THERE are good cards at Newbury and Doncaster, with an all-weather card at Newcastle, however as a Gloucestershire lad Cheltenham was my first racecourse experience and the excitement has been building this week as ever in anticipation of the two-day Showcase Meeting. Today’s card is certainly very competitive and high on quality too with Wholestone having his second start over fences in the 3.45 Novices’ Chase, where he will need to put in a smooth jumping performance against the likes of Dinons and Boyhood.

See you there! 

2.00 Cheltenham Novice Hurdle 2m 5f

Champagne Well has a good chance of giving inform Fergal O’Brien a winning start. This six-year-old will cope with ground conditions, whilst some of his rivals may struggle. Champagne Well’s third at Sandown in March behind Third Wind looks strong as the runner-up finished third behind Reserve Tank next time out. Fergal O’Brien’s charge was then sixth in a Grade 1 at Aintree on his last start.

Unibet 5/2 win

3.10 Cheltenham 2m5f Handicap Hurdle

Tedham won’t mind the ground, still looks well treated on his second to Getaway Trump and subsequent easy win at Wincanton and the fact he’s had a wind operation suggested something was clearly wrong at Aintree on final start. Trainer Jonjo O’Neill is among the winners too. 

Unibet 4/1 each way

4.55 – Cheltenham Handicap Chase Amateur Riders 3m 1f

Cobolobo for Jonjo O’Neill is a giant of a horse that will become a proper chaser. He made a good impression over fences last year and was unlucky to unseat when still cantering at Exeter. The more rain the better, good jockey booking with Mr Tommie O’Brien and still unexposed as well as good when fresh.

Unibet 11/2 each way

Petite Power Plenty of risk with him, given he’s been off for 516 days, but he did win after a long absence over hurdles. Petite Power finished a fast-finishing fourth in this contest back in 2017 off a mark of 122 and the handicapper has given this thorough stayer a real chance with today’s rating of 115. His trainer Fergal O’ Brien is in good form too. Worth an each way wager.

Unibet 16/1 each way

5.30 Cheltenham Handicap Hurdle 2m½f

Whoshotthesherriff (nap) won three of his four hurdle starts last season and looks sure to progress this season. He joined Philip Kirby from Gordon Elliott, winning at Sedgefield and Carlisle in good style and is very interesting here on his handicap debut with ground conditions to suit.

Unibet 6/1 each way