He finished 3rd in the Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle at the festival last season (14/1 for the Plate Handicap Chase in 2023) off a mark of 143 and has made a good start to his chasing campaign this season. He won by four lengths at Navan on his chasing debut in November before finishing 4th at Leopardstown in the Grade 1 Novice Chase behind Saint Roi. This step up in trip would suit him well and it will be interesting if he takes up his engagement or if it just an exercise to find out his UK mark.
Delta Work (7/4 favourite) will no doubt prove popular in the Cross Country Chase at the Festival but two interesting entries for Saturday are Grand National winner Minella Times and Becher Chase winner Snow Leopardess who would both be making their debut in this discipline.
Gary Moore has decided to supplement Editeur Du Gite for the Clarence House Chase which has brought the number of runners up to six from the original three intended runners last weekend. He capitalised last time when Edwardstone unseated Tom Cannon at Kempton and he will ensure a good pace for both Energumene (8/15) and Edwardstone (15/8) to aim at during this race.
Noble Yeats continues his path to the Gold Cup in the Grade 2 Cotswold Chase where he faces both Protektorat and Frodon who have both shown good form at the course. The winner will more than likely prove to be second favourite behind Galopin Des Champs for the Cheltenham Gold Cup after this race and it will be a fascinating watch.
The Cleeve Hurdle looks set to be a big field this year and Paisley Park will go off a short price (11/10) to win this race for a fourth time. A fascinating opponent is the Paul Nicholls trained Gelino Bello (7/2) who reverts back to hurdling having fallen last time behind Thyme Hill at Kempton over fences.
He had won his previous four starts in a row including over this trip in the Grade 1 Sefton Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree last season so he worth taking a chance on in what looks a weak division.
- 12.40 Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase:Singing Banjo
- 13.20 Albert Bartlett Clarence House Chase:Edwardstone 15/8
- 13.50 Paddy Power Cheltenham Countdown Podcast Handicap Chase:Il Ridoto 9/1
- 14.25 Paddy Power Cotswold Chase:Protector 6/4
- 15.00 Dahlbury Stallions At Chapel Stud Cleeve Hurdle: Paisley Park 11/10
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