Source: Racing Post via Facebook
Cause of Causes is one of the most popular horses in National Hunt racing. Gordon Elliott’s versatile 10-year-old has been there and won on the biggest stage of all, and he looks well placed for more success in the coming months. With entries in the Cross Country Chase at the 2018 Cheltenham Festival AND in Aintree’s Grand National, he could be set for a huge spring.
First things first, defending his Festival crown is the main port of call. In 2017, he romped home to claim the Cross Country Chase title by nine lengths; and plenty of punters will be backing the JP McManus-owned star to retain the title. At 3.95 on the latest Cheltenham betting exchanges, he is well worth considering – punters who recall last year’s success will get involved on race day.
Barring any setback at Cheltenham, he will then head to Aintree for the Grand National. This will be his final chance at the Merseyside showpiece and he will be looking to go one better after finishing a close second to One For Arthur in 2017. Cause of Causes, adored by the wider racing community, can do the double this year and that will cement his status as one of the best thoroughbreds in modern times.
2017: Cause of Causes beat Blaklion by 4 lengths carrying the same weight.
2018: Blaklion carries 8lbs more than Cause of Causes.
Blaklion 10/1 and Cause of Causes 28/1.#GrandNational pic.twitter.com/lcWQlVLHgn
— George Smyly (@gsmyly) February 14, 2018
Punters took advantage of favourable ante post markets after the National weights were announced – Cause of Causes is now a 16/1 shot for Aintree glory. McManus and Elliott will be hoping that most of the top weights head to the National; moving higher up the list could prove detrimental to his hopes of victory. First and foremost though, it is time to focus purely on Cheltenham.
Regarded as one of the most versatile horses in the industry. Cause of Causes has the talent and resilience to win once again and he will feature prominently in Cheltenham 2018 tips across the country as the Festival draws closer. Looking at the race, it is a fairly competitive renewal, but he is the standout contender.
He has the beating of fellow contender Cantlow and Bless The Wings on last year’s effort – it will take a huge effort on their part to reverse the form. However, stablemate Tiger Roll, a Cheltenham Festival winner in 2017, could be one to watch. Elliott could have a 1-2-3 in this race if everything goes to plan; Cause of Causes should certainly feature at the business end of the race.
Winning at Cheltenham is top on the priority list and a National success could follow if Cause of Causes walks away from Prestbury Park with a win. His price will certainly shorten it he claims a fourth successive Festival victory – bettors considering a National wager should get on now. Gordon Elliott knows that this horse is capable of brilliant things and a double at two of racing’s biggest meetings wouldn’t be a huge surprise.