Odds Drop for Queen Mother

In my humble opinion the VC Chase at the weekend didn’t quite live up to expectations and almost from the get go there was no competition for Twist Magic who romped home for the Nicholls yard to take first place. In doing so the bookies have gone wild with anticipation for the Cheltenham Festival Queen Mother Chase and slashed his odds so that he’s second favourite to Master Minded but this blogger has to wonder if they’re all getting a bit under the collar about nothing!

Petit Robin was Twist Magics only competition on Saturday but even he was riding on the disastrous side of things despite having AP McCoy riding him. Three massive blunders over the fences, one after the other, and there was nothing else he could do but fade in Twist Magics shadow.

Overall this is how I see it – only seven competed, Kinkeel wouldn’t have won it if he was the only horse running, that leaves six. Lennon tried to get ahead in the early stages but quickly lost stamina and Well Chief, who really should have up there competing hard was nowhere to be seen. As mentioned earlier, Petit Robin was having a bad jumping day with Cornas appearing to make up the numbers and Oh Crick tried to give chase on the run-in but left it too late which , almost by default, gives the win to Twist Magic.

I’m not taking away from the fact that Twist Magic is a fabulous horse with enormous potential and Ruby Walsh is the best jockey around but I think the bookies are getting ahead of themselves by making him second favourite for the Queen Mother Chase and with odds as low as 5/1 with Paddy Power I think I’ll be putting my each way bet somewhere else!

3.20 Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Steeple Chase 2m

• Master Minded 13/8
• Twist Magic 5/1
• Forpadydeplasterer 8/1
• Big Zeb 8/1
• Kalahari King 10/1
• Petit Robin 14/1
• Golden Silver 14/1
• Sizing Europe 14/1
• Barker 16/1
• Free World 20/1
• Well Chief 25/1
• Voy Por Ustedes 25/1
• Oh Crick 33/1
• Tranquil Sea 33/1
• Cornas 50/1
• Fix The Rib 50/1
• Mahogany Blaze 50/1
• Tartak 66/1
• Newmill 66/1
• I’msingingtheblues 66/1
• Takeroc 66/1
• Fiepes Shuffle 100/1
• Lord Henry 100/1
• Santas Son 100/1