The action-packed week in UK horse racing continues on Thursday with my Cheltenham April Meeting Day 2 tips.
East India Express landed a nice winner for the column yesterday, and both My Bobby Dazzler and Gallant ran creditable efforts at bigger prices.
With Prestbury Park and the Rowley Mile on our screens today, let’s roll on.
Cheltenham April Meeting Day 2 Tips
2:10 Cheltenham – Coco Mademoiselle @ 5/2 with Betfred – 1pt Win
I backed Coco Mademoiselle in the qualifying race for this contest back at the Cheltenham December meeting, and I walked away from her performance feeling slightly disappointed.
She raced behind the bridle over 2m4f, but she stayed on for pressure and was only beaten by seven-and-a-quarter lengths.
I didn’t think I’d rush to back her again after that race, but she still seems feasibly handicapped off 123, and her run at Sandown over 2m4f in early March showed promise.
The step up to three miles can promote improvement having nearly won on chase debut over 2m7f, and she should handle the nicer ground.
4:10 Newmarket – Isle Of Lismore @ 14/1 with Betfred (3 places) – 1pt EW
Robert Cowell runs two in the 5f handicap at Newmarket today, and while he may have the favourite, his other runner, Isle Of Lismore, looks to have a great chance.
His last winning mark came off 85 in May 2024, and he also placed off 89 over this course and distance one run later.
He’s also won with an official rating of 80 and 79 before, both of which were on the Newmarket July Course.
So, with a rating of 79 now, he looks well-treated based on his best form, and he finished a good third on his seasonal reappearance at Lingfield last year.
He’s placed three times over this course and distance off higher ratings, and Cowell’s yard is running at a 29% strike rate currently.
For these reasons, he is a bet at Newmarket.
4:30 Cheltenham – Shakeyatailfeather @ 7/2 with Betfred – 1pt Win
There are a few firsts for Shakeyatailfeather today. It’s her first time back at two miles since May 2024, and it’s her first time back with Harry Skelton since the pair won a Newton Abbot maiden hurdle in September.
She’s a strong-travelling mare who loves good ground, so two miles around the new course of Cheltenham could really play to her strengths, even if she has been racing at three miles over fences.
Still, she jumps her fences nicely and her form over hurdles suggests she can go well with an official rating of 106.
She was only just beaten by Wyenot, now rated 138, in a Kempton novice hurdle in March 2024, and she was even fourth at 200/1 in a Taunton maiden hurdle to Joyeuse, Tutti Quanti, and Into The Park.
Even if she has to show her capability over two miles in this sphere, she has the credentials to do so, so she gets the vote.
