Ladbrokes Casino - Former champion flat jockey Jamie Spencer rode with distinction recently to guide Nicky Henderson’s Eighteenfifty to second place in a Lingfield national hunt flat race.
As a result of his exploits the odds makers are offering 10/1 that either he or fellow flat star Richard Hughes rides the winner of the Champion Bumper or National Hunt Flat Race at the 2009 cheltenham festival.
And that seems cracking early value for two of the best riders on the level especially when you consider that Spencer has already taken the event six years ago in 2002 when piloting Pizarro to score after stewards enquiry to defeat Rhinestone Cowboy.
Of course a lot will depend on whether either of these jocks get rides in the race and indeed the quality of those but with top trainers of the likes of Nicky Henderson backing Spencer you may be kicking yourself you didn’t have a nibble at this price.
Meanwhile the entries for the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day have been announced and they include Kauto Star, who will be going for a hat trick at the event this year. As traditional as Christmas Pud and the Queens speech this festive race could confirm Paul Nicholls’ star in the annuls of racing history with the mighty Desert Orchid the last horse to win three in a row. Also in the line-up at this early stage is other fellow former Gold Cup winners Kicking King, who also took back to back victories in 2004 and 2005, and War of Attrition.