A quality Saturday of action on ITV with top-class jumping at Cheltenham and decent Flat events at Lingfield. A good time to take some cash off Paddy. You hear me Paddy?
Let’s go jumping straight away, and the 1.50pm at Cheltenham is a Grade 3 handicap chase over an extended 3m 3f. Stamina is everything. Conditions are perfect for last year’s runner-up VICENTE to run huge for Paul Nicholls. He’s well handicapped now off 149, just 3lb higher then when landing the Scottish National in 2017. The good ground is right up his street. A great each-way chance in a race where Paddy is paying the first five home.
Next up is the big betting race of the day, the Grade 3 Gold Cup Handicap Chase over an extended 2m 4f at 2.25pm. No doubt King’s Socks is a fascinating runner here and I’ll have a few quid on each-way as Paddy’s paying 7 places but beware of the non runners now!
But my main selection is MISTER WHITAKER, who loves this track and is improving fast. He proved he’s fit and well at Carlisle first time up and he can confirm Festival form with Rather Be. Good luck to Mick Channon.
There’s a handicap hurdle with Listed status over nearly 3m at 3.00pm. One or two in here with stamina doubts, but not the old boy ANTEROS who has a great each-way chance for Sophie Leech at decent odds. This horse stays strong and loves the track. He’s old, but can still run a big one.
Finally at Cheltenham the 3.30pm is a handicap hurdle over 2m 5f. CHRISTMAS IN APRIL ran well at this track in October and is another with good claims of hitting the frame at the very least. He’s clearly fit and well for Colin Tizzard.
Meanwhile on the Flat, look out for the Listed Churchill Stakes over 1m 2f at Lingfield at 2.45pm. Addeybb is easily the class act in the race, although he likes soft ground and this won’t be that. For that reason I would rather bet course specialist MASTER THE WORLD each-way for Sean Levey and David Elsworth. He won the event last year and will be finishing strongly.
And also at Lingfield is the Listed Golden Rose Stakes over 6f at 3.15pm. This is a tough heat, but I’ll have a few quid on INTISAAB from a good draw for David O’Meara. He won well in Ireland last time and has every chance at the weights.
So best of luck and hope for Yeeehaaas. You hear me Paddy?
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