Although the weather is pretty dismal the racing at Cheltenham is far from that. Day two kicks off with what could be described as being a little more competitive. The ground will still be riding on the heavy/soft side and on today's reckoning a solid galloper who enjoys the track on this kind of surface in crucial in your selection process.
On with the card...
12.10pm JCB Triumph Hurdle Trial 2m 1f
Although only theee go to post here it's still interesting non the less. Far West is the obvious pick and sets the standard here, he's already beaten Handazen, Dovils Date and Mr Lando. He's now up against them again and is sure to put in another excellent performance but at 1/3 on presently is it worthwhile and what if some of these have progressed a little. The one I'm looking at here is MR LANDO, the reasons are as follows. Firstly, this can be said about all the runners but who is going to show the most progression and MR LANDO could fit the bill, I liked the way he was travelling last time out and was looking the lightly winner but was beaten by a stronger stayer over the extended two miles. Another big plus is the ground, he's got form on heavy ground over in Ireland. I really believe he's gonna come on again for his last run. It is a tough ask because of Nicholls and King having runners in this race but the Charlie Longsden horse is rated 118 8lbs higher than my selection but has ran in similar races, his price is currently 10/1 whereas MR LANDO currently 50/1 so I see him as the value pick and is certainly not out of this on ground which could certainly level this race up.
12.45pm Novices Chase 3m 1f 110y
Our Father trained by the David Pipe team is the short price favourite here as he led an absolute procession winning by 20 lengths at this track back in November. He's promised much that horse and certainly showed his class over the three mile trip and one who certainly could go in again. However, this is a tougher race not least because he's gone up in the handicap by a further 6lb but also the weight he's giving away to his rivals. That's why I'm siding with the progressive HIGHLAND LODGE, this horse trained by Emma Lavelle has progressed well this season, the form which I like are his last two runs, he rallied to keep third in the closing stages over this trip at Newbury and well extremely well at Towester. He's an out an out galloper and stayer, the ground seems to suit and he'll be staying up the Cheltenham hill in the finish. The other big positive is the jockey booking Barry Geraghty, he'll be relishing this opportunity and is without question a winning partnership.
1.20pm Handicap Chase 2m 110y
David Pipe may find himself with a few winners today as Our Father in the previous race has an excellent chance and I'm siding with the Somerset trainer. HIS EXCELLENCY comes here off the back of a freshen up run when losing by 36 lengths to Sprinter Sacre. Nobody will be critical of that run so I'm delving into the form book, he seems to enjoy Cheltenham when winning last time at the track off a mark of 142 which puts him in with a real shout here. HIS EXCELLENCY maybe a little quirkier over his jumps at times and isn't always willing to give it his all throughout a race. However, the big plus is AP McCoy on board, this jockey can certainly bring the best out of this difficult type. An nice each way proposition.
1.55pm Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle 3m Class
I wouldnt put anyone off backing an up and coming novice here, the likes of Coneygree and Boyfromnowhere both look to be progressing in the right direction over hurdles but I still cant get away from AERIAL, this Paul Nicholls trained Turgeon gelding looks the pick on his chasing form. AERIAL reverts to hurdles for the first time in a very competitive handicap but I'm sure his chasing form will hold up well over the smaller obstacles and Paul Nicholls is a genius at knowing his horses. AERIAL may well have a season based around this race and if he's fluid and gallops throughout then for me he is the one to beat. His highest rated win over fences was 149 back in March of this year over the 20 furlong trip, he'll need to go on an extra four furnlongs and he does have winning form on a soft surface.He finished 4th in the Paddy Power last year at the track and finished a close second when carrying top weight in a 2m 5f chase at the track back in April on good to soft ground. AERIAL is also lighter here then some of his rivals and with Ruby Walsh on board who has won twice on him, he must have a great chance.
