Cheltenham Tips: Three Each-Way Picks For Day One Of Showcase Meeting

Jump racing’s big season starts in earnest at Cheltenham today, with seven races on the opening day of the two-day Showcase meeting.

Our in-house tipster Steve Chambers has picked out three each-way selections, who are all available at attractive prices.

13:15 Cheltenham – William Hill Epic Boosts Handicap Hurdle

Thirteen go to post for the opener and William Hill have Sunny South West and East India Express joint-favourites at 11/2, but I’m happy to take a bigger price about Crooked Path at 8/1.

James Owen’s four-year-old is busy and in good heart. He was third in a decent Class 2 handicap at Market Rasen in September, then dropped in grade to win at Fontwell last week, leading two out and going clear before the last. He’s been running well on the Flat in between too, winning at Kempton and finishing second twice at Epsom, so he’s fit and his confidence is high.

Jonathan Burke, who rode him at Market Rasen, is back on board, and he carries just 10st 2lb. The step up in class is the question, but with William Hill paying four places at a fifth of the odds, he looks a solid each-way bet.

14:25 Cheltenham – Foundation Developments Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle

Another 13-runner handicap, and Wondering Why heads the William Hill market at 9/2. My pick is Wild Goose at 9/1.

Kim Bailey and Mat Nicholls’ six-year-old won at Southwell at the start of October after a summer break, and the manner of the win caught my eye. Wild Goose jumped awkwardly at the first and the rider briefly lost an iron, yet still kept on up the run-in to lead close home.

Wild Goose also won at Hereford in the spring, so that’s two wins from the last three runs, both on good ground. Fern O’Brien takes over, and this is a step up from Class 4, but this looks a progressive type who should handle the hill. William Hill are again paying four places.

15:35 Cheltenham – squareintheair.com Handicap Chase

Calico is a fair favourite at 7/2 for Dan Skelton and Harry Skelton, but each-way value is the aim, and Soul Icon at 10/1 looks too big.

Soul Icon is the only course winner in the field, with a win and two places from three runs at Cheltenham. Keiran Burke’s nine-year-old has been kept busy since the spring: he was second over hurdles at Newton Abbot in August and ran a cracker on the Flat at Salisbury in September, finishing second at 40/1 in a conditions stakes.

Adam Wedge rides at 10st 10lb. The drop back to two miles is the worry after races over further, so Soul Icon will need to be sharp from the start. William Hill pay three places in this nine-runner race, and at 10/1 I’ll take the chance.

Prices with William Hill, correct at 13:30 on Thursday 22 October and subject to change. 18+. Please gamble responsibly. BeGambleAware.org