A BEAUTIFUL morning at Cheltenham and we will have perfect ground for a fascinating day two at The Festival.
Nicky Henderson had an excellent Tuesday and he can continue that form today. I’m hoping my nap Copperhead can continue his tremendous improvement as well as seeing Tiger Roll strike again. I just missed out by a place yesterday with Global Citizen, who would have rewarded backers at 33/1 so I’m hoping Mahler Allstar can oblige at a big price!
See you there!
The Wine Tipster.
1.30 The Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle Race 2m 5f
This is a fascinating contest and Sporting John can just come out on top against Envoi Allen and The Big Breakaway, continuing his rapid improvement.
Sporting John has really impressed in his three-career successes under rules, particularly on the last occasion when winning at Ascot last time over two miles three furlongs.
Unibet 4/1 win
2.10 The RSA Insurance Novices’ Steeple Chase 3m
Copperhead (nap) has been in my Cheltenham notebook since winning impressively at Wincanton last December, ahead of following up very comfortably at Newbury at their Challow meeting. Ground conditions were very testing at Ascot earlier this month, where Copperhead won by seventeen lengths, which might have been a little flattering, however his price of 6/1 seemed mighty generous on the day.
He is a natural over fences, travels smoothly, looks sure to get this trip and has a great chance of achieving a Cheltenham success.
Unibet 9/2 win
2.50 Handicap Hurdle Grade 3 2m 5f
Dame De Compagnie was originally marked up as a long shot in my Unibet longshots piece, however she is now half the price and near the top of the market.
She returned to action after a 577 absence to finish fifth in the Greatwood in November, ahead of stepping up to 2m 4f to beat Indefatigable in fine style. She showed real improvement here and went up to a mark of 140 and with her Cheltenham record at 2m4f (she’s 2-2) she looks like another winner for Nicky Henderson.
Unibet each way 6/1
3.30 The Queen Mother Champion Chase 1m 7f
If the name of the game is jumping, then Defi Du Seuil will win this. His razor-sharp jumping is just so much better than Chacun Pour Soi (who has twice made mistakes at the last under not that much pressure). This season Defi Du Seuil has shown massive improvement too, looking impressive in the Clarence House at Ascot, having just beat the mighty Un De Sceaux in the Tingle Creek at Sandown.
Defi Du Seuil is going for a third Cheltenham Festival success and is 6-8 at the course.
Unibet 11/10 win
4.10 The Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase 3m 6f
Tiger Roll can win the Cross Country for the third year running and post his fifth Cheltenham Festival success. The dual Grand National winner is well clear of his rivals on official ratings and can hold off main challenger Easysland from France. We hope to hear the Cheltenham crowd give this wonderful ten-year-old a tremendous winning reception.
Unibet 4/5 win
4.50 Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle 2m
Palladium can secure another winner for Unibet Ambassador Nicky Henderson as his charge has impressed on all three starts. He has twice won at Sandown, including the heavy, however the drying less tacky ground looks sure to suit and the Cheltenham hill will allow him to utilise his speed.
Unibet 7/1 each way
5.30 Wetherbys Champion Bumper 2m
This looks a contest in which to take some each way value and Mahler Allstar looks overpriced, having appeared very green when beaten six lengths, finishing third behind favourite Appreciate It at Leopardstown.
Mark Walsh takes over the ride today and with four places being paid by Unibet I have taken this price.
Unibet 50/1 each way