2.30pm Challenge Gold Cup 2m 5f (Grade 3 Handicap Chase)
Quite a few non runners here and I'm disappointed that Wishful Thinking has been confirmed as a non runner. However, we still have a very competitive field and this looks like its going to be a slogg. A horse with potential, who wont mind the heavy going, a solid jumper and a traveller needs to be the pick here and I've found one that fits the bill. CRISTAL BONUS again hailing from the Nicholls yard looks to of progressed again this year, I was very taken by his excellent run first time out this season at Down Royal over the 2m 4f trip. He was always prominent that day, jumped terrifically, travelled strongly and won on the bridle. Of course it goes with out saying that this is a tougher assignment but I still believe he's well in here on ratings, for that victory he's gone up 5lbs but that's not gonna hinder him, I see him as a 160 plus horse anyway. CRISTAL BONUS will be fine in the ground and is definitely the less exposed, progressive type that can land this prize.
I'm also intrigued to back another horse here, only a couple of quid each way but I'm still fascinated by HELL'S BAY trained now by Kieran Burke and his first start for the yard looked more like a fitness exercise than a real sharpner and I wasnt totally convinced by his jumping. However, he has won at Cheltenham over this trip beating Medermit in a novices chase. For me, I still think he has ability and at 40/1 carrying a low weight with the claimer Gavin Sheehan on board I just couldnt resist. I've actually met Gavin at Charlie Mann's yard back in May of this year when on a tour of the yard. Charlie mentioned the potential this young jockey has and he's ridden 13 winners this season and I a big high profile race like this he'll certainly wanna show his class. It's one of those when you just have a feeling! HELL'S BAY could sneak in the frame here if at his best.
3.05pm International Hurdle (Grade 2) 2m 1f
ZARKANDAR can finish off the day for Paul Nicholls in style. All last year he struggled with a cough and the performances were a miss. The trainer get's very excited when talking about this horse and I can see a twinkle in his eye. ZARKANDAR made a very impressive return to hurdles when winning at Wincanton last time out in a very battle hardened style.He has course and distance form like a few of these but with him being match fit then another win is well within his grasp. The extra 4lbs he claims from the other two who are prevalent in the market could make all the difference on this testing ground.
Good Luck...
On with the card...
12.10pm JCB Triumph Hurdle Trial 2m 1f
Although only theee go to post here it's still interesting non the less. Far West is the obvious pick and sets the standard here, he's already beaten Handazen, Dovils Date and Mr Lando. He's now up against them again and is sure to put in another excellent performance but at 1/3 on presently is it worthwhile and what if some of these have progressed a little. The one I'm looking at here is MR LANDO, the reasons are as follows. Firstly, this can be said about all the runners but who is going to show the most progression and MR LANDO could fit the bill, I liked the way he was travelling last time out and was looking the lightly winner but was beaten by a stronger stayer over the extended two miles. Another big plus is the ground, he's got form on heavy ground over in Ireland. I really believe he's gonna come on again for his last run. It is a tough ask because of Nicholls and King having runners in this race but the Charlie Longsden horse is rated 118 8lbs higher than my selection but has ran in similar races, his price is currently 10/1 whereas MR LANDO currently 50/1 so I see him as the value pick and is certainly not out of this on ground which could certainly level this race up.
12.45pm Novices Chase 3m 1f 110y
Our Father trained by the David Pipe team is the short price favourite here as he led an absolute procession winning by 20 lengths at this track back in November. He's promised much that horse and certainly showed his class over the three mile trip and one who certainly could go in again. However, this is a tougher race not least because he's gone up in the handicap by a further 6lb but also the weight he's giving away to his rivals. That's why I'm siding with the progressive HIGHLAND LODGE, this horse trained by Emma Lavelle has progressed well this season, the form which I like are his last two runs, he rallied to keep third in the closing stages over this trip at Newbury and well extremely well at Towester. He's an out an out galloper and stayer, the ground seems to suit and he'll be staying up the Cheltenham hill in the finish. The other big positive is the jockey booking Barry Geraghty, he'll be relishing this opportunity and is without question a winning partnership.
