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2.10 Cheltenham – Ch’tibello (e/w)
Ch’tibello looks to hold outstanding claims here. Having proven himself a top class handicapper a couple of years ago he progressed into higher graded company acquitting himself very well against the likes of Yanworth, My Tent or Yours and The New One, so proper Grade 1 performers. He’s had his sights dropped this season, but has been racing on ground simply too quick, as he appreciates cut in the ground. As a result he didn’t run quite so well and was dropped some 10lbs by the handicapper. Returning to a softer surface last time, he ran an absolute belter just finding Midnight Shadow half a length to good when giving 2lbs. That winner then won a Grade 2 Hurdle next time, so Ch’tibello faced an impossible task that day, and they pulled 8 lengths clear of the rest of the field. Given a break since then, his form after a break is excellent and with the plenty of give in the ground he’s a seriously strong fancy.
Crooks Peak won with any amount in hand for us last time on his handicap debut and could be the joker in the pack, as we have no idea how good he could prove. This is another step up, but he looked a decent animal last time and looks to have an excellent chance and perhaps the only real danger to Ch’tibello who is a very confident bet, if you’re allowed to be so bullish in a 26 runner Cheltenham handicap.
Result:
Ch’tibello WON 12/1
5.30 Cheltenham – Early Doors
Early Doors ran a cracker in this last year finishing a fine 3rd off a mark just 3lbs lower. He’s had a couple of runs behind Apple’s Jade this season, protecting his handicap mark. Only a 5yo last year, he’ll be a stronger and better horse now and must go close again.
Result:
Early Doors WON 5/1
1.30 Cheltenham – Defi Du Seuil
It’s been pretty close between Defi and Lostintranslation on their last two runs, but Defi Du Seuil has travelled like the better horse and having quickened away here at Cheltenham 2 runs ago, he was reeled in by the stronger stayer. Given a slightly more patient ride last time he held on well. Although it’s tight on ratings these two look the class act, Defi seems to be improving his jumping with every run and is fancied to get the better of his rival again, with the stable in fine form.
Result:
Defi Du Seuil WON 3/1
2.10 Cheltenham – Tobefair (e/w) & Not Many Left (e/w)
A 24 runner Cheltenham handicap, so it’s 2 against the field at nice prices.
Tobefair run up a right sequence in 2017 winning 7 on the bounce and then running in this event behind Presenting Percy, although the ground was quicker than ideal that day and his handicap mark had understandably sneaked up. Understandably a slight loss of form after and an attempt over fences which didn’t seem to work, he returned to hurdles last time and ran a massive race, finishing strongly into 2nd place. He’s now nicely handicapped again and this stiffer test of stamina will suit, he’s a massive price.
Not Many Left is quite the opposite in terms of experience, as he’s very much unexposed having raced just 8 times, winning twice which include an impressive maiden victory at Navan on soft ground, beating a couple of nice types. He also won last time when coming over to Huntingdon and although the winning margin was only a neck, he won with a bit in hand. Up just 4lbs for that run, he looks to be potentially well handicapped.
Result:
Tobefair 2nd 40/1
Not Many Left 3rd 16/1
4.10 Cheltenham – Eamon An Cnoic (e/w)
Eamon An Cnoic is really interesting having looked an improved performer after a wind op, which saw him win impressively last time from a very progressive horse in Capeland. The mind goes back to how strongly he travelled in the 3 Mile handicap here last season, tanking along until not getting home. A little in and out since then, he has the ability and if the wind op has done the trick, which it seemed to have done last time he’s nicely handicapped and very capable of gong very close.
Result:
Eamon An Cnoic 4th 10/1
5.30 Cheltenham – Any Second Now
With the right man in the saddle for these events, this chap is really interesting here and one of the least exposed chasers in the field. As a Novice Chaser he acquitted himself well behind the likes of Monalee and Footpad before not living up to favourite billing here last year. An eye-catching 5th in a competitive handicap at Leopardstown in December, he looks to have been laid out for this and off a mark of 143 should go very close.
Result:
Any Second Now WON 6/1 (Advised 9/1)
2.50 Cheltenham – Wicklow Brave (e/w)
Wicklow Brave looks to have a tall order off topweight, but he’s a very classy performer especially when encountering soft ground. His last run when 2nd to Espoir D’Allen has obviously taken a huge boost yesterday and this is pretty much the first big field handicap on his favoured ground he’s run in since making a mockery of the County Hurdle a few years back. We expect him to out run his odds here, even under topweight.
Result:
Wicklow Brave 2nd 28/1
Previous Nice Priced Winners…
Road To Respect – WON 14/1
Tully East – WON 8/1
Minella Rocco – WON 8/1
Diego Du Charmil – WON 13/2
Superb Story – WON 8/1
Cause of Causes – WON 8/1
Very Wood – WON 33/1
Same Difference – WON 16/1
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