THYME IS RIGHT FOR GREATWOOD RUN
THYME WHITE is the sage advice for the Unibet Greatwood Handicap Hurdle (3.00) at Cheltenham this afternoon.
Paul Nicholls has his team firing on all cylinders and Thyme White got his campaign off to the perfect start with a three-length call over The Pink’n at Chepstow last month.
The handicapper has reacted with an 11lb rise in the weights, but Harry Cobden’s mount has plenty of improvement up his sleeve. After an impressive course-and-distance handicap triumph at Cheltenham’s Showcase fixture last month, Rogue Vif is taken to get the better of Festival stars Defi Du Seuil and Put The Kettle On in the Grade 2 Shloer Chase (2.25).
My selection has work to do on their running – first and third – in the Arkle Trophy in March, but his reappearance showed Harry Whittington’s chaser to have taken a step forward.
Big River has a major shout if bringing his A-game to the Planteur At Chapel Stud Handicap Chase (1.50). After timber scores at Uttoxeter and Wetherby, Third Time Lucki looks a worthy favourite in the Grade 2 Sky Bet Supreme Trial Novices’ Hurdle (3.35).
In the Paddy Power Southern National Handicap Chase (3.15) at Fontwell Park, the chance to take on a stamina test – and recent breathing surgery – points to the chances of Diable De Sivola.
The betting for Punchestown’s Grade 1 Unibet Morgiana Hurdle (2.10) suggests that Saint Roi is already the superior of Abacadabras, but that is not the case – which makes the latter the value call.