Ten-time Cheltenham Competition winner Jamie Codd is previewing daily of the assembly and shares his finest bets for Thursday, that includes a 16/1 shot in a race he has received 4 occasions.
Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (1.20)
I am a fan of Sixandahalf right here, who impressed me on her solely hurdles begin to date, leaping fluently and placing away some honest rivals comprehensively. She’s additionally acquired loads of sturdy flat kind to her title, having received at Newmarket and completed third within the Irish Cesarewitch.
GALILEO DAME simply shades it over her, although, as she additionally has bundles of potential and is a barely larger value. She was elegant on the extent too, deemed adequate to run within the Irish Oaks, and he or she’s acquired loads of Flat black sort to her title.
Her Grade 1 second to Triumph Hurdle contender Howdy Neighbour reads properly. That was simply her second run over hurdles, and he or she was actually gaining on the end.
This race can develop right into a check of stamina. That ought to go well with this filly, and the burden she’ll be in receipt of is one other constructive, whereas Joseph O’Brien is already among the many winners this week.
Jack Richards Novices’ Restricted Handicap Chase (2.00)
I put up ASIAN MASTER as my darkish horse this season and I imagine he is set to run an enormous race right here. He is achieved little incorrect in his brief profession up to now, constructing on his fourth in final yr’s Supreme Novices’ Hurdle with two strong runs over fences behind Majborough and Mistergif.
On what we have seen up to now, he might be fairly well-handicapped, and his jockey Thomas Costello may declare seven off him. His leaping has actually impressed me up to now this season, and you’ll inform he is gained a lot of expertise from operating in point-to-points and hunter chases.
That can maintain him in good stead right here, whereas the step up in journey can deliver out some additional enchancment too. We all know he handles Cheltenham, and he got here up the hill properly final season. I am wanting ahead to seeing this horse run.
Pertemps Community Closing Handicap Hurdle (2.40)
It did not actually occur for SHANAGH BOB over fences within the early a part of the season, however in my opinion he retains loads of upside as a hurdler and he can go properly within the Pertemps Closing. His first run again over hurdles was eye-catching in first-time cheekpieces when he was second in a qualifier at Huntingdon.
He then went to Warwick, operating again in distance and with out headgear and I believed his efficiency was completely fantastic. He is again as much as three miles right here and with the cheekpieces again on, I might prefer to suppose he has just a few kilos up his sleeve off a mark of 131.
Trying additional again, he has a course and distance win to his title in a Grade 2 novices’ hurdle, and he was pretty outstanding within the Albert Bartlett betting final yr previous to Nicky Henderson withdrawing the majority of his Competition runners after they had been below a cloud.
Ryanair Chase (3.20)
Protektorat landed the Ryanair Chase final yr below Harry Skelton
This can be a good contest and I am wanting ahead to seeing Il Est Francais within the flesh, who’s a really intriguing runner. Truth To File has achieved little or no incorrect this yr and will have the race run to go well with, however I am siding with PROTEKTORAT to go back-to-back for the Skeltons.
In contrast to a few of his rivals, this has at all times been his goal, and we all know this workforce know easy methods to get one prepared for a giant day. He is been coming alongside slowly this yr and reversed the Huntingdon kind with Djelo when emphatically profitable the Fleur de Lys on the Berkshire Winter Million at Windsor. He was spectacular on this final yr, and he simply appeals as a strong choice.
I am going to give a fast shout to an previous favorite of mine in Envoi Allen. This would be the seventh straight Competition run and he has three wins on the assembly to his title. It would be nice to see him run properly, however he appears to have a great bit on his plate right here.
Paddy Energy Stayers’ Hurdle (4.00)
Teahupoo returns to defend his Stayers’ Hurdle crown
Defending champion TEAHUPOO is clearly the perfect horse on this race and I see no motive to look elsewhere within the Stayers’ Hurdle. This has at all times been the plan, and Lossiemouth’s electrical efficiency within the Mares’ Hurdle on Tuesday cemented the concept conceding weight to her over a shorter journey within the Hatton’s Grace was a reasonably tall order.
Individuals at all times appear to need to knock this horse, however he is very strong and really elegant and the bottom needs to be okay for him too. Gordon Elliott’s different horse The Wallpark may additionally hit the body. He’ll be ridden to return dwelling properly, and he is the type of horse who can decide up some items in a race like this.
Trustatrader Plate Handicap Chase (4.40)
AN PEANN DEARG will get my vote within the Plate as an enhancing horse who arrives right here off the again of two very good profitable performances at Leopardstown. He is off a stunning weight right here and will nonetheless have just a few kilos in hand.
He is upped in distance, however he is been strongest on the end in all of his current runs and with the bottom prone to go well with too, he appears a really attention-grabbing contender. Paul Nolan is at all times there or thereabouts with a Cheltenham Competition runner or two, so I am hoping he can come up trumps once more on this.
Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Problem Cup Newbie Jockeys’ Handicap Chase (5.20)
If I used to be nonetheless within the saddle, I might have appreciated to trip NINE GRACES for Barry Connell on this. I simply actually appreciated her efficiency at Punchestown the final day, the place she jumped and travelled rather well to see off Each day Current; a reasonably respectable horse in his personal proper who reopposes right here.
9 Graces appeals as a mare who nonetheless has a bit to offer in races like this. She’s solely eight and has had simply the 5 begins over fences, so might be well-handicapped stepping up in journey once more. Finny Maguire is an excellent jockey, and Barry Connell has already hit the woodwork this week, so there’s a lot on this mare’s favour at a pleasant sufficient value of 16/1.
