FALL in love with YOUR DARLING (1.20) on Cheltenham’s Festival Trials card.
Ben Pauling’s ace has taken to fences really well. He jumped beautifully at Kempton on Boxing Day and he looked the likely winner for much of the race.
It wasn’t too much of a disappointment he faded into third because he’d gone for home too far out and was just picked up by patiently ridden Jacamar.
Cheltenham should suit him and his hurdles win came on decent ground. Have 3pts to win at 13-2.
COOLE CODY (1.55) is a regular at the home of jump racing.
Evan Williams’ course specialist makes his tenth visit to Cheltenham in his last 11 starts.
He won the Paddy Power Gold Cup last season and he gave it a good go when defending his crown before falling two from home. It was great to see him bounce back when landing the December Gold Cup over today’s track and trip last month.
This course and distance suits his frontrunning style so he should be hard to peg back. Have 2pts win at 13-2
The betting for the Sky Bet Chase at Doncaster looks rather confused to me. It’s easy to pick holes in those at the front of the market and, with the sponsors and others paying out on six places, there’s plenty of value to be had.
It’s such an attractive race I want to split stakes on two runners.
HILL SIXTEEN (3.20) was nosed out by Grand National fancy Snow Leopardess in the Becher Chase at Aintree before bombing out in the Welsh National.
The Chepstow marathon form is easy to forgive and he hasn’t been with in-form Scottish trainer Sandy Thomson long. Have 1pt each-way at 20-1.
The other one I like is STORM CONTROL (3.20). He has a great profile for this race as he’s a slick jumper, races prominently and he won a Newbury handicap 10 days ago.
His young rider Daire McConville looks great value for his 10lbs weight claim. Have 1pt each-way at 18-1.
Peter Kavanagh is another excellent conditional jockey. He takes the ride on CREATIVE CONTROL (12.25) earlier on Doncaster’s card.
Donald McCain’s course-and-distance winner likes good ground and will appreciate the likely fast pace. Have 1pt each-way at 10-1 with most bookies stretching to five places and Sky Bet going six.
