Happy new year! and what a great way to start the year, I'll be at Cheltenham racecourse tomorrow watching some of the best jumpers out there! Back the 'Bays' read on...
Cheltenham 12.30 2m 4f Novices Hurdle
Some of these novices have showed good progression in their last few races and are on an upward trend. Others have been given a chance at a higher level but haven't quite matched it. Consequently judging on form it's hard to get away from BARBATOS this grey gelding is consistent has been placed behind the smart Fingal Bay who runs at Newbury today, judging on that run when finishing only 3 lengths behind is the pick of this bunch. Jump City finished miles behind BARBOTAS at Sandown the time before last and looks the solid bet here. Its also very important to mention that Ian Williams strike rate at the moment is nothing short of excellent. In the last 14 days his runners read Total: 20 runners, 5 wins, 3 seconds, 2 thirds. Ian Williams an astute trainer with Paddy Brennan on board who is excellent around Cheltenham has every chance.
1.05 2m 5f Chase Novices Chase
It's very hard to oppose the Paul Nicholls train SONOFVIC, this horse showed great courage, excellent jumping and speed which matched Grand Crus in the later stages of the race only to be beaten by a superior horse who will no doubt win at the festival this year. If SONOFVIC matches his last performance at the track then he will take all the beating.
Finally, I'd feel a little aggrieved if I failed to mention CHAMPION COURT this horse has progressed this season and should not be written off just yet. The step back her in trip to 2m 5f will suit this horse down to the ground, it also ran a blinder behind Grand Crus at Cheltenham back in November and could be an each way proposition here.
1.35 3m 2f Handicap Chase
After checking the card this morning Earth Planet is now a confirmed non runner. Consequently I'm going with an outsider who has the correct credentials over this trip, ground and will enjoy the track. I must say that this is this trickiest handicap to solve today. But, PROPHETE DE GUYE looks the one to be on. I'm willing to draw a line through it's last run as it was an extended trip of 3m 5f . If this horse gets into his jumping then I believe the handicapper may have let this one slip through his grasp.
Looking at the low weighted horses here as the handicapper seems to have the measure of quite a few of these. EARTH PLANET at an each way price looks the best treated here, the Paul Nicholls trained gelding is off a featherweight, will enjoy the track as his passed performances show that he is relatively consistent around the Gloucestershire track. EARTH PLANET will get the trip and is a cracking each way proposition.
2.10 2m 5f Handicap Chase
Its all about the 'bays' here and that's not the colour of the horse but the names of the horses. CALGARY BAY not a young, sprightly sort but a 9 year old who has certainly been around the block a few times. It's a perfect opportunity for this horse to take advantage of his handicap mark and on a track that see's him put his best foot forward each time. Henrietta Knight will have him ready and I can see a big run on the cards. HELLS BAYis the other, trained by Colin Tizzard who is currently in fine form who won at this meeting 12 months ago in superb style, HELLS BAY hasn't been seen much since that victory and indeed was pulled up last time out. However, if he looks well in the paddock then I certainly will have a couple each way, the blinkers this time can make all the difference.
2.45 3m Handicap Hurdle
3.20 2m 4f Hurdle Race
OSCAR WHISKEY will be the short priced favourite here and it's easy to see why. If OSCAR WHISKEY is to have any chance of winning the Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham festival then he must win here. Pougach is the only other who may steal this race from under his feet but I cant see that happening and it looks like an easy victory for the Henderson team.
Cheltenham 12.30 2m 4f Novices Hurdle
Some of these novices have showed good progression in their last few races and are on an upward trend. Others have been given a chance at a higher level but haven't quite matched it. Consequently judging on form it's hard to get away from BARBATOS this grey gelding is consistent has been placed behind the smart Fingal Bay who runs at Newbury today, judging on that run when finishing only 3 lengths behind is the pick of this bunch. Jump City finished miles behind BARBOTAS at Sandown the time before last and looks the solid bet here. Its also very important to mention that Ian Williams strike rate at the moment is nothing short of excellent. In the last 14 days his runners read Total: 20 runners, 5 wins, 3 seconds, 2 thirds. Ian Williams an astute trainer with Paddy Brennan on board who is excellent around Cheltenham has every chance.
1.05 2m 5f Chase Novices Chase
It's very hard to oppose the Paul Nicholls train SONOFVIC, this horse showed great courage, excellent jumping and speed which matched Grand Crus in the later stages of the race only to be beaten by a superior horse who will no doubt win at the festival this year. If SONOFVIC matches his last performance at the track then he will take all the beating.
Finally, I'd feel a little aggrieved if I failed to mention CHAMPION COURT this horse has progressed this season and should not be written off just yet. The step back her in trip to 2m 5f will suit this horse down to the ground, it also ran a blinder behind Grand Crus at Cheltenham back in November and could be an each way proposition here.
1.35 3m 2f Handicap Chase
After checking the card this morning Earth Planet is now a confirmed non runner. Consequently I'm going with an outsider who has the correct credentials over this trip, ground and will enjoy the track. I must say that this is this trickiest handicap to solve today. But, PROPHETE DE GUYE looks the one to be on. I'm willing to draw a line through it's last run as it was an extended trip of 3m 5f . If this horse gets into his jumping then I believe the handicapper may have let this one slip through his grasp.
2.10 2m 5f Handicap Chase
Its all about the 'bays' here and that's not the colour of the horse but the names of the horses. CALGARY BAY not a young, sprightly sort but a 9 year old who has certainly been around the block a few times. It's a perfect opportunity for this horse to take advantage of his handicap mark and on a track that see's him put his best foot forward each time. Henrietta Knight will have him ready and I can see a big run on the cards. HELLS BAYis the other, trained by Colin Tizzard who is currently in fine form who won at this meeting 12 months ago in superb style, HELLS BAY hasn't been seen much since that victory and indeed was pulled up last time out. However, if he looks well in the paddock then I certainly will have a couple each way, the blinkers this time can make all the difference.
2.45 3m Handicap Hurdle
Oscargo the likely favourite looks a nice type progressive, travels well and seems to be developing into a nice horse for Nicholl's who I understand also part owns it. However, the enigmatic TIDAL BAY does stick out from the rest here. TIDAL BAY has his quirks and is tricky to ride let alone train him but his ability cannot be ignored. Stepping back over hurdles is a huge positive in my view, I believe he's better over hurdles my only concern is he either is going to love it or hate it on his return to a race track. However when you see the form, trained originally by Howard Johnson his win in the Cleeve Hurdle back in January 2010 was sublime beating Time for Rupert and Katchit amongst others, he also ran a blinder over fences again at Cheltenham when losing to Neptune Collognes in January of this year. TIDAL BAY although top weight still has the ability to beat these and will be staying on up the hill. Every chance at an each way price.
3.20 2m 4f Hurdle Race
OSCAR WHISKEY will be the short priced favourite here and it's easy to see why. If OSCAR WHISKEY is to have any chance of winning the Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham festival then he must win here. Pougach is the only other who may steal this race from under his feet but I cant see that happening and it looks like an easy victory for the Henderson team.
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