THE announcement of the weights for the handicaps at the Cheltenham Festival always creates a great deal of interest and here are my five handicap selections below. At this stage three of the selections need other entries to come out, however I’m confident they will get a run. Please note that Unibet are non-runner no bet (NRNB) on all 28 races at the Cheltenham Festival.

One of my selections Colonel Mustard Unibet 11/2 runs in the Morebattle Hurdle at 1.50 at Kelso tomorrow ahead of running in the County Hurdle at The Festival.

Enjoy Saturday’s racing whether at a racecourse or #athome watching on ITV Racing or Racing TV.

Cheers

The Wine Tipster  

Tuesday

2.50 Cheltenham – Ultima Handicap Chase (3m 1f)

Oscar Elite is starting to look like the talented individual that many of us had marked up at the start of the season after his Grade 2 Reynoldstown Novices’ Chase success at Ascot last month, which secured his first win over fences. This eight-year-old had admittedly looked unimpressive on his three starts before Christmas, however he is looking more and more like a spring horse as he showed last season when third in this race. He is only 1lb higher this year and if, this time, they can hold onto him a touch longer, he might be able to see it out this time around off what looks an attractive mark of 139, given that surely has the ability to race at a higher level.

Unibet are paying FIVE places in this race

4.50 Cheltenham – Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (2m ½f)

Sir Allen has been very game in winning at Punchestown over Christmas and then at Naas last time, finding plenty for pressure to score by a length after defeat looked the more likely option coming to the last. Interestingly, in the previous five runnings of the Naas race, there have been three winners who have gone to take the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle, which has seen the last five winners all being Irish-trained. Sir Allen could easily continue this trend as he clearly has plenty of ability combined with determination and he looks sure to be suited by Cheltenham.

Unibet are paying FIVE places in this race

Wednesday

2.50 Cheltenham – Handicap Hurdle (2m 5f)

Au Fleuron for the Gordon Elliott team still needs plenty to come out at this stage to ensure he gets a run, however there are multiple entries as ever. Au Fleuron has only had two starts this season, including a poor effort over fences at Wexford in October after which the novice chase route was discarded. He was then seen at the end of last year in a big-field handicap hurdle at Cork when a staying-on fourth, which was certainly an encouraging run. He was entered in a couple of Pertemps qualifiers after that so that must have been on their mind at some point, but he is likely to run here where the likely fast pace and demands of the track will see him to good effect. Au Fleuron was seventh in the Martin Pipe last year, after taking the unfavoured inside route turning in and will do much better here stepping up from his last appearance.

Unibet are paying EXTRA places in this race

Thursday

2.10 Cheltenham – Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle (3m)

Schalke looks very likely to get a run as this eight-year-old only needs four entries above him in the weights to come out to be in the Pertemps field, which would give his trainer Rebecca Menzies her first runner at The Festival. Schalke was marked up each way in my Unibet blog at Sandown in early February for their Pertemps qualifier. He finished fourth doing all his best work after the last under a smart tactical ride by stable claimer Aaron Anderson. This followed an eye-catching win at Kelso on his previous appearance when travelling like the winner a long way out. Schalke hasn’t many miles on the clock, is certainly ground versatile and with Aaron Anderson talking the ride will come from off the pace to make a late challenge on a course which looks sure to suit.

Unibet are paying EXTRA places in this races

Friday

2.10 Cheltenham – McCoy Contractors County Handicap Hurdle (2m 1f)

Colonel Mustard for trainer Lorna Fowler was marked up in my Unibet blog last year when third in this race behind State Man and First Street. In retrospect this looks a remarkably good run given the winner is the only one expected to give Constitution Hill anything at all to think about in the Unibet Champion Hurdle. Colonel Mustard wasn’t knocked about at Fairyhouse when last seen in December and his mark has been very well protected and he’s only 2lb higher this time around than last year with a run assured. Interestingly with the weights now confirmed Colonel Mustard runs at Kelso tomorrow in the Morebattle Hurdle, where he carries top weight and is currently Unibet 11/2 to take this prize. Providing he comes out this race well he looks a big price for the County Hurdle in what will be only his fourth start of the season.

Unibet are paying FIVE places in this race