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A cracking 3 days are in store for all National Hunt fans with the Open Meeting at Cheltenham a major highlight of the season. The ground looks set to start on 'good', and there will be a shortage of runners compared to other years with the lack of rain around. Saying that, the 3 runner novice chase that My Drogo runs in is an absolute disgrace. If the other 2 runners didn't come over from Ireland than My Drogo would be the only entry, and the lack of entries from trainers in the UK is bemusing. The BHA have completely lost control of racing in the United Kingdom. Let's get on with a couple of fancies to follow for the Friday however.
1:10 Cheltenham - 2m5f (Old) Markel Insurance Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle
Paul Nicholls runs a horse called SKATMAN who looks well handicapped off 125, and could be a decent chaser in time with the size and scope he has. An inexperienced horse who will get better and better each time he races, his form looks pretty decent so far already. He beat the Donald McCain horse Presentandcounting over hurdles in March, and that horse has cleaned up a number of novice chases through the summer - looking impressive and clocking good times in the process too. Despite Presentandcounting not being a hurdler, the same can be said for Skatman too. Skatman was last seen at Wincanton winning a novice hurdle beating Opening Bid (won a handicap next time out), and Yggdrasil, who won a handicap chase today at Bangor first time out over fences. Off 125 I think although he may find this big field handicap an eye opener, Skatman could easily beat this field as he may have at least 5lb in hand right now. A win bet will suffice at the 5/1 on offer.
My main bet in the field and the 10/1 on offer at early prices is the Fergal O'Brien trained ART APPROVAL. This Authorized gelding was beaten 10 lengths in what may prove decent form despite being well beaten. He was able to travel with decent horses in Guard Your Dreams, Coole Cody and Captain Morgs before not having the ability to go with them at the latter end of the race. The Authorized gelding kept on well to finish off his race well enough to suggest a step up in trip and a drop down in class would suit. He was racing against horses as high as 140, whilst here it's a compressed handicap against lower level horses. Dropped 1lb for his last race, he has shown an aptitude for Cheltenham and has finished his races off strongly enough. I think he's a cracking each way bet at the 11/1 on offer, and I'd take prices around 6/1+ if he's a shortener on the day.
*UPDATE - Skybet paying 7 places each way @ 10/1 - cracking value!*
Selections:
SKATMAN - 2pts win @ 5/1 or bigger (5/1 with William Hill currently)
ART APPROVAL - 1.5pts e/w @ 10/1 (Skybet paying 7 places)
1:45 Cheltenham - 2m (1m7f199y) (Old) Mucking Brilliant Paddy Power Handicap Chase
A decent 2 mile handicap chase next, and I'm looking to take on the current favourite Stolen Silver who won't be afforded an easy time of it out in front. The positive for this horse is the move to Sam Thomas however and I am sure he will progress, but a win over fences against 2 runners doesn't wet my appetite. Editeur Du Gite and Kap Auteuil both look like horses who can progress off their current marks, however I am going to go for the Fergal O'Brien trained BATHIVA. He ran decent race last time out, in a race that was dominated by Before Midnight who led from the front and lined them all up before kicking off the turn. Bathiva hit 2 out which didn't help and he still stayed at it towards the finish. As normal with these 2 mile handicap chases, they seem to take it in turns to win and it could be his turn this time off a low weight on his favoured ground. If he can brush up his jumping when it matters, that will help him too and the 12/1 on offer is too big here. Hopefully all stand their ground in this race and I wouldn't be surprised if Bun Doran ran well after a wind op, plus coming down 20lb from a record high of 160.
Selections:
BATHIVA - 1.5pts e/w @ 12/1 (Bet365)
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