Nothing like a Dame in Mares’ race
In a new column, MELISSA JONES suggests the best horses to include in today’s Placepot
1.20
APPRECIATE IT can give punters a flying start to today’s placepot.
The Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle favourite has Grade 1 form in the book for trainer Willie Mullins, seeking his fifth win in this in the last nine years. Recent rain will not hinder the seven-yearold’s chances and he looks a shoo-in for at least a place.
SELECTION: APPRECIATE IT 1.55 SHISHKIN
cannot be opposed in the Sporting Life Arkle Novices’ Chase.
One of the most exciting horses running at the meeting, he was fancied to have the upper hand over Energumene before that rival became a last-minute absentee.
Strong at the end of his races, Nicky Henderson’s star overcame trouble in running to win on this day last year – and a smoother performance can be expected in this smaller field.
SELECTION: SHISKIN 2.30
Bookies will be hoping the well-backed HAPPYGOLUCKY won’t be winning the Ultima Handicap Chase.
But he looks rock solid, having taken two of his last three starts, including one of them at Prestbury Park. SELECTION:
HAPPYGOLUCKY 3.05
ABACADABRAS has 10 lengths to make up on Honeysuckle from their last run, but he performs well at Cheltenham and will be very hard to keep out of the frame. SELECTION
ABACADABRAS 3.40
Let’s plump for
DAME DE COMPAGNIE in
the Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle.
The 2020 Coral Cup heroine is back over hurdles — and has not reached the limit of her ability yet.
SELECTION: DAME DE COMPAGNIE
4.15
A tricky Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle and Jonjo O’Neill junior is an eye-catching booking for COLTOR.
He saw off a big field last time and a visor he wore on the Flat is deployed by shrewd trainer Dermot Weld.
Add in BUSSELTON for the 2019 winning yard of Joseph O’Brien. SELECTIONS: COLTOR, BUSSELTON
■ PLACEPOT PLAN: Two lines at £2.50 = £5
SHISHKIN is hard to oppose as he seeks a second Cheltenham Festival triumph.
Twelve months ago, meeting trouble in running couldn’t prevent the son of Sholokov from landing a dramatic Supreme Novices’ Hurdle as Shishkin got up close home to shade Abacadabras by a head.
Nicky Henderson announced his wish to go chasing with the sevenyear-old, who is now unbeaten in three starts over the larger obstacles.
Only the needy or greedy sought an involvement when Nico de Boinville’s mount made his chasing debut at Kempton in November, but they were spared any anxious moments as the bay put in a textbook round to win by a yawning 23 lengths.
Next came the Grade 2 Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase at the Sunbury course over Christmas, and Shishkin sent the time anoraks into apoplexy as he came home 13 lengths to the good.
The Seven Barrows runner completed his Festival build-up by shouldering a 5lb penalty in Doncaster’s Lightning Novices’ Chase at the end of January.
Despite showing a slight tendency to jump to his left, Shishkin had eight and a half lengths to spare over Eldorado Allen.
Allmankind has scored at the top level over hurdles and fences and will seek to pour it on from the front.
He is respected, with Franco De Port next best.