Cheltenham sits alongside Newmarket on ITV on Wednesday, ensuring Matty Sutcliffe can take aim at both the flat and jumps with his value punts in midweek. He has four best bets across both cards.
1:50 Newmarket – bet365 Handicap (Class 2) (3yo 0-100) – Invictus Gold 1pt EW
INVICTUS GOLD progressed well last season having looked typically coltish on debut when beaten four lengths behind the now 104-rated Benevento and 99 rated Bolo Neighs. The son of Invincible Spirit was gelded sharply after, and notched up a pair of six furlong novices latterly on the July course, pulling two lengths clear from the well fancied Evening Saigon who in turn pulled eight lengths clear of the third.
He was too keen on rain softened ground in the Rockingham at York, with the race generally favouring those to the fore on the far-side rail so his two length fifth can be marginally upgraded. He’s bred to improve with age, and Tom Clover has a solid record in handicaps on the Rowley Mile over the last five seasons, with his record reading 24-5-8 (£19.75+).
2:05 Cheltenham – Kingston Stud Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 2) (4yo+) – Ballytechno 1pt EW
This quicker going is key to BALLYTECHNO, who was an eye-catcher on debut at Worcester having stayed on late on the day behind the well backed leader who made all, shaping as if a step up in trip wouldn’t go amiss.
He duly delivered on that promise when stepped up to 2m3f at Huntingdon, and backed that up over the same trip at Ascot when drawing away in good style to win by two lengths, with the second now rated 20lbs higher after two subsequent victories. He was never in contention in the G2 Winter Novice’ Hurdle, but he bounced back to form in a competitive looking handicap at Kelso when been a length, with he winner backing that up in a Pertemps Qualifier next time out, the second has been consistent in defeat since and the fifth won cosily by five lengths last time out.
The return to this good ground around a track that can favour hold up horses bodes well and James Owen remains in excellent form under both codes with the excellent Callum Pritchard taking off a valuable 5lbs.
2:40 Cheltenham – Matt Hampson Foundation Silver Trophy Handicap Chase (Grade 2)(A Limited Handicap) (Gbb Race) (Class 1) (5yo+) – Hang In There 1pt WIN
HANG IN THERE found the Ryanair far too hot last time out when returning from a 131-day break, but he was far from disgraced in the Charlie Hall when beaten nine lengths there in November, and the drop back into handicap company can see him return to the winners enclosure.
He was beaten four lengths into second in this race last season and while he is 6lbs higher this time around, he’s arguably a better horse now despite having reached the grand old age of 11, with his form in the summer reading 2132 including a huge performance to take the Uttoxeter Summer Cup off top-weight, giving 14lbs to the field, posting an RPR of 161 in the process.
His overall form in handicap chases reads PU311522132, and his form when carrying top-weight in this sphere on preferable good ground reads 1122132. While there is the potential that he’ll be here with a view to the Summer Cup once more given he’s only 2lbs above that winning mark, he has his perfect conditions here can fare better than last season with a recent run under his belt, with his record second time up off a break for Emma Lavelle reading 1622PU21 (Two below par efforts came on unfavourable going).
3:00 Newmarket – Blandford Bloodstock Abernant Stakes (Group 3) (Class 1) (3yo+) – Grand Grey 1pt EW
Kevin Ryan has won the Abernant Stakes four times in the last ten renewals, and GRAND GREY looks overpriced if taking to British shores for the first time. The son of Havana Grey is three from three when fresh, and his American dam-side suggests this quicker ground will be of no issue.
While he found the Abbaye too hot when last seen, the form of his G3 Prix du Petit Couvert 1/4l fourth has worked out nicely with several faring well in graded company since, and his length third to James’s Delight in the Prix Kristen last July reads well with the winner beaten a short head by Spycatcher next time out before been four lengths in the G1 Champions Sprint.
A rating of 104 would leave something to be desired in this company, but on several pieces of collateral form that looks to be somewhat down playing his talents and its rather telling that a yard with a plethora of smart sprinters pitches him in here as their sole runner.
Jamie Spencer looks the fitting booking for one preferred to be held up, and he teamed up with Kevin Ryan to win this in 2015.
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