Cheltenham opens its doors for their new season this weekend as the National Hunt season really takes off. It is eye catching that Gordon Elliott and Willie Mullins amongst others flex their muscles to test the water early doors on these shores and their representatives should be respected.
There are thundery showers forecast around the county though which could have a major impact on ground conditions, especially at Cheltenham and Newbury, so a weather watch is a must over the next 48 hours.
3.15 CHELTENHAM – THE WIDDOW MAKER
This two mile handicap chase has the look of a mini Prestbury Cup with Ireland training three and Britain four of the seven strong field.
Welsh Champion Hurdler Effernock Fizz reverts to fences while Willie Mullins saddles Dads Lad who is looking for a hat-trick of chase successes.
THE WIDDOW MAKER can give Joe Tizzard a first Cheltenham winner as a trainer at his first attempt. A useful hurdler, he looks set to make a better chaser judging by his three starts to date. A victory over the useful Coconut Splash at Exeter on chasing debut was followed by a good Chepstow second and then thrown in the deep end but not disgraced behind Miller’s Bank (runs Sunday) in the G1 Manifesto at Aintree. I think he has the scope to be rated a fair bit higher than 140 and with Editeur Du Gite sure to go along at a good pace, his stamina could certainly be an asset in the climb to the line.
3.35 DONCASTER – KING OF STEEL
Aidan O’Brien bids for a record eleventh win in the Vertem Futurity Trophy, the season’s final Group 1 contest, at Doncaster and his Auguste Rodin should take the world of beating having been impressive landing the G2 Champions Juvenile at Leopardstown on Irish Champions weekend. He is a worthy favourite, but I think KING OF STEEL has outstanding each-way claims.
Having only made his debut ten days ago, the quick turnaround for David Loughnane’s juvenile is a concern, but it was such a taking performance at Nottingham, winning by almost five lengths on soft ground, that he has to be taken seriously. He is a giant of a youngster and looks likely to plough through the likely testing conditions on Town Moor. At a double figure price I can’t resist an each-way play.
It Is great to have Cheltenham back and I think BOTOX HAS can get us off to a winning start at the home of jumps racing.
The handicapper has only put him up 1lb for his return after beating Brewin’upastorm in the Grade 2 National Spirit Hurdle at Fontwell back in February. His chasing career never took off after an awful fall at Plumpton that caused a serious injury to Josh Moore. He reverted to hurdles and ran a close second over this course and distance in December. He has a good record fresh, has won on good ground and soft and also has a solid course record that reads 211P823.
The Irish challenge has to be taken seriously, with Charles Byrnes’ Shoot First and the Gordon Elliott pair of Salvador Ziggy and Lieutenant Colonel likely to attract support. Jonjo O’Neill’s consistent 6yo An Tailliur also enters calculations, but BOTOX HAS does have an element of class and that can shine through here.
Lots of familiar names line up in this sprint over the minimum trip but I expect the 3yo’s to hold sway and in particular the filly LULLABY BAY. She is only 6lb higher than when winning on soft ground in May but her latest effort at Musselburgh makes her look thrown in. Despite being rated 17lb inferior to Makanah, she received only 5lb and got to within a nose of defeating him, with 101-rated Lampang back in third and 102-rated Justanotherbottle well beaten off. The handicapper has not reassessed her and so taking that form at face value makes her a bit of a blot here and she will love underfoot conditions.
She is taking on battle-hardened performers like Came From The Dark, Count D’Orsay and Whenthedealisdone, but he claims are very compelling and she has to be backed this weekend.
*18+ | BeGambleAware
