Timeform’s Cheltenham Betting Tips
13:10 Plaisir des Flos
13:45 Resplendent Grey
14:20 Jonbon
14:55 Conflated
15:30 Valgrand
16:05 Wreckless Eric
*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.
13:10- Plaisir des Flos
There are plenty in with chances in an ultra-competitive opener but Plaisir des Flos gets the vote to extend his winning run. Plaisir des Flos failed to make an impact in maiden and novice hurdles but he has won all five starts in handicap company, progressing well.
He was a cosy winner on his return at Carlisle last month, needing just a hands-and-heels ride to prevail, and he can give another good account despite a 7 lb rise in the weights. Double Powerful is another prolific winner who completed a five-timer of his own at Fontwell last week, scoring with ease to earn a shot at this much more competitive contest.
13:45 – Resplendent Grey
Resplendent Grey was in good form in the spring and signed off with a dominant win in a handicap hurdle at Uttoxeter in May. He looked a smart prospect when making a successful start over fences back at Uttoxeter last month, powering five and a half lengths clear in that novice handicap.
This step up in trip poses a new question but he’s a progressive sort and is worth siding with. The main danger could be Springwell Bay who also made a winning start over fences when landing a listed event at Chepstow last month. He jumped better as the race wore on and is entitled to progress.
14:20 – Jonbon
Jonbon is a top-class chaser and has won nine of his 11 starts over fences, including this contest 12 months ago. He suffered a surprise defeat in the Clarence House Chase last season but bounced back to win the Melling Chase and Celebration Chase in the spring.
He’s 8 lb clear on Timeform ratings and should be difficult to beat. Boothill, who has been given a wind operation since last seen, has a good record when fresh and could be the one to chase the selection home.
14:55 – Conflated
Conflated is on a losing run that stretches back to the 2022 Savills Chase but he produced some cracking efforts in defeat last term, notably finishing third in the Ryanair Chase here and runner-up in the Melling Chase at Aintree in the spring. Conflated was well beaten in the Charlie Hall a couple of weeks ago but he was entitled to need that run having unseated at the first on his reappearance at Punchestown.
He’s a fascinating runner on his first go over the cross country course and, while he needs to concede weight all round, his chance is helped by the majority of the field being out of the handicap.
15:30 – Valgrand
Valgrand showed ability in bumpers, finishing fourth in a Grade 2 at Aintree, and he has made an excellent start over hurdles. He won a maiden at Uttoxeter and a novice at Bangor in the spring and then showed much-improved form when winning a Grade 2 by 17 lengths here on his return last month, recording a good timefigure in the process.
That was over two miles so he needs to prove himself as effective over this longer trip (he didn’t have to run to a high level when winning what turned into a sprint at Bangor), but he’s clearly promising and looks worth siding with. Potters Charm, who is also unbeaten over hurdles and won here last month, is the obvious danger.
16:05 – Wreckless Eric
Wreckless Eric made a promising start for Ben Pauling last season when winning a junior hurdle at Wetherby and a handicap hurdle at Huntingdon, and he looked set to go close on his reappearance and first start for the O’Neills at Wincanton last month only to fall at the second last. Wreckless Eric was still going well at the time and he is a young hurdler to be positive about.
Balhambar improved well in handicap hurdles in the spring and should be ready for this after a recent outing on the Flat so he strikes as a danger, while Fasol is potentially very well treated on his smart Flat form in France and he is another entitled to respect.
Timeform’s Cheltenham Betting Tips
13:10 Plaisir des Flos
13:45 Resplendent Grey
14:20 Jonbon
14:55 Conflated
15:30 Valgrand
16:05 Wreckless Eric
*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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