LET’S GO WITH THE FLOS
Queen of Cheltenham Blackmore to strike with Balko
RACHAEL BLACKMORE, right, the queen of last season’s Cheltenham Festival where she rode six winners, can make a successful return to the track with Balko Des Flos. After a recent pipe-opener over hurdles at Galway, BALKO DES FLOS (2.55, treble, ITV4) will now be ready.
As well as finishing second to Minella Times in last season’s Grand National, the classy Henry de Bromhead-trained 10-year-old landed the 2018 Ryanair Chase at
Cheltenham. Despite his top weight MAGIC SAINT (1.45, nb, ITV4) can make it back-toback victories in the Mucking Paddy Power Chase for Paul Nicholls, who collected his OBE on Wednesday.
The gelding runs off the same mark as he carried last year and will carry the same weight with 5lb claimer Angus Cheleda on board.
Talked up as a possible future
Cheltenham Gold Cup winner, MY DROGO (2.20, ITV4) cannot be opposed on his chasing debut. He was top class over hurdles last season, 24lb superior to his only rival Gin On Lime. Admittedly, Gin On Lime has winning form over fences but will need to take another step up against the Dan Skelton-trained gelding. GELINO BELLO (3.30, ITV4) gets the nod over the two smart Irish challengers, Off Your
Rocco and Blazing Khal, and can complete a treble for Nicholls in the Ballymore Hurdle.
He bolted up at Aintree last month on his hurdling debut and was not disgraced in a smart bumper on his previous run at Newbury when third behind Good Risk At All.
Nicholls can kick start the meeting by taking the opener with SKATMAN (1.10, nap).
This progressive individual is well treated on his handicap debut after slamming Yggdrasil, a winner since, at Newton Abbot last month.