Safely landed in Bahrain, Tom Stanley brings you through the podcast’s best bets for Cheltenham and Doncaster.
Some tricky handicaps at Cheltenham this weekend and none more so than the newly named Racing Post Gold Cup.
Worth remembering they race on the new, more testing course at Prestbury Park for the first time this season and that doesn’t always suit form horses from the last meeting.
There are also three races from Doncaster on the agenda from Saturday but we start with the Cheltenham Friday feature…
3m2f Handicap Chase (14:25 Cheltenham Friday)
Sam thinks they’ll go hard here and that should suit Mister Fogpatches. Natalie had plenty on the shortlist but came down on Commodore whilst Deasy is with the two current joint outsiders (23.0).
- Sam – Mister Fogpatches (win & place)
- Natalie – Commodore
- Deasy – Quarenta & Court Master (win & place)
Racing Post Gold Cup (13:50 Cheltenham)
Natalie makes a strong case for Silver Hallmark who drops into handicap company for the first time. Deasy thinks Fusil Raffles is a fair price on his (fortunate) Wetherby win and Sam agrees. Sam also thinks it could be a bit of a burn-up and wants Dostal Phil on-side too in case the pace really collapses.
- Sam – Fusil Raffles & Dostal Phil
- Natalie – Silver Hallmark (non-runner)
- Deasy – Fusil Raffles
2m Handicap Hurdle (14:05 Doncaster)
Sam thinks Sonigino is a well-treated horse off 128 after a solid start at Haydock and Natalie is very much in the same camp. Deasy is looking a little further down the betting with Take It Easy – 6.5 at the time of recording.
- Sam – Sonigino
- Natalie – Sonigino
- Deasy – Take It Easy
Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (14:25 Cheltenham)
Consensus between Natalie and Deasy that Blazing Khal is rock solid. He was very impressive last time and should defy the penalty. Step forward, Sam Turner! He thinks Gelino Bello will appreciate the step up in trip more than the Irish raider and wants the Nicholls horse on side.
- Sam – Gelino Bello
- Natalie – Blazing Khal
- Deasy – Blazing Khal
Bet Now
Summit Juvenile Hurdle (14:40 Doncaster)
Sam suggests Knight Salute shouldn’t be underestimated but Magistrato will appreciate conditions and should bounce back from last time. Natalie thinks Gary Moore could have a bit of a star on his hands with the favourite Porticello whilst Deasy is sitting it out (he doesn’t back juveniles before Christmas, apparently)
- Sam – Magistrato (non-runner)
- Natalie – Porticello
- Deasy – No bet
International Hurdle (15:00 Cheltenham)
Team steam time! A trio of tips for Song For Someone and he’s Deasy’s best bet. Sam points out they didn’t jump every hurdle last year which probably didn’t suit this horse but he still won a nose and it’s not much of a renewal this year.
- Sam – Song For Someone
- Natalie – Song For Someone
- Deasy – Song For Someone
3m Handicap Chase (15:15 Doncaster)
Deasy is with Kauto Riko who has already shortened up a good bit to 8.2. Sam isn’t overly keen on anything but thinks course lover Mance Rayder is worth nibbling at. Natalie is a little disappointed with the turnout but fancies Two For Gold will take all the beating at the top of the betting.
- Sam – Mance Rayder
- Natalie – Two For Gold
- Deasy – Kauto Riko
Close Brothers Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (15:35 Cheltenham)
Intriguing race says Sam who thinks Martello Sky is worth having on-side at the prices given her course form. Natalie is in the same camp and wants to avoid the two currently ahead of her in the betting. Deasy is excited about the favourite Trapista who simply could be ‘anything’.
- Sam – Martello Sky (win & place)
- Natalie – Martello Sky
- Deasy – Trapsita
Best Bets
- Sam – Sonigino (14:05 Doncaster)
- Natalie – Silver Hallmark (non-runner)
- Deasy – Song For Someone (15:00 Cheltenham)
Best of luck!
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