Cheltenham is back on ITV Friday, Saturday & Sunday and despite trips to Melbourne and Churchill Downs in recent weeks I can’t wait to get back to the home of jumps racing. It’s just the best.
I’ll bring you all my hopes on each day via Paddy Power News, so make sure you keep checking back. Let’s hope I’m in good form and hammer Paddy. You hear me Paddy?
Let’s get straight into it, and the 1.50pm at Cheltenham is a handicap chase over nearly 2m. The lightly raced BUN DORAN is the one for me. Obviously he has had his issues for trainer Tom George, but he’s got good chase form at Cheltenham including a sixth in the Close Brothers at the Cheltenham Festival. Any of them could win, but he’s my choice.
The 2.25pm is an extended 2m 4f novices’ chase. MR WHIPPED was last seen being pulled up in the Albert Bartlett at the Festival last March. But he had been a very useful performer in the novice ranks before that effort for Nicky Henderson. He should get a decent gallop to run at here as he likes to come off a strong pace. Every chance of scoring on his chase debut and he has always looked a chaser in the making.
The Grand National hero Tiger Roll in the Cross Country track over an extended 3m 6f at 3.00pm. Tiger Roll will be hard to beat, but when he last met JOSIES ORDERS at Cheltenham they ran off level weights. Now my selection gets over a stone from him. Enda Bolger’s runner had a prep at Galway last month and might just be good enough to see off the favourite at a place he loves.
Finally, there’s a Grade 2 novices’ hurdle at 3.35pm. DOUBLE TREASURE stays well and has been in good form for Jamie Snowden this season. His second in the Persian War at Chepstow was a fine effort and he’s got every chance of hitting the frame. So an each-way bet at around 5-1 is advised.
So best of luck and I’ll be back soon with my hopes for Saturday. Yeeehaaa!
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