Cheltenham October Meeting Tips by Dave Stevos
Preview of All ITV4 Live Races At Cheltenham
Champions Day went rather well for us with a 33/1 winner and two nice places from 6 tips. Donjuan Triumphant scored for us in the opener at 33/1, overcoming trouble in running. Capri ran disappointingly again and he just isn’t the horse he once was. Sparkle Roll looks to be a tricky ride and Coronet was not her usual self. At least Safe Voyage (40/1) and Mitchum Swagger (28/1) both managed to place. The jumps are back on Saturday and it is an interesting card. Check out Dave Stevos’ free Cheltenham October Meeting Tips below…
Cheltenham oCTOBER MEETING Tips: 2.00 Handicap Chase (Class 2)
A nice and easy race to get us started with just the 20 going to post for this 25f handicap chase. With rain in the air an ability to handle testing conditions will be key. Stamina will be at a premium too and the one I like at a price is Rolling Dylan. This son of Indian River is very versatile when it comes to ground. He is having his first run for 6 months but he has a decent record when fresh.
He ran well enough to be 4th on his seasonal comeback last year. His overall form figures for his first run back read 1254 so Philip Hobbs usually has him pretty fit. Rolling Dylan ran some big races last year without winning and he has solid course form in the book. He was only 0.5L behind Cogry here last December (26f gd) off 140 and he is only 2lb higher now. Rolling Dylan stays this trip well, he handles an ease and at odds of 22/1 he is the e/w pick.
CHELTENHAM SATURDAY RACING TIPS: ROLLING DYLAN E/W @ 22/1 (5 PLACES) NAP
Cheltenham Preview Saturday: 2.35 Masters Holding Hurdle (Class 2)
This conditions race has attracted a field of 9 runners and some promising sorts will run. Torpillo is edging favouritism for Jacob and Henderson after his easy Chepstow win. He loves soft ground and with a rating of 148 he is well treated by the conditions of this contest. Construct is a horse I have a lot of respect for but soft ground is a massive worry for him.
Soviet Pimpernel arrives here in search of a hat trick and he is highly rated by connections. He handles a bit of cut and the form of his bumper win has worked out well. His maiden hurdle win was impressive, though it is hard to gauge that form. This looks like a race that will be dominated by the horses at the head of the market and at odds of 4/1, Soviet Pimpernel is the selection.
Cheltenham October Meeting Tips: SOVIET PIMPERNEL @ 4/1
Cheltenham October Meeting Tips: 3.10 Handicap Chase (Class 2)
Only 11 will line up at the start for this competitive looking 16f handicap chase. A case can be made for quite a few of them. Saint Calvados is the market leader but he is worth opposing given his woeful record here. The one I like at a half decent price is Doitforthevillage for Paul Henderson and Paddy Brennan. This talented but quirky 10yo is a former C&D winner off 135 and he is just 4lb higher here.
He disappointed on his seasonal return but he has often needed a run to put him right. The ground will be ideal for him and the more rain that falls, the better. Paddy Brennan gets on really well with this son of Turtle Island and was on board for his last five wins. 10/1 looks a more than fair price about Doitforthevillage and at those odds he is worth backing each way.
Cheltenham October Meeting Tips: DOITFORTHEVILLAGE E/W @ 10/1 NB
Cheltenham Racing Preview: 3.35 – Pertemps Handicap Hurdle (Class 2)
The last live ITV4 race from Cheltenham is this 3 mile handicap hurdle. A field of just 13 will go to post and some old favourites make their seasonal comebacks. Tobefair loves this course and distance but he looks handicapped to the hilt off 149. Sykes is another one that goes well here but he is also racing off a difficult handicap mark.
One horse that looks potentially well handicapped back from a long break is Potters Legend. Lucy Wadham’s charge is off the track since March 2018 (574 days) and he is having his first hurdles run for 3 years. He was a fine 2nd to Barney Dwan at Sandown off 135 on his penultimate hurdle run and then finished 3rd in a Grade 1 at Aintree. He races off 135 today and if he is fit and ready to go he could run a big race at odds of 16/1.
