Tony Calvin: Ikorodu on the Road to success at his much-loved Doncaster

Willie Mullins domination

There was a lot of weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth after Willie Mullins performed his latest domination-cum-demolition act on last weekend's racing, with plenty taking to social media to bemoan how he is threatening to turn the Cheltenham Festival into one of the most predictable of all time.

Putting aside the self-interest involved in some of the comments, the fact is that Mullins is set to enter Cheltenham week with an unprecedented embarrassment of riches that currently sees him responsible for the outright favourite in 13 races, with the prospect of a few more to come once we know the lie of the land in the handicaps, and as new favourite for the UK trainers' title.

And on the Tuesday - with Min, Douvan, Faugheen, Annie Power or Vroum Vroum Mag, and Black Hercules - it is easy to see him setting the tone for a hugely successful four days with at least three winners. The betting tells you as much.

But should that be a worry or concern? No.

You won't get a more betting-orientated person than yours truly. I have never supported any team, and my allegiance is often short-term and directly related to the horse, person or side who I have backed.

Some people find that strange, and a fair few consider it shallow and offensive, but that's the truth. I got into horse racing because of the betting, and little has changed since. I'm not apologising for, or hiding from, that reality.

But it doesn't bother me that my tipping column on the Tuesday of Cheltenham is likely to a bit light on selections. It is only one day, after all, and occasionally even I can enjoy the majesty of a Douvan floating over the fences in the Arkle without a financial interest.

Vroum Vroum or Annie for the World Hurdle

Before we move on to the weekend markets, just a quick betting line on Vroum Vroum Mag's impressive Ascot win, which saw her price shorten to as low as 3-1 for the World Hurdle and 9-4 for the Mares Hurdle with one firm.

Rank bad prices obviously, especially as owner Rich Ricci referred to her stablemate Annie Power as "the mare" in a superb interview with Lydia Hislop on RUK on Saturday, leaving you in little doubt as to who they believe is the superior racehorse. And the formbook more than backs that up, for all the unexposed sexier profile of the Ascot winner.

And it was very interesting to hear Ricci say that Annie Power could well go for the World Hurdle, if they can get a run into her beforehand.

Now, clearly that is odds-against at this late stage, but if she did turn up at Cheltenham after an impressive prep win, then she would be disputing World Hurdle favouritism with Thistlecrack at the very least. So I'd strongly consider backing her at 5-1 Non Runner No Bet with the Betfair Sportsbook, if I were you.

With that concession - and safe in the knowledge that the mares will be kept apart - I wouldn't offer her at more than 3-1 NRNB myself.

Gold Cup favourite in action this weekend

The Mullins-Ricci bandwagon rolls on to the Betbright Chase at Cheltenham on Saturday in which Djakadam looks a certain starter - the owner is the chairman of the sponsoring firm - and a worthy favourite at 1.4640/85 on the exchange.

I have a lot of time for the likes of Smad Place, Many Clouds and Sam Winner - and O'Faolains Boy was very impressive at Newbury last time - but I am not in a rush to oppose the current Gold Cup favourite, even though I wouldn't dream of backing him at the current odds in what will be heavy ground once again.

Then again, I said that about the odds-on pokes last weekend.

No gimme for World Hurdle favourite

The Cleeve Hurdle looks another watch and no-bet race to me. I'm a massive fan of Thistlecrack and he deserves to be odds-on after sauntering home at Ascot, but this is no gimme and I suppose it has to be a slight concern that his only poor run over hurdles came on this card last year, for all that he was a 25-1 poke that day and has improved a conservative three stone since.

The Cleeve and the Neptune Trial were both re-opened after failing to attract 10 runners on Monday afternoon and the novices' hurdle looks another watch-and-learn race, especially at this stage where running plans are up in the air for a few, with Doncaster staging an Albert Bartlett trial on the same day.

Course lover Ikorodu Road a great each-way play

There are also a few double-entered in both the extended 2m4f handicap at Cheltenham and the Skybet Chase - though not the favourite in the former, Champagne West - but I am heading to Doncaster for this weekend's ante-post play in the shape of Ikorodu Road at 25-1 each way ¼ 1,2,3,4 with the Betfair Sportsbook.

Firstly, you would have thought that the horse is certain to line up, given his excellent record at the track and the fact that this is his sole weekend entry. So that's half the battle.

The other half is that he has course form figures of 2154331, he is clearly in good nick, his stable is among the winners, he is likely to get his favoured, decent, ground, he goes well when fresh - and, most importantly, he is 25-1.

Of course, there are negatives. There always are at these prices.

He is a 13yo, and he has been raised 7lb for his win over 3m2f here last month and this is a far stronger race. And he will be out of the handicap if the top two stand their ground.

But it is significant that connections have given him over a six-week break since his reappearance win - he does go really well off a break - and he has won off his current mark in the past, so this will have been the plan for a while.

He may not be good to enough to see off the younger improvers, but he has an awful lot going for him for a 25-1 chance.

Doing Fine had been in my sights for the Welsh National and last week's handicap at Ascot, only to be a no-show on both occasions.

I certainly would be interested in him, but at his current price of 16-1 and with the stable - like so many - continuing in a pretty barren spell (Tara Road was bitterly disappointing on Saturday) I am happy to revisit his chances at the weekend if turning up.

And, for similar reasons, I'll delay my betting interest in Gullinbursti, too. At the time of writing trainer Emma Lavelle has only had four runners this month.

Recommended Bet

Back Ikorodu Road at 25-1 each way ¼ 1,2,3,4 with the Betfair Sportsbook