Racing
Cheltenham Place 6 preview | 12th March
13:30 Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
SLADE STEEL must have a solid chance of making the frame in the opener. His only loss over hurdles came at the hands of Ballyburn, but with that horse now switched to Wednesday’s opener, he should be in the mix. MYSTICAL POWER has yet to taste defeat in three starts and holds leading claims.
TIPS: SLADE STEEL, MYSTICAL POWER
14.10 My Pension Expert Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices’ Chase (Grade 1)
GAELIC WARRIOR has only found one too good at the Cheltenham festival for the last two years, and despite fluffing his lines last time out, he remains the one to beat. Il ETAIT TEMPS couldn’t live with stablemate Gaelic Warrior at Limerick but captured a good-quality Grade 1 race last time out and must be respected.
TIPS: GAELIC WARRIOR, Il ETAIT TEMPS
14.50 Ultima Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap)
CHIANTI CLASSICO has taken well to chasing, and the fact that he is the choice of jockey David Bass could speak volumes. MEETINGOFTHEWATERS didn’t get very far last time but might be worth another chance with Mark Walsh taking the ride. KITTY’S LIGHT had a great season last year by winning the Eider Chase, Scottish National, and Bet365. He has not been at his best so far this season, but if they go a strong gallop in this race, he should be finishing his race to good effect in the latter stages. I’ll include ELDORADO ALLEN who has a good Cheltenham Festival record. He should run very well.
TIPS: CHIANTI CLASSICO, MEETINGOFTHEWATERS, KITTY’S LIGHT, ELDORADO ALLEN
15:30 Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy (Grade 1)
STATE MAN is by far and large the classiest horse in the field. He gained a second Irish Champion Hurdle last time out and is impossible to oppose in the Champion Hurdle in his quest to go one place better than last year.
TIPS: STATE MAN
16:10 Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle (Registered As The David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle) (Grade 1)
LOSSIEMOUTH is undoubtedly the one to beat in the Mares’ Hurdle; this will be her first start beyond two and a half miles, but last year’s Triumph Hurdle winner is the most likely winner. The unbeaten LANTRY LADY has bolted up in both her hurdle starts and could be the joker in the pack. Jack Kennedy is also a positive jockey booking.
TIPS: LOSSIEMOUTH, LANTRY LADY
16:50 Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (Registered As The Fred Winter) (Premier Handicap)
MILAN TINO made the frame in listed and Grade 2 races in France last autumn and has shaped well in a pair of Grade 2 races at this course the last two times. An opening mark of 126 looks extremely lenient. NARA has finished behind Eagle Fang twice, but she is weighted to reverse the form on these better terms. MISS MANZOR beat a few of these last time out and is an appealing proposition at double-figure odds.
TIPS: MILAN TINO, NARA, MISS MANZOR
