After a couple of days on the Old Course the Cheltenham Festival moves over to the New Course on Thursday for a very competitive day of racing. The highlight is the Stayers Hurdle but the Ryanair Chase is a popular race for plenty of punters. There are some juicy races alongside those too and we’ve picked out the best bets from them below.
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1.30: JLT Novice Chase
Favourite
A competitive looking 10 runner JLT kicks us off with Willie Mullins saddling yet another favourite in Invitation Only. I’m not convinced he has the best form on show & his jumping hasn’t always stood the challenge so I do worry about him taking on the stiff fences here at Cheltenham.
Preview
Gary Moore likes the chances of his horse, Benatar, but surely Finians Oscar, who Benatar beat in December, is a better shout at the weights. The latter’s jumping must improve & dependent on conditions, the ground may just put paid to their chances. Modus needs better ground, Shattered Love needs further & Kemboy needs experience.
Betting
Terrefort, the current 2nd favourite, carries my hopes. Still a 5 year old, this grey is 2 from 2 over fences in Britain & he’s looked very accomplished so far. In winning the Scilly Isles last time, I’d say that’s the best form of offer & he recorded an excellent time in the process.
It developed into a 2 horse battle with the very useful Cyrname & the selection’s jumping stood the test when taken on for the lead. Cyrname won the Wayward Lad & the Pendil either side of that Scilly Isles race. Terrefort will love the ground & given he has such a high cruising speed, is tailor made for this. He looks a cracking each way bet to nothing.
Tips
Back Terrefort to win for a 2/10 stake at 5.50 Boylesports BOG
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WON – Back Terrefort to place in the first 3 for a 2/10 stake at 2.00 Skybet
2.10: Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle
Preview
A big field of 26 for the Pertemps & young improvers who have run well in qualifiers without winning is the typical winner’s profile. There are plenty in with a chance, not least the favourite Glenloe, ridden by Barry Geraghty. He should run a good race but his mark continues to rise & I’m not sure he’s improving run on run. Despite finishing 3rd of 29 last time out, it felt like a backwards step from the 2 runs that preceded it.
Betting
I am taking 2 against the field & both are well fancied. The first is Delta Work who has raced 5 times this term without winning but has never finished out of the first 4. That includes an excellent 3rd in the Monksfield behind the mighty Samcro where he probably needed a stiffer test than the 2 and a half miles he got.
He started off in handicaps off a mark of 136 and was 4th behind Gold Cup entrant & odds on favourite Total Recall but was well clear off 5th. He then ran off a 3lb higher mark in a qualifier & was 3rd when not getting the best of runs. He had a 5lb claimer on board that day & was probably there just to ensure he got into this race. I expect to see an improved performance today &, off the same mark, he holds excellent claims.
Forza Milan is the 2nd selection, again well fancied at around 12/1. On the day that AC Milan travel to Arsenal bidding to overturn a first leg deficit, I’m supporting another Milan to bring home the bacon.
He looked a really promising type when less than 3 lengths behind Louis Van Pouch at Aintree (reopposes today on 5lb better terms), beating the 159-rated Beer Googles into 3rd. He was held up that day & the ability to come off a strong pace is a plus here. He then ran into a top handicap at Newbury where he toughed it out to grab 2nd again behind The Organist who was 5th in the Coral Cup. It appears that soft ground is needed & the fitting of a first time tongue tie might bring about more improvement.
Tips
WON – Back Delta Work (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 13.00 BetVictor BOG (¼ odds 1-5)
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Back Forza Milan (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 13.00 Bet365 BOG (¼ odds 1-5)
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5.30: Kim Muir Handicap Chase
Preview
The closing race on the card is a 3 mile 2 furlong handicap chase for amateur riders & it’s generally a good idea to stick with the better jockeys. Squouateur is favourite with JJ Codd seeking his 3rd win in the race in the last 4 years or his 6th win in 11 years. He was favourite for this race last year but fell 3 from home before being popped the question.
Available until 2.50pm
Betting
I’m opposing him but am going with another leading fancy in Mall Dini. Another who ran in this race last year, finishing 5th, he has plenty to recommend him today. He won the Pertemps at the Festival 2 years ago & was better than the bare result last year as he got behind & wasn’t helped by one of the latter fences being bypassed making it difficult for hold up horses to close. Trainer Patrick Kelly has an excellent record at the Festival (Presenting Percy is 2 from 2, Mall Dini 1 from 2); you don’t get much better than that!
In 3 runs this season, he’s yet to get his head in front but has faced some tough tasks. His first 2 starts were encouraging, finishing behind his stablemate & this year’s RSA winner, Presenting Percy, before finishing behind Invitation Only, the favourite for the opening JLT today. That last race was particularly solid, as the trip was a good three quarters of a mile too short. Blinkers are added to the tongue tie for this run & the likely heavy ground will suit & bring his stamina into play. A top amateur is on board & I fully expect him to be bang there over the last.
Tips
PLACED – Back Mall Dini (e/w) for a 2/10 stake at 6.50 William Hill BOG (¼ odds 1-4)
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