Longshots 15/12/23

After a hiatus for a couple of weeks, where I didn't particular fancy anything and attending Sandown for the Tingle Creek meeting, the Longshots blog returns with one selection tomorrow at Cheltenham. Hopefully there may be a bit more value on Saturday, whilst I'm looking forward to tackling the festive period of racing which is only a few days away.

2:25 Cheltenham - 2m4f Middle Distance Veterans Handicap Chase

I always enjoy a veterans race from a sporting point of view, but I can't say I've had a bet in many of those across the years. It's always great to see some of our old favourites have chances of winning a race and especially one with a 26k winning pot. Le Ligerien heads the market for Joe Tizzard, and has a decent chance. Whilst Storm Control and Top Ville Ben both have good backform, with Storm Control having good form at the track.

A horse with good form at Prestbury Park is CEPAGE, and he's the selection today. A course and distance winner at the track, he's ran some fine races over this trip in some competitive handicaps. A horse plagued with injuries over the last 3 years, he's only been seen on the racetrack 3 times in the last 3 seasons. He's managed to only been seen once in the 21/22 season, and the 22/23 season, and has clearly suffered an injury after his opening run.

He was last seen at Warwick competing in a veterans handicap won by Thomas Darby about 3 weeks ago finishing a well beaten 4th. That was no doubt a pipe opener and a confidence building run for him after a stop-start few years, and he hopefully builds on that in this race where he can finally put 2 races together. I have a feeling that his trainer Venetia Williams has targeted him at this due to 26k pot, and if he doesn't fire then he will likely be retired.

The track, ground and trip will suit this fella, as he's always struggled to fully stay the 3 mile trip, and the drop back from the 3 miles at Warwick will suit. He rated a win only bet at rhe 6/1 on offer.

As mentioned there are other contenders in the race with Top Ville Ben the dangerous lurker if he can reproduce his run at Leopardstown over a similar trip at the Dublin Racing Festival last season.

Bets:

Cepage 1pt win @ 6/1 (General)