Just the eight meetings on in the UK and Ireland today to kick off the new year, with an excellent card at Cheltenham being the feature. Here’s where our heads are at on all the big races:
13:25 Cheltenham (Dipper Novice Chase)
The one we like at the prices is Lostintranslation who’s form with La Bague Au Roi now looks quite strong after what she did at Kempton. He would’ve gotten close to her again on his last start but for a bad mistake at the second last, though in general he jumps quite well, which should stand him in good stead for today.
Black Op was disappointing last time, Defi Du Seuil has a penalty and On the Blind Side is having his first run, so it looks a very winnable race. The 11/4 looks a fair price for him.
14:00 Cheltenham
We quite like two here in Aso for the in-form Venetia Williams and Give Me A Copper for Paul Nicholls. The latter is highly thought of and could be very well treated off a mark of 145 in a race where not many seem to have too much in hand. He’s coming off a long absence, though is likely to be fairly forward and he looks worth chancing at the 5/1.
15:10 Cheltenham
Wholestone looks a very solid favourite in a weak race here and looks worth backing at the 11/10. He won this last year off a similar prep and has an excellent record at the track so looks sure to go close with holes in most of his opposition.
13:40 Musselburgh
We really like the favourite Forth Bridge here for Charlie Longsdon. He’s two from three at the track (a short head second in defeat on other occasion) and he looks to have been targeted at this meeting, having been second on this card last year.
14:15 Musselburgh
We think Normal Norman is interesting for another in form trainer in John Ryan. He still looks very unexposed off a mark of 120 after an eye-catching run at Cheltenham last time and this speed track promises to suit a lot better. He’s 15/2 and we think he’s worth an each way shout.
Traders’ Selections:
13.25 Cheltenham – Lostintranslation @ 11/4
14.00 Cheltenham – Give Me a Copper @ 5/1
15.10 Cheltenham – Wholestone @ 11/10
13.40 Musselburgh – Forth Bridge @ 5/2
14.15 Musselburgh – Norman Norman @ 15/2
*All prices correct at time of posting
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