The jumps season so far has been one of my high delights and as I'm in relatively good form I just can't wait to see what this meeting will bring. This is a trials day for the Cheltenham festival and what an excellent set of races with high class thoroughbreds all looking to show that they have a chance to be a festival winner.
On with the card...
Cheltenham
1.30 2m 5f Handicap
Sue Humphrey has really come to the fore in recent months and has established a good reputation amongst the training fraternity. The horse I'm looking at here looks to be well treated, the handicap mark is fair and the in form Dougie Costello may take all the beating here. CARPINCHO is the name of the horse and looks to be good enough to take this, the ground looks ideal for this bay gelding who will enjoy the trip which I believe is the most suited for this horse. A small yard but going places, a nice each way selection to start the day.
2.05 Murphy Group Chase (handicap) 2m 5f
After quite a few years now of watching and punting on racing it becomes very easy for your judgement to be clouded somewhat. Nostalgia creeps in, an element of bias for a certain horse and jockey combo allows for the heart to rule the head. So what am I getting at? Well it's a strange one because HELLS BAY was tipped on this blogg at the start of the month,in its last two runs HELLS BAY hasn't really shown a lot,in fact it's been poor, rubbish in fact. So why tip it?
Well judging on recent form you'd have every right to think its got no chance. However, I watched it run on New Years day and witnessed a horse that jumped well, travelled well and looked to be in with a great chance. The horse was simply not fit enough, Colin Tizzard is an astute trainer and one thing I'm sure of is that he wouldn't bother entering this horse in such a competitive handicap without believing HELLS BAY has a chance. The horse is undoubtedly talented, likes it around Cheltenham, will enjoy the ground and at 14/1 is my outstanding each way bet of the day.
2.35 Argento Chase 3m 1f
Last years race was an excellent spectacle when Neptune Collognes put up a brilliant performance to and this prestigious prize. Here we have some real class acts! I've been a big fan of CAPTAIN CHRIS to date, the horse is a consistent type, looks progressive and will enjoy the ground and trip at the Cleeve Hill track. Evidence for all the above is witnessing his run in the King George on boxing day, staying on in the finish and going about his business in a no nonsense style. CAPTAIN CHRIS will put the Hobbsteam back in form and right on the stroke of the festival. Richard Johnson certainly thinks a lot of this horse and I can't think of a better jockey to be riding this very talented horse.
3.10 Cleeve Hurdle 3m
This may one day change it's name to the Big Bucks hurdle as we know just how dominating this horse has been at this track. You can make a case for Big Bucks very easily but where's the value and fun in that. I'm tipping a horse who I believe has a very bright future in the hurdling game and it maybe an each way bet but a solid one at that. DYNASTE the David Pipe trained horse will much prefer this ground than how it was in his previous run also if Tom Scudamore can set the pace then he may indeed stretch these horses who may find the run in difficult to peg DYNASTE back. I think this track will suit this progressive likeable young horse. Undoubtedly though Big Bucks will take all the beating but mistakes can happen and this could be the horse to take advantage.
Doncaster
2.50 3m Listed Handicap Chase
The handicapper seems to have the measure of these and the top weighted horses seem to have quite a bit to do. Trying to get the measure of all of them seems to have certainly failed to find its way to GALAXY ROCK. I'm happy to forgive him hs last run as it was heavy ground at Chepstow over an extended 3m and that just simply didn't suit. The champion jockey rides here again at the same track and horse he won on back in November on Paddy Power day and that's a huge positive for me. GALAXY ROCK certainly has scope for improvement and jumped like a dream at this track in November. AP do the business!
On with the card...
Cheltenham
1.30 2m 5f Handicap
Sue Humphrey has really come to the fore in recent months and has established a good reputation amongst the training fraternity. The horse I'm looking at here looks to be well treated, the handicap mark is fair and the in form Dougie Costello may take all the beating here. CARPINCHO is the name of the horse and looks to be good enough to take this, the ground looks ideal for this bay gelding who will enjoy the trip which I believe is the most suited for this horse. A small yard but going places, a nice each way selection to start the day.
2.05 Murphy Group Chase (handicap) 2m 5f
After quite a few years now of watching and punting on racing it becomes very easy for your judgement to be clouded somewhat. Nostalgia creeps in, an element of bias for a certain horse and jockey combo allows for the heart to rule the head. So what am I getting at? Well it's a strange one because HELLS BAY was tipped on this blogg at the start of the month,in its last two runs HELLS BAY hasn't really shown a lot,in fact it's been poor, rubbish in fact. So why tip it?
Well judging on recent form you'd have every right to think its got no chance. However, I watched it run on New Years day and witnessed a horse that jumped well, travelled well and looked to be in with a great chance. The horse was simply not fit enough, Colin Tizzard is an astute trainer and one thing I'm sure of is that he wouldn't bother entering this horse in such a competitive handicap without believing HELLS BAY has a chance. The horse is undoubtedly talented, likes it around Cheltenham, will enjoy the ground and at 14/1 is my outstanding each way bet of the day.
2.35 Argento Chase 3m 1f
Last years race was an excellent spectacle when Neptune Collognes put up a brilliant performance to and this prestigious prize. Here we have some real class acts! I've been a big fan of CAPTAIN CHRIS to date, the horse is a consistent type, looks progressive and will enjoy the ground and trip at the Cleeve Hill track. Evidence for all the above is witnessing his run in the King George on boxing day, staying on in the finish and going about his business in a no nonsense style. CAPTAIN CHRIS will put the Hobbsteam back in form and right on the stroke of the festival. Richard Johnson certainly thinks a lot of this horse and I can't think of a better jockey to be riding this very talented horse.
3.10 Cleeve Hurdle 3m
This may one day change it's name to the Big Bucks hurdle as we know just how dominating this horse has been at this track. You can make a case for Big Bucks very easily but where's the value and fun in that. I'm tipping a horse who I believe has a very bright future in the hurdling game and it maybe an each way bet but a solid one at that. DYNASTE the David Pipe trained horse will much prefer this ground than how it was in his previous run also if Tom Scudamore can set the pace then he may indeed stretch these horses who may find the run in difficult to peg DYNASTE back. I think this track will suit this progressive likeable young horse. Undoubtedly though Big Bucks will take all the beating but mistakes can happen and this could be the horse to take advantage.
Doncaster
2.50 3m Listed Handicap Chase
The handicapper seems to have the measure of these and the top weighted horses seem to have quite a bit to do. Trying to get the measure of all of them seems to have certainly failed to find its way to GALAXY ROCK. I'm happy to forgive him hs last run as it was heavy ground at Chepstow over an extended 3m and that just simply didn't suit. The champion jockey rides here again at the same track and horse he won on back in November on Paddy Power day and that's a huge positive for me. GALAXY ROCK certainly has scope for improvement and jumped like a dream at this track in November. AP do the business!
Comments
Post a Comment