Cheltenham races: tips, racecards and preview for day two of The International meeting on Saturday
THE INTERNATIONAL meeting concludes on Saturday and there are several cracking betting opportunities to be had.
The Caspian Caviar Gold Cup and the International Hurdle are the feature races on a top day of jumping.
Race 1 – 12.10 JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle
An intriguing opener can go the way of BOTOX HAS.
Gary Moore’s youngster won by a wide-margin in a weak race on debut but ran a cracker in defeat here last month.
That looks the best form on offer and he gets the nod ahead of Flat recruit Group Stage, who was a cosy winner on hurdling bow at Leicester.
Langer Dan concedes weight all round but he is unbeaten and commands respect, while the booking of Richard Johnson on Tremwedge catches the eye.
SELECTION: BOTOX HAS
DANGER: GROUP STAGE
Race 2 – 12.45 Ryman Novices’ Chase
The Twiston-Davies team think the world of GOOD BOY BOBBY.
He was made to work harder than expected for victory at Wetherby last time, but he would have found the trip on the sharp side and he was strong at the finish.
He will relish the return to 2m4f and can outstay Mister Fisher, who ran well on chasing debut behind Torpillo at Warwick. That rival disappointed at Sandown last weekend.
We likely haven’t seen the best of Beakstown yet but he needs to start delivering on the track.
Market support for the talented Champagne Platinum should be noted on his first run of the season for his powerful connections.
SELECTION: GOOD BOY BOBBY
DANGER: MISTER FISHER
Race 3 – 1.20 Cheltenham Club Handicap Chase
DESTRIER ran with plenty of credit when third in the Haldon Gold Cup on his seasonal reappearance.
This is a drop in class and he gets the nod ahead of admirable veteran Croco Bay, who returns to the scene of his shock Grand Annual victory.
Ballywood was third on testing ground at Ascot last time and will prefer these sounder conditions, though there is a suspicion the handicapper has caught up with him.
Theinval runs for the first time since crashing out at Galway in the summer, but he won’t be far away if putting his best foot forward.
SELECTION: DESTRIER
DANGER: CROCO BAY
Race 4 – 1.55 Caspian Caviar Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Grade 3)
It’s a real pity that Riders Ofthe Storm won’t take his place in the line-up, but it remains a fantastic race.
Cepage chased home that horse when a fine second at Aintree on his reappearance and he was second to Frodon in this contest 12 months ago.
His yard are in fine form and he looks sure to run a big race under top-weight, but he may have to settle for the silver medal again, this time behind WARTHOG.
David Pipe’s charge ran a screamer on his first start after a wind op when third in the BetVictor Gold Cup here last month.
He jumped and travelled beautifully on the whole before getting tired from the back of the second last.
That will have blown away the cobwebs, his mark remains unchanged and he gets in off a feather-weight here.
Paul Nicholls has won five of the last 10 runnings of this valuable race and he holds another strong hand with Secret Investor and Brelan D’As.
Clondaw Castle ran well for a long way in the Arkle on his last visit here, and he is interesting now upped in trip. Not That Fuisse is another worth a place on the shortlist.
SELECTION: WARTHOG
DANGER: CEPAGE
Race 5 – 2.30 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2)
It could pay to side with THE MULCAIR for the Skelton’s.
A winning pointer, he created a very positive impressive when thumping a good horse on his Rules bow.
Redford Road was second to the classy Valtor at Ascot last time, but the former is open to further progress at the age of five, particularly over this trip.
Mossy Fen is 2-2 under Rules and is the pick of Sam Twiston-Davies. He should also relish the step back up to three-miles.
SELECTION: THE MULCAIR
DANGER: MOSSY FEN
Race 6 – 3.05 Unibet International Hurdle (Grade 2)
Not the strongest renewal of this race, and all eyes will be on Triumph Hurdle hero Pentland Hills.
The Champion Hurdle division needs a shot in the arm and he could well provide it – but it can often prove tricky for four-year-old’s in their second season over hurdles and he is short enough.
Preference is for CALL ME LORD, who cruised through the Coral Hurdle at Ascot on his return and looked all over the winner for much of the race.
But he got tired close home and was eventually passed by thorough stayer If The Cap Fits with the pair pulling clear. He will appreciate the drop back to 2m.
Ch’Tibello has been a good servant to connections and won the County Hurdle in fine style at the Festival in March. He holds rock-solid claims.
Elixir De Nutz would probably have preferred slightly slower ground, but he is a fascinating contender on his first run since an easy Tolworth Hurdle win in January.
SELECTION: CALL ME LORD
DANGER: PENTLAND HILLS
Race 7 – 3.40 Park Mares’ Handicap Hurdle
A wide-open finale but the nod goes to MISTY BLOOM.
She was a decisive winner of a similarly competitive mares’ event at Wincanton last time and her yard are enjoying a fantastic winter.
If an 11lb hike halts her in her tracks, the progressive Queens Cave could be best-placed to take advantage.
Indefatigable, Dame De Compagnie and northern raider Mega Yeats are also closely considered.