Hi all,
Inside today’s main piece I look at the best of the action on Cheltenham Trial’s Day.
I’m back from a nice break in the frosty south of England. It was much colder than I expected. Nice and sunny during the day but very cold at night. The milder weather that had been forecast was taking a lot longer to get south and east than expected. I’m not surprised that Cheltenham must pass a Saturday morning inspection to see if the racing can go ahead. Fingers crossed it get the thumbs up.
ITV are covering five of a nine race bumper card from Cheltenham and three from Doncaster including the Sky Bet Handicap Chase (3:15) which has £56,950 on offer to the winner. There shouldn’t be any problems with the Doncaster racing where the going is good. At Cheltenham its soft, good to soft in places but given the lack of rain the ground could be gluey.
I only got back late Friday afternoon so today’s preview isn’t as detailed as I would have liked. However, I have looked at the five races live on ITV on Saturday afternoon and Doncaster big race the Sky Bet Handicap Chase (3:15). Today’s betting advice can be found at the end of the main piece.
Cheltenham
Trials Day offers horses an opportunity to enhance their Cheltenham Festival claims. With the card likely to provide punters with plenty of festival clues.
1:20 – Clarence House Chase (2m ½ f)
Due to have been run at Ascot last Saturday. The Grade 1 chase has been rescheduled for today and the two main protagonists. Energumene and Edwardstone both run. The pair should get a good tow into the race from the front running Editeur Du Gite who has a good record here in 2m handicap chases. Like last week I’m still with Energumene but its no betting race for me.
1:50 – Paddy Power Cheltenham Countdown Podcast Handicap Chase (2m 4 ½ f)
With £56,270 on offer to the winner its not surprising that this Premier Handicap has attracted maximum field of 17 runners.
Fugitif had Silver Hallmark 7 ½ lengths back in third when winning at Chepstow last month. The winner was hit with a 10lb rise in the weights for that win. However, he’s unexposed over this sort of trip and is going the right way. Silver Hallmark is 11lb better off with winner here so is entitled to get closer for all that Fugitif has the more upside of the pair.
Nocte Volatus was a winner three times over fences last season. The 8-year-old shaped with plenty of encouragement on his seasonal return when a 2 ¾ length 2nd of 7 at Hereford 38-days ago. Nudged up 2lb for that effort but he remains on a competitive mark and has each way claims here.
2:25 – Paddy Power Cotswold Chase (Grade 2) (3m 1 ½ f)
Just the six but an intriguing enough race. Protektorat made a winning seasonal return in the Grade 1 Betfair Chase at Haydock in November. He’s the form pick and will take the beating if in the same form as at Haydock.
Noble Yeats an impressive winner of the Grade 2 Many Clouds Chase at Aintree last month puts his Cheltenham Gold credentials on the line. Sounds Russian was a 4 ½ lengths back in fourth in the Many Clouds and has since finished runner-up in the Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase at Wetherby. More of a stamina test will suit the 8-year-old and he can’t be totally dismissed.
Dusart did well on his first season over fences winning three of his four starts including beating Sounds Russian at Ayr in April. Down the field here over hurdles on his return to action last month. Tough ask but he’s capable of better over the larger obstacles and better is expected.
3:00 – Dahlbury Stallions At Chapel Stud Cleeve Hurdle (Grade 2) (3m)
Paisley Park bids for a four timer in the race and is the one to beat after his win in the Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdle at Kempton on Boxing Day. Former Grade 1 winning novice hurdler Gelino Bello must be respected on his return to the smaller obstacles. However, the biggest rival to Paisley Park looks to be Dashel Drasher. The consistent 10-year-old was no match for Marie’s Rock in the Grade 2 to Relkeel Hurdle here (2m 4f) on New Year’s Day. However, he’s likely to give his running once more and there’s a good chance that he’ll stay today’s 3m. Especially as it seems likely that he’ll get his own way out in front here.
3:35 – Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle (Registered As The Classic Novices’ Hurdle) (Grade 2) (2m 4 ½ f)
An intriguing novice hurdle with plenty of the 11 runners open to further progress over hurdles. Pembroke heads the early bird betting. The 6-year-old made it 2-3 over hurdles when successful at Ludlow 39-days ago. He’s capable of better and looks a worthy enough market leader.
Henri The Second must give weight to all his rivals after winning a Grade 2 novice at Sandown last month. He’s another going the right way and could find further improvement for the fitting of the first time tongue tie.
Winning Irish pointer Rock My Way made an excellent hurdle debut when a 1 ¼ length 2nd of 13 over C&D 27-days ago. He shaped like a useful prospect that day and is capable of further improvement in the sphere.
Mofasa also looked a useful hurdling prospect when winning here on the other course in October (good). He ran too bad to be true when last of four at Newcastle last time. If you’re happy to forgive his latest performance. Then the 7-year-old would have each way claims.
Doncaster
3:15 – Sky Bet Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (3m)
Ga Law developed into a useful novice chaser two seasons back and returned from 603-day absence with an excellent effort when a 1 ½ length 3rd of 8 in the Old Roan Chase at Aintree. Backed up that performance next time when winning the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham 77-days ago. Must prove his stamina for 3m, should stay, and has been raised 8lb for his Cheltenham success. Good ground seems to suit and he’s the one to beat.
Tea For Free landed the four timer when winning at Newbury 28-days ago. The 8-year-old is a much improved handicap chaser and he had no problem with the drop back to an extended 2m 6f last time. Now 7lb higher but he’s going the right way and will make Ga Law pull out all the stops.
Of the rest Demachine will be better suited to a return to a flatter track and has place claims although he might be better on softer ground. Mister Coffey is another who may prefer more ease in the ground but isn’t handicapped out of this if as effective on a sound surface.
Java Point is on a fair mark and is another with each way claims. Cap Du Nord has dropped down to a winnable mark and although he was a well beaten third in last year’s renewal will like today’s better surface.
Shanty Alley has won around here in the past and was a solid ¾-length second of 13 to Grumpy Charley at Newbury last time. The 9-year-old must be respected although a 4lb rise in the weight’s makes him vulnerable to more progressive rivals.
Down at the foot of the weights Copper’s Cross is interesting on first start at 3m. The 8-year-old remains on a mark he can win off. However, his jumping will need to be better than last time. The first time cheekpieces are applied and he’s not discounted although this looks a tough race.
Betting Advice:
Cheltenham
1:50 – Fugitif – 1pt win – 4/1 @ Bet365 & Coral and Nocte Volatus – 1pt each way – 16/1 @ Bet365 (paying 5 places)
2:25 – Sounds Russian – 1pt win – 7/1 @ Bet365 & Coral and Dusart – 1pt win – 20/1 @ Paddy Power & Betfair Sportsbook
Doncaster
3:15 – Tea For Free – 1pt win – 6/1 @ Bet365 and Shanty Alley – 12/1 @ Bet365 & Coral
Cheers
John