NICKY’S FORT IS SAFE BET
TERREFORT can confirm the good impression he’s already made since joining Nicky Henderson from France by landing the JLT Novices’ Chase (1.30).
He’s one of two from the list of Horses To Follow in the race, the other being Invitation Only.
But the latter, trained by Willie Mullins, looks decent without being outstanding.
He was behind yesterday’s RSA runner-up Monalee over a furlong further at Leopardstown last month and lacks the gears of Terrefort.
Visually impressive at Huntington first time up, he put bones on that performance when beating the extremely useful Cyrname at Sandown by a neck — the pair miles clear of the rest.
He reminds me of Martin Pipe’s former Festival winner Cyfor Malta, who also began his career with a Cheltenham win as a five-year-old.
Although Invitation Only has the better basic form, Terrefort is likely to outspeed him.
Away from Cheltenham,
SCOTCHTOWN should be worth backing at Towcester.
He’s been giving weight away in handicaps and will find today’s three-runner beginners’ chase more to his liking. TODAY’S SELECTIONS Cheltenham 1.30 Terrefort Towcester 1.20 Scotchtown