20th October 2012

It's finally here! Today is a truly great day of racing, with Champions Day at Ascot and the second day of the year's first Cheltenham meeting. There are plenty of good horses to make these competitive races and it should be an exciting day. Here's today's previews for the weekend's racing.

14.00 Cheltenham

This looks a very hard race to separate the market principles. Rendl Beach obviously impresses on arrival with the ease of his hurdling debut, and there is certainly more to come from him with the Champ in the saddle. Talkonthestreet, although not as impressive, has shown consistently good form over conditions such as today's. There will probably be very little between them. Which means there needs to be something completely different to beat these and OUR VINNIE provides this option. Today looks set to suit and he is expected to show a big improvement because of this. At the price he is currently available at with some bookmakers, he is a great each way bet, as I'm expecting a contraction of his odds in the morning. 7/1 Ladbrokes, Stan James, 7.8 Betfair

14.30 Cheltenham

No Cheltenham would be complete without a competitive two and a half mile handicap chase, and this certainly fits the bill. Plenty of horses with strong form and a claim for the win are involved in this encounter, including Havingotascoobydo, Bobowen, Mad Moose, Divers and Rebel Du Maquis. But they look accurately handicapped, and means that at the weights THAT'LLDOBOY really appeals. His jumping has let him down his past two occasions, but he has always ran well and should almost certainly be rated higher. These looks his ideal conditions and as long as his jumping holds up, he'll be hard to pass. 5/1 several, 6.2 Betfair

15.05 Cheltenham

Another predictable selection but DODGING BULLETS looks well placed to land this contest. He brings the strongest form to the table with his 4th in the Triumph, and the break will have brought him back to fitness after being over the top at Aintree. Baby Mix has a thankless task conceding 8 pounds to Nicholls' horse. He has won with a penalty before but this looks much more difficult. Hi Note has also been in good form but has a bit to find with the favourite. Nicholls has stated this morning that his horse is hard to gauge fitness wise at home. If there is a chink in his armour it is for the filly Hi Note to exploit, but hopefully he is just a different class to these that even on his reappearance he can take this. Evens Paddy Power 1.95 Betfair

15.40 Cheltenham

This is another really good handicap, headed at the weights by Carruthers, one of the most popular Hennessey Gold Cup winners in recent memory. He was aided that day by a low weight, and he may find this tougher against some improvers beneath him. Chiefly Prince Tom who hasn't finished progressing over fences and is bound to catch the eye here. Knockara Beau, 6th in the Gold Cup, always performs well around Cheltenham, but his jumping doesn't create confidence and he may need this reappearance run. Hold On Julio, Galaxy Rock and Balthazar King are well known around here. The latter winning the Cross Country at the Festival and Galaxy Rock only now 1 pound higher than his win at the track last year. However it's CHICAGO GREY who stands out at the prices. He is double figure odds with plenty of bookmakers and that price looks too high for a horse who stays, will enjoy the conditions and can carry joint top weight to success here. 14/1 Paddy Power 14.5 Betfair

Seeing as I'll be going to Ascot tomorrow, I will be tweeting live tomorrow's selections. Make sure to get following @thehorsewhisp

Early Ascot selections:-

13.45 OPINION POLL 3/1 several Il De Re the main threat
14.20 THE CHEKA 20/1 Paddy Power 2nd Society Rock
14.55 SAPPHIRE 7/2 Boylesports
15.30 EXCELEBRATION 10/11 Paddy Power; Carlton House big run expected
16.05 FRANKEL 1/4 several

Good luck!

The Horse Whisperer