Cheltenham 1.15 Its a welcome return to the major part of the jumps season with this opening race at the Mecca of jumps racing. This opening race is a decent field of probably more established horses for the season ahead. Haddex Des Obeaux is the current short priced favourite at around 5’2 , he is the one with most upside if a rather fragile type , you can see the chance for what it is. Of the others Before Midnight is certainly well handicapped & Red Rookie comes from a yard in decent form. But the one I like is Guy who comes from a yard who tends to target these early season Cheltenham meetings and who is in fine recent form with an easy win at Fontwell. He has been tried highly before in a group 3 here over a trip too far & ran perfectly well. This is a lower grade by far and he should be very competitive. Advised Bet Guy 1/2 pt ew @ 9’1 firms offering 4 places
Kelso 1.29 A race that has been shoe-horned into the ITV programme because of other meeting being called off , its full over very exposed types and not a race I am interested in at all for a bet . The most interesting aspect is the return of Corach Rambler the Grand national winner , but I suspect it will be a case of just pottering about for fitness on his return to action
Cheltenham 1.50 A race that loos to be between to horses in the shape of Blueking D’Oroux & Spirit D’Aunou , the ratings say the former should take the beating but the yard have been very hit and miss for me and I am just going to watch this one
Donacaster 2.10 The big group 1 race of the day and the going at Doncaster is going to be very hard going for these 2 year olds. Ancient Wisdom is the one to beat on official ratings & he certainly holds the strongest form lines. Diego Velazquez is the Irish challenger & his yard is always to be feared in this contest. His form is very good and I just feel he has more to offer at this sort of test. Advised Bet Diego Velazquez 1pt win @ 5’2
Cheltenham 2.25 I am rather puzzled as to why the Irish raider Amrite is the current market leader , yes he is only 7 and has a little potential , but he is a very free going sort who does not jump that well , so who know’s ! Lord Accord won this last year and this looks to have been a target after a spin over hurdles on the return to action last time out. The one that catches my eye is Quick Draw who looked very impressive at Ludlow on the return to action and he has plenty of upsides for me against mainly exposed rivals . Advised Bet Quick Draw 3/4 pt ew @ 15’2 firms offering 4 places
Doncaster 2.45 A 2 year old contest that looks at the mercy of Northern challenger Ballymount Bay who if reproducing any of his recent form should take the beating. The challenge’s are headed by Esquire & Al Shabab Storm but both have something to find with the favourite. The only downside is the form of the yard who has gone a fair while without a winner & plenty have run like drains and that stops be from getting involved bet wise
Cheltenham 3.00 Irish raider Bugs Moran heads the betting and on form you can see it , but his racing style of being held up is likely to be a big negative in this size of field and I think he will need plenty to go right in the run. Hugos New Horse come from the Nicholls yard and a productive time last season , but his racing style ( a free going front runner ) does not lend it self to him staying 3 miles , so not for me that one. The Irish runner We’llhavewan is to the for of the betting , but he looks a very tricky type after that last win ( worth a watch at the antics ) Hyland returned to action with a good win and while this is a step up in class he looks to have strengthened and returned a stronger type this season & the run at Newbury showed he stays well. Advised Bet Hyland 1/2 pt ew @ 12’1 firms offering 6 places
Donacaster 3.20 A race full of exposed types and very competitive too boot with plenty having form on deep ground , so its a race I can pass over very easily for a bet