MGM Racing Tips: Cheltenham Trials Day, Saturday January 24
Cheltenham Trials day is back on Saturday with a cracking eight-race card that includes an excellent renewal of the Cleeve Hurdle.
There should be plenty of clues for the Festival with the likes of Sir Gino, Grey Dawning and Jagwar all featuring on the card.
We have selections and analysis for all eight of the races at Cheltenham on Saturday including a couple of value picks at rewarding odds.
12.05 Cheltenham - 2m4½f (New) Timeform Novices' Handicap Chase (Class 2) (5yo+)
Only nine have declared for the opener but it’s one of the most competitive races of the day, with a chance taken on Barlovento.
He came on markedly from his reappearance to win at Kempton in better style than the winning margin suggested and a 4lb rise looks lenient for that success.
Selection: Barlovento
12.40 Cheltenham - 2m1f (New) JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 2) (Registered As The Finesse) (Class 1) (4yo)
There are plenty of nice prospects in the Triumph Trial with a chance taken on the Irish raider, Hardy Stuff, at an each-way sort of price.
He was impressive when causing an upset at Leopardstown over Christmas, getting the better of a nice prospect in the process and another step forward here should put him firmly in the mix for a place at least.
Selection: Hardy Stuff
1.15 Cheltenham - 2m4½f (New) Betfair Exchange Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (Class 1) (5yo+)
This might be a bit more competitive than the betting suggests it is and another each-way play on the card could be Uncle Bert who shaped like a non-stayer in the Welsh National last time, but who was previously impressive over this sort of distance; he looks worth giving another chance.
Selection: Uncle Bert
1.50 Cheltenham - 3m5½f (X-Country) Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase (Class 2) (5yo+)
Tommie Beau probably would have won over this course and distance last term if not for running out and he has come down to a very workable mark in the interim.
He showed little in his first two runs of the campaign, but it was definitely a step back in the right direction last time out and he should go well from a 4lb lower mark here.
Selection: Tommie Beau
2.25 Cheltenham - 3m1½f (New) Betfair Cotswold Chase (Grade 2) (Class 1) (5yo+)
It’s hard to get away from the claims of the Betfair Chase winner, Grey Dawning, dropping back down in class. He’s been kept fresh since that success in November and sets a solid standard on form in a race that lacks depth.
Selection: Grey Dawning
3.00 Cheltenham - 2m1f (New) Unibet Hurdle (Registered As The International Hurdle) (Grade 2) (Class 1) (4yo+)
Sir Gino looks like another rock solid favourite on the card after making easy work of reigning Champion Hurdle winner, Golden Ace at Kempton over Christmas.
That effort has put him firmly back on track for a crack at the Champion Hurdle and he’s going to be better suited to ground conditions over his main rival, The New Lion.
Selection: Sir Gino
3.35 Cheltenham - 3m (New) Pertemps Network Cleeve Hurdle (Grade 2) (Class 1) (5yo+)
Strong Leader has only just been touched off by re-opposing Impose Toi on his last couple of starts, but with the potential of an uncontested lead on the cards in this field, he could be the value play in the race and be capable of reversing the form.
Selection: Strong Leader
4.10 Cheltenham - 2m4½f (New) AIS Novices' Hurdle (Grade 2) (Registered As The Classic Novices' Hurdle) (Class 1) (4yo+)
Fortune Timmy was unlucky not to finish closer when third at Kempton on his penultimate run and gained compensation with facile success at Fontwell in the interim.
He could easily have more to give over this sort of trip and looks like an each-way play at the early price of 14-1.
Selection: Fortune Timmy
