AT Cheltenham it is the Festival Trials meeting with a cracking day of racing in prospect and there will be plenty of stars on show who will be heading to The Festival in March. Doncaster’s feature Handicap Chase, which is a Listed contest, has many here with chances in a typically competitive renewal and they have a strong card, including three Grade 2 races with Festival pointers too.
There is a dry forecast for Doncaster and Cheltenham, bar an insignificant amount of rain on Saturday, meaning we will be looking at predominately good going on both courses. There are certainly several runners in the key Handicaps at both tracks who certainly would benefit from some softer conditions.
At Cheltenham in the Cleeve Hurdle, it is hard to see past Champ at Unibet 1/2 on for Unibet Ambassador Nicky Henderson after his brilliant performance in the Long Walk at Ascot (napped in my Unibet blog), when travelling smoothly throughout. Paisley Park, who was third in the Long Walk, reopposes, whilst McFabulous according to the market is the main threat.
In the Cotswold Chase Chantry House is currently Unibet 4/5 on and providing the King George VI Chase at Kempton was a blip, when he pulled up after never travelling, he can once again dominate in a small field. The genuine and very talented Aye Right is the main danger.
Looking forward to presenting at Cheltenham and see you there.
Enjoy whether at a racecourse or watching #athome.
Cheers
The Wine Tipster
12.45 Cheltenham – JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle Grade 2 (2m)
Interne De Sivola definitely caught the eye when successful here at the December meeting, though admittedly having the run of the race from the front. There was plenty to like about his attitude on his second start and the form has been franked with both the second and third winning since. Interne De Sivola looks a smart prospect and can follow up in this Triumph Hurdle Trial.
Unibet 5/1 each way
1.55 Cheltenham – Handicap Chase (2m 4½f)
Whatmore (nap) comes back from a 427 absence and whilst that is a concern, he will certainly be ready and fit for the inform Henry Daly team, who will have him targeted at another good run at The Festival. He has a good record fresh and this ten-year-old is only having his ninth career start today over fences. Whatmore ran well on his last start at Cheltenham, when fourth to Imperial Aura back at the 2020 Festival and after a break finished second to Regal Encore at Ascot, with another runner-up spot in the Rehearsal Chase behind Yorkhill.
Coole Cody will ensure that there is a strong gallop, and this will suit Whatmore who will stay on up the hill. The better ground is in his favour too.
Unibet 7/1 each way
Unibet’s 15 To Go offer will be live on this race. Free bet up to £20 for backing the winner. Opt-in required. Terms apply.
Torn And Frayed didn’t like the testing conditions at Haydock last time out and that run should be ignored. Instead, focus on his seven lengths second to My Drogo at the Cheltenham December meeting when clearly seeing out the trip on good to soft, having run well on good ground too previously. That performance puts Torn And Frayed right in the mix in an open looking renewal.
Unibet 17/2 each way
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3.20 Doncaster – Handicap Chase Listed (3m)
Midnight Shadow was napped in my Unibet blog in the big Handicap Chase in November at Cheltenham when Protektorat chased him home and then finished third in December at the same course behind Coole Cody when making a mistake two out. These were two strong runs and the Cheltenham hill didn’t stop Midnight Shadow, who can show he is equally effective over three miles on ground that definitely works in his favour. This nine-year-old is in the form of his career and it is significant that the Sue Smith team have decided to head to Doncaster rather than run in the Handicap at Cheltenham.
Unibet 9/1 each way
Unibet’s 15 To Go offer will be live on this race. Free bet up to £20 for backing the winner. Opt-in required. Terms apply.
Debece hasn’t run since March 2021 on debut for the Skelton team but that’s never a negative from this yard that is so good at targeting races, as well as importantly delivering significant improvement from their runners. Debece beat them all bar an improved Fortescue in bad ground at Sandown in March, when jumping for fun in front and doing too much to soon, ahead of tiring late on. Debece was raised 5lb for that but is still on a fair mark of 135 and has had wind surgery. There is plenty going for him, as conditions suit and if he jumps and travels like he did at Sandown he has a strong chance.
Unibet 15/2 each way
Unibet’s 15 To Go offer will be live on this race. Free bet up to £20 for backing the winner. Opt-in required. Terms apply.
Unibet’s 15 To Go offer will be live on this race. Free bet up to £20 for backing the winner. Opt-in required. Terms apply.
3.40 Cheltenham – Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle Grade 2 (2m 4½f)
Hillcrest was marked up as one of my Ten To Follow and this striking individual can make it four in a row this season for the inform Henry Daly team. His battling win over I Am Maximus here at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day in a Listed contest is the strongest form, as he stayed on well up the hill, finishing with ears pricked, to win comfortably in the end. This giant horse still looked visually to have so much improvement ahead of him and he can give the weight away before a crack at The Festival.
