Matt Chapman’s Cheltenham Tips
13:30 – Jeriko Du Reponet
14:10 – Gaelic Warrior
14:50 – Chianti Classico (each-way)
15:30 – State Man/Nemean Lion (each-way)
16:10 – Lossiemouth
16:50 – Roaring Legend (each-way)
17:30 – Salvador Ziggy
*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.
13:30 – Jeriko Du Reponet
Cheltenham 2024 is here. Yeeehaaa. As always the Festival gets under way with the Grade 1 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle over an extended two miles. There is an element of guesswork here but I have long been a fan of JERIKO DU REPONET and we get a price because the Nicky Henderson stable is under a cloud.
Jeriko du Reponet looked a class prospect in two wins at Newbury and then stepped up to Grade 2 company at Doncaster and stayed on well – having hung left – to deny Lump Sum and Fiercely Proud who upheld the form to a degree at Kempton in the Dovecote. I suspect Nico de Boinville’s mount is much better than we saw at Doncaster and he will stay strong. I’d be very disappointed if he’s healthy if he doesn’t finish at least in the first three.
14:10 – Gaelic Warrior
Another top class Grade 1 in the Arkle Novices’ Chase over two miles. Many will oppose GAELIC WARRIOR because he wants to go right-handed. However, I’ve no doubt he’s the most talented horse in this race and he’s going to be banged out hard on the front end with the hood on.
He’s a bet with many dangers, but if he gets into a rhythm out in front I don’t think they will get near him for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend. When it comes to Cheltenham remember he’s been second in the Ballymore and Boodles so it’s not as if he can’t act here at all. Obviously I’m ignoring his flop at Leopardstown last time. That may be a mistake.
14:50 – Chianti Classico (each-way)
A competitive Handicap Chase in the Ultima over 3m1f. I’ve long been a supporter of CHIANTI CLASSICO for this race and I still expect a huge run from the Kim Bailey-trained gelding.
David Bass’s mount is most progressive and followed staying wins at Chepstow and Ascot with a fine second at Kempton where he was wide of the field for much of the race and I got the idea he would be happier going left-handed despite the Ascot success which came in a small field. I loved the way he kept on at Kempton against a course specialist and he will get an aggressive Bass ride. An each-way chance.
15:30 – State Man/Nemean Lion (each-way)
Champion Hurdle
The big one of the day in the Grade 1 Champion Hurdle over an extended 2m. There’s really not much point in taking ages over this as quite clearly STATE MAN has to underperform not to score for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend. I don’t expect him to win by miles and, of course, he didn’t run to his best when chasing home Constitution Hill last year. But he’s a County Hurdle winner here – albeit off a mark of 141!!! – and he should get the job done.
At the prices and with the dead eight I think NEMEAN LION is the each-way bet if you don’t want to lump on the favourite. He was fifth in the Greatwood, giving Iberico Lord a stone, second in the Lanzarote and landed the Kingwell Hurdle last time. He’s consistent and stays for Kerry Lee and Richard Patrick.
16:10 – Lossiemouth
This is the Grade 1 Mares’ Hurdle over two and a half miles. No need to take too long on this. Of course LOSSIEMOUTH can bounce after one run following a long lay-off but she bolted up from Love Envoi last time and she’s simply the class act against this lot for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend. Last year’s Triumph Hurdle heroine just looks very good and the new trip should be no issue as connections are expected to go over three miles in France later this season.
16:50 – Roaring Legend (each-way)
Handicap company now in the Grade 3 Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle over an extended two miles. Nothing that grabs me here and I’m chancing ROARING LEGEND each-way for Sean Bowen and Olly Murphy who had the big Imperial Cup win with Go Dante over the weekend.
My hope is 7lb better off with Liari for a defeat at Musselburgh but it’s more I suspect a strong pace in a race like this will suit. He stayed on well in Scotland and might just finish off nicely up the hill. He was a fair Flat horse so has plenty of experience even though just three runs over hurdles, and I hope he will be dropped out and come late as he didn’t do much in front when suffering a shock defeat at Market Rasen last time.
17:30 – Salvador Ziggy
Day 1 closes with the Maureen Mullins National Hunt Challenge Cup Amateur Jockeys’ Novices’ Chase over three miles and six furlongs. A small field and none of these are certain stayers. SALVADOR ZIGGY did nothing in America last time but it’s fairly easy to forgive him that run and I’ll chance him for Gordon Elliott and Robert James. Before the US effort he stayed on well to finish second in the Kerry National and with a mark of 154 he should be bang in the mix. Finished second in the 2023 Pertemps Final and has one other good effort at this track. So best of luck and pray for Yeeehaaas. You hear me Paddy?
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