The pick of the Sunday prices....

Saturday, 16th November 2024

The pick of the Sunday prices….

I went out yesterday with my picks for this afternoon’s card at Cheltenham….

…. if you missed that – you can catch up here….

Today the focus is on the racing at Cheltenham tomorrow afternoon

…. where there’s a couple of decent handicaps to take shots at….

Let’s get down to business….

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MANOTHEPEOPLE at the general 8s & 7s is my pick of the prices in the Holland Cooper Handicap Chase (2.55)….

Fergal O’Brien’s charge ran well in defeat on his return to action at Chepstow in October – over a 3m trip that’s sharp enough for him….

…. giving the impression that his mark of 137 isn’t beyond him – if or when fully fit….

He shapes like he requires a proper test of stamina and the step up to 3m3f tomorrow will likely see him to better effect….

…. and – of course – he’ll be fitter for that outing in Wales….

He’s got track form – albeit it on the New course….

…. where he ran out a decent winner in a C2 handicap over 3m2f in April with some fair handicappers in behind – finishing the race off strong….

That victory was delivered on good ground and you’d think underfoot conditions tomorrow will be fine for him….

Hopefully, O’Brien has him teed up for this assignment….

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In the feature handicap – the Greatwood Handicap Hurdle (3.30) – I’m going to chance my arm with Nicky Henderson’s UNDER CONTROL at the 17/2 & 9s….

It wasn’t straightforward for her last season….

…. she was running a big race in the Gerry Feilden at Newbury before falling away alarmingly….

She had a wind-op after that (her second) and returned with a solid performance at Doncaster….

…. getting beaten by a Willie-Mullins-trained horse but posting a career best RPR in the process….

She didn’t appear again last term – Henderson felt she wasn’t quite right and pulled up the stumps….

She reappeared in August in the ultra-competitive Galway Hurdle finishing 6th of 19 and beaten 13-lengths in a first-time tongue tie….

Prior to the problems that surfaced in the Gerry Feilden, she’d won four out of five hurdle races and had beaten Iberico Lord at Sandown in a novice handicap – off levels….

That one’s rated 144 now – having won this race and the Betfair Hurdle last year – before rounding off his campaign in the Champion Hurdle….

It’s all ifs, buts and maybes, of course – but Under Control’s mark of 137 looks potentially generous viewed in that light….

…. and you’d think she’s been targeted at this….

She’s giving away weight all round and will need to be back to where she was….

But the omens are good….

…. Nicky Henderson says she’s in “very good form”….

…. and he’s also told reporters in recent weeks that he believes “she’s still potentially top class”….

If he’s right then she’s very much a ‘live’ proposition tomorrow….

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That’s all for today….

I’ll be back next week….

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

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

Stay tuned….

Against the Crowd