Cheltenham 2027!
This does feel a bit ludicrous looking at next Cheltenham, but there aren’t many ante post markets around at the moment which are taking my fancy. So I’ve taken the opportunity to look further ahead with the 2026 festival in recent memory.
I’ve had one bet so far which is probably quite ambitious, but any bet this far in advance is going to be relatively speculative.
Arkle Novices Chase
Old Park Star is in the Altior/Shishkin mould for Nicky Henderson and is the early market leader for the Arkle at a best-priced 4/1. That is so short. He will probably go chasing by the sounds of things, but whether he takes to fences or not is another matter. Henderson also doesn’t have a Champion Hurdle horse for next season and I wouldn’t be at all surprised if this lad ended up being it.
The stable and owners have another horse who I hope could be Arkle-bound instead. Act Of Innocence. I think the Turners is going to turn out to be an excellent race and Act Of Innocence finished second in it. He had looked very straightforward prior to that in winning a couple of times and took his form to a new level at Cheltenham.
There is obviously no telling, but he makes a shape over his hurdles that is really encouraging for going chasing. I referenced in this column previously the comments made by the trainer and owners about him and Old Park Star and I still think it’s quite possible that Act
The expectation right now is that Old Park Star will be running in this, but there is a lot of water to go under the bridge and Act Of Innocence is the wrong price. He’s not a Brown Advisory horse and now the middle distance Grade 1 novice chase is no longer at the festival, the Arkle is the race for him.
Recommended Bet
Back Act Of Innocence @ 33/1
I am contemplating another bet, but haven’t pulled the trigger yet. I like what I’ve seen from quite a few novices this season and the Champion Hurdle is calling out for a new kid on the block.
King Rasko Grey is a proper animal and I think wherever he goes I’ll be supporting him, at least until I see a reason not to. He could definitely be a Champion Hurdle type, but Mullins has Lossiemouth, State Man and Narciso Has in there as well to name a few. So without knowing plans yet, I’m holding off. King Rasko Grey could obviously go chasing which would put a line through this bet already.
Old Park Star looks a relentless, galloping beast and I think he could take in the Champion Hurdle next year, especially with the owners having Act Of Innocence as well. His Sire, Well Chosen, imparts a lot of stamina and so I do wonder if he’ll be caught out in open company and have to go up in distance. But I’m also tempted to have him in the Champion Hurdle as well. A lot to happen yet so I’m keeping my powder dry, but if you’ve got a strong opinion on either of those, I wouldn’t put you off at 16/1.
Alex Peperell
