14th December 2012

Yesterday was a successful day with both selections landing. We move onto the weekend racing and find ourselves focused on the home of National Hunt racing and as ever there will be some big pointers for the Festival. In particular we can assess the claims of some of the Champion Hurdle hopes tomorrow, but before then we have a really competitive day’s racing today.

12.15 Cheltenham

The competitive nature of the day will be witnessed in this first race where just over half of the 7 runner field can be given a decent chance in this. Hildisvini has to carry a double penalty here and concede weight to his rivals, and although running well when beating Well Regarded twice, a couple of these look to be slightly smarter and he may find the extra burden too much. Rebel Rebellion carries a penalty for winning at Exeter, and his 10 and three quarter lengths 4^th behind Captain Conan last time was very honourable as he had to concede 4 pounds to one of the Arkle favourites. However, Nicky Henderson does seem to have a very strong novice chase department this season, and another of his charges, BROADBACKBOB looks most likely to win here. He breezed to victory at Plumpton and could go on to be the best of this group of chasers. He was rated the highest over hurdles and has already shown that he can handle Cheltenham with a very good second behind Batonnier in January.  He’s always been thought of as a chaser and can put in a claim for the Jewson today. Super Duty is the other live hope in the race and comes out best at the weights for two second placed efforts this season. The form has a solid look to it but I do think the Henderson horse will progress past him. 11/8 William Hill, Bet365

12.45 Cheltenham

A typically open handicap, Simply Wings shouldn’t be discarded at the head of affairs and can make his presence felt here. Valley View looks a major threat, having travelled really well before emptying quickly at Carlisle. Today’s shorter trip should be an advantage to him, and Maurice Linehan is a good claimer to have on board. Upthemsteps can be expected to improve for his reappearance behind Merry King, but I don’t have as much confidence in his jockey and instead find BENE LAD the most attractive out the bunch. Today’s race could be set up perfectly for him as I’m sure he’s going to be towards the front to make this a testing race. He was involved before unseating the rider last time out and Lucy Alexander renews the partnership today to make amends. The Big Freeze is another who can be involved here. 12/1 Betvictor, Stan James

13.20 Cheltenham

If the last race was tough to determine then there’s no respite here. However with the likely conditions, the winner looks most likely to come from the shorlist of Falcarragh, Turn Over Sivola and OPEN DAY. The former ran a good race last time at Cheltenham when conceding weight to Ifandbutwhynot. You can argue the form has been franked and knocked since but he is likely to run well again today off only a 3 pound higher mark. On a line through Swampfire, Turn Over Sivola should therefore arguably be involved as well, but until we see what he finds up the Cheltenham hill, as he has finished weakly in the past, the selection will be Jonjo O’Neill’s horse. It’s hard to remember this son of Oscar was rated as high as 135, and he took advantage of his low mark of 112 last time out. He faces at 7 pound rise for that victory, but with the help of his claimer doesn’t have to deal with the effects of it and can enjoy a low race weight today. He should certainly be involved at the finish if given a more prominent racing roll similar to his victory last time. 8/1 Stan James, Paddy Power

13.55 Cheltenham

This race breeds more confidence and it’s hard to look past MIDNIGHT CHASE back at his favourite track. Although he has to concede weight to all his rivals, he is definitely in a different class to these, as shown by his promising seasonal reappearance at Wetherby where he conceded 5 pounds to Silviniaco Conti and was beaten only 16 lengths by one of the Gold Cup antepost players. He should have the beating of Planet Of Sound again on that performance. Bradley has recently ran well around Prestbury Park, and is entitled to finish close again, but he arguably faces for the first time a superior rival who should be spot on for this and class should prevail. Becauseicouldntsee has good course form but may need further to show his true best efforts and Saint Are has yet to prove he’s suited by Cheltenham. Quartz De Thaix arrives in really good form and Aidan Coleman is certainly not missing the chance to ride him today. He returns to a near career high mark, so may just have reached his ceiling again. 9/2 William Hill

14.30 Cheltenham

With the cross country track frozen in places at the time of writing, please forgive me that this preview isn’t as full as the others. There is warmer weather and rain expected though so hopefully the race should get underway. Uncle Junior clearly sets the standard after cruising to victory in the last cross country affair. However he had to concede only 3 pounds to OUTLAW PETE that day and with the McManus horse’s claimer taken into account, there is a full 26 pounds between the two today. That should certainly help to narrow the gap and the Halley team will be hoping for compensation here after quietly fancying their chances last time. Bostons Angel continues his career in this sphere, and if you’re not a fan of these races will see it as a fall from grace for the former RSA winner. The stamina test may be just what he needs though these days and if he takes to the varying fences, is a place bet here. 7/1 Ladbrokes

15.05 Cheltenham

Another tricky handicap hurdle to decipher and First Fandango returns to hurdling after a chase victory at Fakenham. His form around Cheltenham though leaves little to be desired and some likely improvers further down the racecard make far more appeal, namely Saint Roque, At Fishers Cross and INISH ISLAND. All three should be suited by the step up in trip and the former will have gone in plenty of notebooks after being brought down when travelling best of all 28 days ago at the track. He also gets a very low race weight today with Harry Derham on board, helping to negate the fact he races from out of the handicap. At Fishers Cross ran on well when winning at Newbury last time and has to cope with a 6 pound rise today. He is open to further improvement and is a threat with the Champ on board; but I think it’s very telling that Inish Island is sent over by Willie Mullins. He’s also the one out of the trio that’s raced closest to today’s 3 mile trip and can make the journey worthwhile. Of the rest, Sivola De Sivola will have his supporters and first time blinkers can help today, but I’ve given him too many chances and have looked elsewhere. 11/2 William Hill

15.40 Cheltenham

If Falcarragh runs well earlier in the day, then EDUARD’s chances will be given a big boost. Although he has to carry a penalty, he should have enough about him to come out on top here. Many will fancy Melodic Rendezvous’ chances in receipt of 6 pounds and he is entitled to improve on his second behind Mr Mole. He also of course has form behind Champagne Fever, further enhanced by Mozoltov’s win yesterday, but I was really taken by Eduard’s easy victory at Newcastle and think Cheltenham will suit him. Village Vic takes a marked drop in trip after good efforts behind Coneygree and The New One. It’s likely to be a stiff trip so should play to his strengths but it won’t be surprising if he is outpaced at the crucial moment. 9/2 several

As an extra point, it seems very telling that MALT MASTER is ridden by AP in the 12.00 at Bangor before he makes his way to Cheltenham. 4/6 several

Good luck!

The Horse Whisperer