ITV Racing Tips: A Couple Of Cheltenham Friday Fancies

We have a lovely starter to the weekend on Friday with ITV Racing action from both Cheltenham and Bangor On Dee. The card particularly at Prestbury Park looks a cracker and Billy Grimshaw has picked out a few he's sweet on. Allow him to make the case...

13:50 Cheltenham - Sonic The Hedgehog 3 Coming Soon Handicap Chase

It's a shame Cheltenham's full Friday card isn't being televised on terrestrial TV as the race I am most looking forward to watching is taking place at 12:40, with mega bucks purchase Caldwell Potter looking to go 2-2 over fences against Tolworth winner and chase debutant Jango Baie. I'd be with the second favourite in that clash, but it's not on the box so we will move swiftly on.

The first race televised is hardly a stinker, with the market leaders from last weekend's abandoned Becher Chase in CHIANTI CLASSICO and King Turgeon clashing six days on from their original bout date. I'd be even sweeter on the chances of Kim Bailey's stable star back at a venue he has won around a couple of times - most famously of course in the Ultima - and would expect him to go off nearer even money than the 7/4 on offer now.

It was extra frustrating to lose Aintree last week as we were getting 5/1 about my fancy here in this match up, but perhaps it could work out as a blessing in disguise because I'm fairly sure this track will play more to his strengths than up in Merseyside, while it could hamper his main market rival. Nothing in this field has the speed of the hedgehog who the name is sponsored by, but Chianti Classico is no slouch and from the front he could have them all in trouble.

We've seen in recent years how well those who front run or at least sit prominently in handicap chases around Cheltenham perform and with Chianti Classico I'm expecting a no frills ride from Ciaran Gethings. Fire him out in front and issue a catch me if you can challenge to the rest. I don't think anything will be able to and he's my best bet on the card.

14:25 Cheltenham - Unibet Middle Distance Veterans' Handicap Chase

These races have been a real success story since their addition to the programme in recent years and in particular I like when they vary from the norm of being three miles and offer a sharper test for these old boys (and sometimes girls). Shakem Up'Arry saw a stunning amount of late money and was eventually sent off 5/1 co-favourite for the Grand National when we last saw him, although he whimpered away in the race to come home 17th and very tired. Before that he of course won the Plate here and while a repeat of that run would of course see him too good for these veterans, I'd be amazed if he's fully tuned up for this.

Perhaps he will be too good even at 75%, but over this trip and at this stage of the season he must be taken on. I'm taking him on with SHAN BLUE for the perennially in form Skelton team. We have to go back a long way for his best performance, which was when about to bolt up in the 2021 Charlie Hall when cruelly falling at the last when 20 lengths clear following a breath taking display, but despite being lightly raced since he's always shown flickers of his ability.

It is an accepted piece of racing knowledge that horses become more stout stayers as they age, however I've always thought Shan Blue is more about speed than stamina and after a run with plenty of gusto petered out - he looked in need of the run following a long break - at Bangor last time out over three miles I think he is primed for a big run here over the intermediate trip. I'm hopeful, like Chianti Classico, that he is fired out in front and allowed to lob along by Harry Skelton, as I'm not sure there's anything in here that will be able to go with him if he is on song. He also receives weight from plenty in the field and although it's been a long time since his last win, this second venture into veteran company looks the perfect opportunity.