Two days of Cheltenham coming up on ITV Friday and Saturday and let’s face it, there’s not much better out there than that! I’m lucky enough to be there both days and I can’t wait!
Let’s get straight into the action Friday, where ITV also throw in one race from Bangor, and the first the channel shows at Cheltenham is the 13:55 a mares’ handicap chase over an extended 2m 4f.
I have to be honest, this is not a sexy betting race in any way, and any number of horses could win on their best form. I’ll have a few quid eachway on Midnight Target for trainer John Groucott.
My hope is a model of consistency and has a recent Cheltenham win to her name. Her comeback run was perfectly okay.
Next up at 14:30 is a Grade 3 handicap chase over 3m 2f. Again a very tricky heat, and I’ll back Doing Fine here eachway for Neil Mulholland. He’s down the ratings and got a low weight to carry.
The problem is he’s out of form, but this is a great chance to bounce back and put in a good effort at a track he usually runs well at.
There’s another Cheltenham cross country chase over an extended 3m 6f at 15:05. French raider Amazing Comedy could be thrown in here off 128. The last time he was at Cheltenham he was off 138 and ran a great race. I’m a huge fan of Felix de Giles and he’s worth a decent bet.
Finally, a nasty handicap hurdle over nearly 3m at 15:40. I’m keeping it simply with Worthy Farm, who may well go off favourite for Paul Nicholls.
He’s lightly raced, but stays strong already and could be well in on his current mark against a lot of exposed horses.
So that’s Cheltenham, but ITV also show the 14:10 at Bangor, a handicap hurdle over about 2m7f. Kansas City Chief was down the field in the Pertemps Final at the Festival, but might be able to outclass most of this lot if not all.
Hopefully he can win for Mulholland and give him an across the card double.
So best of luck and pray for Yeeehaaas. You hear me Paddy?
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