RACING boffins have crunched the numbers to predict all the winners on day one of Cheltenham Festival.
But the supercomputer reckons it’s bad news for a few big name favourites…
A supercomputer has revealed who is most likely to win races on day one of Cheltenham[/caption]
British racing’s poster boy Constitution Hill is back in his bid to prove he is the best hurdle[/caption]
Ahead of next week’s first meeting on Tuesday 11, the winners have been analysed by bet365‘s supercomputer.
Powered by data stretching back to 1990, it has carried out analysis of every winning horse at Cheltenham across a wide range of characteristics such as age, betting position, past results, and trainer records.
The algorithm then attributed each competing horse with a similarity score from 1 to -1 depending on how well they match these winning characteristics, to identify the horses most likely to triumph at this year’s festival.
The AI machine states that only two – Majborough in the Arkle and Constitution Hill in the Champion Hurdle – will win from the seven races on day one.
British racing’s poster boy Constitution Hill (8/11) is back in his bid to prove he is the best hurdler in a generation in Tuesday’s feature race.
The computer says Michael Buckley’s champ will regain his 2023 Champion Hurdle crown.
The eight-year-old missed last year’s Festival, but saw off Lossiemouth at Kempton in January and remains unbeaten with eight Grade One victories to his name.
Majborough (Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices’ Chase) has also been tipped for victory.
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But that’s it for the favourites, as punters could be in line for some shocks in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.
Workhead (12/1) has been predicted to beat odds-on favourite Kopek Des Bordes (5/6) in the first race on Tuesday.
Likewise, the supercomputer has Crebilly to beat The Ultima Handicap Chase favourite The Changing Man during the third race at 14:40.
The biggest upset, though, could come in the Mares’ Hurdle.
Defending race champion Lossiemouth (4/5) has been named to lose out to Jade De Grugy (5/2)
Lossiemouth is also due to race against nailed-on winner Constitution Hill in the Champion Hurdle at 16:00.
But since the release of the supercomputer, owner Rich Ricci has thrown doubt on Lossiemouth’s participation the Champion Hurdle.
The leading owner said it will be a “late call” as regards whether the six-year-old will take on Constitution Hill or attempt to defend her title in the Mares’ Hurdle earlier on the card.
Ricci said: “She disappointed at Christmas and she had a horrible fall at Leopardstown in a race where we really didn’t learn anything.
“We had a chat with Willie on Tuesday night, she’s been left in both races and I think we’ll wait and make a call at the weekend.”
But if Cheltenham has taught us anything, it’s that the Festival is never short on drama.
Recently retired jockey Aidan Coleman: “I’m undecided on the Champion hurdle.
“I was very keen on Brighterdaysahead until I saw Constitution Hill’s work earlier in the week, and that looked pretty spectacular. So, it could go either way.”
The AI machine has Putyourhandstogether (12/1) to outwit race favourite Stencil (6/1) during the The Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle at 16:40.
Lastly, it could be a lucky day for Will Do (9/1), who could beat Now is The Hour (7/2) in the final race – The National Hunt Novices’ Chase.
