Yesterday’s Review
No Investments
Today’s Advice
L’EAU DU SUD (15f 199y Arkle Chase Grade 1) – Conditions for the opening day at Cheltenham have been described as Good To Soft with just 3.5mm of rain overnight, and the latest Going Stick Reading of (6.1). Odds-on favourite Majborough may have the strongest form on offer for the (2.00) Cheltenham, but his tendency to hit his fences on the way round and the presence of improving front-runner Touch Me Not could open the door for the others. The selection has looked a better horse on a sounder surface, and put in his best performance over course and distance in the trial for this race last November when coming home 11 lengths clear of Western Zephyr. On that occasion he jumped well, and seemed a different horse on the Good (Good To Soft) going. He hasn’t looked as impressive in the finish during his latest two performances when winning on a much softer surface. Providing those races haven’t left a mark on him he should get a nice tow into the race, and be able to make his presence felt in the finish.
TAKE NO CHANCES (19f 200y Mares Hurdle Grade 1) – Odds-on favourite Lossiemouth will be a tough nut to crack if her latest fall hasn’t had a negative impact on her, but at the prices it may be worthwhile looking for some value elsewhere for today’s (3.20) Cheltenham. The selection showed great toughness when getting the better of Kargese over the extended fifteen furlong trip at Ascot recently. The distance wouldn’t have suited her that day, but she still saw off the odds-on favourite very comfortably. Her recent keeping on third place finish behind Wodhooh over the extended two mile four furlongs on the New course at Cheltenham reads very well in regards to the second placed finisher that day Joyeuse who she meets on 18lbs better terms today. She has winning form over three miles in the past, and her giant-killing days may not be over just yet…
STUZZIKINI (3m 5f 210y Novices Hcap Chase 2) – The (5.20) Cheltenham looks a very competitive Handicap Chase with plenty of solid recent form on offer. I am going to take a flyer on this Gordon Elliot trained seven-year old who looked like he didn’t enjoy the soft conditions last time out in the Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park. A reproduction of his staying-on win in the Troytown Chase at Navan over 3 miles 50 yards on a much sounder surface would see him very competitive for today’s step-up in trip. Sam Ewing is back on board, and he knows him well having finished third on him at Galway last October. He should enjoy the drying conditions for today’s contest, and be staying on at the finish better than most.
MUSCIKA (6f 20y Hcap) – The selection may be in the veteran stages of his career but a reproduction of his recent course and distance form would see him in the shake-up for the win for tonight’s (6.00) Wolverhampton. A recent third place finish behind One More Dream from today’s handicap mark when racing prominently reads well on the clock, and with very little opposition for the lead tonight he may be able to get his own way out in front. Apprentice Cian Horgan takes a valuable five pounds off, and providing he can navigate his way to the front and conserve energy he should have a decent chance to record his first win since moving to the UK.
0.75pt e/way L’Eau Du Sud (9/2 General) 2.00 Cheltenham
1pt e/way Take No Chances (33/1 Paddy Power/Betvictor/Betfred/Boylesports) 3.20 Cheltenham
0.5pt e/way Stuzzikini (33/1 General 5 places) 5.20 Cheltenham
0.75pt e/way Muscika (7/1 William Hill, 13/2 General) 6.00 Wolverhampton