Saturday 28th October 2023
Author: Jordan Yates (EvRacing_)
Welcome aboard to this week’s Saturday Preview where the focus is on Cheltenham where it’s the second day of the Showcase Meeting. I’ll be previewing the full-card throughout the afternoon, so as ever, if you are punting, make sure to do so in a responsible manner.
1.15: Epic Value At William Hill Handicap Chase: The opener on Saturday is the 1:15 and in this handicap chase over two miles I’m taking a chance on Before Midnight who’s come in for some market support to be around a 5/1 chance. He made an encouraging reappearance return to the track at Chepstow last month, and if he builds on that here he’s currently on a mark which is lower than what he’s been competitive off in the past. Before Midnight – 5/1 (Each-Way)
1.50: Masterson Holdings Hurdle: Next up it’s hurdling action over two miles and half of a furlong and I think that this can go to the current market leader Blueking D’Oroux for Paul Nicholls and Harry Cobden. He’s quite a way clear of his rivals on ratings in this particular assignment, and this is a result of the solid form he showed in competitive handicaps at the backend of last season. I think he’s a massive player. Blueking D’Oroux – 6/4 (Win)
2.25: Epic Jumps Season At William Hill Handicap Chase:Ā The 2:25 is a handicap chase that is contested over three miles and a furlong and it’s last year’s winner of the race I like here in Lord Accord, who’s another who’s been well-backed over the last day or so. He arrives here just a pound higher than his success in the race last year and his spin around Warwick last month should’ve blown the cobwebs away, setting him up perfectly for another stab at this. Lord Accord – 4/1 (Win)
3.00: Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle:Ā It’s more competitive handicap action at 3:00 and I’m being a bit unoriginal again with my selection and that’s Bugs Moran for Noel Meade and Keith Donoghue, who had a fine day here on Friday. I’ve gone through the field here and a lot of them have questions hanging over them, or their form just doesn’t look that good whereas Noel Meade’s charge looks solid. He’s gone close on his last two outings in competitive handicaps in Ireland, and I think he’s the one to beat. Bugs Moran – 13/2 (Each-Way)
3.35: William Hill Epic Weekend Free Bet Novices’ Hurdle:Ā We have novice action at 3:35 and a field of potentially smart novices set to go to post, in which I like the chances of Butch for Olly Murphy and Sean Bowen. He’s got a penalty here which isn’t ideal, however, he’s very highly regarded and has already shown smart form on the track, most notably when bolting by thirteen lengths last time out at Southwell last week. I think he’s got a fair bit of talent in his locker and can go very well here. Butch – 5/1 (Win)
4.10: William Hill Lengthen Your Odds Novices’ Chase: It’s another novice event at 4.10 this time for the chasers and I think that this can to the form Stayers Hurdle champion Flooring Porter who currently heads the betting at the 8/11 mark. His peak years over hurdles are probably behind him now, but he still ran very solid races last year prior to his final outing in France, and even if he isn’t as impressive over the larger obstacles he’s so far clear on ratings here it’s hard to see past him. Flooring Porter – 8/11 (Win)
4.45: Cheltenham & South West Racing Club Open National Hunt Flat Race: The concluding race of the meeting comes up at 4:45 and it’s a bumper over two miles and half of a furlong. I’ve taken a chance on Soir De Gala who’s currently trading at a best price of 10/1 for Paul Nicholls and Harry Cobden. He was third on his racecourse debut and the form has since been boosted, he went off favourite that day which suggests he’s well thought of and he’s had wind surgery since, he’ll do for me at the prices. Soir De Gala – 10/1 (Each-Way)
