Racing
Cheltenham Place 6 preview | 19th April
13.30 – Matt Hampson Foundation Silver Trophy Handicap Chase – 2m4f
CAPTAIN TOM CAT developed into a smart chaser a couple of years ago, who has won four times around this trip, including a Grade 2 and returned to form with a good second last time from his reduced mark. He would have finished a clear second but for falling at the last fence and remains well-treated at present, so he surely has a big chance with Luke Scott taking off a further seven pounds. DEYRANN DE CARJAC has run well here numerous times off higher marks and is feared, while PRESENTANDCOUNTING has won four of his last six starts over hurdles and might have been targeted at this race for a while, so Donald McCain’s charge is also included in the opener.
Selections: CAPTAIN TOM CAT, DEYRANN DE CARJAC, PRESENTANDCOUNTING
14.05 – Kingston Stud Handicap Hurdle – 2m4f
WILLASTON has made a good start for this stable and ran well in a warm handicap at Aintree last year. He ran well on his return at Bangor last time when second and should be able to build on that with this course sure to bring his stamina into play, so he definitely makes the shortlist. SCARFACE has run well in two slightly stronger events the last twice and also has a chance from a nice mark.
Selections: WILLASTON, SCARFACE
14.40 – Gloucester Brewery Holman Handicap Chase – 3m4f
ALMAZHAR GARDE has a tendency to make mistakes but he has a lot of ability and his second in the Grand Military Gold Cup at Sandown was a good effort in defeat. If he can keep the errors at bay, he is sure to be competitive with stamina his forte. COUP DE PINCEAU wasn’t disgraced in the cross country last time here when seventh of 16 in cross-country chase at the Festival and has been given a good chance by the assessor back over the normal fences. YOUNG BULL has low-mileage and should be fitter from his return at Exeter last time. He’s got a fair chance with Daryl Jacob remaining in the saddle.
Selections: ALMAZHAR GARDE, COUP DE PINCEAU, YOUNG BULL
15.15 – Citipost Novices’ Hurdle – 2m4f
CHANCYCOURT shaped promisingly when a close-up second in a bumper at Worcester and while he hasn’t been seen for 18 months, the fact that connections are starting him over hurdles at this course makes him of strong interest. He could be very smart and is therefore going on the ticket. PIKAR clocked a good time in winning at Warwick and he ran well when third here two starts ago, so Dan Skelton’s charge is respected having undergone wind surgery since last time as well.
Selections: CHANCYCOURT, PIKAR
15.50 – Weatherite Air Conditioning Handicap Chase – 3m2f
PERCUSSION has advanced his form to a new level over the last 12 months and has made a good start to this season when placed in both the Grand Sefton and Becher Chase over the National fences at Aintree. He wasn’t beaten far at Wetherby last time and it’s interesting to see him being targeted at this race instead of tackling one of the races over the National fences at the Grand National meeting. He is two pounds lower than when third in the Becher and a big performance looks firmly on the cards. I’ll also add MISTER MALARKY is on the same mark as when second in this race last year and is capable of going well if he is in the mood.
Selections: PERCUSSION, MISTER MALARKY
16.25 – Safran Landing Systems Handicap Hurdle – 2m7f
A competitive race but SANTOS BLUE has been on a roll of late, winning his last three and he won a good race at Kelso very easily last time when beating a pair of 126-rated horses by more than five lengths. He has only been raised six pounds and the step up in distance should be a positive move. He has to be the answer for a top-three finish.
Selections: SANTOS BLUE
