19th October 2012

Yesterday saw all our selections run with a chance of winning, with only one winning and the each way bet paying off as well. Today sees the return of racing to Cheltenham, and with it the beginning of the national hunt season really starting to take shape. Here are today's best bets.

14.10 Cheltenham

The New One certainly looks like a horse to be on the right side of this season, after performing extremely well in the bumper division last year and making a successful hurdling debut last time out. However his jumping wasn't enough for me to confidently go in on him at around the evens mark today with several others in the field who certainly hold a chance. I particularly like SPECIAL ACCOUNT, who has shown some really good form to defy a double penalty and I was really taken by his last victory. He can continue improving and land this. Grandioso, The Jugopolist and Village Vic all warrant respect in this competitive encounter, but Jeremy Scott's horse is taken to take this. 10/1 Stan James, 11.5 Betfair

14.45 Cheltenham

Carlito Brigante always catches the eye now he's chasing after performing so admirably against the best over hurdles. However I'm yet to be convinced this is his game and ultimately think he will come up short again. King Of The Night represents another runner for newly independent trainer Harry Fry and although he again warrants respect, he may just need this run after a long time off. Go All The Way has been a wide margin winner on his chase starts to date and deservedly heads up the market, but I really like DOMTALINE and the way he races. He showed heart to beat Kingsmere, arguably fortunately after the latter's last flight blunder, conceding 7 pounds, and off level weights today expect him to confirm the form. He's always been viewed as a chaser by Nicholls, and with the yard in good form he will be involved today. 4/1 several, 5.3 Betfair

15.20 Cheltenham

This handicap event looks typically competitive, with several runners well in with a chance. It's always ominous to see Ruby Walsh on a horse so low down the weights, and in Whiffy Chatsby the Nicholls yard may have just found another good one. He remains unexposed and this mark, even though 7 pounds higher than his last win still may not be enough. Heaney seeks a hatrick and although raised 10 pounds for his latest win, that mark doesn't look beyond him either. Viking Blond is certainly a stayer and will enjoy racing over the smaller obstacles, but his plans for the season must be elsewhere and this must be part of a plan for the rest of the year. American Spin has good course and distance form and is expected to put up another good show, but finally SIVOLA DE SIVOLA appears to have been entered into an adequate race. He's been crying out for this trip and his past runs at Cheltenham have been creditable, especially in one particular unsuitable race defeat. He could yet make a mockey of this mark as he was certainly well fancied in Grade 1 company last year before underperforming, but that is excused and a much better showing is expected here. 6/1 several, 7.2 Betfair

15.55 Cheltenham

White Star Line has some interesting form behind Sir Des Champs and Hunt Ball, but appears too inconsistent to back with any certainty here. Tour Des Champs was a good winner last time out, but may still have to find a few pounds to be competitive with the market principles here. Sea Of Thunder looks an extremely exciting recruit to fences, and over today's trip of 3 miles plus he may just have the edge, but SIRE COLLONGES will have come on for his last run, and should certainly see out the trip also. He is preferred on today's softer ground and for his composed jumping. 9/2 sportingbet 5.2 Betfair

Good luck!

The Horse Whisperer