Jewson Novices’ Chase:
Hopefully, you’ve still got some money left for the third day of the festival as it doesn’t get any easier! There are several in with chances in this tight-looking handicap, but Paul Nicholls comes to the rescue with CHAPOTURGEON which, unusually for a Nicholls chaser at the festival, doesn’t look at all badly treated. Furthermore, he’s a fair price at 7/1, but do back him with Ladbrokes (£200 free) as they’ll give you a free bet to the same stake if he wins – fair play to the magic sign.
Pertemps Handicap Hurdle:
Everyone seems to think you want a plot horse for this race but it often goes to an in-form horse, and the one that jumps out at me is SYNCHRONISED (12/1 Victor Chandler - £50 free). On jockey bookings, he’s the Jonjo O’Neil-JP McManus second string behind Don’t Push It, but I don't buy into that. Last time out, he posted his best rating so far when winning a qualifier for this race at Haydock (the same one won by last year’s Pertemps Final winner Ballyfitz) in a time that was much faster than that clocked earlier in the afternoon by Kasbah Bliss. Enough said!
Ryanair Chase:
I can see Gwanako (16/1 Stan James - £50 Free) running a big race here, but there can be only one winner here – VOY POR USTEDES. The 2006 Arkle and 2007 Champion Chase winner is 11/10 with Coral - £25 free to continue his love affair with Cheltenham.
World Hurdle:
Fifth in 2007 and second in 2008, KASBAH BLISS is 11/10 across the board (2.18 Betfair- £25 free) to make it third time lucky. He’s undoubtedly improved since last year and couldn’t have been more impressive last time at Haydock, so why look elsewhere for the winner? The first-time blinkered Mobaasher is my idea of the best each-way bet at a tasty 28/1 with William Hill.
Festival Plate:
This looks a bit of a pin job but SILVERBURN could go well at a big price – 33/1 is tops with bet365 - £100 free, who also happen to be offering five places. Silverburn, a brother of Denman, hasn’t lived up to expectations this season but there have been valid excuses and is being tried in blinkers here.
Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir:
These Cheltenham handicaps are like the last piece of chocolate gateaux in the fridge. You know it’s no good for you (your pocket in this case), but it’s impossible to resist, and I’m particularly sweet on the chances of SHOULDHAVEHADTHAT (9/1 Stan James - £50 free), who can give his trainer Nicky Henderson a fourth success in this race. He’s ridden by Sam Waley-Cohen, who rode Liberthine to victory for Henderson in the Festival Plate in 2005 and is good value for his 3lb claim against fellow amateurs.
