Cheltenham was a real helter-skelter for me, but whatever you like or dislike about the meeting as a punter it does offer you tremendous value if you are a seeker of that kind, cue Lisnegar Oscar, who should never have been a 50/1 shot in the Paddy Power Stayers Hurdle on his Cleeve Hurdle form.
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So we are back to basics for Saturday apart of course for the Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter at where there is a massively unbalanced look to this feature with the Ladbrokes Trophy Chase winner, De Rasher Counter (5/1) at the head of the weights off a mark of 154, having won the Hennessy off 144.
What struck me about that run was that he was seemingly coming to the end of his tether that day after travelling really well until let down two out.
So I really don’t think that he is crying out for a bottomless stamina test of this nature and he has to give 13lbs and upwards away to his 14 rivals.
The pick could well be PRIME VENTURE (10/1) who has finally been given a chance by the handicapper after finishing fourth in the 2019 renewal off a mark of 139, but having lost a shoe in the process.
Since then he has finished fourth in the Coral Welsh National off 135 and is set to run off the same mark here so his chance is there for all to see here.
The chief supporting race is the Burton Union Handicap Hurdle at 3.00 with several of these reverting to timber after disappointing over fences this term.
Harry Whittingham deservedly had a Cheltenham Festival winner and can strike again here with the outsider KHAGE who is much better than he has shown so far this term and will relish the bottomless conditions.
Later on, GRAND TURNINA can strike for Venetia Williams in the 4.45. Another huge mud lover this son of Kayf Tara remains unexposed even at the age of nine and this mare can give the weight away to the likes of Absolutely Dylan and Pembroke House.
The Grade Three EBF Paddy Power National Hunt Novices Handicap Hurdle Final has been saved from Sandown Park and will be run at Kempton Park 2.05.
But this will provide a totally different test to the one at the Esher course being a sharper course and also set to be run on slightly quicker ground although showers are forecast.
McFabulous is of interest from the in-form Paul Nicholls yard having finally got his act together when easing home by three and three-quarter lengths at Market Rasen. However, he will need to step up markedly again off a mark of 132.
But the one that interests me most of all is the Fergal O’Brien trained HURRICANE HARVEY. The five-year-old impressed with both his slick jumping and cracking attitude when getting up on the run-in at Wincanton to see off Southfield Harvest by a length and a half.
Wolverhampton stages a card under the lights from 5.25 and STREET POET has an excellent chance of bouncing back to winning form in the opening nine and a half furlong handicap.
The seven-year-old served notice that his turn was just around the corner when finding seven furlongs too short at the Dunstall Park track earlier this month.
Even though he has been raised to 63 here that still leaves him nicely treated on his bets form and the top weight gets the vote over the likes of fellow course and distance winner Red Gunner and Perfect Soldier.
Later on, I fancy a huge run from FALSE ID at a price in 6.00, while the class three event at 6.30 over an extended six furlongs could go the way of DEPUTISE.
Horseracing November 2005
The former has finally fallen in the weights since winning off mark of 56 twice and can race off 51 here and this is easier than his recent tasks.
Deputise caught the eye when staying on nicely behind Fizzy Feet at Lingfield Park last month. The selection is now some 8lbs better off for that two and a half-length defeat by the David Loughnane four-year-old.
Paul Jacobs’ Saturday Bets
3.35 Uttoxeter – Prime Venture (10/1)
3.00 Uttoxeter – Khage
4.45 Uttoxeter – Grand Turnina
2.05 Kempton – Hurricane Harvey
5.25 Wolverhampton – Street Poet
6.00 Wolverhampton – False ID
6.30 Wolverhampton – Deputise
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