Cheltenham Tips: Timeform’s best Saturday bets include a 13/2 play

Timeform's tipsters like the look of Bugs Moran at 15:00.

By / Horse Racing Tips / 1 year ago

Cheltenham Racing Tips

13:15 Haddex Des Obeaux
13:50 Blueking D’Oroux
14:25 Amirite
15:00 Bugs Moran
15:35 Antrim Coast
16:10 Flooring Porter
16:45 Catch Yourself On

*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.

13:15 Haddex Des Obeaux

HADDEX DES OBEAUX made a very positive start over fences last season, winning two of his three completed starts, and the manner of his victory at Warwick when last seen in January was particularly impressive. He bolted up by 19 lengths on that occasion and the three rivals he beat all went on to win next time out, so the form has a very solid look to it.

Haddex des Obeaux is 10 lb higher in the weights now, but he is an exciting prospect, one who should evolve into a graded chaser, so he makes plenty of appeal on his return to action. Triple Trade and Notlongtillmay are also firmly on the upgrade so are feared most.

13:50 Blueking D’Oroux

BLUEKING D’OROUX proved a different proposition after a breathing operation when opening his account on his third attempt for these connections in a useful juvenile handicap at Ascot last season. He caused a surprise that day, starting 50/1 and beating his better-fancied stablemate, but there was no fluke about that performance, and he backed that effort up when finishing runner-up to a progressive, well-handicapped rival at Aintree on his final start.

There should be even more to come from him this season, and he looks the one to beat on his return on these terms. The rapidly improving Spirit d’Aunou also looks interesting and can pose the biggest threat.

14:25 Amirite

AMIRITE looked above average when making a winning debut over fences in a novice at Fairyhouse around this time last year and, though he didn’t manage to win afterwards, he didn’t have the best of luck and would have finished closer in a Grade 3 at Naas but for being knocked sideways before the last. He was very well backed for the Irish Grand National on his final start, but shaped as if amiss on his handicap debut, and is best not judged on that effort.

Connections clearly think he is on a handy mark and he is well worth another chance to confirm it given he won first time out last season. Twig and Kinondo Kwetu, first and third respectively in a valuable contest at Uttoxeter last time, are both considered, too.

15:00 Bugs Moran

BUGS MORAN caught the eye on several occasions prior to opening his account in a three-mile handicap at Fairyhouse in April 2022 and he has been lightly raced since, but has finished runner-up on all three starts. He conceded first run on the winner over two and a half miles at Listowel last month, but left the impression he is in top form and on a good mark.

The step back up in trip will suit this unexposed handicapper and he remains on a competitive mark. The likeable Hugos New Horse isn’t opposed lightly and is second choice now stepping up to three miles for the first time, while Gordon Elliott’s Gortmillish and recent Cesarewitch fourth Bashful Boy also make the shortlist.

15:35 Antrim Coast

Only six runners but this looks an interesting novices’ hurdle and it is the Gavin Cromwell-trained ANTRIM COAST who makes the most appeal. He only made his debut in August but has made a very good start to his hurdling career, building on the clear promise of his debut in this sphere when opening his account at Punchestown 18 days ago.

That was over two and a half miles, but he won that day in the style of a horse who will be seen to even better effect over further, so he makes plenty of appeal on his first try at three miles with further progress anticipated. Butch is another progressive sort who warrants plenty of respect.

16:10 Flooring Porter

Only four runners but this is an intriguing novices’ chase which sees the return and chase debut of two-time Stayers’ Hurdle winner FLOORING PORTER. His last win came in that event in 2022 but he ran plenty of solid races in defeat last season and, if he takes to these larger obstacles, he stands out on his hurdling form. Nigel Twiston-Davies saddles a couple and it’s Weveallbeencaught who gets the nod over stablemate Broadway Boy for the forecast spot.

16:45 Catch Yourself On

CATCH YOURSELF ON is a Flat-bred gelding – out of a useful mare who was a winner up to a mile in France – but he represents a top trainer, who does especially well in this sphere, so he is taken to make a winning debut in a race where those with experience don’t set an exacting standard. Martin Plage, who cost £110,000 after an easy win in points, may prove the biggest danger, while Jackson Lamb sets the standard on form.

Cheltenham Racing Tips

13:15 Haddex Des Obeaux
13:50 Blueking D’Oroux
14:25 Amirite
15:00 Bugs Moran
15:35 Antrim Coast
16:10 Flooring Porter
16:45 Catch Yourself On

*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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