Cheltenham selections Tuesday 10th March
Off we go again for four days of high octane action at Cheltenham and Tuesday has a far more open look than usual with no odds on favourite in sight. I have selections for four races including a strong fancy for the Champion Hurdle. We had a good day at Sandown on Saturday with Mondo Man landing the Imperial Cup (advised 11/4) and both each-way selections in the EBF final placing, Kakas Cousin (advised 6/1) and Gee Force Flyer (advised 22/1)
Cheltenham 1.20: El Cairos
I am looking each-way value in the opener and providing his jumping holds up, EL CAIROS looks the one.
He has made two last flight blunders in his two hurdles races, throwing away certain victory at Leopardstown over Christmas, before staying upright to win at Thurles last time. This is a step up in grade, but he looked a very good horse in top bumper company last season.
He was fifth here at the Festival before placing second at Punchestown. On both occasions he was ridden by then owner David Maxwell, but he will surely get more assistance in the saddle from Jack Kennedy and trainer Gordon Elliott has been on record as saying this is one of the fastest horses he has trained.
Cheltenham 3.20: Quebecois
Owner Max McNeill is now on the committee at Cheltenham and could fulfil a lifetime ambition of a Festival win with QUEBECOIS in the race he sponsors.
At first glance getting beaten at 2/5 on his last start is not promising, but that was over a wholly inadequate 2m at Newbury and that run was clearly just a prep for today. He showed his ability around here on Trials Day when just touched off over 2m5f by Jordans Cross.
3m is surely his natural trip, a distance he has already won at around Ayr over hurdles, and I like his prominent racing style, particularly around this Old Course. He has a lovely racing weight of 10-10.
Cheltenham 4.00: Lossiemouth
In a Champion Hurdle that has somewhat cut up in recent weeks, LOSSIEMOUTH finally gets her chance to win the big one after victories in the Mares Hurdle for the past two seasons.
That too her Festival record to 3-3 having already won the Triumph in 2023 and whilst 2m4f is arguably her optimum trip nowadays, you could argue the same about chief market rival The New Lion. Given the presence now of Tutti Quanti, you can be fairly sure a strong gallop from the outset will be in effect.
That will bring the mare’s stamina into play and the application of cheekpieces could prove a masterstroke. I think the drying ground will be in her favour as it was very heavy when giving best to Brighterdaysahead at Leopardstown last month, conditions that favoured Elliott’s mare far more on the day.
Cheltenham 4.40: Down Memory Lane & Will The Wise.
Another classy handicap on the card and two Irish raiders are fancied for the Plate, relocated to Tuesday for the first time.
DOWN MEMORY LANE has to defy a mark of 152 having won well at Navan last time, but I think Gordon Elliott has worked out that this horse needs to be fresh for his races and has kept him off the track for the 94 days since.
He was a brilliant winner on seasonal and chase debut last season at Naas before his form rather tailed off and he was well beaten in the Galway Plate (though he did return sick that day). However he came back refreshed for Navan and that latest break should have done him a power of good. He is proven on decent ground too.
However WILL THE WISE has threatened to win a big prize and this could be the day. Although he was a tad disappointing in the Paddy Power over Christmas, the stable was out of form at the time and a tongue strap is applied today. There is also the strong chance that a stiff 2m4f will see him in a better light than 3m.
His fourth in the Troytown on heavy ground was a great effort early in the season, but prior to that he had the pace to win over 2m2f at Galway on decent ground. A rating of 139 looks exploitable for a horse that has already run well when sixth here in the Pertemps last season.
Recommended bets:
1pt each-way – El Cairos – 1.20 Cheltenham – 15/2 general (most bookies 1/5 odds 1st 3)
1pt each-way – Quebecois – 3.20 Cheltenham – 10/1 Bet365, Boylesports (1/5 odds 1st 6)
2pts win – Lossiemouth – 4.00 Cheltenham – 15/8 Bet365
1pt each-way – Down Memory Lane – 4.40 Cheltenham – 9/1 Bet365 (1/5 odds 1st 5)
1pt each-way – Will The Wise – 4.40 Cheltenham – 9/1 Bet365, Paddy Power (1/5 odds 1st 5)
