Cheltenham ante-post betting news: L’eau Du Sud one to watch

We are all set for significant pointers to the Cheltenham Festival next spring as some of the biggest names in the business hit the track on Saturday.

Adrian Wall looks at some of the horses that could stand out on a quality day of racing – subject to the whims of Storm Darragh – and how their ambitions for the Cotswolds extravaganza come March could shape up.

Cheltenham Festival ante-post odds: Ones to watch

• L’eau Du Sud – Arkle, 10/1
• Jonbon – Queen Mother Champion Chase, 7/2
• Jasmin De Vaux – Turners Novices Hurdle, 12/1
• The Yellow Clay – Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle, 16/1

L’eau Du Sud

Arkle, 10/1

Dan Skelton will be going all out for the trainers’ championship after getting agonisingly close behind Willie Mullins last season, and one horse that could propel the Warwickshire-based handler right to the top of the standings is L’eau Du Sud.

A nearly-horse for the stable over hurdles, he finished second in the Betfair Hurdle last term before filling the same spot in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham behind Absurde, who was given a brilliant ride by Paul Townend.

L’eau Du Sud looks a much better chaser. He is a perfect two from two in this sphere and won the Arkle Trial at the Cotswolds course by 11 lengths when last seen. 

He has some stiff opposition in the form of a Gordon Elliott-trained pair in the Grade 1 Henry VIII Novices’ Chase at Sandown on Saturday but will shorten dramatically for the Arkle if he can win.

Jonbon

Queen Mother Champion Chase, 7/2

The last runner to win successive Tingle Creeks was the incredible Kauto Star – and Jonbon will go into the history books alongside him if he can get the job done at Sandown on Saturday.

The seven-time Grade 1 winner did not have to be at his very best to win the Shloer Chase at Cheltenham on his return to action, but the JP McManus-owned eight-year-old will have to see off a few classy horses to win. 

If Nicky Henderson’s star can do that, he may strengthen his position at the top of the market for the Queen Mother Champion Chase in March. 

Jasmin De Vaux

Turners Novices’ Hurdle – 12/1

Cheltenham Champion Bumper winner Jasmin De Vaux is set to make his hurdling debut over 2m at Navan on Saturday, and the current price for the Turners Novices’ Hurdle may crash if he triumphs.

The Supreme Novices’ Hurdle could also be on the cards for the Willie Mullins-trained runner, but he is a bumper winner at up to 2m 3f, so the Turners could be ideal for him.

He does have to overcome a Punchestown flop when last seen and could have some stiff opposition, so it is a fascinating race.

The Yellow Clay

Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle – 16/1

Near the head of the market for the Albert Bartlett, The Yellow Clay should have too much for his rivals in the 2m 4f Grade 2 Novice Hurdle at Navan on Saturday.

Gordon Elliott’s inmate made it two out of two over hurdles in the Grade 3 Monksfield Novice Hurdle when last seen – and despite one or two clumsy jumps, the way he travelled was striking.

He could well halve in price for the Cheltenham contest if he gets the job done in decent fashion.