Good Evening folks
Two further race plays in a tricky period for me tomorrow are below, along with the selections already sent and their write up’s. Lots of tough chases Saturday, nothing more for to follow.
12:25 Doncaster
BOLD REACTION – 1/2 Pt EW @ 28/1 boost Hill/Lads, 25/1 generally
Caught my eye jumping well LTO against the 2nd fav for this on his 1st start of the year/stable debut. Still only 7, he was a point winner over 3 miles and will surely have come on a lot for that recent outing.
He has run 2 of his best races at Donny, going very close both times and I like the jockey booking who rides this chase course well. Another to hopefully go from the front?, I thought he was over priced at the foot of the weights and worth chancing.
3:35 Cheltenham
PRETENDING – 1.25 Pt Win @ 14/1 boost Lads/Hills, 12/1 BOG drifting generally
MOLTO BENE – 3/4 Pt Win @ 20/1 Hills boost, 18/1 drifting generally
5 year olds have a cracking record in this so I will take these two improvers. Pretending loves the C & D, will go from the front, and the trainer targets this race having won 2 of the past 3 renewals. Her form is strong, especially the Uttoxeter win 2 runs back (thrown up numerous subsequent winners) and she thrashed Georgi Girl in her C & D win. Instead of EW I think Molto Bene can also go well. Lightly raced, although up in class, she is improving and has won 2 of her 3 handicap’s to date. She too sits prominently so for a trainer in form, I like he keeps the faith with her regular rider Lily Pinchen who has ridden 3 winners from her last 5 rides for the yard so I felt worth playing the pair
12:40 Cheltenham
HAITI COULEURS – 1 Pt Win @ 8/1 Bet365, 7/1 generally
A bold, good jumping front running horse, hopefully we can have one of those go our way for a change as we know those tactics work well here, especially on the chase course.
1:13 Cheltenham
THEONEWEDREAMOF – 1.25 Pts Win @ 5/1 generally
This five-year-old has quickly switched to chasing and she came on for her Kilbeggan third behind Jasmin De Cotte with a very good win at Tipperary in July, beating a couple of subsequent winners who are now rated 107 and 116.
She jumped well and beat them easily, so there’s every reason to expect a bold bid from a handicap mark of 111 given her trainer’s prowess both at Cheltenham and in mares-only races.
Indeed, he won this very race with La Malmason last year and so there’s every chance he has had it circled in the calendar for Theonewedreamof from some way out.
1:50 Cheltenham
GRANDEUR DAME – 1 Pt EW @ 9/1 Bet365 4 places, 8/1 4 places generally
Fourth in the race last season, that effort was off the back of a quick run but this horse is excellent and shows his best form when fresh. He comes here off a break this time and has been plotted at the race. He was 3lb out of the handicap that day but gets in here off a lovely low weight. The form of his win LTO is very strong with Il Ridito & GA Law beaten and we know that pair were 1st & 2nd in the Paddy Power, a race which is very, very strong form. Now 8, his trainer has stated he is working the house down and is a much better, stronger horse this time around from last year’s race. His prominent style of racing is well served to Cheltenham over fences so I think he can improve on last years good 4th and should go close IMO luck granted which is always needed.
2:05 Doncaster
GABORIOT – 1.25 Pts Win @ 5/1 Bet365, 9/2 generally
A smooth travelling 8 year old, his run over a trip to short LTO was a cracker back from a break and this looks to have been the plan. That form was well franked with the winner going in again today in a classy Cheltenham race. Lovely racing weight, the trainer is in brilliant form and is indeed 5 winners, 7 placers form 12 runners in handicap chases at this course and a superb 2 wins from 4, the other couple narrowly beaten 2nds so all in all should go close.
3:15 Doncaster
NORMAN FLETCHER – 1.5 Pts Win @ 5/1 generally
A cosy winner LTO, this improving 5 year old can go well for his in form trainer/jockey who do well here. The form of his penultimate run at Cheltenham is ‘Hot’ form, 4 handicap winners already coming from it including one who thrashed Friday winner Miribad. He was unlucky in that race after getting knocked too far back so if running to form should go close.