Friday Racing Tips From Cheltenham: Commodore to score for Williams

We focus our attentions on day one of Cheltenham's International meeting, which takes place on Friday afternoon, and our in-house tipster Steve Chambers has picked out his three best bets on a sparkling card...

13:15 Cheltenham - Catesby Handicap Hurdle

Nicky Henderson's Broomfield Burg has shaped like a smart handicap hurdler, and the Seven Barrows inmate has to be one of the leading contenders for the Catesby Handicap Hurdle at 13:15 on Friday afternoon, but there's a value play elsewhere that could potentially outrun his double-figured odds.

Nigel Twiston-Davies certainly knows how to train winners at Prestbury Park, and the Naunton handler will saddle an eye-catching runner in the shape of ROBINSHILL, who was last seen landing a hurdle prize at Leicester, and will now look to follow up here in this tougher race. Handed a 3lb rise by the handicapper for that success, Robinshill still remains on an attractive mark of 124, as he was a winner over fences off a mark of 137, so if he can replicate that sort of run here then he has to stand a great chance.

He maybe ten years old, so is in the twilight of his career, but he showed last time out that the fire still burns bright, and he can score here in what is one of the toughest betting assignments for punters heading to the track on Friday afternoon.

14:25 Cheltenham - Betfair Handicap Chase

Last seen falling in the Ladbrokes Trophy, Enrilo will look to produce a clear round of jumping in a fascinating renewal of the Betfair Handicap Chase at 14:25. A classy performer for Paul Nicholls, Enrilo will be a popular selection in this event, as he looks to bounce back from his Newbury tumble, but with a cloud hanging over his jumping then it's worth taking him on with another contender.

The one that catches the eye is the Venetia Williams-trained COMMODORE, who has been struggling to put in consistent performances in recent times, but he runs well when fresh, and with the yard in flying form he could benefit from a low weight and strike gold here. He competed in this race 12 months ago, and was only three lengths behind the leaders when falling at the last fence, and that was only a mark 1lb lower than he runs off on Friday, so he's attractively weighted to go well.

With a meagre 10st on his back and with Charlie Deutsch in the saddle - fresh from victory on board Cloudy Glen in the Ladbrokes Trophy - then Commodore looks to have lots in his favour to go close.

15:00 Cheltenham - Glenfarclas Crystal Cup Cross Country Handicap Chase

Martin Keighley's Back On The Lash was a gutsy winner of the Cross Country Chase at Cheltenham's November meeting, and will attempt to follow up in the 15:00 contest over the same course on Friday afternoon. However, he's been upped in the handicap for that success, so may just have a little bit too much on his plate here, and he's worth taking on.

One leading challenger that can get his head in front is DIESEL D'ALLIER, who ran a mighty race to finish third behind Back On The Lash, and having struck gold in this race back in 2019 he can regain the crown with an imperious performance here. He's been kept on the same mark of 137 for this event, so he should be more than capable of reversing the form with Back On The Lash, and with very few others making appeal then he can claim the victory for France.

Midnight Maestro, Balko Des Flos and Potters Corner are all worthy of a mention, and could be a prominent triumvirate in an intriguing renewal, but it's Diesel D'Allier that makes most appeal to bag the win.