Cheltenham’s back and I’ve got 12-1 and 14-1 winners lined up just in time for Christmas
CHRISTMAS is often the time where extra effort is made to see ageing friends and relatives — and that’s the vibe at Cheltenham today!
One of the races live on ITV is the Unibet Series Veterans’ Handicap Chase, featuring 11-year-old Sam Brown, ten-year-old Lord du Mesnil, 11-year-old Cepage, 11-year-old Top Ville Ben and former prolific Cheltenham winner and Storm Control.
PA:Press AssociationChappers reckons top trainer Lee could be in for a big Friday at Cheltenham[/caption]
It’s like going to the home and settling down for a lovely natter.
A quick reminder.
Sam Brown was once only beaten half a length by recent Betfair Chase hero Royale Pagaille in a Peter Marsh at Haydock and is a Grade 2 winner.
Lord du Mesnil was once second in the National Hunt Chase at the Festival.
Cepage is a Paddy Power Chase hero, and Top Ville Ben took a Rowland Meyrick at Wetherby. Fabulous old boys.
I’m hoping STORM CONTROL (2.25) can roll back the years for Kerry Lee and Richard Patrick.
He was not disgraced last term when third at Uttoxeter one day and a handicap mark of 129 is of course very workable — he’s been up to 141.
He was a terrific dual winner at this track back in 2020.
The ITV coverage at Cheltenham gets under way with a handicap hurdle over 2m1f.
Doddiethegreat looked good at Ascot last time but it’s second time back after a break.
I suspect WILLIETHEBUILDER (1.15) is a very well handicapped horse but he looked iffy under pressure in a novice last time.
If connections have straightened that out then he can easily play a part here for the excellent Dan and Harry Skelton combination and has eachway claims.
He looked promising at Uttoxeter.
In the mares’ handicap chase over an extended 2m4f Emma Lavelle claims from EUREKA CREEK (1.50) which is a worry as it suggests she doesn’t think her charge is well handicapped.
That said, I’m happy to give the mare an eachway chance. She’s one of the few in here down in trip rather than up in trip, and she wasn’t disgraced at Lingfield last time and has been dropped 1lb.
Conditional Joe Anderson takes off 5lb as he did that day.
The cross country handicap chase is over an extended 3m5f. There’s a Gold Cup winner in here in Minella Indo which is kinda cool!
His weight of 12st is not so cool!
I’ll be surprised if FRANCKY DU BERLAIS (3.00) is out the first three after his fourth behind Foxy Jacks and Latenightpass at the track in November.
Finally a handicap hurdle over 3m. FONTANA ELLISSI (3.35) will need to be fit for this to score, but he looked progressive for Samuel Drinkwater last season.
Two seconds at Cheltenham suggested a horse going places — he returns here off a workable mark of 118 with the chance of more to come.
Robbie Dunne rides and he might well be an eachway price.
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