This is where Festival winners are found people – so clear your brain space.
It’s Festival Trials Day at Cheltenham so expect more drama than the Beckham family feud. Mebbe.
With a stack of Grade 2 races on the card, the big equine names will do their talking on the track as they try to book their tickets to March’s mega meet.
ITV Racing will also show three races from Doncaster so we didn’t need to be asked twice for a super Saturday Cheat Sheet.
We can’t say with certainty that there’s never been any squabbling between Paddy’s pundits. But the ability to get over themselves, coupled with certain contractual obligations, means the collective brains trust of Rory Delargy, Ruby Walsh and Matt Chapman will put any bickering aside and join Paddy to hopefully steer you towards a few winners.
Oh, and if you’re more of the old school type and you prefer a downloadable Cheat Sheet that you can print or share on the WhatsApp, just CLICK HERE. Simples.
Now, let’s get ready to roll.
Matt Chapman
RUBY WALSH
Rory delargy
Paddy Power12:55 Doncaster – River Don Novices’ Hurdle (3m)Matt Chapman
I’m going to take a chance with COUNTRY CODE and it’s about time Ruth Jefferson had another good one. The six-year-old former point-to-pointer is unbeaten under rules.
RUBY WALSH
CARLENRIG did well to beat Thy Call Me Hugo over this trip last time out at Cheltenham, and I’m siding with him to reverse the form with Rocking Man from his hurdles debut at Chepstow. He has plenty of stamina and has only had two starts, so he’s open to plenty of improvement
Rory delargy
I’ll take a chance on KILCOUR LA. He’s looked a good prospect in winning twice at Leicester and the step up to three miles should suit.
Paddy Power
THEDEVILUNO stepped forward from his strong hurdle debut form to finish runner-up in a 2½m Grade 2 at Navan and could be the one to beat if seeing out this longer trip.
13:15 Cheltenham – Handicap Chase (2m4f)Matt Chapman
There’s no doubt JAGWAR is the best of these – indeed I’d say talent-wise he’s easily the most talented.
RUBY WALSH
JAGWAR definitely looks the one to beat. His comeback run at Cheltenham in December was a slowly run, tactical affair, and when it turned into a sprint, he just lacked the gears off the back of a layoff. I’ll be slightly disappointed if he doesn’t make amends.
Rory delargy
I looked at this race thinking how can I get JAGWAR beaten – and I can’t. There’s a lot of upside to his profile and he can improve again to win this contest.
Paddy Power
Lots with chances but JAGWAR signed off a great novice chase campaign with success in the Festival Plate over this course and distance last March. He can build on his eye-catching reappearance when third here in December and quickly resume winning ways.
13:30 Doncaster – Yorkshire Rose Mares’ Hurdle (3m)Matt Chapman
FEET OF A DANCER hasn’t raced at this trip very often, which is a bit odd as arguably her best run was in the Pertemps Final last year over three miles. It might be she needs a strong trip to run at, but she must have every chance.
RUBY WALSH
FEET OF A DANCER looks like the one who’s still open to improvement, as Paul Nolan launches an attack on Doncaster. She wouldn’t have to improve out of sight to win this, and her last two starts were very respectable. I’m siding with her to get the job done.
Rory delargy
A few Irish challengers in this and Paul Nolan’s FEET OF A DANCER will be suited by this three-mile test.
Paddy Power
FEET OF A DANCER is a most reliable sort who found only the prolific Wodhooh too strong at Leopardstown on her most recent outing and has an excellent chance of going one better given she’s highly unlikely to bump into a rival of that calibre here.
13:50 Cheltenham – Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase (3m5f)Matt Chapman
A load of these met at Cheltenham on December 12 and the one I felt that might have a bit more to show was PLACENET (each-way). A bad mistake two out would have knocked the stuffing out of most horses, but Placenet kept on in the closing stages.
RUBY WALSH
I’ll take two French raiders, each-way, against the favourite. If ICEO MADRIK can tidy up his jumping, he can go close off the same mark as when here last month. PLACENET is a big player and with that December run under his belt (same race), can go close.
