Bally good
NIGEL PLANS CHELTENHAM SUCCESS
HE may well be saddled with top weight but BALLYANDY (3.00, nap) looks the value bet in the feature Greatwood Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham this afternoon.
Second behind Sceau Royal in the Welsh Champion Hurdle, form which has been richly franked since, Nigel TwistonDavies’ charge is a victim of his own consistency, hence his high rating.
However, the forecast rain is hugely in his favour and it is worth remembering that he was racing against the very best two milers in the game last season and to my eyes this is hardly the best renewal of this competitive handicap.
His biggest rival could well be the unexposed Edwardstone but he will need to settle an awful lot better than he did on several occasions last term in order to get up the hill in what is normally a fast-run race.
The Grade Two Schoer Chase is one of the early Champion Chase trials and DEFI DE SEUIL (2.25) can once again throw his hat into the ring for that famous Festival event.
For some unknown reason, he ran way below par in that two-mile championship event in March but on his best form you could readily chalk him up as the odds-on favourite here.
The long-distance handicap chase looks sure to be a real stamina test as the ground deteriorates and that will suit BIG RIVER (1.50) perfectly.
He really only got going late on over a quarter-of-a-mile less in the Ultima Handicap Chase in March and is only a couple of pounds higher and the more rain the better.
Away from Prestbury Park, I expect a huge run from REPUBLICAN (1.00) in the novices’ handicap chase at Fontwell.
He badly needed the run first time up but crucially he gets to race over two-and-ahalf furlongs further here and can outstay his seven rivals.
On the Flat, there is a competitive card on the Fibresand at Southwell and both RED STRIPES (1.10) and USTATH (3.30) should run well. The last named has finally found his form after a sluggish start to the season but there is more to come from this powerhouse of a sprinter.