2020 Cheltenham Wednesday New Year’s Meeting Preview

Our tips for Saturday didn’t really run well, apart from Youngnedofthehill. The old boy ran a blinder for us in 2nd at 25/1, possibly just hitting the front too soon. I thought Jett was too close to the early pace and Mark Walsh riding for the first time wasn’t ideal. Canardier ran a stinker and he may well return to hurdling. Limited Reserve ran no race either, and Big Nasty wasn’t much better. Eclair Surf didn’t give his running and fell when well behind. Hopefully we can start 2020 better than we ended 2019! Dave Stevos has previewed all live ITV races on New Year’s Day, check his 2020 Cheltenham Wednesday Tips below…

2020 Cheltenham Wednesday Tips: 1.25pm Dipper Novices’ Chase (Grade 2)

This 20.5f Grade 2 heat for Novices has attracted just 6 runners. Champ is the odds on favourite and with trip and ground to suit he is the one to beat. Black Op was nearly 2L behind Champ last time at Newbury and he was placed in a Grade 1 on Boxing Day. In that Newbury race Deyrann de Carjac was 3rd and he has 6L to find with the Henderson horse. There is no reason he should turn the form around, especially given the trouble Champ found in running.

Last year’s Relkeel Hurdle winner at this meeting, Midnight Shadow, has yet to win over the bigger obstacles. He was a very talented hurdler, rated 155 (3lb superior to Champ). His chase mark of 150 is just 2lb lower than Champ’s rating and he gets 5lb, so he is certainly weighted to finish close to the fav, if not beat him. His trainer has had this race on her radar for quite a while and if he can put in a clear round he could be the one to burst Champ’s bubble. Of the others, Garo De Juilley could outrun his odds but a small win bet on Midnight Shadow at 9/2 is the way to go.

2020 CHELTENHAM WEDNESDAY TIPS: MIDNIGHT SHADOW WIN @ 9/2

Cheltenham Wednesday Preview: 2.00pm – Paddy Power Handicap Chase (Grade 3)

The first of two handicaps on the New Year card, this 20.5f chase is a top quality affair. Plenty of these will be back in March, including top weight Kalashnikov. He is rated 161 and carries 11st 12lbs, so if he wins this it would be some performance. He was just pipped by Oldgrangewood off 155 last time and he is 1lb better off with him now. Kalashnikov is a consistent tough horse, but off 161 I am surprised he is even running in a handicap. Amy Murphy’s charge could still win but at the prices I’ll be looking elsewhere for some each way value.

If the real Lalor turns up he will be a huge threat off 149. Kayley Woollacott’s star is a former Grade 1 hurdle and Grade 2 chase winner, but his form last Spring was woeful. He didn’t jump smoothly on his return at Exeter but he stuck to the task well and this step up to 20.5f could help him in the jumping department, as could the first time cheekpieces. On his top form he is very well treated off 149 and the soft, good to soft in places ground should suit him nicely. At odds of 16/1 Lalor is the each way pick.

2020 CHELTENHAM WEDNESDAY TIPS: LALOR E/W @ 16/1 4 PLACES NB

2020 Cheltenham Wednesday  Tips: 2.35pm – Handicap Hurdle (Class 2)

This 24f handicap hurdle has attracted the biggest field of the day with 14 going to post. The enigmatic Might Bite returns to hurdles after spending a season in the wilderness chasing. On his best chase form he is capable of running well off 160 but he is not one for maximum faith. His presence means that some seriously good hurdlers get in off lovely racing weights. The Jam Man, for example, was an easy winner at Navan last time off 128. His trainer was planning on stepping up to Grade 1 company, but thanks to Might Bite he is carrying just 10st 10lbs in this race. He has attracted market support already and plenty will be tempted by odds of 15/2.

The one I’ll be backing at big odds here is Who’s My Jockey. He hails from a yard that is in red hot form. Richard Hobson has had 4 winners from his last 5 runners and this son of Yeats has his first run for him on New Year’s Day. He comes into the race with a rating of 141 and talented claimer Ben Jones takes off 5lb. That means he is effectively running off 136, the same rating he won easily off at Doncaster back in March (24f gd). He has won on good and good to soft ground and he has placed form on soft so the ground should be fine. At odds of 20/1 Who’s My Jockey is the each way selection in an intriguing race.

2020 CHELTENHAM WEDNESDAY TIPS: WHO’S MY JOCKEY E/W @ 20/1 4 PLACES

Cheltenham Preview: 3.10pm – Relkeel Hurdle (Grade 2)

The final live ITV race on New Year’s Day at Cheltenham is the 20.5f Grade 2 Relkeel Hurdle. The one I am very keen on here is Emitom for Warren Greatrex and Gavin Sheehan. This horse is 5 from 6 under rules, his sole defeat coming behind Champ at Aintree (24f sft). His trainer rates the 6yo as possibly the best he has had, high praise indeed from the trainer of Cole Harden. His rating of 147 could underestimate him and he more than deserves another chance in this type of company.

Janika returns from a spell chasing and he could be a touch rusty now back over the smaller obstacles. William Henry is talented but he is a 10yo now and he was pulled up on his last two seasonal comebacks. Summerville Boy has also aborted his chasing career and he has loads of ability if he is in the mood. That is a big if though. Roksana gets weight from her rivals and could be the biggest threat, but Emitom looks a proper horse and he can announce himself as a real festival contender. At odds of 3/1 he is the NAP of the day.

2020 CHELTENHAM WEDNESDAY TIPS: EMITOM WIN @ 3/1 NAP