Hi all,
Day 1 of Cheltenham’s International Meeting and the first-time paying spectators have been at the racecourse since March.
It’s an eight race with the addition of the Grade 2 Peterborough Chase (1:50) which was due to be run at Huntingdon last Sunday. The ITV cameras are broadcasting five races from Cheltenham and one Bangor.
My first selection runs in one of the races which isn’t being covered by ITV.
Cheltenham
12:40 – Catesby Handicap Hurdle (Class 3) – 2m 1f
Martin Keighley saddled the 2015 winner and he has a big contender here in Sarasota Star. The 4-year-old bids for the hat trick after wins at Carlisle. Can race off the same mark as the last of those wins and is 5lb well in here.
Tegerek was 3rd of 14 in the Greatwood Hurdle at the last meeting, had previously won on the old course. Not the most straight forward and can be reluctant at the start but the 6-year-old has plenty of ability and remains progressive.
Lively Citizen showed a good battling attitude to win a handicap hurdle here at the last meeting. Up 4lb but is going the right way and shouldn’t be far away again.
Benny’s Bridge won over C&D last October, off 6lb lower. Off for 11 months before finishing a promising 6th of 17 in the race he had won 12 months earlier. Has a bit to find with Tegerek on that form but gets a handy pull in the weights and was hampered two out by a faller that day.
Haafapiece won twice last season and has continued in form on both starts this season at Wetherby. The 7-year-old wasn’t beaten far when 2nd of 9 last month and can race off the same mark here. Could get into the money if at his best.
Nelson’s River last win came at this meeting in 2018 and he finished 4th in that seasons Triumph Hurdle. Found live tougher last season but wasn’t beaten far when 9th of 24 in the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury in February. A decent 4th behind Buzz on his first start back over hurdles last month. Suited by good ground and is another with place claims.
Verdict: Plenty in with a chance, Course & distance winner Benny’s Bridge needs respecting as does Lively Citizen but the vote goes to hat trick seeking Sarasota Star.
1pt win – Sarasota Star – 8/1 @ Bet365
1:15 – CF Roberts Electrical & Mechanical Services Mares’ Handicap Chase (Challenger Mares’ Series Qual’) (Class 3) – 2m 4 ½ f
Arian, Nikap and Martila were first, second and third respectablyin mares handicap chase at Warwick 23-days ago. The winner is up 7lb for that success but she’s going the right way and may not have reached her class ceiling yet. At the revised weights both Nikap and Martila have a got chance of finishing ahead of Arian here. Nikap was only having her second start over fences at Warwick and can win races off her present mark as should Martila. Slight preference for Nikap who won’t be inconvenienced should the ground ease further.
Verdict: There could be more to come from Arian but at the prices I just prefer the claims of Nikap.
1pt win – Nikap – 7/1 @ Bet365 & Coral
1:50 – Fitzdares Club Loves The Peterborough Chase (Grade 2) – 2m 4f
Eight have been declared for what is now the race of the day. The bookies go 9/2 the field which shows this year’s renewal is a competitive one.
Nicky Henderson has trained the winner four times since 2013. He saddles Top Notch, who win this last year and in 2017. He’s had wind surgery since his last run in January and should be primed for a big run given his record in the race.
The other Henderson runner is Mister Fisher. The 6-year-old put in a career best when 4th of 12 in the Marsh Novices’ Chase at the Festival but was pulled up in the Paddy Power here on his seasonal return last month. Better ground will suit, as should today’s smaller field and he’s a danger to all if bouncing back to his best.
Fanion D’estruval so impressive when winning on UK/stable debut last November before a disappointing beaten favourite (6/4) in a Grade 2 at Kempton a month later. Returned to action for the first time in 322-days when 2nd of 9 in a Class 2 handicap here last month. First run beyond 2m 2f for the 5-year-old but if he stays must have a good chance of going one better here. Another who won’t be inconvenienced should the ground ease further.
Verdict: Better expected is from Mister Fisher on a sounder surface. Stablemate Top Notch has a good record in the race and can’t be ruled out. Fanion D’estruval made a good return to action here at the last meeting and is the choice.
1pt win – Fanion D’estruval – 9/2 @ Paddy Power & Betfair Sportsbook
2:25 – Unibet Handicap Chase (Grade 3) – 3m 2f
A shade disappointing that the race has only attracted seven runners. Irish raider Court Maid improved for the step up to 3m 5f when bolting up in a valuable handicap chase at Fairyhouse 12-days ago. Up 8lb for that win but the mare looks capable of defying her rise in the weights if this race doesn’t come too quick. The one they all must beat.
Top-weight Black Corton is a classy chaserat his best and is two from three at Cheltenham. Normally a solid jumper there was a rare lapse on that front when unseating his rider at Ascot in a Grade 2 won by Imperial Aura. A contender for sure but probably needs the first time cheekpieces to eke out the improvement needed to defy a mark of 160.
West Approach goes well at Cheltenham and was a close-up 3rd off 11 in this race 12 months ago. Now 2lb lower but he’s not the most consistent of horses, as he’s already shown this season. A good second to Frodon here in October on his return before disappointing back here last month. On a going day he’s handicapped to go close but it depends what sort of mood he’s in.
3:35 – Citipost Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 2) – 3m
Top-weight Unowwhatimeanharry bounced back to win at Aintree on his seasonal reappearance. He’s 4-8 here and a 3lb rise for his Aintree win isn’t harsh. Mohaayed finished 1 ¼ lengths behind Unowwhatimeanharry. Won the County Hurdle in 2018 and is back down to a good mark. Unexposed over staying distance, Aintree was the 8-year-old’s first start beyond 2m 4f but he could find one or two stronger stayers here.
On the Blind Side a useful novice hurdler didn’t really take to fences. However, he seemed to enjoy returning to the smaller obstacles when winning over 3m on the other course last month. Showed a good attitude to hold off his challengers on the run in that day. The 8-year-old is 4 wins from 6 runs 5 places over hurdles, including 2-2 at Cheltenham. Up 5lb here but remains on a competitive mark.
Goodbye Dancer won this last year, off 1lb higher. Looked set to go close back here on New Year’s Day off 10lb higher but fell at the last. Hasn’t run to anything like his best from on subsequent starts and may need to soft ground if he’s to gain back-to-back wins in the race.
Vive Le Roi is on a losing run that goes back to November 2018 but ran well to finish runner-up in the Lanzarote Hurdle at Kempton in January. Hasn’t been at his best in two starts in lesser company this season but has dropped down to a good mark.
Verdict: I have a feeling we’ll see a better performance from the veteran Sykes. Last year’s winner Goodbye Dancer like it here and is on a winnable mark. On The Blind Side enjoyed the return to hurdling last time and will be tough to beat if in the same mood.
1pt win – On The Blind Side – 4/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
1pt win – Goodbye Dancer – 8/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
Cheers
John