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https://www.racingpost.com/racecards/11/cheltenham/2024-01-27/857357
Really taken with Il Ridoto last time, and I thought the 5’s was very fair.
Looking for an EW alternative though, and thought that Straw Fan Jack was just a bit overpriced at 20’s.
Last run was terrible, but enough good recent runs to reel me in. Made a good go of it against Pic D’Ohry, and a few other bits and bobs that make him of interest. Wouldn’t be a massive bet, and wary that it might just be a bet for the sake of a bet, but I’ll give him a go
Straw Fan Jack 20’s EW
Edit Final Decs
Nice bit of shrewd Anteposting there by myself, so a top up required
Straw Fan Jack 25’s EW 4Pls
It has to be Il Ridoto for me. I’m not keen on the current 4-1 however, so I will bet him once I know that he is definitely running
Hitman for the win- hopefully his wind hasn’t collapsed beyond repair- and Straw Fan Jack ew for me
I responded to a comment about Excello on Twitter (Not X) referring to it being unusual that Nick Henderson was running a 5yo in an event like this. I think the trainer’s hands are tied to a great extent as he won as 4yo in France. Well placed to win a Graduation Chase last time but that left him on a mark of 146, and by my reckoning in the next two weeks the only events he qualifies for are The Game Spirit Chase (2m), The Denman Chase (3m), The Scottish Champion Chase (2m) and Edinburgh National(3m 7f)! Not a middle distance contest amongst them so limited options if the horse is fit and ready. Whoever does the placing of horses in the Henderson yard (Racing Secxretary presumably?) was on the ball last time winning a 26k prize against 2 opponents. On the basis the horse is fit and ready I’ll take a chance he may still be on the up.
It was a good bit of placement on paper Robnorth but with hindsight its worked out horribly because the handicapper has literally assumed Solo ran his race and lumped Excello up 13lbs for beating 1 horse. There’s an interesting comparison in the same race today actually because the favourite Victtorino came from France, despite winning 2x 57K handicaps, beating 19 other horses, he’s only been raised 8lbs from when he arrived here. When you look at it like that I’d say Excello has been butchered but that’s not to say he can’t win it just looks very harsh and inconsistent.
Although I don’t like backing serial losers (bit harsh probably) and I also don’t like backing horses with repeat wind ops, I doubt any of these could have done what Hitman did in last years Ryanair and with Freddie Gingell’s claim he’s not even carrying much more than most of these. He’d be a token suggestion.
Victtorino has won two valuable Grade 3 races and gone up a total of 8lb, so could be well in but is the other Williams runner I like
Easy As That should love this course and it was a strange decision to run him in the stayers handicap last time instead of keeping him at the intermediate tripExcello – Henderson has done that with loads of French recruits, where they’re trained to the minute and simply too well handicapped – I remember Oedipe winning by 14 lengths on debut at Kempton and being hit with a 20lb hike in the weights
I’ll throw a dart at GA Law 7-1 ew 4 places. I think this trip and this ground might be his optimum. Beat the solid Il Ridoto off the same terms as here last season, so if back to his best will run big i think.
Grandeur D’Ame ran well here out of the weights last time so gets my vote.
The more I know the less I understand.
I was quietly hoping connections were going to give Victtorino a Gold Cup entry which sounds ridiculous when written down, but I was so impressed with his Ascot wins. I think he’s the real deal.
Nicholls said Hitman might come on for it a bit, so decided on ew rather than win. I hope young Freddie gives him a canny ride and saves as much energy as possible. Also got Straw Fan Jack ew as planned.
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