13:30 – Cheltenham: BROADWAY BOY TO WIN @ EVS
Broadway Boy is a clear favourite at just under even money to take this handicap chase and I imagine he can resume winning ways back down in class. He finished 2nd to Kandoo Kid in the Coral Gold Cup and was only given a 2lb rise in the weights for that. That form also looks strong with the 3rd and 5th winning since.
He has also won two times from four at the track, and importantly copes with soft ground (looks likely for this meeting), so he has an awful lot in his favour. I would probably have Bowtogreatness as the biggest threat if he was on a going day, but he is very inconsistent.
Despite all of the reasons given, I would be wanting at least even money to be a player here. Net88 have boosted Broadway Boy to EVENS. You can back it here under the specials tab.
13:45 – Musselburgh: NO BET
The quirky character, Benson looks to defend his title in this race and is certainly handicapped to do so but he has some young contenders to deal with this year. I would probably side with Liari over Sweet Fantasy and probably just about overall but there is no value in the race to my eyes.
14:05 – Cheltenham: MIDNIGHT RIVER EW @9/1
This looks a more competitive race than the prior handicap and is certainly one you can make a case for all of the runners. The market is dominated by 3 horses who are all around 7/2 in Springwell Bay, Colonel Harry and Gemirande. The case is obvious for all of them, Springwell Bay is back in calmer waters in a handicap, Colonel Harry is back down in trip after shaping a non stayer at Newbury and Gemirande won the December Gold Cup over C&D last time out. However, I am actually going to take a chance on one at a bigger price in MIDNIGHT RIVER, the winner of this race in 2023. Dan Skelton’s gelding hasn’t been running well as of late but he is beginning to look well treated again, in fact he is now down to a mark of 148, 3lb below his last winning mark. Maybe he is just not the force of old but at 9/1, I am happy to take a chance he retains his ability, especially returning to the venue where he has strong form. He will also cope with the likely soft ground & looks worth one last chance.
14:20 – Musselburgh: NO BET
Similar to the other contest at Musselburgh, this is not a race I will be having a bet in but the market seems to have the right favourite in Corrigeen Rock as he certainly seems to like the course, the general 10/3 price probably isn’t too bad.
14:40 – Cheltenham: ONE BIG BANG TO WIN @ 11/4
I think the market is right once again here by having ONE BIG BANG as favourite for this handicap hurdle and I suspect he could go one better than his last effort at Haydock. He bumped into a remarkable winner in Shoot First , a very rare drifting winner from the Charles Byrnes stable. The 3rd that day went up 2lb and should have won a race at Chepstow. James Owen’s charge has only gone up 3lb for that and I suspect he is still well handicapped off a mark of 127 and I think any odds over 2/1 are worth taking. This is not an easy race mind and I can see the case for Deep Cave but he has been well backed into 6/1 and represents no value now. ONE BIG BANG 11/4 2PT WIN
15:15 – Cheltenham: LANGER DAN TO WIN @ 5/1
For starters, I am shocked Bob Olinger didn’t come to defend his win in this race but never mind, he will have to go back to Aintree. This race for me revolves around LANGER DAN and whether he is going to be at his best. If he is – the 5/1 available now (was 10/1 ante post) is an insulting price as he is 11lb superior on ratings to anything in this race. I see no reason why he wouldn’t be at his best here as this is a valuable race, at the course he clearly likes and in my opinion you have to bet him in this race. LANGER DAN 5/1 1PT WIN
Racing elsewhere:
I think Kalif Du Berlais is a nice novice chaser and he should take the first at Cheltenham (12:20 but the 5/6 is obviously not an exciting price. Monty’s Star steps up into open company for the first time at Tramore (14:15) and that looks an exciting race against good horses like Minella Indo and Appreciate It. It is also worth watching the mares chase at Fairyhouse (14:25) where Limerick Lace will be looking to bounce back from a poor run at Haydock. It would also be no surprise to me if Slugger landed his hat-trick for Harry Derham in the 15:30 at Musselburgh.
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