Hi all,
Inside today’s main piece I have had a look at the best of the action from Cheltenham’s International Meeting. Today’s selections and betting advice can be found at the end of the main piece.
I wasn’t expecting to see much in the way of jumps action over the next week. And after day out in the Yorkshire Dales I came home to the news that Cheltenham seem hopeful that they will be able to race on Friday.
Cheltenham
Here are some thoughts on the final three races on the Cheltenham card.
2:25 – Dahlbury Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (3m 2f)
Commodore won this on seasonal return 12 months ago on similar ground and will take the beating again. His biggest rival looks to be Undersupervision. The 6-year-old got off the mark over fences, looking an improving staying handicap chaser, when winning at Doncaster in March. Pulled up over C&D in April but just 4lb above his Doncaster winning mark. Yard won this with Cogry in 2017 &2018.
3:00 – Catesby Estates Handicap Hurdle (2m 1f)
Last year’s winner Lively Citizen goes well around here. He’s disappointed on both this season’s start but he’s back down to his last winning mark and can’t be dismissed. Mind you he does face some tough rivals including Mullenbeg. A useful bumper performer, the mare has really taken off over hurdles in the past month winning a novice at Plumpton and handicaps at Fakenham & Ludlow. Has a 7lb penalty to carry for her latest success 9-days ago and is in a deeper race here. That said she looks an improver and given her strong travelling nature a better run will suit here.
Another very much in the mix is Anyharminasking. The 5-year-old look a progressive novice last season winning handicaps at Catterick & Sedgefield. Ran like the race was needed when 6th of 10 at Ascot on seasonal return. Back to form last time when a 4 length 3rd of 10 at Huntingdon 5-days ago. He looks better going left handed and is high on the shortlist if the quick turnaround isn’t an inconvenience.
3:35 – Citipost Handicap Hurdle (3m)
Dusart was a useful novice hurdler two seasons back and progressed to be a very useful performer over the larger obstacles. Ending last season with a career best effort when beating Sounds Russian in a valuable handicap chase at Ayr in April. Belated seasonal reappearance and back over hurdles. The 7-year-old has had wind surgery since winning at Ayr and is potential improver off a 5lb lower mark over timber. He’s plenty short enough for me and I’m looking elsewhere.
Annual Invictus had to dig deep to win a three mile handicap hurdle here last month.Up 4lb but remains competitively weighted although he likely won’t get his own way out in front this time.
Dual course winner Indefatigable seems to reserve some of her best efforts for Cheltenham albeit it over around 2m 4f. She looked set to run for a big performance, hadn’t been asked for her effort when taking a heavy fall in the Grade 1 Mares Hurdle at the Festival. Put in a rare poor run when beaten by Proschema at Wetherby 41-days ago. If back to her best has each way claims.
Irish challenger Brazos never got competitive when a 13 length 9th of 18 here (2m 5f) last month. However, that was his first start for 198-days and he’s not weighted out of this if close to his best.
Betting Advice:
Cheltenham
2:25 – Commodore – 1pt win – 7/2 @ Bet365 & Coral
3:00 – Anyharminasking – 1pt win – 5/1 @ Bet365 and Lively Citizen – 1pt win – 16/1 @ Bet365
3:35 – Indefatigable – 1pt win – 10/1 @ Bet365 & Coral and Brazos – 1pt win – 16/1 @ Bet365
Cheers
John