is also a trainer of the French 5 year-old bay mare, Cap Soleil and he stated that she will participate in the Grade 2 Trull House Novices’ hurdle race fit for studs and mares, but only if all goes according to plan. The trainer said that he won’t let her participate if she is not perfectly fit.

Total Recall to Feature in the Gold Cup Race

Total Recall, a 9yo bay gelding is going to run in the Gold Cup race, confirmed his trainer Willie Mullins. Total Recall who is turning 10 next month, is in a great form, after winning the Munster National, as well as the Ladbrokes Trophy, plus the hurdle race at the Racing Festival in Dublin.

Many suspected that Mullins plans to take Total Recall to the Grand National, but he cleared that his primary concern is the Gold Cup. The odds for Total Recall to win the Gold Cup are rather low, but the odds for him to win the Grand National are even lower, in fact the horse is the second favourite for that prestigious prize.