It's time to head back to Cheltenham and get stuck into some of the brilliant action we have on display over the upcoming two days, even though day one has a few small competitive fields to find our way around.
Race one is a four runner field for a class two Novices' Hurdle over 2m 3f and Camprond should be impossible to beat here.
This horse won a competitive race at Chepstow last time out, but was beaten the time before when not seeming himself, and if this happens again, the Gordon Elliott trained Mars Harper will pick up the pieces.
The second race is a five runner field for a Novices' Chase over 2m, and we have a good match up here between three decent prospects.
Fidelio Vallis ran well over further at Chepstow, and the drop back in trip will definitely suit and play to his advantages here around Cheltenham.
Any News made a good start over the larger obstacles at Warwick on debut, but will need to have a considerable step forward here to challenge my selection or Fidelio Vallis.
My vote here goes to Third Time Lucki, who finished fourth in the Champion Bumper back in 2019, and with the Skeltons' just looking like they are ready to start rolling, this horse could get his chasing career off to a winning start at the expense of a more experienced rival in Fidelio Vallis.
Race three is another Novices' Hurdle, and Bardenstown Lad represents last year's winning connections for John McConnell and Sean Bowen.
This horse was unsuited with the way the race developed last time, and it looked like he would the time before at Cartmel as well so I don't think he's the safe selection here.
My vote goes to Dragon Bones, who has been mightily impressive so far, and if he can sort out his quirks, could be very useful for the Ian Williams team.
A Novices' Handicap Chase then follows in what looks to be a duel between two horses that met last time out in Annual Invictus and Favoir.
Favoir beat Annual Invictus last time out at Uttoxeter, but has to carry 8lbs more than his rival here as a result of that, and that could maybe be the difference.
I'm finding it hard to split these two though, so go with which ever you fancy out of the two, or go with the each-way option of Danny Kirwan who is best watched after undergoing a wind operation.
Handicap Hurdle time for race five, and one of my selections from the festival earlier on in the year there runs here.
Guard your Dream was last seen finishing third behind My Drogo, and he has leading claims here again to notch up a win for the Twiston-Davies'.
However, there is plenty of chances elsewhere here, with Art Approval going for a yard in top form and Mullaghmore Wave going for the shrewd operator John McConnell off a good handicap mark.
I think Captain Morgs will have a say here though for Henderson and Boinville, because the horse is clearly better than what he produced at the back end of last season there, and a freshen up might bring out the best in him.
The sixth race is an amateurs race and I don't have a strong fancy so, I'll go with Boughtbeforelunch each-way at 14/1 just because it has top point to point jockey Gina Andrews on board.
Race seven is a maiden hurdle, and looks another good duel between two exciting prospects.
John Locke made a good appearance in the Adonis Hurdle, finishing fourth behind Tritonic before bleeding at Aintree next time.
He's capable of better and I'm sure he will fill the forecast, but I think Go Dante could be taking 1st place here.
This horse won his bumper with ease and if recreating that, he could introduce himself on the scene as a hurdler to watch for the campaign.
So day one done, Third Time Lucki and Go Dante being my best two selections, but as always, you don't have to listen to me, make your own decisions, and as always, good luck.
Comments