Cheltenham racing tips
12:20 – Kalif Du Berlais
12:55 – Diva Luna
13:30 – Broadway Boy
14:05 – Springwell Bay
14:40 – What A Johnny
15:15 – Salver
15:50 – Gnomon
*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.
12:20 – Kalif Du Berlais
KALIF DU BERLAIS showed no ill effects from his chase debut spill and marked himself down as a smart prospect when running out a ¾-length-winner from the re-opposing Tedley at Newbury 33 days ago.
A subsequent 6 lb rise should see him highly competitive again. The consistent Tedley has since chased home Vincenzo at Windsor.
But his jumping let him down late on there, and it may be that the Sam Thomas-trained seven-year-old can emerge as the chief threat, especially if allowed to set his fractions out in front as he did when successful on his chasing debut last month.
12:55 – Diva Luna
This is far from the penalty kick that the odds might suggest, but DIVA LUNA remains a good prospect for jumping despite meeting with defeat (at 4/11) on her return at Lingfield, and she can get off the mark in this sphere now stepped up in trip.
Winner of the Aintree mares’ bumper last season, Ben Pauling’s mare only found a good one too strong on her hurdling debut, and this race looks a good fit, for all she is yet to race at a stamina-sapping venue.
The £200,000 Irish points purchase Pierrot Jaguen is an interesting rival starting out for Olly Murphy, while Ken Roy looks up to winning races for Paul Nicholls, having been given a too-aggressive ride last time out.
With the yard in good form, Warwick fourth Kalhandrion joins Sandown listed fourth Mount Gay Run as others to consider at big prices.
13:30 – Broadway Boy
BROADWAY BOY ran a cracker – picking up the Timeform ‘Horse In Focus’ flag – when a good 1¾ lengths second of 13 to Kandoo Kid in the Coral Gold Cup (Handicap) at Newbury and can enhance his excellent Cheltenham record back down in class.
He should be able to get the lead and could prove hard to peg back at a track that suits his strong-galloping style.
He’s only 4 lb higher than when winning a similar handicap on the old course here a year ago, and this looks like a good opportunity for another handicap win for his in-form yard before heading back up in grade.
Our Power looked as good as ever when second here 19 days ago, and he looked as good as ever after returning from a year off.
So, he rates the main threat, but he wouldn’t want a lot of rain.
Cloudy Glen appeared primed for his Haydock return, and a 7lb rise in the weights may leave him vulnerable.
14:05 – Springwell Bay
Cheltenham regular SPRINGWELL BAY lost little in defeat when trying to concede weight all round here last month and could have more to offer now switched to handicap company.
He was well in the mix when unseating two out the last time he was seen in a handicap (hurdles), and, from the same mark here, he gets the nod. Recent C&D winner Gemirande is feared most despite his career-high mark as he chases a hat-trick, whilst Colonel Harry also demands plenty of respect now back to a more suitable trip.
Marble Sands is only 3 lb higher than when winning at Musselburgh last February and the drop in trip is in his favour (given too much to do in the three-mile Rehearsal Chase last time out).
Class-act Hitman ran well in defeat at Aintree in October and isn’t handicapped out of things at all if putting his best foot forward (awkward head carriage).
14:40 – What A Johnny
The good record of the Olly Murphy stable in this race (two wins in the last four renewals) swings the vote the way of WHAT A JOHNNY.
Tongue-tied for the first time today, the Perth winner ran well in defeat at Market Rasen last time, and this 1 lb higher mark should be within his reach.
James Owen’s One Big Bang was a fine second in the valuable Betfair stayers handicap at Haydock last time and is second choice ahead of the hat-trick-seeking Strackan, both of whom picked up the Timeform ‘Horse In Focus’ flag with their runs last time out.
At a price, An Tailliur may bounce back to form with his yard in good form; he’s only 1 lb higher than his last win but wouldn’t want too much rain.
That comment also applies to top-weight Twig, who was better than he was able to show last time out in the mud at Haydock.
15:15 – Salver
SALVER shaped as though ready for a stiffer test when capping a productive juvenile campaign, finishing third in the Triumph Hurdle here in March.
He again left that impression when fourth on his return in the Gerry Feilden at Newbury and, now given the chance to show what he can do over a longer trip, the five-year-old gets the nod ahead of Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle heroine Golden Ace, who was only fourth behind Lucky Place on her return at Ascot but she should be sharper here.
Coral Cup regular Langer Dan is the pick of these in terms of raw ability, but this scenario may not be ideal, given he only tends to come to hand in the spring.
15:50 – Gnomon
An interesting sort for this sphere, considering his Flat trainer, GNOMON, made a winning start with a minimum of fuss at Exeter a couple of months ago.
There should be more to come with the longer trip no issue, so he gets the marginal vote over Timeform ‘Horse In Focus’ Lady Tadita, who also arrives after a successful debut at Huntingdon.
Marhaba Prince is also considered, having been sold from Owen Burrows for £50,000 later in December following his own Wincanton win.
This stiffer stamina test should suit Danger Nap, who pulled clear with one other when second to the re-opposing Cedar Creek at Aintree in November.
Cheltenham racing tips
12:20 – Kalif Du Berlais
12:55 – Diva Luna
13:30 – Broadway Boy
14:05 – Springwell Bay
14:40 – What A Johnny
15:15 – Salver
15:50 – Gnomon
*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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