Mick Fitzgerald: I’m keeping faith with this 4/1 Saint at Cheltenham on Saturday

Saint Calvados has won on his seasonal bow for the last three seasons. Just sayin'.

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The second day of the October meeting in the Cotswolds where we’ve some old favourites on show and potential stars lurking in the novice races.

Cheltenham 2pm

Nigel Twiston-Davies’ Cogry is fav and you can see why. Narrowly pipped in this contest last year off a 4lb lower mark, he made no mistake when winning at this track in December off this rating. West Approach is a live each-way selection for me as he was ridden too aggressively in this contest last year.

He has a good record when fresh and I can see jockey Robbie Power steering him into the places at least.

Cheltenham 2.35pm

I was at Chepstow a fortnight ago when Torpillo won carrying top weight in soft ground. He looked a monster that day as he did when winning his first two starts last year.

He will take some stopping.

Paul Nicholls’ Quel Destin looked good last year but did get beaten at short odds on the flat at Bath.

Measureofmydreams-(right)-Cheltenham

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Cheltenham 3.10pm

This is a decent race and Saint Calvados is the choice. I think this horse is a stand-out selection after some really good runs last season. He has a really good record fresh as he showed when winning on his seasonal debut at Naas last year, the third time on the trot he has won on his seasonal bow.

Brelan D’As will love the way this race will be run as the faster they go – the better. My  worry for him is that there is too many front runners and they could burn each other out too early.

Cheltenham 3.45pm

It could be a big day for trainer Harry Whittington and jockey Gavin Sheehan as their Captain Tommy looks a leading player in the 3m handicap hurdle in what is a tough race to call. He was beaten when expected to score at Perth last April – but the the form of that race has worked out well.

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Cheltenham 4.20pm

A slightly disappointing turnout for this, but Irish trainer Denis Hogan won’t mind as his Macgiloney is the selection. There’s lots of chasers running over hurdles in this contest, but I’ll stick with the six-year-old to bounce back from a poor run at Gowran Park last time behind Eight and Bob.

Cheltenham 4.55pm

I saw Pym schooling recently at Nicky Henderson’s Seven Barrows yard and he was very natural over fences. He will give the Paul Nicholls’ runner likely favourite Secret Investor plenty to think about, even if the fav should prove hard to beat.

*Prices correct at time of publication

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