Cheltenham races: tips, racecards and preview for the New Year’s Day meeting on Wednesday
WHAT better way to soothe your sore head than seven races at the world famous Cheltenham Racecourse.
There's the usual mix of hot handicaps and graded action with the likes of Champ, Might Bite and Kalashnikov all on show.
Race 1 - 12.15 Ballymore Novices' Hurdle (Listed Race)
Only six are in line to run in the opening Novices' Hurdle, but it's a decent field with the big yards all represented.
There's a lack of what you might call a star but something could throw their hat into that ring and the less exposed WELSH SAINT could be just that for Nicky Henderson.
It's unlikely he'll be one of the leading lights come March, but so long as he hasn't felt the effects of his easy win at Warwick on a bog a few weeks back he should be the one to side with here.
He was easy to back when an unlucky second at Exeter behind a smart Paul Nicholls yardstick, before romping home at Warwick.
That wasn't the most competitive heat but he was dominant from the outset and had clearly learnt plenty from Exeter where he was a tad green when it mattered.
This is deeper but he's firmly on the up and there isn't an unassailable bar to reach in terms of form on the table here.
The form is lead by Grade 2 winner Redford Road. And why he must be the danger, he carries a penalty and the drop down in trip is not sure to suit.
Ofalltheginjoints is another live contender, but he's been beat the last twice and his early promise at Chepstow has somewhat stagnated.
He was never going at Sandown though and better is expected here. He cannot be ruled out all together.
Nicky Henderson's Grand Mogul is obviously well thought of to be thrown in here after being pulled-up on his hurdling debut.
It's hard to trust him off the back of that though. Unless there's big money for him, and stablemate Welsh Saint goes the other way, he is best watched.
Fergal O'Brien continues to go great guns, but his Imperial Alcazar was poor when second last time out and needs to step up on that effort in a big way.
Protektorat was better than the result appears on paper last time and that Sandown effort can be marked up. He could certainly be in the mix here and a certain Sir Alex has a leg in him.
TENTATIVE NOD: Welsh Saint
DANGER: Protektorat
Race 2 - 12.50 Markel Insurance Handicap Chase
Good luck picking the bones out of this one - it's competitive to say the least.
The only place to start is with course favourite and now 11-year-old Cogry who remains in top form for Nigel Twiston-Davies.
He's been chucked up 4lbs for his latest win here and that will ensure he remains well in the mix, if slightly vulnerable to a lesser-weighted rival.
This is not as deep as some of the handicaps he is used to and could mean a 'sneaky one' is ready to pip him.
Far from sneaky is the infamous Singlefarmpayment who again will look like the winner for much of the straight. We all know what happens then.
He will win again one day, but you're a braver punter than me jumping on that train.
Two remain on the shortlist and slight preference is for Ben Pauling's EQUUS SECRETUS. He ran with great credit on his comeback when the stable were at a real low and looks on a tempting mark.
If he can jump from start to finish he should be bang there and looks a decent each-way bet.
The other each-way dart fired will be Doing Fine who was 'victorious' in the Sandown Seven race earlier this month.
He is getting on but clearly is in good nick and on a decent mark. He has plenty of form at Cheltenham too.
Commodore cannot be ruled out but has yet to show any form this campaign and looks on a stiff enough mark for now.
EACH-WAY STABS: Equus Secretus & Doing Fine
Race 3 - 1.25 Paddy Power Broken Resolutions Already Dipper Novices' Chase (Grade 2)
We won't spend much time on this one as CHAMP will get the business done and stamp his authority on the Novice division before the Festival.
Connections will probably want him to get a run at Prestbury Park and in my book this track will suit him down to the ground.
He is an extremely talented horse and has had an easy enough time swatting away decent rivals thus far. When his jumping improves that tiny but he will be a serious animal and a likely Gold Cup contender next season.
He's short enough here though and wouldn't encourage anyone to pile in at close to 1-2.
Midnight Shadow is arguably his main rival but is yet to fire over fences, not winning in three goes.
Next up is Deyrann De Carjac who Champ dealt with comfortably last time and it would take a seriously under-par run from Champ for him to turn that over.
Paint The Dream and Garo De Juilley are surely out-classed and French raider Matfog is an unknown but has more experience than some of these over fences.
NO BET WINNER: Champ
Race 4 - 2.00 Paddy Power Handicap Chase (Grade 3)
Always a highlight in the calendar, this has been won by some real favourites down the years and some famous faces return again.
Kalashnikov ran one of the races of his career when second at Newbury last time. He's been chucked up 6lbs in the weights for that and that makes this a huge ask off 161.
However, the classy Aso won this off 158 last season and he cannot be ruled out even if he wouldn't be top of the shortlist at current odds.
