JACOBS’ CRACKERS
FINDING the winner of the Champion Hurdle or Cheltenham Gold Cup would be an achievement next week.
But a double-figure priced winner of the Coral Cup or County Hurdle is more a statement of intent for any punter.
Daily Star Sunday tipster PAUL JACOBS offers his day-by-day thoughts on the week’s handicaps.
TUESDAY 2.50 – Ultima Handicap Chase – Three previous winners are set to line up here and I strongly fancy 2015 hero THE DRUIDS NEPHEW to go close.
Back down to his winning mark of 146 from two years ago, he will hopefully sneak into the field at the base of the handicap and gets the nod over Monksland, last year’s winner Un Temps Pour Tout – 7lb higher this year – and Champers on Ice. The last named could run in the NH Chase instead.
WEDNESDAY 4.50 – Fred Winter Handicap Hurdle – Brian Ellison has hit form at exactly the right time and this shrewd handler has a real warrior to send into battle for this toughest of juvenile events in the form of NIETZSCHE (above).
A winner of three of his six hurdle starts, his form has been nicely progressive culminating in a game success at Catterick in January.
On that occasion he looked beaten at the last but stuck his neck out and battled on superbly. That asset should stand him in good stead here and with all the big stables set to saddle runners we should get at least 33-1 on the day.
THURSDAY 2.10 – Pertemps Handicap Hurdle Final – It would be a great story for Tobefair to win this and cap an amazing season. But granted good ground GOLDEN DOYEN has always been my long-term fancy for this.
A winner at Prestbury Park back in October, Philip Hobbs has kept him fresh for this race and a handicap mark of 143 gives him every chance. 5.20 – Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Handicap Chase – Sent off the 10-1 fifth favourite for the Hennessy Gold Cup in November, HENRI PARRY MORGAN was never at the races following a hefty mistake and although his jumping remains a concern, this race looks the right set-up for him off a rating 8lbs lower than Newbury.
FRIDAY 5.30 – Grand Annual Handicap Chase – All eyes will be on last year’s unlucky second Dandridge and his claims are clear for all to see but he is priced accordingly.
However, at around 14-1 the former Champion Chase winner DODGING BULLETS could represent a bit of each-way value.
Very much on the downgrade, the nine-year-old’s sights have been accordingly lowered and off a mark of 151 he has outstanding claims if the ground is good to soft or quicker.