Horse Racing Tips: Through Saturday’s Cheltenham card with Timeform

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Timeform Cheltenham

By / Horse Racing Tips / 3 years ago

* 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.

12:30 Magistrato

This is a good-looking renewal of this Grade 2 and MAGISTRATO is taken to continue his positive start for Paul Nicholls with another victory. He struck at Chepstow last month and the form of his debut second in France received a boost with the winner, Porticello, going in at the first time of asking for Gary Moore in a listed race at Wetherby last month. Knight Salute and Mister Allegro are a couple of dangers.

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13:05 Strictlyadancer

STRICTLYADANCER won a similar event over course and distance last time in the manner of a horse who should have more to come. He confirmed the promise of his previous run at Chepstow in no uncertain terms, winning with more in hand than the official margin implies, so he’s fancied to make light of a 5 lb rise and follow up. Minella Encore and Another Venture, who has his first start for Nicky Henderson here, are others who could go well, while the Irish-trained top-weight Opposites Attract completes the shortlist in a competitive handicap.

13:40 Third Time Lucki

It was hard not to be impressed by THIRD TIME LUCKI who made a seamless transition to fences over this course and distance last month, jumping with real fluency and readily pulling clear of his rivals from four out. He very much looks the part for chasing and couldn’t be in better hands, so is fully expected to take this step up in class in his stride and record a second win. The prolific Mick Pastor found Captain Tom Cat just too strong at Wincanton, but enjoys a 5 lb pull in the weights with that rival now, and can chase home Dan Skelton’s exciting prospect.

14:15 Al Dancer

This is a cracking renewal of this feature contest, one of the best for many a year, and the vote goes in favour of AL DANCER. Third from a 5 lb higher mark in this race last year, he never figured either start thereafter, but returns for a new yard going well and his record when fresh is another plus. There are dangers aplenty, though, and Lalor is a fascinating runner now making his debut for Paul Nicholls. He has been the subject of positive reports, and is potentially well handicapped, while Protektorat, Caribean Boy and Coole Cody all deserve a mention, too.

14:50 Sporting John

The intriguing runner in this open handicap without a doubt is SPORTING JOHN, who was a Grade 1 winner over fences last season. Despite that, he didn’t always convince in that sphere, failing to complete on his last two starts, so it is little surprise connections revert him back to timber. It is worth remembering that Sporting John was a smart novice hurdler in 2019/20 and, still only a six-year-old, he has the potential to be much better than an opening mark of 146. Ballymillsy and Proschema are very solid alternatives, while Dragon Bones can boast an excellent strike rate.

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15:25 Unexpected Party

UNEXPECTED PARTY hardly won the deepest of handicap in the world at Wetherby two weeks ago, but he did it with ridiculous ease, tanking through the race and making a mockery of his opening mark. He promises to go on improving for a while yet, so the 11 lb rise in the weights the handicapper has hit him with is unlikely to prove a barrier to further success. Mackelduff is another progressing well and commands plenty of respect, as does Gowel Road, who remains with potential, especially now stepping up further in distance.

15:55 Bonttay

BONTTAY is unbeaten in a couple of bumpers so far, and her experience of this track could prove vital in this wide-open mares’ bumper, so she gets the marginal vote for a yard that do well in this sphere, ahead of her promising stablemate Leading Theatre, who had plenty up her sleeve when scoring at Worcester last time. Wheres Maud Gone is one of several others with a live chance.

Cheltenham tips on Saturday

12:30 Magistrato
13:05 Strictlyadancer
13:40 Third Time Lucki
14:15 Al Dancer
14:50 Sporting John
15:25 Unexpected Party
15:55 Bonttay

* 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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