Friday’s best bets, by Greg Wood
Having never felt the need to go out and buy some steel in either plate or section form, I’ve yet to contribute any direct reward to the firm that has been sponsoring the two-and-a-half mile novice chase on the first day of Cheltenham’s Open meeting for as long as I can remember. Hopefully plenty of racegoers and punters have sought them out for all their steel-related needs, however, because it is a race that has pinpointed outstanding chasers of the future with regularity over the years, including the future Gold Cup and Grand National winners Imperial Commander and Comply Or Die in the last decade alone.
Grands Crus, Dynaste and Taquin Du Seuil, who went on to take the JLT Novice Chase at the Festival last March, are also on the recent roll of honour, and the latest renewal looks well up to scratch, on paper at least, with the proven chasing form of Colour Squadron, the runner-up in the Byrne Group Plate at the latest Festival off a mark of 146, up against several excellent hurdlers from last season, including Splash Of Ginge, the Betfair Hurdle winner, Dell ‘Arca, who finished a close second in the same race and third in a Grade One at Aintree, and Champagne West, fourth home in the Albert Bartlett Novice Hurdle at the Festival.
Colour Squadron sets a solid standard, but has looked like a tricky ride in the past and his chance could suffer from the absence of the injured Tony McCoy from his saddle. if so, he may well find at least one to beat him from among the new recruits and at the prices, Dell ‘Arca is worth backing to making a successful debut over fences.
Karinga Dancer (1.50) has top weight in a fiercely competitive handicap chase earlier on the card, but looked like a typically progressive performer from Harry Fry’s burgeoning operation when successful off an 8lb lower mark at Exeter last time out. Blaklion (3.00) will be difficult to beat in the Grade Two novice hurdle, while Balthazar King (nb 3.35) is the best jumper in the field for the cross-country event and has plenty in hand of his rivals at the weights.
Tipping competition, day five
Our winners so far:
Monday
Shutthefrontdoor 2-1
Shouldavboughtgold 11-4
Nigel’s Destiny 7-4
Tuesday
Darna 7-2
Ned Stark 2-1
Jukebox Melody 7-1
Wednesday
Howard’s Legacy 13-2
Tolkein’s Tango 11-4
Sleepy Sioux 5-1
Thursday
Jennies Jewel 8-1
Vivaccio 7-1
Casino Markets 11-4
And our leader is:
JahLion +13.25
... who moved up from second thanks to Vivaccio (7-1). Other scores: cheriton +10.25, Grazioli09 +7.50, 15244 +5.75.
For today’s thrilling climax, we’d like your tips, please, for these races: 1.50 Cheltenham, 3.35 Cheltenham, 4.05 Cheltenham.
This week, we’re offering a second chance to win a copy of Cheltenham Et Al, The Best Of Alistair Down, a newly published collection of the best columns by the Racing Post man who sadly no longer adorns our screens on Channel 4. The book is “by turns moving, uplifting and laugh-out-loud funny,” says the blurb. If you don’t win, you can buy a copy here.
As ever, our champion will be the tipster who returns the best profit to notional level stakes of £1 at starting price on our nominated races, of which there will be three each day up until Friday. Non-runners count as losers. If you have not joined in so far this week, you are welcome to do so today, but you will start on -12.
In the event of a tie at the end of the week, the winner will be the tipster who, from among those tied on the highest score, posted their tips earliest on the final day.
For terms and conditions click here.
Good luck!
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And post your tips or racing-related comments below.
