* All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
*Odds quoted on the widget are Future Racing/Antepost prices which means that if your selection does not run in the race for whatever reason, you will lose your stake under traditional antepost rules
Friday 14:55 – Diesel DAllier
This former French-trained eight-year-old makes a debut for Hampshire-based handler Richard Bandey, but he is no stranger to the unique circuit that is Cheltenham’s Cross Country course having scooped this race in 2019 and then finishing fourth in the Cross Country race at the Cheltenham Festival the following year.
An initial glance would probably make you think he has a bit to do as he now runs off a mark 12lb higher than when he comfortably landed that former event by four and a half lengths two years’ ago.
But the money would suggest that there are few concerns about his additional burden as he was 12-1 when the market opened.
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Saturday 14:15 – Lalor
It’s always interesting to see how a horse gets on when transferred from a smaller handler to a big operation and this gelding makes his debut for champion trainer Paul Nicholls in the weekend’s feature contest.
When our odds boffins priced up the first major race of the new Jumps campaign on October 26, they installed the nine-year-old at 20-1 but those fancy odds have long gone and he is now one of the market principals.
This strapping son of It’s Gino failed to get around on his only two starts this year, but he has some fancy form at Cheltenham including winning a Grade 2 Arkle Trial at this fixture.
He’s had a wind operation and Nicholls was quite bullish in a Racing Post stable tour this week when he stated: “I just hope he shows there [Cheltenham] what he does at home.”
Saturday 14:15 – Galahad Quest
The manner in which Galahad Quest has been also supported in the Paddy Power suggests that Nick Williams’s combatant could well put his rivals to the sword and some shrewd punters are sitting on 33-1 dockets which was the first price available on him.
The five-year-old has only had four starts over the bigger obstacles, but already enjoys a higher rating than over hurdles and it’s easy to see why as he has registered a victory and two thirds.
The first of those thirds was a decent effort when about 12 lengths behind Silver Hallmark in a Grade 2 novices’ chase at Haydock in January and he returned to the same venue a month later when he kept on well on the run-in to deny Marown by two and a half lengths in a novices’ limited handicap chase.
The current campaign began with a lovely third in a Listed handicap chase at Wetherby and after a 251-day absence, that performance will have him cherry ripe for this.
Saturday 15:25 – Unexpected Party
This lightly-raced sort could spark impromptu celebrations in the Cotswolds having been backed in from 7-1.
The six-year-old began his career in promising fashion last season with a second in a maiden hurdle at Southwell and then wasn’t disgraced on his reappearance when fourth in a similar event at Bangor in September.
The in-form Skelton yard then took advantage of what was probably a very lenient handicap mark in a novices’ handicap hurdle at Wetherby last month when despite being eased he hacked up by eight lengths.
The handicapper has hit him with an 11lb rise for that, but the dough keeps on coming for him suggesting he’s sure to go close.
Sunday 15:30 – I Like To Move It
This guy has never been a bigger price than 7-4 which is hardly surprising given he got the better of more experienced rivals including Triumph Hurdle fifth Tritonic in a hurdle at Prestbury Park last month.
Anyone wishing to crab that form might point out that Tritonic, three and a quarter lengths back in second, was giving I Like To Move It 8lb, but nevertheless this was a highly promising effort from a young horse on only his second start over timber.
Indeed he’s yet to be beaten over hurdles and was also a high-class bumper horse winning two of his four flat outings and being far from disgraced in this year’s Champion Bumper at the Festival.
Paddy’s 5 best backed horses:
Friday 14:55 – Diesel DAllier
Saturday 14:15 – Lalor
Saturday 14:15 – Galahad Quest
Saturday 15:25 – Unexpected Party
Sunday 15:30 – I Like To Move It
* All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
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