ITV Racing Tips: Two To Back at Cheltenham on Friday

Bangor has sadly seen its Friday fixture, which was set to be broadcast on ITV Racing, abandoned due to a waterlogged track and as such the only televised action will come from the home of jumps racing - Cheltenham. Nevertheless, it's always a good day when there's racing at Prestbury Park and Billy Grimshaw likes a couple on the card and makes the case here...

13:15 Cheltenham

A competitive looking handicap hurdle kicks things off at Cheltenham in terms of the televised ITV action and I am keen to take on favourite French Emperor. He won here last time out but that race has not really worked out and I wasn't particularly enamoured with the performance, for all that a win at Cheltenham is a win at Cheltenham. Just behind in the market comes Iberico Lord off top weight in the green and gold for Nicky Henderson and I cannot see this being his big day for the season so am happy enough to swerve him, particularly with the ground drying out, but one I won't be swerving for the all-conquering Skeltons is FORTUNE DE MER.

This is a progressive five year old who I am in no doubt is better than a mark of 127 and with this stiff test on decent ground and with Cheltenham's stiff finish, he looks to have it all to be crowned the winner. Harry Skelton has ground his way into the conversation of Britain's leading jockeys, when a few years ago he was derided as being a poor judge of pace, but despite his improvements I think he'd like the ride at Ascot again given he was left anchored to the rear and the eventual 20/1 winner got first run on him. 

If he can nestle Fortune De Mer in the middle of the chasing pack and keep a more watchful eye on anything trying to nick the race off the front, I can see this lad travelling powerfully into the race before taking it up just as the climb begins. Continuance is probably the chief threat of attempting that move as a confirmed front runner and I wouldn't be surprised if he can stay on into the frame, but it's FORTUNE DE MER all the way for me to kick this meeting off in style for the champion trainer elect.

14:25 Cheltenham

I was very tempted by Gowel Road again in the race prior to this one given his lenient looking mark over fences, but L'Homme Presse being in that race makes it a no bet contest for me as I would be surprised to see neither him bolting up or bombing out. Moving on then to this veteran's contest and I will take a leap of faith and back COPPERHEAD each-way off a long absence. Now eleven, it's no secret the Tizzard team thought the world of this horse in his younger days and although he has never quite hit the heights they hoped for him, he has still had a decent career as a staying chaser.

It's 306 days to be precise since we saw him last and that was when going off like a scolded cat in front at Exeter and duly fading out of contention when the race heated up. I am hugely keen on handicap chasers who go from the front around Cheltenham and with Joe Tizzard in good form, this horse having a solid record fresh and the fact he will undoubtedly be sent to lead by Freddie Gingell, I like his chances both of a place and even upsetting his higher profile stablemate and favourite Eldorado Allen.

There are no shortage of pace rivals here and given it's over a trip shorter than his usual that will concern some, but with drying ground in his favour I can see Gingell being fearless and seeing all the other potential leaders off. Should Copperhead's jumping hold up, he will have no trouble staying this trip given his proven stamina and although Eldorado Allen is the one I fear most given his battling win last time out, I do think there is a chance we see the Tizzard 1-2 in the order odds compilers are not expecting.