Friday 15th November 2024
1.10 Cheltenham: Lycetts Insurance Brokers Conditional Jockeys Handicap Hurdle: Our blogs for the next three days will be solely focused on Cheltenham where it’s the November Meeting and we kick things off on Friday with the 1.10 which is a Class 3 handicap hurdle over two miles and five furlongs. I like Plaisir Des Flos here for Fergal O’Brien and Jack Hogan who takes off three pounds. He comes into the race in fantastic form having won his last five starts, all coming within handicap company. There’s some very solid form as well within those victories, and he returned to the track at Carlisle last month with a comfortable enough success. I think there could still be more to come and he can go well again here. Plaisir Des Flos – 6/1 (Each-Way)
1.45 Cheltenham: Mucking Brilliant Paddy Power Novices’ Chase: We move onto the 1.45 which is a Listed Novice Chase that’s ridden over three miles and half of a furlongs. I’ve gone with Buddy One in this particular affair for the team of Paul & Jack Gilligan. He’s the highest rated in the field here by quite a way judged off his hurdling form and I think he sets the standard on that basis. He was a comfortable winner on his chase debut at Galway last month before failing to fire in a Listed contest at Wexford last time out. He’ll return to good ground though on this occasion, with that most recent effort coming on soft going and I think he can bounce back here. Buddy One – 7/2 (Win)
2.20 Cheltenham: Shloer Chase: The third race of the afternoon is the Grade 2 Shloer Chase which is contested over a distance of two miles. Jonbon will be all the rage here, which is reflected in his extremely short price. He’ll obviously be tough to beat, however, I’m going to try and get him beat and I’m doing that with the outsider of the field in Unexpected Party for Dan & Harry Skelton. He won at the Festival here last March when taking the Grand Annual and will have race fitness on his side here having already had two runs this term, the first of which being in the Old Roan and most recently at Carlisle when finishing a length second to Nells Son only four days ago. He’s clearly come out of that race in good form and I’ll chance him to spring a surprise. Unexpected Party – 25/1 (Win)
2.55 Cheltenham: Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase: Next up is the 2.55 which is the Cross Country handicap chase that’s contested over three miles and five and a half furlongs. I’m taking a chance on Busselton here for Joseph O’Brien and Richie Deegan. He’s a classy sort on his day and has some very smart form to his name, albeit not so much as of late. That being said, he won the Kerry National off just a pound lower than his current mark and certainly has enough ability to get involved here, if he takes to the course. I think that he can make his presence felt at what’s a decent price of 7/1. Busselton – 7/1 (Each-Way)
3.30 Cheltenham: Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle: The penultimate race on Friday is the Grade 2 Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle over two miles and five furlongs. I’m with Potters Charm here for Nigel & Sam Twiston-Davies in what looks like a battle with Valgrand. Both were very impressive at the October meeting, however, I think that the Twiston-Davies could prove to be the one that has the most potential. He’s very highly regarded by connections and has won both starts over hurdles to date in comfortable fashion. He’s the one that they have to beat for me. Potters Charm – 11/10 (Win) (NAP)
4.00 Cheltenham: Valda Energy Novices’ Handicap Hurdle: Signing us off for the day will be the 4.00 which is a Class 3 handicap hurdle that’s ridden over two miles and half of a furlong. I’ve come down on Letterston Lily here for the Bowen trio of Peter, Michael, and jockey Sean. She was last seen when finishing fourth of thirteen and just shy of four lengths behind the winner, in a similar contest here at the October Meeting. She remains on the same mark here and there could well be more to come, I think that she can go well at a decent price in what’s an open affair. Letterston Lily – 8/1 (Each-Way)
