Hi all,
Inside today’s main piece I’m looking at the best of the action on ITV4 this afternoon.
It’s the final day of Cheltenham’s November Meeting on Sunday with the big betting race being the valuable Greatwood Handicap Hurdle (3:30). Sixteen have been declared for this year’s race which has £56,270 on offer to the winner.
The other highlight of a seven race card is the Grade 2 Shloer Chase (2:55). Just four have been declared but they are: Jonbon, Edwardstone, Editeur Du Gite and Nube Negra. The first three are all Grade 1 winners over fences and although Nube Negra has yet to win a Grade 1 (0-7 in the Grade) he has won the last two running’s of the race.
Besides the Cheltenham action we also have the valuable Troytown Handicap Chase at Navan (2:30) and BetGoodwin Southern National Handicap Chase at Fontwell (2:04).
The Southern National is one of five races on ITV4 this afternoon, the other four are from Cheltenham.
Unlike a few of the valuable staying handicap chases run in Ireland this autumn the Troytown could see a maximum field off 22 go to post. It looked like hard work at Navan on Saturday so it could be heavy all over for Troytown Day.
You can’t say the same about the Southern National. The race usually has a decent sized field of moderate staying handicap chasers. Due to heavy ground just five have been declared for this year’s renewal, which is a dreadful turnout even given the state of the ground.
Cheltenham
1:45 – cavani.co.uk Novices' Limited Handicap Chase (Class 3) – 2m 4f
Just seven have been declared. Until last year it used to be a novice chase but the change to a handicap hasn’t seen an increase in the field size. Es Perfecto and Crebilly are both interesting on chase debut. The latter has top weight to carry but has the scope to make a chaser and could make a winning debut over fences.
2:20 – Jewson Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) – 3m 3 ½ f
Guetapan Collonges could be capable of a bigger performance over fences and is a worthy favourite. The form of the Venetia Williams yard means you must respect Cloudy Glen who has an excellent record first time up. One negative is Venetia’s record at the track in November which is 0 winners from 60 runners, 9 placed since 2008. Captain Cattistock goes well around here, but better ground would suit him. First Lord De Cuet is well enough treated to win and is having his first start since wind surgery. Dom Of Mary has a handy lightweight and could be the sort to improve this season. City Chief has only had four starts over fences and has the scope to do well in staying handicap chases this season. Soft ground suits and he’s got a chance if fit enough.
2:55 – Shloer Chase (Grade 2) – 2m
Jonbon is a ridiculous price but that doesn’t mean he won’t win. The only chance Editeur Du Gite has is to go off hard from the front. Soft ground would be against Nube Negra although he’s been trained for the race. That leaves Edwardstone who might need further than 2m these days but did win first time up last season.
3:30 – Unibet Greatwood Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) – 2m ½ f
They should go a decent gallop with Lookaway and Knickerbockerglory in the line-up. If more money comes in for ante post favourite Onlyamatteroftime than the chances are connections know he has plenty in hand on his rivals. Iberico Lord should really have beaten his stablemate at Sandown on his final start last season. He returns off what looks like a good mark and should go close.
I have had the progressive Nemean Lion in mind for this since he won at Ffos Las on his return last month. It won’t be easy off top weight but if he was trained by Nicholls or Mullins he would half his present odds. Dan Skelton’s record in the race means anything he saddles need respecting and L'Eau Du Sud can land a nice 2m handicap pot this winter. Too Friendly is going the right way and he should get the race run to suit. He’s not one to dismiss lightly after his recent Kempton run behind Rubaud.
Sunday Selection:
I'm swerving the ITV races for today's selection. Instead I'm going for one in the Listed bumper that concludes the card.
4:00 – Brechin Castle an expensive purchase after winning an Irish Pont earlier this year. The 5-year-old made an impressive winning debut for new connections in a Sedgefield bumper (soft) 28 days ago. He looks well worth his place in Listed company and will take the beating.
Good luck with your Sunday bets.
John