1.30 – Sir Gerhard looks a banker here to me but I refuse to put him up at such skinny odds. THREE STRIPE LIFE has been beat twice by the favourite but the step up in trip might see him finish a little closer to him this time around. At 7/1 he is just about each way value but he may be more interesting in the without markets later on this morning.
2.10 – This looks like of the more competitive races of the festival despite the defection of Galopin Des Champs. Tha favourite looks solid and so does L’Homme Presse who has impressed me all season. One at a better price though is THREEUNDERTHRUFIVE who rates real value at 16/1. An expert jumper he has already won over the course in November and has done nothing wrong in his subsequent starts. He looks a really uncomplicated horse and with his dead eye fencing ability I think he might just get a few of these on the run.
2.50 – You’d have liked to have seen Willie Mullins have a better day yesterday before you confidently back any of his runners but I do think MAZE RUNNER is an interesting each way play here. He is unexposed over this intermediate trip having spent most of his handicap life over further and despite winning over further he might just be better over shorter. The big field won’t phase him and at 33/1 he is worth siding with.
3.30 – It’s all about the top 3 in the betting here but I can’t help but feel NUBE NEGRA is a really big player here. He impressed me when coasting home here in November and he showed then that he is a much better horse when fresh. Dan Skelton has mapped the remainder of his season around this race and it will be interesting to see how he gets on. He should love the fast pace and I’m sure he will be last off the bridle.
4.10 – Not much thought gone into this one but I just hope TIGER ROLL can do it because the roof will come off the stands. What a phenomenal achievement if he can win here for the 6th time.
4.50 – SKY PIRATE was a silly price at 18/1 yesterday considering his season has been all about this race. Shrewd connections will have him in tip top form and I can’t see no reason why he can’t go well at double figure odds. EDITEUR DU GITE is another on my shortlist and his running style will really suit this race. Connections were pondering a run in the Champion Chase, that’s how highly regarded he is, so back into a handicap he must rate a serious player.
5.30 – If FACILE VEGA drifts throughout the day I recommend having a punt as I think he could be quite special. His two starts to date have blown my mind and when a horse looks that good, it’s normally because they are. If you’re an each way punter though, I don’t think JOYEUX MACHIN is a 40/1 punt. Beaten by Facile Vega on debut, he still pulled a way clear of third and has since won despite being impeded several times up the straight. He could run into a place at a fancy price.
