Cheltenham selections Saturday 24th January
Trials Day at Cheltenham and as has become the norm for this meeting there is plenty of quality, but not so much quantity. There is still plenty of interest though and I have selections from four races on the card.
Cheltenham 12.05: Califet En Vol & Scorsese
Just about the most open race on the card is the opener, a race that has been the most successful in recent years in finding a winner for the big meeting in March. I have two fancies.
For win purposes CALIFET EN VOL looks the one to be on. This gelding is racing for only the third time over fences (both previous runs have been over this course and distance) and only the eighth time under rules. He won twice over hurdles last season, including a listed contest at Huntingdon, but he was a gangly sort who should always make a better chaser.
That looks like being the case. But for a bad stumble on landing two out, he would have given the more experienced Sixmilebridge a real race here last month, and whilst he was only third to Miami Magic here at the last meeting, I did not think Nico de Boinville asked too much of the 7yo and there looked to be more in the locker. Now he is sent handicapping he can defy joint top weight here with the benefit of that experience behind him.
I always like front-runners at Cheltenham and the likely pacesetter here is SCORSESE. He was of not much account over hurdles and was well beaten here on his chasing debut in October. However he was held up that day and since being ridden more positively he has improved out of all recognition.
He looked the likely winner having jumped boldly from the front next time at Fontwell only to knuckle over two out. He was narrowly defeated at Wincanton next time, where he seemed unsuited by going right-handed. However he made no mistake next time at Sedgefield when making all the running. Of course this contest is much, much tougher but his current rate of progress suggests he will be up to it.
Cheltenham 12.40: Minella Yoga
A very impressive winner on his racecourse debut at Fairyhouse back in November, MINELLA YOGA was a big money transfer after the race to the Paul Nicholls yard and on the evidence of his Newbury win it looks money well spent.
Despite showing understandable signs of greenness at Fairyhouse, the horse travelled well, jumped well and found plenty for pressure when asked to stretch in the straight. That race was on very soft ground as well, which bodes well for him handling conditions here.
He was not really expected to beat Age of Innocence at Newbury, but seemed to win fair and square having outpaced the favourite close home, a performance that marks him down as a real contender for the Triumph itself. Favourite here is likely to be Maestro Conti, but he was quite free when winning on fast ground at Kempton and I think has more to prove than the selection.
Cheltenham 1.15: Javert Allen
This will be the enthusiastic JAVERT ALLEN’s first try beyond 2m, but I think the 7yo will be up to it and he has a good chance of making all in this competitive handicap.
He has always been a brilliant jumper and he won his first two starts over the bigger obstacles at Chepstow and Newbury last season. Although he has been beaten in four starts since, he has continued to race with great gusto and I am very hopeful this step up in trip will elicit some more improvement.
He is a close relative of a stablemate Gladiateur Allen who stayed 3m well, so there is every reason to think he will stay beyond 2m4f, and though he continues to jump boldly, he is probably not quite as headstrong as he once was. He had to give best to Ryans Rocket at Newbury last time, but was simply outpaced on the run-in. I think the extra distance here is just what he needs to dominate a race more easily.
Cheltenham 4.10: Taurus Bay
Perhaps the most interesting race on the day is the finale where TAURUS BAY is one of several putting a big reputation on the line.
Unbeaten in three races, he had the stamina to win over 3m on his only point start in Ireland last season. He has been kept to 2m over hurdles so far, but showed enough speed to win on both occasions whilst doing all his best work in the closing stages.
He pulled well clear of the opposition in the straight at Stratford first time out, then found plenty for pressure to overhaul Captain Hugo at Aintree. I think he won those races despite the flat track and shorter distance and this stiffer track and longer distance will see him in an even better light.
Recommended bets:
1pt each-way – Califet En Vol – 12.05 Cheltenham – 5/1 Ladbrokes, Coral, BetVictor
0.5pts each-way – Scorsese – 12.05 Cheltenham – 20/1 general
1pt win – Minella Yoga – 12.40 Cheltenham – 11/4 Bet365
1pt each-way – Javert Allen – 1.15 Cheltenham – 13/2 Unibet, BetVictor
1pt win – Taurus Bay – 4.10 Cheltenham – 7/2 general
