Cheltenham is back and what could be better?
The second day isn’t as an attractive card as Friday’s, but there’s still a few fancies I have for Saturday’s card.
13:10 – William Hill Each Way Extra Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (Class 3) (4yo+) 2m4f
A tricky 14-runner handicap to kick things off, with plenty of question marks among the field, but I’m siding with MAJOR FORTUNE for the Skelton team.
There’s a sense of unfinished business with this horse, who’s still seeking his first win over fences. His mark has been fairly steady, fluctuating between 121 and 123, and he now drops to 120 (10-9) — which could be just the opportunity he needs to get his head in front.
This trip should suit perfectly. We know he stays further, having finished a close second to Mahons Glory (now rated 135), beaten less than a length, so that form line looks strong. He couldn’t quite build on that in his next two chase starts, but at the current prices, I’m happy to give him another chance to deliver on that earlier promise.
Selection: MAJOR FORTUNE 7/1
13:45 – Play William Hill’s Final One Standing Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 2) (4yo+) 3m
Rebecca Curtis has spoken very positively about INISHCORKER, and it’s telling that she chooses to make his rules debut in this contest rather than opting for an easier introduction. That alone may speak volumes about the regard in which he’s held at home.
Sean Bowen takes the ride, and he’s in excellent form at present. His partnership with Curtis has produced some notable results in the past, which only adds to the appeal.
With early whispers linking INISHCORKER to the Albert Bartlett, expectations clearly run high, even before he’s set foot on a racecourse. Given that level of confidence, he looks worth an each-way play on debut at 11/1 with four places available.
Selection: INISHCORKER – 11/1 EW (4 places)
14:20 – William Hill Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (Class 2) (4yo+) 3m1f
I’m really excited for this race as I think HYLAND has a cracking chance to get back to winning ways.
He’s two from two when fresh at this meeting, clearly thriving at this track and time of year. He’ll want the conditions on the quicker side of Good to Soft, but the forecast suggests he’ll get that, which is a big positive.
Hyland started last season novice chasing and looked hugely progressive. His form stacks up very well — he bolted up by 15 lengths over Transmission here and then beat Resplendent Grey, who went on to land the Bet365 Gold Cup, despite giving that rival weight.
He then ran a stormer when second to The Jukebox Man in the Kauto Star Chase, the latter being ante-post favourite for the Brown Advisory before injury intervened. That’s top-class form in the book.
His run at Kempton can be forgiven — the ground turned against him when Katate Dori won impressively — and he never looked comfortable throughout.
If his National effort hasn’t left a mark and the ground comes right, he’s very well treated off 147 and could make a bold statement to kickstart his campaign. I’ll be playing each-way with 5 places on offer.
Selection: HYLAND 15/2 EW (5 places)
14:55 – Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle (Pertemps Hurdle Series Qualifier) (GBB Race) (Class 2) (4yo+) 3m
You can make a case for plenty in this competitive contest, and the favourite Long Draw is probably the right market leader. It’s hard to oppose the red-hot Sean Bowen–Olly Murphy combination on current form — but I’m happy to take them on here with MA SHANTOU.
He looks well treated off a mark of 129, and his trainer Emma Lavelle is flying at the moment with a 43% strike rate, which is a big confidence boost. The gelding remains unexposed at this trip, and there’s a good chance we’ve not yet seen the best of him over staying distances.
There’s substance to his form too. On his first try over 3m½f, he finished third behind Yellow Car, who has since been raised to 143 and finished fourth in the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham. MA SHANTOU was well beaten when re-opposing next time, but that run is easy to forgive — conditions didn’t suit, and he’s now been eased a pound by the handicapper.
If he can reproduce or improve upon that earlier effort, he should be right in the mix, especially with five or six places on offer each-way.
Selection: MA SHANTOU 15/2 EW (5 places)