1.20pm Handicap Chase 2m 110y
David Pipe may find himself with a few winners today as Our Father in the previous race has an excellent chance and I'm siding with the Somerset trainer. HIS EXCELLENCY comes here off the back of a freshen up run when losing by 36 lengths to Sprinter Sacre. Nobody will be critical of that run so I'm delving into the form book, he seems to enjoy Cheltenham when winning last time at the track off a mark of 142 which puts him in with a real shout here. HIS EXCELLENCY maybe a little quirkier over his jumps at times and isn't always willing to give it his all throughout a race. However, the big plus is AP McCoy on board, this jockey can certainly bring the best out of this difficult type. An nice each way proposition.
1.55pm Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle 3m Class
I wouldnt put anyone off backing an up and coming novice here, the likes of Coneygree and Boyfromnowhere both look to be progressing in the right direction over hurdles but I still cant get away from AERIAL, this Paul Nicholls trained Turgeon gelding looks the pick on his chasing form. AERIAL reverts to hurdles for the first time in a very competitive handicap but I'm sure his chasing form will hold up well over the smaller obstacles and Paul Nicholls is a genius at knowing his horses. AERIAL may well have a season based around this race and if he's fluid and gallops throughout then for me he is the one to beat. His highest rated win over fences was 149 back in March of this year over the 20 furlong trip, he'll need to go on an extra four furnlongs and he does have winning form on a soft surface.He finished 4th in the Paddy Power last year at the track and finished a close second when carrying top weight in a 2m 5f chase at the track back in April on good to soft ground. AERIAL is also lighter here then some of his rivals and with Ruby Walsh on board who has won twice on him, he must have a great chance.
2.30pm Challenge Gold Cup 2m 5f (Grade 3 Handicap Chase)
Quite a few non runners here and I'm disappointed that Wishful Thinking has been confirmed as a non runner. However, we still have a very competitive field and this looks like its going to be a slogg. A horse with potential, who wont mind the heavy going, a solid jumper and a traveller needs to be the pick here and I've found one that fits the bill. CRISTAL BONUS again hailing from the Nicholls yard looks to of progressed again this year, I was very taken by his excellent run first time out this season at Down Royal over the 2m 4f trip. He was always prominent that day, jumped terrifically, travelled strongly and won on the bridle. Of course it goes with out saying that this is a tougher assignment but I still believe he's well in here on ratings, for that victory he's gone up 5lbs but that's not gonna hinder him, I see him as a 160 plus horse anyway. CRISTAL BONUS will be fine in the ground and is definitely the less exposed, progressive type that can land this prize.
I'm also intrigued to back another horse here, only a couple of quid each way but I'm still fascinated by HELL'S BAY trained now by Kieran Burke and his first start for the yard looked more like a fitness exercise than a real sharpner and I wasnt totally convinced by his jumping. However, he has won at Cheltenham over this trip beating Medermit in a novices chase. For me, I still think he has ability and at 40/1 carrying a low weight with the claimer Gavin Sheehan on board I just couldnt resist. I've actually met Gavin at Charlie Mann's yard back in May of this year when on a tour of the yard. Charlie mentioned the potential this young jockey has and he's ridden 13 winners this season and I a big high profile race like this he'll certainly wanna show his class. It's one of those when you just have a feeling! HELL'S BAY could sneak in the frame here if at his best.
3.05pm International Hurdle (Grade 2) 2m 1f
ZARKANDAR can finish off the day for Paul Nicholls in style. All last year he struggled with a cough and the performances were a miss. The trainer get's very excited when talking about this horse and I can see a twinkle in his eye. ZARKANDAR made a very impressive return to hurdles when winning at Wincanton last time out in a very battle hardened style.He has course and distance form like a few of these but with him being match fit then another win is well within his grasp. The extra 4lbs he claims from the other two who are prevalent in the market could make all the difference on this testing ground.
Good Luck...
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