Cheltenham Festival betting angles often come from strong pieces of form earlier in the season. One recent run that stands out is Winston Junior’s performance at the December Cheltenham meeting, which could prove very significant for the McCoy Contractors Juvenile Handicap Hurdle on Tuesday.

Race: McCoy Contractors Juvenile Handicap Hurdle
Horse: Winston Junior
Bet: 2pts win (NRNB)
Odds: 6/1
Angle: Strong Cheltenham December meeting form

Why Winston Junior’s Cheltenham Form Looks Strong

He has had just three races over hurdles, starting at Fontwell where he finished 2nd in October. His next run was arguably the strongest when finishing second at Cheltenham at the December meeting where, despite over-racing, racing wide and becoming short of room a few times, he still managed to stay on into second behind the winner, who won in a good time and is now 6/1 for the Grade 1 Triumph Hurdle.

Even though he hasn't raced since, which considering the race was run back on December 13th again rates that single piece of form as very strong, he was given a 12lb higher rating of 139.

Winston Junior, however, has run again and wow, what a run it was — winning at a canter and never coming off the bridle, producing a decent time in the process. The only real issue was that he made all and was once again keen, something he won't be able to get away with at Cheltenham.

But he's only gone up 7lb for that win which, put together with his Cheltenham second, looks very generous to me.

If connections do decide to go the Triumph Hurdle route and take on Minella Study for a second time, I think he could definitely give him more of a race. However, he was receiving 7lb in that Cheltenham race in December and he wouldn't be given the same concession again in the Triumph, so maybe connections will go for the handicap instead. Even so, I still think he'd finish closer than the 6.5L beating he got last time.

We still don't know what Faye Bramley, his trainer, and connections have decided to go for. All I can see from a statement made in an interview on February 10th is:
“He’s doing really well and I’m really happy with how he’s progressing. The owners will decide what race they want to run him in, but he’s a nice horse.”

Now I'm pretty certain that if he were to go for the handicap, he'll be going off as favourite and be much shorter than the 6/1 on offer today. Plus, if he were trained by someone like Willie Mullins, I reckon he'd be going off at very short odds.

So with the NRNB offer in place, I think he's worth backing now for this race. If he does end up going for the Triumph instead, then we’ll get our money back and could maybe back him later, as I doubt his price will contract too much.

He will need to settle better in the race, but the pace will be strong which should help. If he improves again, or even just continues the recent form he’s shown, then I think he will win.

Cheltenham Festival selections and analysis will be posted daily on the Bookies Enemy No1 website throughout the week.