Cheltenham Saturday Tips: Cromwell To Clean Up
The Cheltenham Showcase Meeting wraps up with a fascinating Saturday card at Prestbury Park, with a host of big names clashing at Jumps racing's home ground. Billy Grimshaw has scoured the cards and fancies the Irish to have a blinding day...
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13:10 Cheltenham - William Hill Top Price Guarantee Novices' Limited Handicap Chase
WEVEALLBEENCAUGHT was a horse many thought destined for big things when with Nigel Twiston Davies, however toward the end of last season he seemed to lose his way and lofty ambitions were seemingly shelved. Over the summer he moved on to Christian Williams and while he didn't win on yard debut, there was plenty to like about what we saw about a month ago at Worcester for those who hoped the flame still burned.
Last season he kicked off the campaign with probably his best run all 2023/24 with a placed effort behind Flooring Porter here at Cheltenham, and we know what that horse has gone on to do over fences. HIs season tailed off after that, finishing 20 lengths back in second behind stablemate Broadway Boy at the November meeting before a few more poor runs. Nevertheless, the fact he is finally tried in cheekpieces here and does not have to go 3 miles is what has swayed me into thinking today could be the day he gets back on track.
I'm hopeful Williams instructs Jack Tudor to make full use of his proven stamina and to blast off in front, as he did when last winning a race in January 2023 at this course. 128 must be a lenient mark if any ability remains and while I do respect the claims of favourite Guard Your Dreams for Weveallbeencaught's old trainer, at the weights and the prices it's the Williams gelding that warrants support.
14:20 Cheltenham - William Hill Committed To Top Prices Handicap Chase
Broadway Boy is the right favourite in here off 149 considering his exploits at this track and beyond last season, and with the NTD team always targeting these early Cheltenham meetings each season and a lovely £50,000 pot on offer here, he will no doubt be tuned up to the minute. He usually hits the front and says "catch me if you can" to his rivals, but this is no walkover and there are plenty in here who'll fancy their chances of running him down.
One who might attempt to go with him and could be well handicapped with just 10st3 here to carry is Pepe Le Moko for Jane Williams, as he has shown that he likes to get on with things and he did win well on reappearance last season. There are other pace rivals too and I think they'll go a decent clip in here, which could negate the fact that in recent seasons those at the front have been the ones who tend to fight out the finish in Cheltenham handicap chases.
Le Milos could be an interesting closer for the Skeltons but at double his price I'm going to chance 2021 Albert Bartlett winner VANILLIER to finally bounce back to something like his best. This has been a tough horse for Gavin Cromwell to train it seems but I think the odds compilers may have missed Cromwell's update on his plans for the 2023 Grand National runner up. He has stated that after a poor 2024 and a no-show at Aintree, that race won't be the aim and he will instead be pot hunting in more modest races. This is competitive, but it is no Grand National.
Vanillier's record first time out over fences hardly inspires confidence, but Cromwell's Cheltenham record does and with 20/1 available, I can't resist backing the stunning grey each-way in a race that should suit and at a racecourse he had his finest hour at. I imagine we'll know our fate early at any rate as when he's not on a going day, Vanillier makes it known to all!
15:30 Cheltenham - Masterson Holdings Hurdle
Despite the fact he is set to be giving weight to all his rivals in here, I think BOTTLER'SECRET for that man again Gavin Cromwell is well worthy of heading the market here and anything above evens looks a knocking bet to me. This is a horse that ran good not great on the flat but seemed to improve hand over fist since switching yards and disciplines, winning a Grade 3 Juvenile contest last February at Naas before another win and a fine second behind Kargese in the Punchestown Champion Juvenile Hurdle.
That form is without question the strongest anything brings into this race at Cheltenham and with Bottler'secret set to lead once again, as he has done or been prominent in near enough every start, I'd be pretty disappointed if anything manages to pass him all the way around and especially at the finish. Givemefive is the one the market thinks has the best chance of upsetting the jolly and Harry Derham was another trainer who flew out of the blocks last season so his runners have to be respected, however a win on the flat in a weak enough race as his prep for this didn't scream to me that he was ready to take on one of Ireland's best juveniles from last year.
I'd be more inclined in without markets to chance the filly Hasten Slowly for John McConnell with weight being received from the boys and a decent handicap win last time out at Punchestown showing she is in rude health. I can't see anything in here with the form or scope of Bottler'secret though, so he's a strong fancy.
For those who like a multiple bet, I'll be having all Cromwell's runners at Cheltenham in a lucky 31.