Cheltenham 1.15 In Excelsis Deo certainly returned to action with an eye catching run in October finishing best of all on ground that was probably a shade on the quick side that day , there should be a very good pace on and being so unexposed of what is still a handy looking mark I can make a decent case for this one. Of the rest Calico is exposed and has a mark that sums him up , while Aucunrisque has been out of form for a yard struggling at the minute. Funambule Sivola is well handicapped and he has some very good back form , but the 2 runs this season have been far from encouraging, stable firing in winners again though. Advised bet In Excelsis Deo 1pt win @ 15/8
Cheltenham 1.50 Thunder Rock has been knocking heads in graded company for the most part of the last season and returned to action with a smooth enough win and is still lower in the weights than when tackling the likes of Gerri Colombe in February. Monmiral is returning from an absence with the standard wind op from this yard , as I have said previously I am not a great fan of this and he was well behind Thunder Rock in that February contest. So Scottish is interesting but off a mark of 141 for not even winning since October 2022 is firmly off-putting. Fugitif readily tanked into the contest last time out before the lack of a run seemed to empty the tank late on , he has a very good record at the track and I can see hime being involved once again. Advised bet 1/2 pt ew Fugitif @ 7’1 firms offering 4 places
Doncaster 2.05 The top two in the betting Mister Who & Cerendipity have plenty to recommend them in a race mainly of exposed types who are not that well handicapped. The form of the yard who train Mister Who is off putting with no win for nearly 2 months and the jockey booking on Serendipity put me off having a bet in this race
Cheltenham 2.25 Broadway Boy demolished a small field last time out and has been walloped with a 9lb rise as a result and this is a lot tougher this time. Easy As That rather caught the eye somewhat on the return to action and is bred to relish today’s extra yardage (he’s out of a half-sister to the high-class staying jumper Time For Rupert) and looks a fascinating candidate at the bottom of the weights. City Chief ( dropped a pound ) & Malina Girl ( raised 11lb for that win ) renew rivalry and on the weights this time it should be a lot closer. Advised Bets 1pt place lay Broadway Boy standard terms & 1pt ew Easy As That @ 9’2
Doncaster 2.40 Gin Coco is the current favourite & while this is a bit harder than the race he won last time out , is the only one in the line up with any plus side on the handicap . Clear White Light put in a career best performance when wining over C&D , but the jockey booking looks a bit of a negative given he has gone over a month without success. Rare Edition drops back into handicap company , but its anyones guess as to what form he is in . Not a race I can see a way into
Cheltenham 3.00 Shanagh Bob beat a field of trees without much effort at Plumpton , this a much deeper race but the potential for this longer trip and the owners colours all offer a big plus side. Both Destroytheevidence & Cadell offer the best form , while Illico De Cotte looked a little unlucky not to score last time out just losing out on the bob to one that has run well since when 2nd off a mark of 129. A race I am just going to watch for the future
Doncaster 3.15 A very tricky puzzle of a handicap to solve with nothing standing out whatsoever on either form or handicap rating , so I will move on
Cheltenham 3.15 Bonttay is the current favourite at a very skinny looking 11’4 this evening , she is no doubt unexposed but this is a totally different grade to the last time out Hereford win ( form looks very ordinary to say the least ) & going up in trip is a big question mark too. Nurse Susan returned to action form a mammoth lay off of over 600 days in a graded chase ( well backed too ) That game is soon dispensed with and she is back over hurdles once again. I am sure a mark of 125 is not beyond her , but I would want to be seeing more on the track before she became a betting proposition. Advised Bet 1pt place lay Bonttay standard terms