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No terribly strong feelings on this, but I’ve had a bit of a go on the Dan Skelton horse Calico who is coming here according to the stable tour, and is a reasonable price. There are a few ahead of him in the betting who might not go here, possibly including the same trainer’s good but inexperienced Etalon.
Calico on the other hand has enough chase runs to cope with a hot 2m handicap without being overexposed. He caught the eye making Jonbon work at Warwick last season, and travelled and jumped well in his 3 starts this season.
The first of these was an honourable 2nd over course and distance at the November meeting, conceding 9lb and race fitness to winner Triple Trade (who has won again since and is rated 8lb higher than he was that day)
He then ran respectably on the new course on ground that may have been a fraction soft for him, losing out to hold up horses – the winner being subsequent DRF winner Madara.
His most recent start was a decent 2nd at Doncaster, again finishing the best of the prominent racers.
He doesn’t have to lead though , as he proved in the Maghull last year when he was an unlucky faller at the last, having jumped well. He wouldn’t have got near Jonbon but it was a good run.
He has given away plenty of weight this season and he’s not huge, so may benefit more than some being a bit further down the handicap, but he is well able to travel and jump with graded horses.Calico 20-1 ew 5pl b365
I was impressed by Etalon last week. He was odds on and Skelton rode him like he knew he was on a well handicapped horse but it was still a good performance.
Even after the handicapper has had his say, he could still be well in and a big player if he runs here. I wouldn’t be too worried about his lack of experience.
Etalon not entered. The trainer did say that he has one eye on the Grade One novice chase at Aintree, so I assume he’ll be aimed at that.
Arclight is the first ap Cheltenham bet for me, and I’ve taken 16-1 non runner no bet
Maskada is my early shout here as there has to be a chance that she’ll be A1 here. HDB can really get them finely tuned for this week. I’ve taken 16/1 non runner no bet
Decided to take 7/1 on MY MATE MOZZIE. If he does go for this race I’ll assume he will halve in price come the day before. Also entered for the Arkle but Gavin has picked out this race as most likely, although he did state that there’s ‘only one Arkle’ and he’ll see how things open up.
Also had a bet on Barry Connell’s ENNISKERRY who hasn’t been seen for over 200 days. He’s been aimed at this for a while now and was touted as very promising last year. Boosted him to 19/1.
Maskada for me also.
I really like the angle of former winners in the race. Another 8lb compared to last year but that wouldn’t have stopped him last year!
I’ll go with Unexpected Party here at 16-1 non runner no bet.
I’ve also taken Frero Banbou at 25-1 non runner no bet
I was interested to see if anybody had mentioned Unexpected Party on here. Not sure I could back him myself but he feels like they’ve done a Langer Dan on him. I do hope he doesn’t win, we could do without another Skelton run them down the field all season and then turn up at the festival special. Between the Pertemps (make sure you sneak 4th), Boodles (just don’t bother trying until Cheltenham) and Langer Dan, the festival handicaps are getting a bit of a reputation and not one which is good for the sport where the rest of the NH year is concerned. I get why it happens but its not great trying to 2nd guess who is on a going day and who isn’t most of the year.
This is another race where I would like two running for me.
I’ve taken Maskada at 9-1, and Dancing on my own at 16-1 each way
Solness 20s antepost
Hardy De Seuil 10s
with an added 25% boost on topBoth win only
Maskada form behind El Fabilio looks rock solid , is Rachel on now , at bigger the tizzards are going well and Triple Trade has some nice lines of form
I’ve backed Solness, encouraged by both of Joseph’s showing up well in the Boodles yesterday. Should handle conditions, doesn’t look a great renewal I don’t think. I fear Maskada and Unexpected Party the most probably.
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