Today's Horse Racing Tips: Four bets for Cheltenham on Saturday
There are four bets for today’s racing at Cheltenham.
Cheltenham Tips
14:15 – 2m4f Paddy Power Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Grade 3)
SIMPLY THE BETTS (1 point win bet at 16/1) was a well beaten sixth in this race last year but then missed the rest of the season with an injury. He has since joined trainer Paul Nicholls, who has reported him to be ‘very fit and well’, and can defy joint top weight to make a winning return to action. This will be his first run since having a wind operation, and the excellent Bryony Frost has been booked to ride. Frost has made a really good start to the season and is renowned for getting the best out of her mounts. If this eight-year-old can get back to the form he showed in 2019/20, he’ll surely outrun his odds here and put in a big performance. His four wins that season culminated with victory in the Grade 3 Plate Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.
At a similar price, I’d also give a chance to MANOFTHEMOUNTAIN (0.5 point win bet at 20/1), who won a Grade 2 here back in April and has since finished second on his seasonal reappearance at Chepstow. That will have put him spot on for this and he relishes good ground.
Of the rest, Protektorat and Al Dancer are obvious contenders for the shortlist.
14:50 – 3m Paddy Power Games Handicap Hurdle (Listed)
This looks a really good opportunity for PROSCHEMA (NAP – 1 point win bet at 3/1) to get back in the winners’ enclosure and record a fourth career success over hurdles. Dan Skelton’s six-year-old enjoyed a fabulous end to last season by winning four of his five starts between January and May, including one here at Cheltenham. He then improved from his seasonal reappearance to finish second in a Grade 2 at Wetherby last time out. That was his first try over the three-mile trip having stepped up from 2m4f, but he acquitted himself well and is given another chance today. The drying ground will very much be in his favour and this race represents a drop in class. His chances are further improved by the absence of arguably the biggest danger, Dragon Bones, who is now a non-runner.
15:25 – 2m5f Paddy Power Feel Like A Favourite Intermediate Handicap Hurdle (Class 3)
Trainer Milton Harris has sent out five winners from just 11 runners in the past fortnight and looks to have another good chance with PYRAMID PLACE (1 point win bet at 14/1). Paddy Brennan, who has an excellent record when riding for Bradley, is 2-2 aboard this four-year-old son of Authorized and gets back on top today for the first time since February. A close second on his seasonal reappearance at Chepstow last month, he can go one better today with that all important race fitness gained. On several occasions, he has shaped as though he was in need of a step up in trip and he has been given that opportunity today as he goes up to 2m5f for the first time. That could bring about further improvement and his double figure price therefore looks too big. Benson and Mackelduff are feared most.