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17/04 Cheltenham Preview: Side With Dashel Drasher To Win The Novices’

Syndicate Captain Cheltmental returns with his preview of Wednesday’s £5,000 Best Dividend Guaranteed Place 6 pool at Cheltenham. Like his selections? Then why not join his Syndicate.

 

14:05 – Novices’ Hurdle (Class 2) (4yo+)

Ask Dillon probably won’t line up here but he’s a horse I like and he would have a chance if they don’t go too fast early. Dashel Drasher is the probably the most complete runner in the field and the easiest to fancy.

Cotswold Way can be keen, so tactically he’ll want a good pace to aim at. Dr Sanderson looks straight forward enough and this trip should be his ideal.

Mill Green has been in fair form this spring and Nicky Henderson does well in this race but I’d expect something in here to be better than him long term. Buzz De Turcoing could easily surprise a few on rules debut but even I wouldn’t expect him to land this

Selections – Dashel Drasher, Dr Sanderson

 

14:40 – Silver Trophy Chase (A Limited Handicap) (Grade 2) (Class 1) (5yo+)

Quite a neat looking renewal and certainly a very open looking race. I’m interested in a couple of runners though who are Tree Of Liberty & Highway One O One. The latter has a much more obvious case to be made for him through his trials day form line and a chance the ground was too slow for him at the festival so he’s worth another chance.

Tree Of Liberty would be a much less straightforward to fancy but I’m intrigued at the fact he’s only raced at 2m for his new yard when he looked as though he wanted a trip prior. I also think that spin at the Festival should bring him on for this race but Jockey bookings and trusting my assumptions are the worries.

Imperial Presence should run a solid race despite carrying top weight and if I’ve got it wrong about Rene’s Girl probably not liking this track, she could get involved

Selections – Tree Of Liberty, Highway One O One, Imperial Presence

 

15:15 – Handicap Hurdle (Class 2) (4yo+)

Another open looking race but there are a few that I’d expect to run well. Espoir De Teilee looks likely to have come on from his stable bow so he’s on the shortlist and I’m adamant Gowiththeflow has much more ability than his current mark would suggest. His recent wind op might be the answer to a very disappointing start to this season.

Another runner fresh from a wind op is No Hassle Hoff. A frustrating horse in the main but capable on a good day and the yard do well after wind procedures. Rather Be also reverts back to hurdles and on his best form would have a good chance and stablemate Jenkins will play a part at some point.

Back On The Lash is a horse I’m keeping an eye on for the future so I’d like and expect him to run well here off bottom weight

Selections – Espoir De Teilee, Gowiththeflow, No Hassle Hoff, Back On The Lash

 

15:50 – Nicholson Holman Chase (A Novices’ Limited Handicap) (Class 3) (5yo+ 0-135)

Theme of the day continues with another wide open race. I’m keen to avoid the very front of the market but Darius Des Bois looks the most solid of those towards the head. He’s unexposed and looks to be crying out for this but he will need to prove he handles this track and his jumping needs to improve.

Clondaw Cian will be at the complete other end of the betting but on balance I think he’s value. Both Tikk Tock Boom & Fifty Shades are out of the handicap but both could be capable of finishing in the frame

Selections – Darius Des Bois, Clondaw Cian, Tikk Tock Boom, Fifty Shades

 

16:25 – Handicap Hurdle (Class 2) (4yo+)

No surprise to hear me say this looks open but I do think this one is harder to call given the field have had different tests this season. First Assignment could still run well but I’d prefer Tobefair and Goodbye Dancer on form lines with him. The latter could run well at a big price.

Chameron is a slow burner but he’s interesting in first time blinkers. Thomas Campbell is off a really nice mark especially with the jockey’s claim so he’s highly likely to be involved. Dans Le Vent is another who should be involved but seems to lack the bottle to win a race like this

Selections – Tobefair, Goodbye Dancer, Thomas Campbell, Dans Le Vent

 

17:00 – Handicap Chase (Class 2) (5yo+ 0-150)

Hard to get too excited about any runner in this race but you can see why Dingo Dollar heads the market given he brings the class element to the race. On balance though he’s not far ahead of Rocky’s Treasure and the race could easily end up a battle between the pair.

However I’m not confident that will be the case and Marquis Of Carabas ran better on his last start in September than it might first look so he could go under the radar and play a surprise role if the market leaders fluff their lines

Selections – Dingo Dollar, Rocky’s Treasure, Marquis Of Carabas

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