Hi all,
I doubt there will be a repeat of Thursday, but you never know. A cracking eight race card at Cheltenham and if you prefer the all-weather then Lingfield in the place for you as they plenty of listed races to enjoy.
Cheltenham
1:50 – BetVictor Smartcards Handicap Chase (Grade 3) – 3m 3 ½ f
With the going likely to be heavy proven winning form on the ground and an ability to see to out their races is going to be an important attribute for today’s winners.
Not surprisingly to see top weight Ramses De Teillee head the market. The 7-year-old is 4 wins from 8 runs +5.11 6 placed on heavy and returns to the larger obstacles after a win over hurdles here at the last meeting.
Big River is another with winning form on heavy – 3 wins from 5 runs +3.66 4 placed. He returns from a 217-day break and is also having his first run since a wind op. His record when returning from a 121+ day absence is an encouraging 2 wins from 5 runs +0.88 4 placed. He’s 1lb lower than when 4th of 24 here at the Festival in March and will appreciate today’s extra two furlongs.
Pop Rockstar ticks some of the key trends required to win the race and returned to action with a win at Carlisle on his seasonal reappearance. Has three furlongs further to travel here but he’s unexposed over fences and looks set to be suited by the stamina sapping conditions.
West Approach returned to action with a good effort when 2nd of 15 here at the last meeting. He doesn’t win very often just 4 from 31 but all four wins have come in single digit fields so today’s seven runner field could be in his favour. The 9-year-old was well backed last time and looks on a competitive handicap mark.
1pt win – West Approach – 9/2 – Gen
2:25 – BetVictor Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Grade 3) – 2m 4f
The big betting race of the meeting and despite the testing ground sixteen of the eighteen declared runners have stood their ground.
Seven of the last ten winner of this race had placed 2 or 3 times at the track. There are five qualifiers in this year’s race: Slate House, Siruh Du Lac, Spiritofthegames, Happy Diva, & Highway One O One.
Happy Diva made a satisfactory return to action when runner-up to Guiter Pete at Wetherby 15-days ago. The mare is a consistent handicap chaser who was still going well when brought down in this race 12 months ago. Has plenty of good form around here and has winning form on heavy.
Siruh Du Lac kept progressing with each race over fences last season winning all four of his starts making 2 from 3 at Cheltenham when winning the Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Stable Plate Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.
The form of that win has been boosted by the runner-up Janika who returned to action last week with a win in the valuable Haldon Gold Cup. Granted the 6-year-old is 9lb higher now but he jumps well round Cheltenham and looks capable of progressing further this season. A bold jumper who goes well around here and shouldn’t be far away in a race he’s been targeted.
Slate House was impressive when winning over C&D at the last meeting. That was his first run since a wind-op at the procedure certainly seems to have worked the trick, as he saw his race out very well. Big contender if his jumping holds up in a big field handicap.
Spiritofthegames goes well fresh and was far behind Siruh Du Lac in third at the festival. The 7-year-old handles the ground and is weighted to beat Siruh De Lac. Solid each way contender.
Highway One O One has run well around here in the past and should be fine on the ground. The 7-year-old looks capable of winning more races of his present mark, but this is a hot race an he may be better suited to a smaller field.
1pt win – Siruh De Lac – 15/2 @ William Hill
0.5pts each way – Happy Diva – 12/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – each way (both paying 5 places 1/5 odds)
3:00 – Spinal Injuries Association Big Buck’s Handicap Hurdle (Listed Race) (Class 1) – 3m
Tobefair battled on well to win a Pertemps Series Qualifier over C&D at the last meeting. Up 5lb but he goes well here, runner-up in last season’s Pertemps Final at the Festival, before winning at the April Meeting. Finds plenty for pressure and although the 9-year-old is vulnerable to any unexposed horses in the field looks sure to give his backers another good run for their money.
1pt win – Tobefair – 5/1 @ William Hill & Ladbrokes
Cheers
John