Hopefully, the Christmas form can be carried into the New Year. Steve Jones and Donn McClean join me to preview the best of the action from Cheltenham and Musselburgh plus the return of Al Boum Photo at Tramore and the Grade 1 from Naas on Sunday.
PP Novices’ Chase (13:25 Cheltenham)
A renewal with plenty of depth this year and both Donn and I think there’s some value to be had. Come On Teddy is a course winner who stays further and this could set up nicely for him whilst Donn is with Oscar Elite who was going well at the track before coming down in November. Steve describes the favourite as ‘almost bomb proof’ and wants to be with him at 2.75 at the time of recording.
- Tom – Come On Teddy
- Donn – Oscar Elite
- Steve – L’Homme Presse
2m 4f Handicap Hurdle (13:40 Musselburgh)
Some scheduling changes meant only I have looked at this and I do fancy Geromino at 4.33. His form from Doncaster is the best on offer and I think this could be a race where a few struggle to get involved. The only concern is if the ground gets testing but it’s Musselburgh so we should be ok there.
- Tom – Geromino
- Donn – No bet
- Steve – No bet
PP NYD Handicap Chase (14:00 Cheltenham)
Donn makes a strong case for Galahad Quest and I’m very much in agreement. He fell last time but ran a good race here in November and softer ground plus the more testing new course should be ideal. Steve wants a couple on-side in the form of top weight Funambule Sivola and former Grade 1 winner Riders Onthe Storm.
- Tom – Galahad Quest
- Donn – Galahad Quest
- Steve – Funambule Sivola/Riders Onthe Storm
Hogmaneigh Handicap Hurdle (14:10 Musselburgh)
Horses for courses and that’s the angle for Steve and I with Christopher Wood. His last win came here under todays’ rider on soft ground off a pound higher and he looks overpriced. So too does Anna Bunina according to Donn who ran solid races in better contests at the back end of last year.
- Tom – Christopher Wood
- Donn – Anna Bunina
- Steve – Christopher Wood
Bet Now
PP Handicap Hurdle (14:35 Cheltenham)
Whatsupwithyou is Steve’s selection for a yard on song. He definitely looks well treated on his run at the festival last year. Donn is going again on Botox Has who went close here last time and may appreciate the easier ground making it more of a test. I thought Tamar Bridge has the best form and should be clear favourite. He looks like he’ll love three miles.
- Tom – Tamar Bridge
- Donn – Botox Has
- Steve – Whatsupwithyou
“Auld Reekie” Handicap Chase (14:50 Musselburgh)
Again Steve and I want to be with a course winner. Gaeilk Coast’s last two wins have come here on soft ground and hopefully he can do it again. Donn thinks Amour De Nuit is the right favourite and well treated on the pick of his form.
- Tom – Gaelik Coast
- Donn – Amour De Nuit
- Steve – Gaelik Coast
Relkeel Hurdle (15:10 Cheltenham)
We’re all swerving the top two in the betting with the view that the favourite is a little short and McFabulous might be up against it having not had a run. I’d say On The Blind Side is again overlooked with plenty in his favour, Donn thinks Stormy Ireland will like conditions whilst Steve is with course lover Guard Your Dreams.
- Tom – On The Blind Side
- Donn – Stormy Ireland
- Steve – Guard Your Dreams
BW Handicap Hurdle (15:25 Musselburgh)
Just Steve here and his best bet of the day is Coolbane Boy (not to be mixed up with Cooldine Bog). The selection was shaping well here last time when making an error three-out and he should have a lot more to offer on second start for the yard.
- Tom – No bet
- Donn – No bet
- Steve – Coolbane Boy
Savills NYD Chase (14:20 Tramore)
Had a good chat here about the favourite and on whether he can win another Gold Cup. As far as a bet in the race goes, Donn suggests that the outsider of the bunch is worth a bet in the without the favourite market.
- Tom – No bet
- Donn – Brahma Bull w/o Al Boum Photo
- Steve – No bet
Lawlor’s of Naas (14:10 Naas Sunday)
No market for the race when previewing sadly. The consensus is that Ginto should be favourite and that’s why Steve and I are with him (though obviously price dependent). Donn’s angle is that there shouldn’t be much, if anything, between he and Whatdeawant so it’s well worth checking those early prices.
- Tom – Ginto
- Donn – Not much between Ginto and Whatdeawant
- Steve – Ginto
Best Bets
- Tom – Tamar Bridge (14:35 Cheltenham)
- Donn – Galahad Quest (14:00 Cheltenham)
- Steve – Coolbane Boy (15:25 Musselburgh)
Best of luck!
