With two withdrawals this morning we are left with a field of 15, and its a very competitive handicap hurdle to start the Scoop6. The horse now carrying top weight is Character Building who still looks to be on a fair hurdles mark and he is massively respected. Charmaine Wood runs in a handicap for the first time and at short odds she is not one to put maximum faith in, especially has her two hurdles wins have been around the undulating course of Towcester. She may not like this galloping course. Hernando Royal is the selection here, he has been running very big races in defeat and already has showed his aptitude to galloping courses, he is good on this soft ground and he is still open to plenty of improvement. The main dangers could come in the shape of Kack Handed and Character Building. JB
Selection: Hernando Royal
Danger 1: Kack Handed
Danger 2: Character Building
Cheltenham - 2:05 - betchronicle.com Trophy Chase (Handicap) Grade 3 (Class 1) (5yo+) 2m5f
There are plenty in with decent chances in this 2m5f Chase at Cheltenham. Top weight is the old boy Mister McGoldrick. Wetherby is his favourite place but Cheltenham isn’t far behind. A course and distance winner at the Festival last year, he’s been placed in a Champion Chase. His best years may be behind him, but he’s sure to give backers a decent run for their money. He’s not one for me though. Stan won last time out over course and distance. He was pulled up in the Paddy Power but before and after has wins at Cheltenham. The weight to carry will be the main concern, though he is capable. Pablo Du Charmil is next in the weights, but surely needs shorter. Reveillez has been off the track for the best part of 2 years. He would need to produce something sensational to take this. This trip these days seems a bit on the short side for Turko. Ran in the National last year, when never tried beyond this distance. Should give a good bold run, but others are preferred. Battlecry is a possible. A consistent sort who has won over the trip. The ground is the main concern as all bar one of his wins have been on Good or firmer. Placed on his last 2 runs over C&D. Has place claims again. Private Be steps up in trip notably and was beaten here by Stan last time. Can’t see him threatening here. Moom Over Miami is another trying further, but there’s nothing in his form to indicate he will get it. Akilak won last time when put forward by jbgb007uk. Conditions will suit him no end. The trip is a different story. Never been beyond 21f, the extra half mile may tell. – VE
Selection: Stan
Danger 1: Battlecry
Danger 2: Turko
Doncaster - 2:15 - skypoker.com Handicap Chase (Class 2) (5yo+,0-140) 2m3f
This is a fairly open race but the two that stand out for me are Nacarat who carries more weight than most but is still well handicapped and Corlande at the other end of the weights but at longer odds I fancy Edmo Yewkay who loves this ground, and has won here before over the same distance, real chance. Beggars Cup and Our Jasper have chances but there are some small niggles with them that put me off. Corlande is taken to win with Nacarat set to push him all the way, Edmo Yewkay is the outsider set to mix things up a little. -anu
Selection: Corlande
Danger 1: Nacarat
Danger 2: Edmo Yewkay
Cheltenham - 2:35 - Letheby & Christopher Chase (Registered As The Cotswold Chase) Grade 2 (Class 1) (5yo+) 3m1f110y
The big race of the day and a few prospects will reappear at the festival. Tidal Bay is a powerhouse up the Cheltenham hill but this trip is still a question mark. Nozic is preferred over Star De Mohaison as Ruby has picked the former, apparently because the ground is not in the latters favour. Snoopy Loopy and Ollie Magern are brave old warriors but they are carrying the biggest weights and will probably struggle. Joe Lively loves Cheltenham but isnt well in weights wise, however as a CD winner could be danger. Halcon Genelardais will go off favourite but the trip is too short, the question is, does he have the class to overcome that? I say yes. -anu
Selection: Halcon Genelardais
Danger 1: Tidal Bay
Danger 2: Nozic
Doncaster - 2:50 - Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle (Registered As The River Don) Grade 2 (Class 1) (4yo+) 3m110y
This Novice Hurdle throws up a few possible picks. Forecast favourite is On Raglan Road. Ridden by the champ, he’s never been out of the first two. Saying that he’s never been over 2m4f before so the step up in trip is an uncertainty. Junior is next in the betting. He’s been beaten by On Raglan Road and is another for who the trip is an unknown. Gullible Gordon has a victory over this distance and in these conditions, which are all a big plus. It’s a big step up in class but he could figure. Cape Tribulation handles the ground, but the trip and class are something else. May be out of his depth. Star Lord would have better claims if the ground was firmer. Diablo doesn’t appear to handle the ground so is one to avoid here. Midnight Sail is one who could surprise. His last outing was when beating Fistral Beach, where he ran on strongly, suggesting the step up in trip may suit. - VE
Selection: Midnight Sail
Danger 1: On Raglan Road
Danger 2: Gullible Gordon
Doncaster - 3:25 - Sky Bet Chase Handicap (Listed Race) (Class 1) (5yo+) 3m
A massive field here is due to go to post but we already have 6 withdrawals, which has made the job slightly easier. Many will be following Big Fella Thanks who has the talent but he does not jump very well, and he looks to need a good deal further than 3 miles, he will be suited by the nature of the course but I think he is very vulnerable here. The selection is Montgermont who I had down to run a big race last Saturday before removing his jockey at the first. He is really nicely handicapped but he is not the most fluent so is not one for the faint hearted. A safer bet could be Alexanderthegreat who has been running really well this season and Venetia Williams knows how to plunder a good size pot with her handicappers. I think this race revolves around jumping, and I hope we see much better from both Big Fella Thanks and Montgermont, with the latter as the selection.JB
Selection: Montgermont
Danger 1: Alexanderthegreat
Danger 2: Big Fella Thanks
Hernando Royal
Stan
Corlande
Halcon Generlardais
Midnight Sail
Montgermont
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