Good morning all,
A day when we will hopefully find a few more Cheltenham clues, which is now under seven weeks away. I’m making my final arrangements as regards accommodation and accreditation for the Festival, which is when I first start to get a bit of a buzz!
There’s also some cracking contests at Doncaster, including the Skybet Chase, which looks very competitive, and the Lightning, which has only attracted the three runners but it’s a chance for the forgotten Third Time Lucki to get himself back on track for the Sporting Life.
From next Friday I’ll start looking at a few ante-post bets we could have, as the firms are now starting to go non-runner no bet on a lot of races, which opens up options. For today, here’s my thoughts on some of the big races.
1.55 Cheltenham – 2m4½f Handicap Chase
As ever with these Cheltenham handicaps, you start with Coole Cody, who simply doesn’t know how to run a bad one here. Better still, if you fancy his chances, then the race is chock full of hold-up horses and an easy lead looks very much on the cards. He’s back on better ground as well, which will suit, and he looks rock-solid each-way material.
Easy enough to make a case for Galahad Quest too, given he was doing some good late work in the Paddy Power to finish a close fifth. He never looked happy behind Vienna Court here last time but for all he handles soft and heavy, I wonder if he too might be better on good ground these days. However, he’s been priced up accordingly, and there’s better value around.
Whatmore is a lovely, if quirky, sort that can go well fresh, but I can't help but think that after a year off he’ll need this. 3m probably suits him better too, and unless they go too quick up front, I think his finishing effort will come too late. One to watch today with a view to the Festival handicaps, possibly the Ultima.
When all’s said and done, I come back to Coole Cody to make all.
2.30 Cheltenham – 3m1½f Cotswold Chase
In much the same way as it was concerning to see cheekpieces on Minella Indo at Christmas, not two starts after he’d won a Gold Cup, Chantry House now rocks up with cheekpieces here after a lifeless effort in the King George. Regardless of the fact he went off favourite there, he never really went a yard and looked out of his depth. He’s got it all to prove now, for me.
Simply The Betts has plenty to prove regarding his stamina, and was already on the retreat when a bad mistake did for him at Aintree in December. It was a much better effort behind Vienna Court over 2m4½f here last time but it was hardly screamed 3m+ was what was required.
That leaves us with Aye Right, who has proven stamina, proven track form (third in the Ultima here last year) and brings good form to the table, having given future Rowland Meyrick winner Good Boy Bobby 10lb and a beating at Newcastle in November. Wisely given a bit of time to get over that effort, he has less to prove than the other pair here, and looks the bet.
In fact, given the doubts about the front pair, some combo forecasts with Santini, who will surely strip fitter for his run here in December (looked huge) and has been written off pretty quickly, and Kauto Riko, who stays 3m and has form here, isn’t the worst bet you’ll ever try.
3.40 Cheltenham
I’m with Hillcrest here.
I was very impressed with his New Year’s Day win over I am Maximus. He jumped well, galloped strongly when challenged and simply wanted it more than his rival up the final hill to see him off. The time figure he achieved was very good and Henry Daly, not a man to call his geese swans, thinks he’s as good as any he’s had at this stage of their careers.
That form looks better than Balco Coastal’s workmanlike Ludlow win, and the latter has a bit to prove here, going up in trip and having the hood removed, which could easily see him pull his chance away early if he doesn’t settle. He’s not the biggest either, and I can see the much rangier Hillcrest just bossing him around. Hillcrest to give the weight away.
Today's selection – Coole Cody (e/w) 1.55 Cheltenham
Good luck with all your bets today,
David.