Racing
Cheltenham Place 6 preview | 20th April
13.30 – NAF Challenger Series Mares’ Hurdle Final Handicap Hurdle – 2m4f
WIDNTOTHELIGHTNING has made a very good start to her career, in which she completed a hat-trick over hurdles at Ayr last-time-out. She still appears to be ahead of her mark and is open to further improvement, so another bold showing is expected. PRESENTING A QUEEN chased home the former last time and has only been out of the frame once. She is respected, while PROGRESSIVE has been just that lately, winning two of her last three starts and cannot be taken lightly here.
Selections: WINDTOTHELIGHTNING, PRESENTING A QUEEN, PROGRESSIVE
14.05 – British EBF Mares’ Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase Final – 2m4f
EFFERNOCK FIZZ could only finish sixth in the Sussex Champion Hurdle last time but she returns to fences in a race she is capable of being competitive. She didn’t disgrace herself when sixth in the Grade 1 Arkle here last month and went close over C&D in a handicap here in October. If she gets into a rhythm, she could be tough to overhaul. VOICE OF CALM gained a confidence-booster success last time and has some strong form to her name, so she is next best.
Selections: EFFERNOCK FIZZ, VOICE OF CALM
14.40 – Catesby Estates Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle – 2m4f
I like the look of both Fergal O’Brien’s runners in race 3. LIFTING VERSE opened her account at the third time of asking in a listed bumper and while this is a tough starting point in her hurdles career, she could be a serious player if she puts in a fluent round under Connor Brace. Her stablemate LUTINEBELLA was smart in bumpers and has won two of her four hurdle starts. She is a threat back up in grade being the choice of Paddy Brennan.
Selections: LIFTING VERSE, LUTINEBELLA
15.15 – Sporting Agenda Challenger Series Mares’ Chase Final Handicap Chase – 3m1f
GOOD LUCK CHARM didn’t jump with much fluency when well adrift of Rose Of Arcadia last time but is better than that and has Harry Cobden doing the steering this time. She is on a dangerous-looking mark, so she could be thereabouts if her jumping can pass this test. I also like CREDO, who warmed up for this with a spin over hurdles last time and her record over fences reads 21221 from five starts. She bolted up at Warwick two starts ago and should go well being the most consistent runner in the race.
Selections: GOOD LUCK CHARM, CREDO
15.50 – Safran Landing Systems Fillies’ Juvenile Handicap Hurdle – 2m
KOMEDY KICKS was still in contention in a listed event at Doncaster before falling at the second last and drops in class on stable/handicap debut here. Her close-up second to Jazzy Matty is a solid piece of form given the winner advertised the form-lines by winning the Boodles at the Cheltenham Festival. An opening mark of 117 is lenient and she is one of my best bets on the card. I think she has an excellent chance. UNDER CONTROL folded tamely in a Grade 2 last time but will find this easier and could go well on handicap debut.
Selections: KOMEDY KICKS, UNDER CONTROL
16.25 – Stay In The Montpellier Town House Mares’ Handicap Chase – 2m
ROYALE MARGAUX ran her best race for this stable when fourth in a stronger race at Ascot last time and the assessor has dropped her mark a couple of pounds. She has to enter the reckoning with improvement to come, while PINK LEGEND shouldn’t be inconvenienced by the drop in distance and was second on her last visit here in a Grade 2.
Selections: ROYALE MARGAUX, PINK LEGEND
