CHELTENHAM
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STAY True to Nigel TwistonDavies in this afternoon’s Paddy Power Imperial Cup.
The Cotswolds trainer has won this Sandown prize twice in the last five years with his only two runners in the race and his ONE TRUE KING (2.25) looks a good bet this time.
Twiston-Davies’s (below) useful novice finished runner-up in bigfield Cheltenham handicaps in the autumn and has since been performing well in novice races.
He’s been running over longer distances but I’ve a feeling a strongly-run 2m on good ground is just what he wants and he should get that today. Have 2pts each-way at 9-1.
Later on the card, SWINCOMBE FLEAT (3.00) looks worth chancing in the mares’ bumper.
Her mum Swincombe Flame won this race 10 years ago.
She liked decent going and today’s conditions should suit her daughter better than the heavy ground she won on at Fontwell a couple of months ago.
That wasn’t the strongest of races but she was well on top at the line and her trainer Anthony Honeyball won this race 12 months ago.
Have 1pt each-way 22-1.
With the Cheltenham Festival just a few days away it must mean the Flat season at is just around the corner. Wolverhampton holds a decent all-weather card today which includes the Lincoln Trial.
ZWAYYAN (2.40) won this contest two years ago and now he’s 4lb lower in the handicap.
He hasn’t won since but he ran a corker first time out last year when fourth behind Montatham and Dark Vision – previously first and second in the Royal Hunt Cup – at Sandown.
Andrew Balding’s hope goes well after a break and his jockey Callum Hutchinson should be able slot him into a nice position from stall four in a race that is unlikely to suit horses held up early on. Have 1pt each-way at
The Midlands track also hosts a decent sprint. REPARTEE (3.15) hasn’t lived up to expectations yet given he was placed in the Gimcrack as a twoyear-old.
This nephew of top-class Kingman
12-1.
is just the type to improve for being gelded and both his wins came when fresh.
If he can get over from the widest stall in a prominent position, the 6-1 on offer is going to look a very big price.
Have 1pt to win.