Friday 9th December 2022

Author: Jordan Yates (EvRacing_)

Welcome aboard to this Friday blog where my attention is solely on Cheltenham as it’s the opening day of the International Meeting. I’ve got three fancies to share with you and the first of these comes in the 12:40 which is a Novices’ Hurdle that’s ridden over two miles and a furlong. I like the chances of Gentle Slopes here at 5/2 for Jonathan Burke and Milton Harris. He arrives here already having two runs at Prestbury Park this season, and the most recent effort came when taking a listed bumper at the November meeting. It was an impressive display that day by the five-year-old gelding, getting up by four lengths, and despite his rivals having an experience edge over him when it comes to hurdling, I think he could prove to have a bit more class than them. (1pt – Win.)

The next race I’ll be having a play in will be the 1:50 which is a Mares Handicap Chase contested over two miles and four and a half furlongs. I’m taking a chance on Her Indoors here at 7/1 for the combination of Adrian Heskin and Alan King. She’s not been at her best lately, however, she’s a mare that has proved pretty useful in the past, with her most notable piece of form coming at this track a couple of seasons ago, where she won a Grade 3 handicap off a mark four-pounds higher than the one she’ll contest this particular assignment off. She’ll need to put her recent form behind her if she’s to win this, however, if running anywhere near to the level of that Grade 3 success, she’s got every chance of being competitive at a decent price. (0.25pts Each-Way.)

My third and final punt of the day comes in the 3:00 which is a Class 3 Handicap Hurdle that’s to be ridden over two miles and a furlong. This is extremely competitive, however, I’ve decided to side with Anyharminasking at 5/1 for Jonjo O’Neil and Jonjo Jr. He’s been slightly disappointing so far this season, having had a fairly big reputation coming into the campaign. He did show progression though last time out at Huntingdon when finishing third, following a laboured showing at Ascot on his seasonal reappearance. He’ll need to step up again here, but I think there could still be a lot more to come from him, and if progressing again he could well feature at the business end of things. (0.25pts Each-Way)