Three days at Cheltenham headline the weekend’s racing, as the November meeting kicks off on Friday. GG tipster Joe Napier has picked out his four best bets on the opening day’s six-race card, including a 33/1 shot…
1.10 Cheltenham – Lycetts Insurance Brokers Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap
Her form has stuttered since a very promising start to her hurdles career, but it is worth chancing that ROCKSTOWN GIRL can prove competitive again at a big price, with a return to Cheltenham likely targeted since her falling in the Grade 2 novice hurdle on this card a year ago.
That day she was travelling into contention at a big price before coming down in a race won by Potters Charm, form that would be significant in the context of a race like this one. She had previously won a mares’ novice hurdle at Chepstow on soft ground under a penalty and though trainer Anthony McCann has largely campaigned her as a summer jumper, she arguably has superior form with cut in the surface.
She made no great waves when returning in the spring, but there have been hints of promise at Navan and Cork this autumn. If recapturing her form from this time a year ago, she has the ability to feature off a mark of 116, with those in second and third from her Chepstow novice victory now rated 125 and 119 respectively.
1.45 Cheltenham – Unibet Middle Distance Veterans’ Chase Series Veterans’ Handicap Chase
Bottom-weight CAN YOU CALL may lack the back class of some of his rivals in this veterans’ handicap, but has crucially proven himself on soft and heavy going, which is not the case for many of his rivals should the forecast downpour arrive on Prestbury Park on Friday.
Evan Williams’ charge has gone 11 races without winning, but has been runner-up four times since, including at Chepstow over a similar trip last season behind Lowry’s Bar, who progressed into a very useful novice chaser last term. That was under 10st 2lb in class 2 company, so the selection has also held his own at this level under a light burden.
He can be forgiven for needing his run at Fontwell on his return and his mark of 119 is both only 1lb above his previous winning rating, and the same one off which he was second twice last term. There may be no horse better suited by conditions in this line-up.
2.20 Cheltenham – Sun’s “Save Our Bets” Novices’ Chase (Listed)
If Leave Of Absence deals with the ground, then he is likely the best horse in the race here and has chasing experience to boot. However, WADE OUT has a run over fences under his belt too and Olly Murphy’s charge shaped strongly like a step up in trip would benefit him on his chase debut.
The six-year-old was a useful enough novice hurdler last term, twice winning on soft ground and also won his point-to-point on soft over 3m. His sixth in a Grade 3 handicap hurdle at Aintree showed his limitations for that sphere, but he beat some talented rivals on his chasing bow at Worcester despite having looked outpaced four from home.
That he pulled victory from the flames owes to some unexplored depths of stamina and the talent of Sean Bowen in the saddle. The step up to 3m1f is well worth exploring therefore, and he could progress enough to be the strongest stayer here.
3.30 Cheltenham – Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2)
Heads Up was second in the Champion Bumper in March, but although the winner will likely play her part at the big meetings this season for Willie Mullins, there have been distinctly mixed results from those in behind, with the third pulled up and fourth tailed off on their hurdles bows most recently.
Heads Up himself got off the mark at Listowel in September, but could be there for the taking up in trip and against some battle-hardened rivals, headed by GREAT FLEET for Dan Skelton. The five-year-old would not have jumped out as one of the yard’s more prominent novice hurdlers for this season, but having been third at Kelso in October, he was second behind the same winner, Conman John, in a class 2 event over 3m here at the Showcase meeting.
He travelled into that race like the winner and so the slight drop in trip should aid his chances, while he won a bumper on soft at Market Rasen in November. It may be has now come to the boil and retains the potential to step forward even further.
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