Racing
Cheltenham Place 6 Preview | 24th October
13.15 William Hill Each Way Extra Handicap Hurdle
CLASSIC KING has a really solid record in this sphere with form figures reading 1222F2132 and he would have won the race he fell in at the last when in front. Emma Lavelle’s charge also boasts a good record when fresh.
He looked unlucky not to collect a stronger race at Kempton when last seen when set with so much to do. He returns off a 4lb higher mark, but has undergone wind surgery, and connections have booked Harry Cobden to ride.
LAST RODEO could be well treated on handicap debut off a mark of 118. Christian Williams’ charge has improved with each of his three starts and returned as an emphatic winner of an event at Lingfield last time out.
The five-year-old relished the step up in trip as he won by an easy nine lengths and he surely has more to come. This appears to have been a bit of a target, so at an each-way price, I can envisage him faring pretty well in the opener.
Tips: CLASSIC KING & LAST RODEO
13.50 Holland Cooper ‘Chasing Excellence’ Novices’ Chase
COUNTRY MILE couldn’t get to grips with the reopposing Alnilam when second on chase debut last month but the 8lb swing and return to this course can see Dan Skelton’s inmate gain revenge.
This dual winner over hurdles last season absolutely bolted up here last December, where he made the 139+ Wingmen look average, as he was a motionless seven-and-a-half-length winner.
He wasn’t up to Grade 1 level at Aintree next time out when only fifth, but he was deemed good enough to contest it and he even finished second in a Grade 2 at Haydock last term.
With room for plenty more improvement, the six-year-old can provide connections with another winner in this race with greater targets to tackle later into the campaign. I think he’s a major player.
Tips: COUNTRY MILE
14.25 Foundation Developments Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle
The most interesting runner in this race to me is Paul Nicholls’ ZAOCHEN ENKI, who I know fluffed his lines at Chepstow when last seen, but is surely better than that. He’s totally unexposed after just two outings in the UK and was visually impressive on stable debut back in March.
Tips: ZAOCHEN ENKI
15.00 Oddschecker Novices’ Hurdle
Un Sens A La Vie is an exciting youngster and will be a hot favourite. However, this is going to be a much different task to the two starts he has won, and at bigger odds, I’ll side with RUN FOR MAHLER.
This Irish raider was solid in bumpers and ran a good race when finishing second on hurdles debut to an above average prospect. She then stepped forward from that promise to see off Qualimita at Thurles.
Tips: RUN FOR MAHLER
15.35 squareintheair.com Handicap Chase squareintheair.com
I would go as far to say that this could be the race of the day with so many good horses doing battle and there’s one horse I’m drawn to.
A lot of these can be considered but if the ground does become soft with the forecast rain scheduled, then I would be confident of a bold showing from TRAPRAIN LAW.
The seven-year-old has to race from out of the weights but he’s only 3lb above his last winning mark and shaped well on his seasonal reappearance at Kelso earlier this month.
He ran well for a long way when seventh in the Grand Annual off a 5lb higher figure and has a few good efforts to his name off tougher marks.
Tips: TRAPRAIN LAW
16.10 Champions: Full Gallop Streaming On ITVX Novices’ Hurdle
In the hope he can prove himself on soft ground, I am all over PERCEY SHELLEY for the James Owen and Sean Bowen combination. I think the market has massively overlooked him.
He finished second five times in succession before producing a polished performance when scoring on hurdles debut in September at Uttoxeter before completing a walkover at Ludlow earlier this month.
This is obviously a different kettle of fish but this strong stayer on the flat could be well equipped for the task ahead and his handler regularly does well with similar types.
With more to come, he’s fancied to make a bold bid in his quest to remain unbeaten over timber.
Tips: PERCEY SHELLEY
