Cheltenham plays host to a cracking nine-race card on Saturday, featuring the rearranged Clarence House Chase plus four Grade 2s and some fiercely-competitive handicaps, and we’ve got a couple of tips for the occasion.
The G2 Triumph Trial that kicks off the card at 11.40 looks a belter – and appears to be between the top four in the market.
I’m keen to oppose Comfort Zone, who carries a 5lb penalty for a narrow G2 success at Chepstow over Christmas, and Dixon Cove for Paul Nicholls, as this is often a quiet period for the yard as they administer their annual flu jabs.
I wouldn’t put anyone off Scriptwriter, but JUPITER DU GITE falls into the ‘could be anything’ bracket on the back of his stunning success in novice company at Newbury on New Year’s Eve.
He’ll absolutely love the conditions, and I think it’s worth taking a chance that he could be a cut above his seven rivals here.
Exactly half-an-hour later, I think Venetia Williams’ FIRE DANCER will be tough to beat in the 2m4f novices’ handicap chase.
The seven-year-old, who sports those famous Rich Ricci silks, defied a whopping 815-day absence to triumph on stable debut at Ludlow in early January – for which he should come on plenty.
I suspect his mark of 120 is lenient, not only on what we’ve seen on the track in France and now here in the UK, but also for the sheer fact that there has to be a reason connections have kept him in training so long despite obvious issues.
The likes of Stage Star have to give stacks of weight to the selection, who will also relish the likely ground on Saturday, so I rate this a relatively confident pick.
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