Cheltenham
12:10 - Datsalrightgino 15/2 1pt ew
Jamie Snowden’s charge has been mixing it in competitive novice handicap chases’ this season over 2 miles and has been running with a lot of credit. He was only just touched off by the Wayward Lad winner in Boothill to start his chasing campaign, and has since gone on to win at Chepstow himself.
In his next two contests DATSALRIGHTGINO has been ran off his feet, both times in races where there has been a strong gallop, before staying on quite well late on. Based off of this the step up in trip should really suit him at Cheltenham today, moreover he has course form, despite it being over hurdles. I am hopeful he gets a more prominent ride by Sheehan today and he can make use of his handicap mark of 138.
Cheltenham
12:40 - Easysland 8/1 1pt win
Now it is hard to be bullish about EASYSLAND, as since moving to Jonjo O’Neill he has only beaten one rival in 6 races, but he showed signs of life at Cheltenham last time when he managed to lie up with the pace until the taps were turned on in a decent handicap chase.
A return to the quirky cross country course will obviously suit him as this former festival winner knows what to do at these obstacles. He also gets some soft ground today and the installment of first time cheekpieces could sharpen him up, all of that alongside a low handicap mark of 130 make him worth chancing at the odds.
Cheltenham
14:25 - Protektorat 6/4 2pt win
When Dan Skelton’s horse is on a going day he is an incredibly talented horse, he has showed this on multiple occasions now, most recently in the Betfair Chase when he was an emphatic winner. Connections will be hopeful he can use today as a stepping stone to the Gold Cup and they will be confident of improving on his 3rd in the race last year, especially if winning today.
The contest today is no easy turn though, with the Many Clouds form is well represented, including the impressive winner Noble Yeats. However, I think PROTEKTORAT has better form in the book and will take the beating if if anything like the same form he showed at Haydock.
Ante Post: Gold Cup:
Protektorat 8/1 1pt win
Cheltenham
15:00 - Dashel Drasher 3/1 1pt win
This admirable horse has mixed it over fences and hurdles this season, always gives his running even when in defeat. Jeremy Scott’s charge did nothing wrong last time at Cheltenham when a good 2nd to Marie’s Rock, who would probably be favourite for the Stayers Hurdle if that was her target. He led that field and looked to be a big threat come the finish but just didn’t have the turn of foot to match the winner.
I don’t see a lot of pace in the race today and think Rex Dingle could boss the affair on DASHEL DRASHER, he will have Paisley Park to beat but I think a step back up to 3 miles should suit and he will make it as hard to pass as possible.
Ante Post: Stayers Hurdle:
Dashel Drasher 33/1 0.5pt ew
Doncaster
15:15 - Ga Law 11/4 1pt win
The form of the Paddy Power Gold Cup has proved red hot as usual and the winner GA LAW has another big target in his sight today with the Sky Bet Chase. Jamie Snowden’s charge really relished the hustle and bustle of a strongly run handicap, and he showed his stamina off really well, hitting the line hard to overcome French Dynamite late in the day.
Johnny Burke should get a strong pace to aim at today with Tea For Free and Cloth Cap both solid front runners, this should suit him as he will be able to let him sit behind the pace on his first start over 3 miles. The handicapper has put him up 8lb for his Cheltenham success but he is still a horse on the up and I think he can defy his rise.
Cheltenham
16:10 - Pikar 4/1 1pt win
Despite disappointing at Newbury last time I am more than happy to keep the faith in Pikar who must be a well handicapped horse off a mark of 129. He had ran against the best novice’s last term and comfortably won a novice hurdle at Chepstow this season, where the form has worked out very well.
I believe he had valid excuses last time out as the ground at Newbury was extremely testing last time and that was his first time stepping up in trip too, a recipe for disaster really. He returns to the minimum trip today and should get a fast gallop to aim at, this should allow Harry Skelton to pick his way through and hopefully PIKAR can prove as well treated as I think he is. Maybe going on to the Betfair Hurdle after victory today.
Ante Post: Betfair Hurdle:
Pikar 12/1 1pt win
Comments