12:45 – Cheltenham
The Worlds End would look like the bet in the race, we’re 11/8 on him. He was disappointing last time behind the reopposing Ibis Du Rheu though is 8lbs better off than that rival here and has a class edge at his best over this field.
13:20 – Cheltenham
Very competitive race though we thought Highest Sun ran a cracking race on stable debut in what looked a very hot Ascot novice hurdle and the handicapper hasn’t been overly harsh on him. He will need to improve though given that was his first run, and the fact he hung badly left throughout the race, he looks sure to improve plenty for that run which could see him going close here. We make him a 5/1 shot.
GOWRAN PARK SAT 26 NOVEMBER 2016 PICTURE: CAROLINE NORRIS
THE BAY BIRCH RIDDEN BY GER FOX
13:55 – Cheltenham
We quite like The Bay Birch who returned to form with a cracking run at Newbury recently, in what was a much deeper race than this. She has form at the track on similar ground (although admittedly may prefer softer) and she’s on a good mark so looks a fair bet. She’s 5/1 currently for us.
14:30 – Cheltenham
We like two here in Theatre Territory and Kerrow. Theatre Territory is favourite, though deserves to be after running a cracker in a good novice race last time when up against it on ratings. She looks really well treated off 132 here with Sam Waley Cohen taking off an additional 3lbs at 5/2.
Kerrow on the other hand is lightly raced and would probably have won on his return from a massive absence last time had he not fallen late in the race. He still looks well treated and could be the each-way play in the race at 13/2.
Theatre Territory (Sam Waley-Cohen) leads the field in the mares handicap chase
Cheltenham 15.12.17 Pic: Edward Whitaker
15:05 – Cheltenham
We’re quite sweet on the French horse here, Amazing Comedy, who could be a bit of a handicap blot having been given a mark of 128 for this by the handicapper. He’s been in excellent form in France of late, winning his last run by 18 lengths while he also has experience of this course having run a cracker in the 2017 renewal at the festival to be fifth (off level weights with the likes of Cause Of Causes) having looked the winner turning for home. He’s rated a 10/3 shot with us.
15:40 – Cheltenham
We like Sizing Granite here, who could potentially be very well treated off a mark of 133. A quick scan of his form would not make you think he has much of a chance, but he’s been up against it on his last few starts in either graded chases or handicaps over two miles on speed tracks. He steps up to three miles for the first time since running an excellent sixth in the Punchestown Gold Cup at the end of last season and gets in here off his hurdles mark of 133 (17lbs lower than his chase mark).
He looks to have everything in his favour with his course form the only slight worry, though again those runs tended to be in races he was out of his depth. He’s 8/1.
PaddyPower.com has all the odds you need for Cheltenham