Photo courtesy of RaceHorsePhotos
By Charlie McCann
NINE will go to post for tomorrow’s Stan James Champion Hurdle and we at BetVictor can’t split Hurricane Fly or The New One at 11/4 at the top of the market with Our Conor 4s and My Tent Or Yours 5s. It promises to be an absolute cracker but more immediately we have three jump meetings this afternoon and we begin our preview at Stratford where the ground remains soft although conditions are drying out all the time.
Keltic Rhythm (3.40) made all on his chase debut in an ordinary novice at Leicester last month but is clearly going to be a better chaser than hurdler for Neil King. The selection looks to have been let in fairly for his handicap debut and, although this is a much tougher task, he is taken to follow up that success against largely exposed rivals.
Caulfields Venture won a bumper on his first start for Emma Lavelle recently and is the obvious danger, but he flattered to deceive more than once for his previous yard and may be over-bet as many of the Lavelle yard are.
Harry Fry has a number of good chances at Cheltenham this week including Rock On Ruby in the Arkle tomorrow but the hope is that his Presenting Arms (4.10) can take the competitive handicap hurdle having won a Bumper after a near 12-month absence at Kempton last month.
In the Bumper Chieftain’s Choice (5.10) ran a race full of promise for John Quinn on debut and the booking of Jason Maguire suggests connections expect a bold show with that experience behind him.
Well Refreshed (3.50 Taunton) hasn’t gone on as you would have liked for Gary and Jamie Moore this season but he is still being considered for the Crabbie’s Grand National next month. He is due to carry 10st 4lbs at Aintree and whilst the National fences may be too demanding he must go close if his jumping holds up in this small field.
Capisci (4.50) clearly goes well fresh and has been off the track since scoring over C&D on decent ground back in December off an 11lb lower mark. The drying ground is certainly a plus and he is lightly-raced for one of his years.
Jamie Snowden is another young trainer who will be dreaming of Festival glory and he can make a winning start to the week by taking Plumpton‘s opener with the consistent Major Milborne who certainly deserves to win a race having finished in the first four in all five of his career starts to date. Charlie Longsdon’s Sergeant Mattie is penalised for winning at Carlisle back in October although his excellent conditional Charlie Deutsch can claim 7lbs.
I think Our Phylli Vera (3.00) could still be well handicapped despite a 13lb rise for her win here over the minimum trip back in December; the runner up Clonusker has won her next two for Linda Jewell and she is another for whom the drying ground is a positive.
For all your racing odds this week check out BetVictor.com
