CHELTENHAM – SATURDAY
3.30pm
Falco Blitz
The only time he has encountered soft ground he pulled up at Bangor last year, so the conditions have to be a concern. Basically we don’t know, but his sire Falco liked a bit of dig. I liked the way he won his maiden hurdle at Fakenham last time and hopefully a mark of 128 gives him a chance in here. I think it’s a fair mark
4.40pm
Urban Artist
Her dam was unbeaten in bumpers, including a win here for the stable, and she followed in the family footsteps when winning for me on good ground at Ludlow last month. I’m not sure how strong that form is and these are obviously very different conditions against stronger opposition, but she is clearly a lightly-raced mare capable of stepping up again. She will definitely come on for that Ludlow run though and, as a mare who will want 2m4f over hurdles, I think she will see it out well here.
CHELTENHAM – SUNDAY
4.00pm
Plenty In The Tank
I obviously didn’t ride him when he won at Chepstow on his debut – though I did give him a gallop around there in his preparation for that race – but he clearly looks to have beaten an expensive, well-regarded sort of Olly Murphy’s there, so you have to assume that was a pretty good performance. And they did pull well clear of the third, too. This will be tougher, but you have to give him every chance after what he did at Chepstow and he won’t mind the ground. I think he is in the sales on Friday.
