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Cheltenham 13.25 – Millers Bank
Happy New Year! ITV gets underway with this absolute belter of a Grade 2 Paddy Power Novices’ Chase over an extended 2m4f. MILLERS BANK jumped very well when scoring at Huntingdon two runs back but was poor when unseating rider at Newbury last time. That said, the Alex Hales-trained gelding would probably have won that day without the accident and he clearly has loads of ability. I’ll take the chance Harry Bannister gets a good tune.
Musselburgh 13.40 – Kavanaghs Cross (each-way)
ITV are also at Musselburgh for this handicap hurdle over 2m4f. KAVANAGHS CROSS has been dropped 1lb despite winning last time and now gets Angus Cheleda taking 5lb off so is technically 6lb better in. That said, he’s no good thing as I’m not absolutely sure he’s a strong stayer. This track is sharp enough, mind, and gives him a chance to get home so has place claims at the very least.
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Cheltenham 14.00 – Zanza
This is a Grade 3 handicap chase over an extended 2m4f. This might be the day for ZANZA to come through late even though he’s creeping up the handicap ratings for getting beaten. The Philip Hobbs runner, ridden by the excellent Tom O’Brien, is on 147 now having finished sixth in the Paddy Power Gold Cup off 144 and second in the Racing Post Gold Cup off 145. All he needs is for there to be a strong pace – if he gets that hard to keep out the frame.
Musselburgh 14.10 – First Impression
Another handicap hurdle here but this time over nearly 2m. FIRST IMPRESSION was 5-4 off this mark at this track last time but jumped badly and unseated rider early. Obviously he will have to leap much better here and this is tougher but he gets plenty of weight from the other fancied runners and should go well for John Quinn and Henry Brooke.
Tramore 14.20 – Al Boum Photo
ITV show one race from Tramore in this Grade 3 chase over 2m6f. AL BOUM PHOTO is the forgotten horse of the Gold Cup field and my advice is back him for Cheltenham today before he hacks up here. At 16-1 he’s still a great each-way bet and if you have to take 14-1 take that. At the age of 11 he’s no back number and lightly raced. Come on Willie Mullins and Paul Townend.
Cheltenham 14.35 – Ask Dillon
A tough handicap hurdle to sort out over 3m. ASK DILLON is a stronger stayer than most and has been dropped 1lb after his third at the track last time. That might not be enough to allow him to score here, but he should still run well for Fergal O’Brien and Liam Harrison now takes 3lb off. So I’ll go with him each-way.
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Musselburgh 14.50 – Nietzsche
Now a handicap chase over an extended 2m4f. Henry Brooke might have a good day because NIETZSCHE has claims here despite probably being the outsider of the field. My hope is well handicapped on his best form for trainer Brian Ellison and conditions are ideal. He could easily bounce back to his best in a winnable race.
Cheltenham 15.10 – McFabulous
This is class with the Grade 2 Relkeel Hurdle over an extended 2m4f. I’m amazed we haven’t seen MCFABULOUS over fences yet as he’s a great big beast built like a chaser. I presume he’s schooled badly. What we do know is that he’s a pretty talented hurdler on a going day and he could well be hard to beat for the champion Paul Nicholls and Harry Cobden.
So best of luck and pray for Yeeehaaas. You hear me Paddy?
Matt Chapman tips
NEW YEAR’S DAY ITV RACING
Cheltenham 13.25 – Millers Bank
Musselburgh 13.40 – Kavanaghs Cross (each-way)
Cheltenham 14.00 – Zanza
Musselburgh 14.10 – First Impression
Tramore 14.20 – Al Boum Photo
Cheltenham 14.35 – Ask Dillon
Musselburgh 14.50 – Nietzsche
Cheltenham 15.10 – McFabulous
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