THE second day of the Showcase meeting at Cheltenham certainly looks exciting and after Friday’s card, which had plenty of eye-catching performances we can expect the same on Saturday.
At Doncaster in the Futurity Trophy Group 1 Wimbledon Hawkeye is the right favourite at Unibet 5/2, with Nebras an intriguing each way selection.
On Sunday at Aintree there is an excellent card featuring the Old Roan Chase with Stage Star at Unibet 5/4 heading the market, whilst Ahoy Senor is Unibet 4/1 in this five-runner renewal.
Enjoy whether at a racecourse or watching #athome on ITV Racing and Racing TV.
Cheers
The Wine Tipster
1.10 Cheltenham – Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (2m 4f)
Bob Bob Ricard took to fences like a duck to water, winning his only two starts over fences in the spring before reverting to hurdles, and that includes his comeback run at Worcester where he ran a perfectly good fifth in the Fixed Brush Hurdles final. That should set him up nicely for this, and he should get the race set up to suit as well.
1.45 Cheltenham – Novices’ Hurdle (3m)
Intense Approach should have no issue with the trip having won over two miles six furlongs, and his form when second to the fast-improving Flying Fortune in the Unibet Persian War Novices’ Hurdle at Chepstow looks as good as anything in the race. Intense Approach will be well suited by the ground and can back up his Chepstow form with success here.
2.20 Cheltenham – Handicap Chase (3m 1f)
Le Milos (nap) is an interesting runner and just to remind everyone his last victory was in the big handicap chase at Newbury in November 2022. He ran in the Grand National in 2023 and didn’t stay and then didn’t appear until November when campaigned over hurdles for three starts, including in the Pertemps Network Final when not looking fully fit and failed to trouble the judge. He then headed to Sandown for their big chase in April where he ran respectably to complete the season. It is good to see Le Milos being campaigned back over fences by the inform Skelton team (two winners on Friday) for this season off a fair mark of 147 and this nine-year-old is sure to be fully fit with plenty to like about his chance over this ideal distance.
Chasing Fire had a good first season over fences with two wins and some strong placed performances. He finished the season with a success at Perth over three miles when jumping and travelling well to beat Geryville by three lengths to win on good to soft. He went straight in my notebook as a horse to follow over fences this campaign and has run here twice previously over hurdles, with a third on good ground so conditions will be fine for this exciting prospect.
2.40 Doncaster – Futurity Trophy Stakes Group 1 (1m)
Nebras has been supplemented by connections after winning a maiden stakes at Newmarket on debut earlier this month when after looking really green in the early stages he showed plenty of application after moving from last to first to hold off the favourite. The half-brother to Nashwa has to take a massive step forward here to get in the mix and whilst Wimbledon Hawkeye is definitely the right favourite and likely winner this Futurity looks much more competitive than normal with Nebras worth an each way play at the price.
2.55 Cheltenham – Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle (3m)
Supreme Gift from the inform Henry Daly yard (7/1 winner on Friday) ran a very solid race when upped to three miles here in April, only giving way in the final half-furlong and going down fighting, beaten just three lengths by Zain Nights, who opposes on 10lb worse terms, and that should bring the pair closer together. On his previous start Supreme Gift ran a really sound race to win at Ascot when beating Arqoob on good ground. Supreme Gift certainly looks progressive, and he will be right in the mix here for each way players.
The Wine Tipster’s Treble
After an exhilarating return to Jumps yesterday Day Two of The Showcase Meeting promises yet more thrills.
Roll these three picks from our red-hot tipster into a treble and the drinks really may well be on you! Add to your betslip, hit the ACCA BOOST option and £5 each way potentially returns over £1,400 if they come in! Of course, it’s a long shot, but stranger things have happened!
Please remember to gamble responsibly. Visit our Safer Gambling section for more information, help and advice.
