DAY two at The Showcase Meeting at Cheltenham and it is always great to be back at the home of jump racing. Whilst it is disappointing to see only four runners in the hurdle at 2.55 it is certainly competitive, with Tritonic, I Like To Move It and Stepney Causeway in the field. I’m looking forward to seeing Sky Pirate and Storm Control as they have a good record at Cheltenham and both leave their best performances for Prestbury.
Up at Doncaster, the Group 1 the Futurity Trophy Stakes is an intriguing renewal, with favourite Luxembourg, Royal Lodge Stakes winner Royal Patronage and Champagne Stakes victor Bayside Boy in the line-up.
Enjoy whether at a racecourse or #athome
Cheers
The Wine Tipster
1.45 Cheltenham – NHS Vaccinating Heroes Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle (2m ½f)
Ingleby Hollow can make the long trip worthwhile for the Rebecca Menzies team with the unexposed runners in the field Samarrive and Timberman given high enough marks.
Ingleby Hollow looked very unlucky when repeatedly denied a clear run in the valuable Summer Hurdle at Market Rasen and has had two narrow defeats since joining his new yard. His last start at Cartmel when second to Alqamar, beaten a neck, looks very solid form. The ground will suit, and he can strike with a typically late challenge.
Unibet 11/1 each way
2.20 Cheltenham – Handicap Chase (3m 1f)
Storm Control goes so well at Cheltenham and has a strong chance of winning here again for the inform Kerry Lee yard. Last season Storm Control won at the November meeting and then followed up in December when beating Potters Legend in the Grade 3 Unibet Handicap Chase and he is running off the same mark today. Storm Control will be ready for his first run and Richard Patrick can let him bowl along in front.
Unibet 9/2
3.15 Doncaster – Vertem Futurity Trophy Stakes Group 1 (1m)
Bayside Boy was doing all his best work at the finish of the Dewhurst when third to Native Trial over seven furlongs, with the step up to a mile a positive. Bayside Boy won the Champagne Stakes here in September and with concerns about the form of the Aidan O’Brien yard, who runs Luxembourg, then Bayside Boy represents some value.
Unibet 11/2 each way
3.30 Cheltenham – Handicap Chase (1m 7f)
Sky Pirate (nap) was first tipped up in my Unibet blog at the December meeting when showing that this trip is really what suits him when winning in good style off a mark of 134. Sky Pirate won next time at Warwick and then ended his season with victory in the Grand Annual. This eight-year-old carries top weight, is now on a mark of 159 and can win on seasonal debut at a course where he goes so well.
Unibet 5/2 win
4.05 Cheltenham – Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle (3m)
Born Patriot has given the impression on more than one occasion that this trip is right for him this year. He was third in the Scottish Stayers Novices’ Hurdle over three miles last season and ran a solid third in competitive Killarney handicap in May and would have needed a recent outing at Navan after a break when fourth to Tullybeg (reopposes today). A good strong gallop will suit as will Prestbury and this five-year-old has plenty of improvement to come.
Unibet 13/2 each way
Push The Tempo won last month at Worcester on good ground on his first start for four months after a breathing operation. He was idling in front that day and if he can come on from that success he has strong each way claims.
Unibet 12/1 each way
