GG Editor Rob Plumbridge runs you through his selections across the six race card at Cheltenham.
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1.10 Markel Insurance Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle – OSCAR THYNE e/w
It’s not exactly an easy start to proceedings with 11/2 the field. At the top of the market Gordon Elliott’s Enki Flacke catches the eye from a prominent yard. He’s been making hay at Perth notching up a hat-trick and I wouldn’t put off anyone backing him. However in a race like this I’m looking for some bigger prices for an each way play. I thought OSCAR THYNE was interesting here having moved to local trainer Fergal O’Brien’s from Ireland (potentially with Cheltenham in mind). He has a 500+ day absence to overcome, however he has done all of his winning after a long break so this might be the time to catch him. His overall record fresh is 211 so I reckon he’s got a great shout of being in the money here and he stays further than this so should be staying on late with a decent pace on.
1.45 Mucking Brilliant Paddy Power Handicap Chase – THE GLANCING QUEEN
First time out is the time to catch THE GLANCING QUEEN who has a record of 111 when making a seasonal reappearance in November. Alan King’s mare has a decent enough time at Cheltenham too, especially for the calibre of races she has run in including a 5th in the Mares’ Novice Hurdle (Grade 2) in 2021. This is a step down in class and with the yard starting the season well should see her go close here.
2.20 SSS Super Alloys Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase – UNANSWERED PRAYERS
UNANSWERED PRAYERS looks unexposed here on what he achieved last year and carries a featherweight today. He won’t be on this mark too much longer and has the added benefit of race fitness on his side. He was a solid 5th of 10 when running at Chepstow in early October, a race won by Knappers Hill. That rival beat him by just 4 1/2 lengths that day, and has gone in since and rated in the 150’s now. Going on that evidence the selection should be very well treated a capable of taking a race of this nature. His record so far on the advertised going of Good To Soft reads well at 5121. He’s a strong bet at current odds of 3/1.
2.55 Glenfarclas Veterans’ Handicap Chase – MAGIC DANCER e/w
I think MAGIC DANCER will win this nicely. Him and Ballyandy are the only two in the field with course wins, crucial for horses at veterans stage as most will have had a few runs here in their time. Ballyandy has been put up 3lbs which looks a bit harsh, but remains a worthy favourite. However, our selection will lead them a merry dance here off a featherweight 10st 10lbs and could be very hard to catch. He’s won twice here previously, and showed in his last run last season that the fire still remains winning by 10 lengths at Ludlow. If they give him some rope it could be game over as he’s a sound jumper with no letters in his form lines. He looks a solid each way bet to nothing in this.
3.30 Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle – HUBRISKO
HUBRISKO looks the one here for Willie Mullins who hasn’t sent too many over to Cheltenham of late. He looks a class above these, especially market rival Hermes Allen who has only won in limited company. Hubrisko recently placed in a Grade 3 in Ireland and has won in a good Novice race to boot. He’ll be a warm order but the current 5/2 could be on the large side come the off time. I expect him to land this with minimal fuss.
4.00 Valda Energy Novices’ Handicap Hurdle – ALTO ALTO
Tom Cannon’s ALTO ALTO could be the one in an incredibly tricky race. He still looks well in based on a close second last time out at Ascot. He drops back in trip here which should suite and he will see this out fully and won’t mind the likely strong pace that we should get with so many runners. He’s another selection who ran in the race with Knappers Hill on October where he was third, and that looks very strong with the winner bolting up at Wincanton recently, beating a proper Grade 1 horse in doing so.