Friday 25th October 2024
1.15 Cheltenham: Foundation Developments Handicap Hurdle: Welcome aboard to my preview for the Showcase Meeting at Cheltenham and kicking things off will be the 1.15 which is a Class 4 handicap hurdle over two miles and four furlongs. I’ve taken a chance on Anyharminasking here for the team of Jonjo O’Neil and Jonjo Jr. He contested some competitive events last year and has proved that he can go well fresh when finishing second to Nemean Lion at Ffos Las on his first run of last season. He’ll contest this off just a pound higher than that effort and I think he can go well. Anyharminasking – 13/2 (Each-Way) (5 places – Sky Bet)
1.50: Cheltenham: William Hill Top Price Guarantee Novices’ Chase: Next up is the 1.50 which is a Class 2 novice chase that’s contested over two miles. It’s hard to get away from Path d’Oroux in this for Gavin Cromwell and Keith Donoghue. He has the best form on offer here having placed in competitive handicaps at both Cheltenham and Aintree festivals in the spring, and despite not getting his preferred soft ground here he should still have a bit too much class. The yard have excelled here at the autumn and winter meetings in recent years and it would be disappointing should this not be another winner for them. Path d’Oroux – 11/10 (Win) (NAP)
2.25 Cheltenham: squareintheair.com Handicap Chase: Moving onto the 2.25 now which is Class 2 handicap chase action over two miles. I’ve come down on Calico in this for the team of Dan and Harry Skelton. He’s another who’s got some solid form in competitive company and I think he looks reasonably treated to go well in this. He’ll contest this particular affair off a pound lower than when finishing three-quarters of a length second to Triple Trade here at the November Meeting last year. If getting a clear round he’s got every chance of going close. Calico – 11/2 (Each-Way)
3.00 Cheltenham: Sky Bet Novices’ Hurdle: The feature race of the day comes up at 3.00 and this is the Grade 2 Sky Bet Novices’ Hurdle over two miles and half of a furlong. Gale Mahler will be a warm order on the back of his impressive winning streak, and he’ll likely be hard to beat. However, I have tried to take him on though, and I’ve done that with Valgrand who’s another for Dan & Harry Skelton. He’s won both of his starts over hurdles and looked to have considerable potential when finishing fourth in a Grade 2 Aintree bumper and second to the smart The Kemble Brewery at this meeting last year. I think he could be smart, and he looks a very solid each-way play against the favourite. Valgrand – 5/1 (Each-Way)
3.35 Cheltenham: Glenfarclas Amateur Jockeys’ Handicap Chase: It’s back into handicap company at 3.35 with a Class 3 handicap chase for amateur riders over three miles and a furlong. This is extremely competitive, however, I’ve come down on the 2021 winner of the race Strictlyadancer who represents the team of Christian Williams and Edward Vaughan, who takes off seven pounds. His better days are probably behind now as he’s a ten-year-old, however, with today’s rider’s seven-pound claim coming off I think he looks feasibly treated. He should also build on his fourth behind Copperhead in the Veterean’s event at Chepstow earlier this month and can run a good race here. Strictlyadancer – 6/1 (Each-Way) (6 places – Sky Bet)
4.10 Cheltenham: Alastair Down Press Room Novices’ Hurdle: The penultimate race of the day comes up at 4.10 and is a Class 2 novices hurdle over two miles and four furlongs. This can go to Potters Charm who currently heads the betting for Nigel & Sam Twiston-Davies. He looks a potentially exciting recruit having won on his hurdling debut last month at Worcester by three and a half lengths, which followed an eleven-length success in a Ffos Las bumper back in March. The yard are currently firing on all cylinders and I think that there is every chance of them adding another winner to their tally here. Potters Charm – 7/4 (Win) (NB)
4.45 Cheltenham: Abu Dhabi Digital Markets Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle: Signing us off for the afternoon will be the 4.45 which is a Class 3 handicap hurdle for conditional jockeys over two miles and half of a furlong. I’ve gone with Aucunrisque here for the team of Chris & Freddie Gordon. He’s a Grade 3 winner over hurdles and looks well treated here off his old form. He returned to the track with a solid third-placed effort at Plumpton last month and should build on that effort here off the same mark. Aucunrisque – 11/2 (Each-Way) (4 place firms)
