By Andrew Atkinson ……
Any Second Now (6-1) was The Leader racing tipster Andrew Atkinson’s FIFTH winner from seven races at the Cheltenham Festival on Thursday, when winning the Fulke Walwyn Hunt Novices hurdle over 3 miles and 2 furlongs.
The five winning selections Defi Du Sueil (3-1), Sire Du Berlais (4-1), Paisley Park (11-8), Siruh Du Lac (9-2) and Any Second Now (6-1) returned accumulative odds of 1,828-1.
The Leader racing columnist has tipped 11 winners over three of the four days Cheltenham Festival meeting that concludes on Friday.
Exceptional form contnues
Atkinson maintained his tip top form at the Cheltenham Festival on day three in the Brown Advisory and Merriebelle handicap chase over 2 miles 4 1/2furlongs.
Atkinson’s selections in the 22 runners field finished 1-2-3, with the Nicky Henderson trained Janika (second) and ew selections Siru Du Lac (1st) and Spirit Of The Games (3rd).
Jockey Lizzie Kelly, who rode Siru Du Lac (9-2) to victory said: “His jumping is so good I just let him roll!
“My God, he jumps, and jumps, and jumps.”
Trainer Nick Williams said: “Absolutely fantastic! He was able to dictate the race from the front.
“Everything went to plan today. It was our best chance at Cheltenham.”
Our racing columnist Andrew Atkinson said: “I am thrilled to get success when tipping selections, especially at the Cheltenham Festival.
“I have won a few bob, and I know that readers of The Leader race tips, both in the UK and Spain, have also cashed in – which is great!”.
Dreams come true at Cheltenham as Paisley Park wins!
Dreams came true for racehorse owner Andrew Gemmell when Paisley Park – tipped by The Leader – won the SunRacing Stayers Hurdle over 3 miles at Cheltenham.
“I can’t believe it. It was fantastic – a real dream come true. I can’t believe it’s happened,” said Gemmell, blind since birth.
Paisley Park (11-8) beat Sam Spinner (33-1) and Faugheen (4-1) and winning jockey Aiden Coleman said of the Emma Lavelle trained horse: “I couldn’t see him getting beat, but I didn’t want to get carried away.”
Lavelle said: “To get three cheers for Paisley Park at Cheltenham Festival winner’s enclosure is unbelievable.”
Defi Du Sueil and Sire De Berlais gave The Leader racing tips a 20-1 quick fire double in the opening two races on day three of the Cheltenham Festival.
Barry Geraghty rode both horses to victory, Defi Du Sueil (3-1) winning the JLT Novices Chase over 2 miles 4 furlongs; with Sire De Berlais (4-1) winning the Pertempts Network Final handicap hurdle over 3 miles.
“It was a brilliant race. I was banking on a big jump at the last – and he came up trumps,” said Geraghty, after winning on Defi Du Sueil, it being Geraghty’s 37th career win at Cheltenham.
“He’s amazing – our flagship horse,” said an emotional trainer Philip Hobbs.
On winning on Sire De Berlais, who beat 40-1 shot To Be Fair, Geraghty said:”It was a great ride – he rallied and rallied – in what was a good battle.”
