Racing
Cheltmental’s Tingle Creek Preview – day 2
View Cheltemental’s Syndicates here. 18+
12:15
CORE SPREADS “NATIONAL HUNT” NOVICES’ HURDLE (Class 3) (4yo+) Winner £6,256 10 runners 1m7f216y
ZANZA had a few entries for this weekend and this looks a nice place to find out just how good he is. Having won with ease on hurdles debut after his only likely rival fell 2 out. GREANETEEN was pulled last Thursday when the ground dried up. The opposite is true here and he’s very exciting on debut. HOLD THE NOTE has run in two bumpers this season winning once on heavy ground before finishing a close 4th in a Class 1 at Cheltenham. Another who will like the slow ground here. I CAN’T EXPLAIN hacked up in his point last year but the depth of that win is questionable but will be popular under a combination in flying form. JAMMY GEORGE was 5l behind THE BIG BITE at Chepstow and that horse has won very well since. That was on GS but this lad has form on slow ground. PHEONIX WAY was hugely disappointing on debut and despite the slower ground probably a plus he’d need to have improved bundles to feature here
Selections: ZANZA / GREANETEEN / HOLD THE NOTE / JAMMY GEORGE
12:50
ELMBRIDGE MARES’ HANDICAP HURDLE (QUALIFIER FOR THE CHALLENGER MARES’ HURDLE SERIES FINAL) (Class 3) (3yo+ 0-125) Winner £9,384 10 runners 2m3f173y
Probably the hardest leg comes here with ground a worry for most. JUBILYMPICS has at least won on heavy and probably in this company can run a race off her current mark. QUEENS MAGIC is unraced under rules on anything other than GD ground but that might be a timing thing as opposed to preference. Dam suggest she’ll be ok on slower ground so she’s certainly of interest. MAEBH was well thought of enough to run in the Grade 2 bumper at Aintree and wasn’t disgraced at 100/1. Arguably only won the last day as the second tried to run out but I’m sure she will be happy on slower ground and her opening mark might be workable. BIG PENNY has been pulled up the last twice but the booking of Barry Geraghty is enough to earn her a spot
Selections: JUBILYMPICS / QUEENS MAGIC / MAEBH / BIG PENNY
13:20
PERTEMPS NETWORK HANDICAP HURDLE (SERIES QUALIFIER) (Class 2) (4yo+) Winner £12,512 10 runners 2m7f98y
LIEUTENANT COLONEL was part of the Gigginstown clearance sale and Sophie Leech has landed herself a proper horse here. Better form at shorter trips than this and it will take some getting on slow ground but was tried a few times by Gordon Elliott at the trip so much hint he wants in his homework. HOLLY BUSH HENRY took this race last year and has actually won on heavy ground since. He’s 5lbs higher but that course form and a recent wind op could see him play a part. ICE COOL CHAMPS is lightly raced and is another with form on Heavy. This looks more than just a prep run and his mark looks workable. ANOTHER EMOTION steps up for the third race in a row but this ex pointer should relish that and his opening mark might not been too harsh
Selections: LIEUTENANT COLONEL / HOLLY BUSH HENRY / ICE COOL CHAMPS / ANOTHER EMOTION
13:50
RANDOXHEALTH.COM HENRY VIII NOVICES’ CHASE (GRADE 1) (Class 1) (4yo+) Winner £30,949 6 runners 1m7f119y
You can understand why LALOR will be a short priced favourite in here after his debut performance and, with respect, the depth of the field. If he puts in a round of jumping like he did at Cheltenham then he’ll be hard to stop but the fences come along very fast round here and can catch out the best of jumpers. PINGSHOU might never fulfil his potential and the likely pace that DIAKALI will set off at might light him up early which might not help his cause. HIGHWAY ONE O ONE & DYNAMITE DOLLARS both have enough to find with LALOR but the slower ground should help both their chances although it wouldn’t hinder LALOR unless it’s lashing it down during the race
Selection: LALOR
14:25
JUMEIRAH HOTELS AND RESORTS DECEMBER HANDICAP HURDLE (LISTED RACE) (Class 1) (4yo+) Winner £39,389 10 runners 1m7f216y
Handicaps tend to be run at a pretty decent clip which plays into the hands of APPLE’S SHAKIRA here who despite being top rated might just be capable off this mark. Headgear again and she runs well on slow ground so she has to go in. The concern with her is that she was very worked up before the Triumph which cost her the race but she was very calm on debut at Cheltenham before. Hopefully the crowd here doesn’t rile up. TOTTERDOWN has been hiked 10lbs for his win round here last month in similar conditions which might be enough to halt him. I’M A GAME CHANGER has been supported the last twice without showing a huge amount and this mark looks steep enough but might enjoy the softer conditions. ERAGON DE CHANAY also won here last month and is up 8lbs. That was a very nice ride and Niall will look for the same again here to defy the new mark. NELSONS TOUCH has a 9lb pull with TOTTERDOWN now so should figure on those revised terms. TIMEOTEO ran well in first time headgear but that was over 20 months ago so he’ll certainly come on for the run
Selections: APPLE’S SHAKIRA / I’M A GAME CHANGER / ERAGON DE CHANAY / TOTTERDOWN
15:00
BETFAIR TINGLE CREEK CHASE (GRADE 1) (Class 1) (4yo+) Winner £84,405 4 runners 1m7f119y
I think bar incident the market has this about right with ALTIOR likely to come out on top. The likely quick pace should see him at his best however on his final race last season, which came round here, he did need to be asked but duly replied with a flying finish once more. Had to be niggled a little bit at Cheltenham but that was more for position than anything else. The reason I bring these points up is that SAINT CALVADOS will try and steal this from the front but I don’t think he’s good enough to do it and UN DE SCEAUX will surely have to try and kick for home at least a couple out. With all that said I don’t think they can catch him out and Nico will be conscious of this. SCEAU ROYAL shows his best form on tracks with incline finishes but tactically I think he’ll follow ALTIOR round and I can’t see how he would pass him. Despite the small field it’s one to savour and just hope we have a trouble free round from all and get to see the best horse win the race, which is undoubtedly ALTIOR
Selection: ALTIOR
View Cheltemental’s Syndicates here. 18+
