Cheltenham selections Saturday 14th November
It is to be hoped that an excellent looking card at Cheltenham is not decimated by withdrawals as dry and cold weather threatens to cause many of the potential stars on show to be kept at home. I am going to look at four races on the card and hope my selections make it to the start. Sans Bruit was placed for the each-way bet at Aintree last week (4/1)
Cheltenham 12.35: Dinoland
One horse who certainly won’t mind the fast ground is DINOLAND who can make the journey over from Ireland worthwhile.
The 8yo has enjoyed a new lease of line this season since joining his current yard, winning two chases in May at around 3m, travelling nicely before seeing out the distance strongly. After a summer’s break, he returned over hurdles at Fairyhouse looking in need of the run but showed the benefit of that outing when finishing a strong second at Down Royal on similar going two weeks ago.
The ability to travel well is always a strong bonus factor around this track and whilst he is in top form he looks worth following.
Cheltenham: 1.10 Charles Darnay
The Gredley family have sent some of their top flat horses over hurdles in recent seasons, with varying degrees of success, but after CHARLES DARNAY’s impressive debut at Wetherby recently, he looks like being one of those successful converts.
Despite jumping left early on, he showed a good aptitude for hurdling, jumping boldly by the end of the race and finishing off strongly to see off more experienced opponents. He had already shown a decent level of form on the flat, coming a strong finishing third off a mark of 83 on his last start at Newmarket over 12f.
He looks strong on stamina, based on his flat runs and that fine win at Wetherby, which will hold him in good stead for this stiff finish and is fully proven on fast ground.
Cheltenham 2.20: Meetmebythesea & July Flower
The Paddy Power looks like having one of the smaller fields in recent years and class could shine through here with MEETMEBYTHESEA making a winning reappearance.
We last saw him when landing the Novice Handicap Chase at the Festival on the New Course here. That was his first attempt over 2m4f over fences and on the fastest ground he had faced since switching to the bigger obstacles. Ridden positively he made most of the running, seeing off all challengers right to the line. This will have been the target since, so he will surely be straight enough to do himself justice today.
As a viable alternative, should she take her chance, JULY FLOWER can make a bold bid to repeat her win on this card last season. That win showed she could handle this track, even though she was well beaten in the Mares Chase at the Festival.
However her last start was a cracking effort at Punchestown, where she looked likely to win the 3m novice grade 1 until apparently failing to see out the trip and fading to fourth. Back at this intermediate trip should be ideal and she too will surely be sharp enough for her reappearance.
Cheltenham 2.55: Gold For Alec
A horse very much on the upgrade since being upped to 3m, GOLD FOR ALEC can build on a narrow defeat at the last meeting.
His first run at 3m and beyond came at Hereford in April, he responded with a comfortable 5l win. Whilst he has not won in four races since, he has performed with great credit on his last two starts.
He would have gone close over 3m at Chepstow last month but for falling at the last and he showed no ill effects from that when running a cracker here two weeks later. Moving steadily into contention he ran on strongly to the line, finding Seaniecon just too good. Despite going up in the ratings, he continues off a decent racing weight of eleven stone and can claim his big day in the sun here.
Recommended bets:
1pt each-way – Dinoland – 12.35 Cheltenham –15/2 Bet365, William Hill (1/5 odds 1st 3)
1pt win – Charles Darnay – 1.10 Cheltenham – 15/8 William Hill
1pt win – Meetmebythesea – 2.20 Cheltenham – 5/2 general
1pt each-way – July Flower – 2.20 Cheltenham – 6/1 general (most bookies 1/5 odds 1st 4)
1pt each-way – Gold for Alec – 2.55 Cheltenham – 6/1 William Hill (1/5 odds 1st 5)
