Former Talksport man Charlie McCann marks your card with six to follow on Saturday at Cheltenham and Uttoxeter. View selections below
The BetVictor Gold Cup is the highlight of Cheltenham’s three-day November Meeting and 18 quality chasers will go to post for todays extended two-and-a-half-mile contest.
The great Martin Pipe saddled the winner of this corresponding race eight times and the Pipe name will always be synonymous with this iconic chase. Martin’s son David, who himself trained the winner of the race with Great Endeavour back in 2011, made a slow start to the season but his string have picked up in recent weeks and his Starchitect (2.25) gets the each way vote at 8/1 with BetVictor who are betting ew five places on the contest.
The selection has been raised 4lbs for winning at Stratford on his reappearance at the beginning of the month and a strongly run race at this trip is ideal for the progressive six-year-old who will be stepped back up in trip later in the season. The confirmed front-runner Foxtail Hill will ensure the race is a true test, decent ground suits and I will be disappointed if the selection doesn’t run a big race with underfoot conditions, seemingly, ideal.
There are any number of dangers with Le Prezien (8/1 at BetVictor) and Lee Westwood’s Ballyalton (10/1) at the front of a very long short-list. Do remember the sponsors are paying five places on the contest.
In the opening Triumph Hurdle Trial Gumball (12.40) can maintain his unbeaten British record for Philp Hobbs having won at Stratford and Chepstow already this term. The selection is 10/1 market leader with BetVictor for the Triumph itself back here in March and this keen-going sort reminds me of the yards Defi Du Seuil who won this corresponding race 12 months ago before following up at the Festival.
The French import Apple’s Shakira makes her British debut for Nicky Henderson and it will be interesting to see if the market speaks in favour the mare who was an impressive winner at Vichy back in May and was subsequently sold privately to JP McManus.
Ballyoptic (1.15) made an impressive chase debut at Exeter for Nigel Twiston-Davies and he can land a fascinating three-runner Novices’ Chase with Richard Johnson taking over from the injured Sam Twiston-Davies. The selection must give 3lbs to Ffos Las winner West Approach and that form was franked when the runner up Jameson scored at Sandown last weekend.
Doing Fine (1.50) will appreciate the step back up to three-and-a-half miles in the BetVictor Handicap Chase which has produced a top-class nine-runner field. The selection (5/1 at BetVictor) is 3lbs out of the handicap but he is entitled to come on for his reappearance and must go close for Neil Mulholland with Tom Scudamore in the saddle.
The dual Scottish National winner Vicente (8/1) and the progressive Three Faces West (10/3) are others to consider in a race that could easily have a bearing on the Grand National next spring.
The jury is still out on whether Stamp Your Feet (3.30) truly stays today’s 2m 5f trip but the form of his second to Bags Groove at Aintree last time was given a boost earlier in the week when the winner followed up at Kempton. The handicapper has had his say and the selection has been raised 5lbs, but he remains potentially well-treated and is another each way recommendation.
At Uttoxeter I hope to see Monty’s Award (1.25) land the Novices’ Hurdle for Charlie Longsdon and Paul O’Brien who takes off a valuable 5lbs. The selection wasn’t beaten far on his hurdles debut on soft ground over C&D last month and this good ground Bumper winner should find today’s conditions (described as good to soft) ideal.
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Be lucky
Charlie
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