With Cheltenham now just 2 months away, we wanted to provide you with a couple of horses on the radar that may well contest one of the handicaps at the Festival.
We’ve referred back to our review of last year’s meeting and taken two of potential interest for this years Festival.
Our Cheltenham review from last year is freely available within the members dashboard: Cheltenham Festival 2020 Review – A Racing First
Coko Beach trained by Gordon Elliott, was noted as one to mark up from his 9th place finish in the Coral Cup. This season he has changed codes and been sent chasing; and whilst he has yet to win over fences, he’s run some nice races in small fields, and could be of interest if targeted at one of the Festival handicaps.
Thyme White has run just twice since Cheltenham, and whilst he suggested he’d be of real interest when sent over fences, he has looked a hugely improved horse this season. An impressive winner at Chepstow on his reappearance, he then unseated Harry Cobden when still yet to make his challenge at Newbury last time. He might just be one that is being looked after for something like the County Hurdle, where his current rating of 141 should see him make the cut off for the race, if that is indeed the plan.
Update: 28th January, aracingfirst members bet.
3.25 Gowran Park – Coko Beach (e/w) – generally 15/2 or 7/1
Making his handicap debut over fences, he looks to potentially be on a nice mark with a rating of 138, and should appreciate the test of stamina. A decent handicap hurdler, he ran well in the Coral Cup at The Festival from a rating of 145, where he’d have finished a fair bit closer but for being hampered 2 out. Since switching to fences, he’s looked a very sound jumper and shown plenty of promise behind in novice events, including when 2nd to Pencilfulloflead, a subsequent graded winner. A very competitive race, but Coko beach looks to hold strong claims and is sure to prove himself better than his current handicap mark.
Result: WON 8/1
All The Best,
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