2.10: RSA Novice Chase
You need to be high-class to win a novice chase over 3 miles at Cheltenham and whilst there are some progressive sorts in this, I’m not sure there are too many outstanding candidates.
Might Bite is the favourite and hails from the top yard of Nicky Henderson. He’s won 2 of his last 3 chases. The one he failed in was a Grade 1 at Kempton where he’d have won comfortably bar a last fence fall. I’m always wary of any horse with jumping deficiencies. That makes the 3/1 a risky price to take, especially in this better quality event where jumping will prove key.
Mouse Morris sends over last year’s World Hurdle 2nd, Alpha Des Obeaux. He finished a long way clear of the rest that day and the horse to beat him was the mighty Thistlecrack so no shame there. He has won a Grade 3 at Cork, ran reasonably well in a Grade 1 after that but was disappointing when pulled up at Leopardstown over Christmas. However, it came out that he burst blood vessels that day so the form is ignored. His trainer will have him spot on for this and a repeat of his Festival form from 12 months ago will be enough to land the spoils here.
Whisper is another I came very close to backing. He’s a good ground horse who has won a couple of novice chases here this term but he was a long way behind Alpha Des Obeaux in the World Hurdle so I have to question whether he’s really value at a similar sort of price. It would be no surprise to see him right in the mix, though.
Acapella Bourgeois would be very interesting if the rain came whilst Bellshill would come into contention if he hadn’t been the focus of 2 high-profile falls, including one when schooling. Even Willie Mullins is a bit more reserved about his chances.
Royal Vacation has an each way squeak after being the beneficiary of Might Bite’s fall at Kempton as he looks to be on an upward curve whilst Our Kaempfer and O O Seven look to be just short of the required class to take this.
Back Alpha Des Obeaux (e/w) for a 1.5/10 stake at 7.00 Coral (¼ odds 1-3 BOG)
Back him here:
RACE OFFERS
888Sport
New Customers Only
Ante-post Special – Day Two
PICK EITHER:
Might Bite – To win the RSA Chase – 12/1
Douvan – To win the Queen Mother Champion Chase – 5/1
ENDS WEDNESDAY 15TH MARCH
Click on the image to bet on one of these with 888Sport.
BETFAIR
NEW CUSTOMERS – DAY TWO
MIGHT BITE TO WIN THE RSA CHASE – A HUGE 16/1
OFFER ENDS – WEDNESDAY 14th MARCH AT 14.10.
Click on the image to open an account with Betfair.
See Betfair for full details.
PADDY POWER
NEW CUSTOMERS – DAY TWO
MIGHT BITE TO WIN THE RSA CHASE – A HUGE 16/1
OFFER ENDS – WEDNESDAY 14th MARCH AT 14.10.
Click on the image to open an account with PP.
See Paddy Power for full details.
2.50: Coral Cup
26 runners for this and I think it’s such an open race that I cannot bypass the chance to throw a couple of darts at it.
I start off by going with the in form yard of Gordon Elliott and recommending Automated. He’s been off for a few months but I’m convinced his trainer has been saving him for a big prize here. His trainer knows what it takes to win this having landed last year’s prize and won it again 5 years previous. He’s a hold up type who needs a strong pace and some luck in running but that’s the ideal profile for this. He won over 2 miles 4 furlongs last time when travelling the best of any and staying on all the way to the line. He will love the demands of Cheltenham and the increased trips holds no fears. Reunited with the jockey who took the opener yesterday, Jack Kennedy, and he’s only been out of the first 3 once in 8 attempts on this horse.
The 2nd selection is Kalondra from the Neil Mulholland yard. He’s a progressive type who is a 2nd season hurdler that has won 4 of his 12 hurdle starts to date. None of those wins was more impressive than last time out when clearing away at Huntingdon over 2 miles 3 furlongs. He steps back up in trip a little today and is raised 12lbs in the weight but that might not be enough to stop him as he’ll get the much-needed fast pace he needs. Noel Fehily does the steering which I’m happy about too as he’s ridden him 4 times over hurdles, winning 3 times. In a race of over hyped horses, this one has gone under the radar at a big looking price of 18/1 with Coral who are paying 6 places at ¼ the odds.
Back Automated (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 15,00 Coral (¼ odds 1-6 BOG)
Back Kalondra (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 19.00 Coral (¼ odds 1-6 BOG)
Back both here:
Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2017
