Friday’s ITV action comes from the opening day of Cheltenham’s Showcase meeting, as the jumps season steps up a gear with the Grade 2 Sharp Novices’ Hurdle the highlight of the card.
Matty Sutcliffe will be keeping his keen eye on Prestbury Park, picking out three horses to watch.
13:15 Cheltenham – William Hill Epic Boosts Handicap Hurdle (Class 3) (3yo+ 0-140)
At this time of year it can pay dividends to side with those who have recent match practice on board, and Crooked Path gets the nod.
The Waldgeist gelding took 18 attempts to get off the mark for Denis Hogan before belatedly landing a Tramore maiden hurdle.
He switched hands to James Owen this summer, who’s typically improved him both on the Flat, with form figures of 122, and over obstacles. He returned to hurdles last month when third in the Lincoln Handicap at Market Rasen, but the step up in trip next time out worked the oracle as he comfortably landed a Fontwell handicap last week.
That was an impressive performance in the jumping department, which will stand him in good stead around here, and the forecast rain shouldn’t be an issue given his form on softer going.
14:25 Cheltenham – Foundation Developments Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle (Challenger 2m Hurdle Series Qualifier) (Class 3) (3yo+ 0-140)
The Hardest Geezer kept some good company last season and, despite being winless in his five starts, he suggested on more than one occasion that he’s better than this mark.
He was second in a 0-130 handicap at Windsor in November, a length ahead of Williethebuilder, who peaked 16lb higher that season, and High Fibre has franked the form too.
The form of his length fourth at Ascot was franked well by the winner (11lb higher) and the third (10lb higher). He then contested the valuable £57k handicap at Windsor and was only beaten six lengths into third, finishing a nose behind Live Conti, with County Hurdle winner Wilful in behind, and the winner went on to finish second in the Martin Pipe.
He begins this season on a mark of 121, and with Jack Stenhouse taking off 8lb along with the return of the hood, I’d expect him to go close here.
15:00 Cheltenham – Oddschecker Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) (Registered As The Sharp Novices’ Hurdle) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (4yo+)
The Twiston-Davies team have had a typically strong start to the season, operating at a 32% strike-rate at the time of writing, and Scott’s Legacy can continue the good beginning.
The Vadamos gelding was seen twice in bumpers last season, the first a well-beaten fifth having been sent off favourite, and the second saw him win by a neck with a subsequent winner in third.
He then returned to make his seasonal debut last month at Newton Abbot, where he comfortably beat the 119-rated 2/7 favourite Matiwo. That was an impressive hurdles debut, where his slick jumping was matched by a smart turn of foot in the latter stages.
The yard won this with a four-year-old in 2021, and he can rate the chief threat to the Skelton novice.
Matthew Sutcliffe’s Three to Watch for Friday 23 October
13:15 Cheltenham – William Hill Epic Boosts Handicap Hurdle (Class 3) (3yo+ 0-140) – Crooked Path 9/1 1pt EW 4 places
14:25 Cheltenham – Foundation Developments Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle (Challenger 2m Hurdle Series Qualifier) (Class 3) (3yo+ 0-140) – The Hardest Geezer 7/1 1pt EW 4 places
15:00 Cheltenham – Oddschecker Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) (Registered As The Sharp Novices’ Hurdle) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (4yo+) – Scott’s Legacy 9/1 1pt EW 3 places
FAQs
When was Matthew Sutcliffe’s article published?
Matty Sutcliffe’s article was published at 8.40am on Thursday 22 October.
Who is Matthew Sutcliffe?
Matthew Sutcliffe is GGs newest contributor, often providing a value angle for his tips. He writes weekly columns for the weekend’s racing, as well as taking aim at ante-post markets at the Cheltenham Festival. Follow him on X: @MattySutcliffe
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