The New Year heralds another cracking day of racing at Cheltenham. With racing live on ITV, here are GG tipster Joe Napier’s best bets on the day.
2.05 Cheltenham – Betfair Exchange Handicap Chase
Gemirande boasts serious claims of completing his hat-trick after winning the December Gold Cup over course and distance last month, but he has been hit with an 8lb rise by the handicapper. In opposition today is the novice SPRINGWELL BAY, who may just have more in reserve off his mark.
The soon-to-be eight-year-old has won a handicap hurdle at Cheltenham already, while he was also a neck second on his last completed handicap over timber at Musselburgh last season. He is 2lb higher over fences, but looks to have improved for them too, finishing a clear second to a very promising type when conceding weight all round over course and distance last time out.
Despite this being an open handicap, these should be calmer waters for him here, while this also looks to be his ideal trip.
2.40 Cheltenham – Best Odds On The Betfair Exchange Handicap Hurdle
Both Strackan and What A Johnny are worth strong consideration, but the suspicion is that CATCH HIM DERRY still has the most potential for progression in spite of him pulling up at Haydock last time out.
Dan Skelton’s charge had won on three of his four starts in handicap hurdles prior to that disappointment, being beaten only by a stablemate who subsequently won on his next two appearances. He has gone up 28lb in the handicap in all since his first success at Southwell in January, but could easily still have more to offer over staying trips.
He had been off for over six months when winning at Ayr, so Haydock could have produced a “bounce” in terms of fitness. Conditions were decidedly soft that day, so he should find this contest slightly less testing and can resume his climb through the ranks.
3.15 Cheltenham – Dornan Engineering Relkeel Hurdle (Grade 2)
Golden Ace’s Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle success at last season’s Cheltenham Festival only looks better and better every time Brighterdaysahead appears on a race track, but connections persist over 2m4f here. With soft ground potentially in the offing, this could still stretch her stamina.
It usually takes a little longer for LANGER DAN to find his stride into the jumps season, but he is miles clear on ratings in this line-up. No rival is better than 7lb worse off with him than they would be in a handicap, so while it takes some faith to believe we will see him at the peak of his powers, it is worth chancing in this market.
His rating of 160 was fairly earned with his efforts in Graded company at the end of last term, and there is no way even a couple of poor runs will see him drop close to the mark of 141, off which he has won two editions of the Coral Cup at Cheltenham. As such, it is possible he will reach top gear earlier than in recent years, especially at a track he likes.
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