Friday, 14th March 2025
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Picks for Day 4 at Cheltenham here |
In ATC today….
…. I swing the bat in all the big weekend handicaps….
I’m on PASSING WELL in the 3.00 at Uttoxeter – he’s up at 20s & 18s….
…. I’m on CHASING FIRE at 16s & 14s in the 2.45 at Kempton….
…. and I’m on JETOILE at 10s & 9s in the 3.20 at Kempton….
That’s the summary….
…. you’ll find all my reasoning below – as per usual….
Oh…. and if you’re looking for the standout place terms on offer – you’ll find them in the Bet Box below….
Read on….
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Knockanore was something of a revelation when winning the Eider by 16 lengths at Newcastle last time out….
…. and up at a general 5s he heads the market for tomorrow’s Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter (3.00)….
Fair enough – but he’s up 10lb and has it all to prove again….
My preference is for PASSING WELL at the 20s & 18s….
Take Knockanore out of that Newcastle race and Jamie Snowden’s charge was beaten a length into second (notional) by the really progressive O’Connell….
…. and is down a pound tomorrow to a mark of 126….
The 8yo’s improved for each step-rise in trip and was a little unlucky not to win the Surrey National at Lingfield over 3m5f at the end of January….
I just think he’s still unexposed over these proper staying trips and gives the impression he can strike when things fall right….
His yard’s going nicely right now – better than most – and I think he’s a big price tomorrow meeting the favourite on 11lb better terms than last time….
CHASING FIRE has been the source of much irritation to trainer Olly Murphy….
…. particularly with his performances over fences – which frequently fail to measure up to what he produces in his work at home….
Tomorrow he’s back over hurdles in the Virgin Bet Best Odds Daily Handicap Hurdle at Kempton (2.45) – and you can read into that what you like….
He’s been off since December – and perhaps this is a blow…. or a confidence booster…. or the opening salvo in a full-time return to the hurdling division….
But he has gone well off breaks in the past….
…. and he might well be well-handicapped on a mark of 133 – let’s not forget there was a time Murphy talked about this horse as a potential champion….
He’s probably not – but he does get a lot of what he needs to produce a performance tomorrow….
…. a flat right-handed track…. and good ground….
With his yard going well the 16s & 14s is worth a swing in my book….
JETOILE started the season rated 147 and is now down to 137 – showing distinct signs last time at Newcastle of being ready to capitalise….
…. and cheekpieces appear to have helped (ignore the bomb-out at Uttoxeter where the ground was too soft and the trip too long)….
He wants an intermediate trip on decent ground – which is what he’ll get tomorrow in the Virgin Bet Daily Extra Places Handicap Chase at Kempton (3.20)….
He ran a cracker last May at Punchestown off 145 under pretty much those circumstances – and a replication of that tomorrow (or something close) would see him go very close….
He’s a nice price at 10s & 9s this morning….
With Dylan Johnston taking off a handy 3lb….
…. he’s potentially very well-handicapped with conditions to suit….
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Now, just to recap….
The pick of the prices….To recap on my bets…. In the 3.00 @ Uttoxeter….
e/w terms = Sky Bet pay 6 places. It’s 5 places generally…. In the 2.45 @ Kempton….
e/w terms = Sky Bet pay 4 places. It’s 3 places generally…. In the 3.20 @ Kempton….
e/w terms = Sky Bet pay 4 places. It’s 3 places generally…. Advised prices are correct at the point of publication – but subject to fluctuation. Shop around – you may find better quotes and terms than advised…. |
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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….
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