Betting: No need for Wishfull Dreaming in Cheltenham finale
FANS of jump racing will be thrilled that today marks the start of Cheltenham’s 2016/17 season.
As is always the case here, the racing is highly competitive and the best bet may well come in the closing Racing UK Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle (5.40pm).
Philip Hobbs’ string is in excellent form and his WISHFULL DREAMING will be hard to beat under 3lb claimer Ciaran Gethings.
This full brother to the yard’s top class chaser Wishfull Thinking was off the track for nearly a year before reappearing with an impressive success at Chepstow the week before last.
Although he has to carry a 7lb penalty for that win, Gethings takes off a valuable 3lbs and there looks to be plenty more to come from this son of Alflora.
Old Guard won this race 12 months ago before taking the Greatwood the following month. That race is likely to be considered for my selection if he wins well today.
The squareintheair.com novices’ chase (2.45pm) is another classy race on the card, with Paul Nicholls’ Marracudja likely to be a warm order following an impressive debut win over fences last month.
He is greatly respected for the champion trainer, who can do no wrong at present, but Gary Moore’s BARON ALCO could offer some each-way value against him.
The five-year-old son of Dom Alco has an excellent record fresh, winning first time out for the past two campaigns.
He also had some really solid form in handicap hurdles last season, just getting touched off by Rock The Kasbah at Ascot in January.
If he takes to these fences, he certainly has the class to be in the mix.
Pointers
Baron Alco e/w 2.45pm Cheltenham
Wishfull Dreaming 5.40pm Cheltenham