Rory delargy
When I first looked at this, I couldn’t have J’arrive De Lest with the stable form of Gavin Cromwell – and then he banged in a treble at Gowran Park on Thursday. His price is short though, so I’d prefer to go with PLACENET (each-way) for a bit of value.
Paddy Power
J’ARRIVE DE L’EST shaped encouragingly starting out for his new yard when chasing home the re-opposing Final Orders over course and distance in December. It’s feasible to think he’ll come on for that run and with cheekpieces back on he can reverse placings on these more favourable terms.
14:05 Doncaster – Great Yorkshire Chase (3m)Matt Chapman
DOCPICKEDME is only 2lb higher than when taking this last year off a rating of 129 and he comes into this on the back of a fine success over course and distance in mid-December.
RUBY WALSH
KELCE gets in right down at the bottom of the weights, and Bradley Harris takes the ride for the Mulholland team. He was slightly disappointing at Cheltenham in December, but bounced right back to form on St. Stephen’s Day at Aintree. He looks worth taking a chance on.
Rory delargy
DARTMORE PIRATE‘s lightly-raced over fences and is making just his fourth chase start. He won last time out at Lingfield over 2m 6f at if he can stay with them over the first circuit, he should go well stepped back up to 3m.
Paddy Power
It was a significant Haydock handicap in which GRAND GESTE opened his chase account at the third attempt last month, jumping superbly throughout and leaving the strong impression that there is even better to come from him in this sphere.
14:25 Cheltenham – Cotswold Chase (3m1f)RUBY WALSH
Flooring Porter is best watched after a long layoff, but GREY DAWNING should sit just behind the pace and jockey Harry Skelton can produce him coming down to the last. He looks the likeliest winner in a small field.
Rory delargy
A big day for the Skelton team and Grey Dawning looks the most likely winner. Spillane’s Tower is a threat getting 6lbs from the favourite, though. This is the race that will tell you whether he’s back to his best and SPILLANE’S TOWER can win this.
Paddy Power
GREY DAWNING returned in some style when a facile winner of Haydock’s Betfair Chase and this course scorer can further enhance his Gold Cup claims by taking this prestigious Grade 2.
Matt Chapman
GREY DAWNING should win at short odds after his comeback win at Haydock where he was impressive. This should put him spot on for the Cheltenham Gold Cup in March.
15:00 Cheltenham – International Hurdle (2m1f)Matt Chapman
I really liked The New Lion for the Champion Hurdle before SIR GINO became a hurdler once again and he’s hard to oppose after a Christmas romp at Kempton.
RUBY WALSH
SIR GINO was brilliant in the Christmas Hurdle so I can’t oppose him. He’s still lightly raced and could still be improving, and he really should be winning this to solidify his Champion Hurdle credentials.
Rory delargy
SIR GINO wins whatever race he runs in at the Festival so should be winning here to enhance his Champion Hurdle claims. He’s a tremendous professional and is a lot better than The New Lion, even if the Skelton runner gets 3lbs off him.
Paddy Power
A fascinating clash between a pair of top-class prospects in SIR GINO and The New Lion. The former made a highly impressive comeback in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton and is fancied to strengthen his position at the top of the Champion Hurdle betting.
15:35 Cheltenham – Pertemps Network Cleeve Hurdle (3m)Matt Chapman
I can see no reason why IMPOSE TOI won’t continue his winning run. My pick denied Strong Leader (who gave 6lb) at Newbury before beating his old rival off levels in the Long Walk at Ascot.
RUBY WALSH
IMPOSE TOI looks the winner to me. His market rival, Strong Leader is not quite as effective at Cheltenham as he is on flatter tracks. Impose Toi should confirm his Ascot form with Strong Leader and Doddiethegreat. He’s a short price, but I can’t see beyond him.
Rory delargy
IMPOSE TOI looks all over the winner with Doddiethegreat the one for the forecast. Strong Leader won’t be as happy on soft ground at Cheltenham.
Paddy Power
Progressive stayer IMPOSE TOI can confirm his superiority over Strong Leader and extend an impressive winning sequence. Improving handicapper Ma Shantou may prove best of the rest on his first tilt at graded company.
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