The Pertemps Final has always been one of the more competitive races at the Cheltenham Festival and many of the horses involved have had their handicap mark protected with this day in mind.
Racing fans can get a £50 no-risk bet on the Pertemps Final when they place it through
Sportingbet, which will make plenty of appeal to those who fancy a runner in the wide open contest.
The race is likely to go the way of an improving horse that has been plotted up for the contest and David Pipe’s Our Father (5/1,
Coral) leaps off the page in that respect. Kept fresh since scoring impressively in a competitive handicap at Ascot, he has a cracking weight and it is no surprise to see him at the head of the betting.
However, it could be worth giving Paul Nicholls’
SONOFVIC (11/1,
Stan James) a chance to redeem himself now he has returned to the smaller obstacles.
The seven-year-old remains a very lightly raced horse and after scoring in two novice hurdles last season, he impressed when chasing home Grand Crus in the Worcester Novices’ Chase over fences.
That performance saw him sent off as 6/5 favourite in the Dipper Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day but he disappointed with his jumping and Nicholls has sent him back over hurdles for his return to Prestbury Park.
Sonofvic remains a horse with lots of potential and untapped ability and he looks a great each-way bet in a daunting punting race.
Nick Wilby’s selection –
Sonofvic each-way - 11/1 (
Stan James)