Hi all
It’s the opening day of Cheltenham’s November meeting, highlighted by the Grade 2 Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle (3.30). Current Mood faces six rivals, in a bid to maintain her unbeaten record over hurdles, including Gordon Elliott’s recent Limerick Listed novice hurdle winner Off Your Rocco.
Dan Skelton’s Grade 1-winning novice hurdler My Drogo faces just one rival on his debut over fences in the November Novices’ Chase (2.20) and the card also features the Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase (2.55) and three other handicaps. The ITV cameras are covering four races from Cheltenham this afternoon. I have selections in three of the handicaps.
Cheltenham
1:10 – Markel Insurance Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle (Class 3) – 2m 5f
David Pipe has saddled the winner of this race four times since 2011. He has two entries in this year’s contest: Neon Moon & Paricolor. The former looks the number choice of the yard on jockey bookings. Neon Moon improved for the step up to 2m 4f when winning a Wincanton maiden in March. Today’s extra furlong will suit and the 5-year-old has scope for further improvement now going handicapping.
An Tailliur, trained by Jonjo O’Neill, has returned from a summer break with two wins at Warwick and Exeter. He won with more in hand than official margin of a length suggests last time so a 4lb rise in the weights looks more than workable. Stays 2m 7f so stamina issues for the 5-year-old and if he’s effective on good to soft as he is good, looks a big player.
1pt win – Neon Moon – 9/1 @ Bet365 & Sky Bet
1:45 – Mucking Brilliant Paddy Power Handicap Chase (Class 2) – 2m
Magic Saint won this last year, off today’s mark. and on similar ground. The 7-year-old looks to have a solid favourite’s chance and should be all the better for his recent seasonal reappearance in the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby.
Stolen Silver made a winning debut for Sam Thomas when making all to beat two rivals at Market Rasen last month. Up 4lb and will face pressure for the lead but the 6-year-old has only had four starts over fences and more progress can’t be ruled out even in a deeper race.
Editeur Du Gite made all to win the valuable Red Rum Handicap Chase at Aintree on his final start of last season. Was plenty keen out in front on his seasonal return at Ascot and was likely booked for the places when unseating his rider at the last. He seems better going left-handed but I wonder whether he will be suited by Cheltenham undulations.
Kap Auteuil comes into the race bidding for the five timer. Returned from a 7-month absence to win at Stratford 15-days ago. Up 3lb for that success and faces much stronger opponents here but the 6-year-old probably hasn’t reached his class ceiling just yet.
1pt win – Kap Auteuil – 13/2 @ Paddy Power & Betfair Sportsbook
4:00 – Valda Energy Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (Class 3) – 2m ½ f
A maximum field of 20 are set to go to post for what looks a tricky contest with plenty in with a chance.
Vocal Duke has made a great start to hi career with trainer Toby Lawes winning his last two at Uttoxeter and Fakenham. He’s up 7lb for his latest win but remains on a competitive mark.
Sashenka a four-time winner on the flat but maiden after five starts over hurdles. The mare put in a career best when a neck 2nd of 7 on her return from a six-month absence at Hereford 11-days ago. Same mark here and wouldn’t be winning out of turn.
Kalyptra wasn’t disgraced when 2nd of 8 to Paul Nicholls trained runner at Wincanton 19-days ago. The hood returns for his handicap debut and he could out run his odds here.
Flamenco De Kerser is another who could out run his odds. The 6-year-old shaped well when a 2-length 3rd of 11 on his handicap hurdle debut at Newton Abbot in September. Entitled to strop fitter for his first start for 5 months
Fergal O’Brien saddles four. The pick of his quartet looks to be Samba Dancer who won over C&D at the last meeting. He’s up 3lb but can’t be ruled out given his liking for the track. Stable jockey Paddy Brennan is on City Derby. The 5-year-old built on the promise of his hurdle debut when winning a soft ground maiden hurdle at Perth in May and looks capable of better on his handicap debut.
Brorson built on an encouraging hurdle debut when a ¾ length 2nd of 11 in a maiden hurdle over C&D last month. Another who should progress for going handicapping off what looks a workable mark.
Maninsane a bumper winner last season, got off the mark at the fourth attempt over hurdles when running out a comfortable winner of a Market Rasen maiden hurdle last month. This is tougher but his opening handicap is workable and the yard is 5-15 + 13.75 with its runners in the last 14-days.
1pt win – Sashenka – 9/1 @ Paddy Power & Betfair Sportsbook
1pt win – Brorson – 12/1 @ Paddy Power & Betfair Sportsbook
Cheers
John