The pick of the prices on Day 1 at Cheltenham....

Thursday, 24th October 2024

The pick of the prices on Day 1 at Cheltenham….

CALICO could well provide the answer in tomorrow’s squareintheair.com Handicap Chase at Cheltenham (2.25)….

He produced a career-best on his first go of the season last term….

…. getting beaten just 0.75 lengths by Triple Trade who reopposes tomorrow on 6lb worse terms….

That was at the November meeting on softer ground – and Triple Trade had the benefit of having already run at the Showcase meeting….

This time Calico is starting off at the Showcase and I think that’s a conscious decision on Dan Skelton’s part – to secure better ground for his 8yo….

…. over trips around 2m on genuine good ground Calico’s form figures read: 21212P….

…. and I think he’ll be primed to produce a fair effort on the surface tomorrow….

What I really like is his mark – he’s nicely weighted on 138….

…. and with his trainer having built up a handy lead in the Championship standings over the summer….

…. and no doubt keen to lay down statements of serious intent as the season proper gets underway….

…. I reckon this race has been the plan for Calico – and the general 6s (with a little 13/2 about in places) is a fair price….

-----

In the Glenfarclas Amateur Jockeys' Handicap Chase (3.35) HOLD YOUR FORT is a nice each-way price at the general 25s….

…. given that he’s as fit as a fiddle – having been on the go across the summer….

…. and it’s not like he’s been making up the numbers either….

He’s won four of his last five – rising 43lb in the handicap as a result….

He got beaten at Wincanton last week and you could make the case that the handicapper’s caught up with him….

But I’m not so sure. The horse that beat him – admittedly by a wide margin – was Lord Accord….

…. a chaser that had been off the boil but who had won and shown up well in decent races over fences previously….

He’d been given a chance to regain his confidence over hurdles – winning well in that discipline in September….

…. and – back over fences – he was very sweetly handicapped on his old chase form on a mark of just 123….

At the price I’m happy to give Hold Your Fort a chance to put that run behind him and show that there’s a bit more to come yet off a mark of 117….

He’s really improved for a fence and 3m….

…. he’ll like the ground….

… he’s match sharp – unlike some of the opposition….

…. and I note that trainer Debra Hamer has gone to the trouble of booking Mr Alex Chadwick for the ride – who sits higher than any other amateur in the Championship standings right now….

The price is there and I’m having a swing of the bat – because that’s how I am….

-----

-----

That’s all for today….

I’ll be back tomorrow….

Meantime – contact me direct at nick.pullen@oxonpress.co.uk  

And remember – win, lose or draw – enjoy the racing….

Stay tuned….

Against the Crowd