Saint Calvados finally gets a go over further and that could be the making of him, helping him reach that next step. He's only 2lbs higher than his gutsy win here in October and he has a massive chance here.
At bigger odds BALLYHILL is a very viable each-way bet in this wide-open race. He looks very well handicapped on his third in this last year and third to Siruh Du Lac following that.
He's now 7lbs lower than those efforts and runs in this off 10'2 for a trainer with a great record in the race.
He even won this race two years back and is only 4lbs above that now. He has shown very, very little this season but one was over an inadequate trip and the other was a non-event at Hereford.
If the market signals are there he is a very tempting bet at decent odds.
Mister Whitaker is another live shout but the quiet form of Mick Channon is enough to put me off that one. Better ground could also be needed.
Ok Corral is a bit of a mystery but surely needs further and isn't for me.
This is one race Paul Nicholls struggles in but his Magic Saint must have a chance if he stays this trip effectively.
He came good last time out where he beat Graded winner Bun Doran and is officially a pound well in here.
If the ground doesn't come up too soft, he is of huge interest as now getting older and stronger this trip could be just what he needs.
Cepage deserves plenty of respect and will likely be popular with punters again. He has Cheltenham form in the book and that Riders Onthe Storm form looks red hot.
EACH-WAY STAB: Ballyhill
DANGER: Magic Saint
Race 5 - 2.35 Paddy Power 69 Sleeps To Cheltenham Handicap Hurdle
Just when you think the most daunting handicaps are out the way, along comes this.
Nicky Henderson runs two staying chasers in Beware The Bear and Might Bite over hurdles - neither would be for me.
They may have some class but this is far from their cup of tea and they will likely be found out by at least a couple of specialists giving heaps of weight away.
The Jam Man has to be considered as he chases a five-timer. But the handicapper has finally gone firm and he's now 30lbs higher than his first win.
Top of the shortlist is MASON JAR for Dr Richard Newland and the valuable 7lbs claimer Cillin Leonard.
He is plenty higher in the weights now, but the form of his earlier performances continue to play well and a short break may have done the trick to get him back on track.
This is his first run over three miles and the way he races suggests it could even bring out some improvement.
Ask Dillon is also interesting. He ran okay at Chepstow only a few days ago and so long as that hasn't taken any toll he could also be well treated with Conor Brace taking off 3lbs.
Olly Murphy looks to have found another good spot for likely favourite Skandiburg. He sneaks in here off bottom weight and will be looking to build on his win in a similar race at Aintree in November.
This is deeper though and we can look elsewhere.
The other of interest is Who's My Jockey for the red hot Richard Hobson. His horses are flying and this chap makes his first start for the stable with talented Ben Jones taking off five.
The ground may be a slight concern but it shouldn't be too testing and he's well worth an each-way punt. Early odds were available of 20-1 which looks ridiculous.
SELECTION: Mason Jar
EACH-WAY STAB: Who's My Jockey
Race 6 - 3.10 Dornan Engineering Relkeel Hurdle (Grade 2)
A select field of six are set to go here and it's as competitive as the betting suggests.
Emitom makes his first step into open company here but he has had a lengthy layoff and a lot needs to be taken on trust if you are diving into him at short odds.
The market will lend a hand with that as will a paddock check, but taking a novice from last year that has only a maiden and two Novices' to his name after 270 days off is not my idea of a bet, even with the Champ form.
Janika looks another Henderson horse having a prep run over hurdles - again, not for me, while Quel Destin should find this a little tough.
That leaves three and William Henry may just find this a bit hot on his seasonal reappearance giving weight away to the field.
So another one bites the dust and therefore ROKSANA has to have a huge chance here.
She was well fancied at Ascot last time when stuffed out of sight, but the return to slightly better ground and back at Cheltenham gives me hope again.
At the weights she has a big chance and if she can prove that Ascot run was just a blip she should be bang there as they go up the hill.
Summerville Boy cannot be ruled out but hasn't shown much for a while and returns here after chasing.
SELECTION: Roksana
DANGER: Emitom
Race 7 - 3.50 EBF Stallions & Cheltenham Pony Club (A Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race) (Listed Race)
The closing bumper is not much of a betting heat.
Get your notebook out, get those binoculars out and keep your money in your pocket is my tip.
Saying that, Grand Roi is clearly the one to beat. He bolted up in a decent race last time out and if the market vibes are strong could be the real deal.
Tom Lacey is in good nick and his QUICK DRAW must be of interest, especially as he won this last year with Glory And Fortune.
Anthony Honeyball is another name to watch in races like this and Belle De Manech has to be in with a big shout.