Author: Joel Roberts

2m Tattersalls Ireland 50th Derby Sale Novice Hurdle (Grade 1) (5yo+) I feel SLADE STEEL is being underestimated here. He has something to find on bumper form with Ballyburn but has looked a natural over hurdles, winning both starts cosily. The form has a good look to it to as…

2m6½f (2m6f78y) Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors Novice Hurdle (Grade 1) (5yo+) This looks like an excellent opportunity for JETARA to land a maiden Grade 1 win. She’s hard fit after four starts already this season, winning the last three impressively and improving hugely since last season when she failed to win a…

3m½f (3m84y) SBK Warfield Mares’ Hurdle (Grade 2) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (4yo+) Stamina doubts everywhere in this race. I’ve never been convinced by the mercurial Marie’s Rock at this trip and West Balboa looked like she didn’t stay at Ascot. The way to play this race might be to…

2m4½f (2m4f56y) (New) SSS Super Alloys Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) (Registered As The Classic Novices’ Hurdle) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (4yo+) LUCKY PLACE looks way overpriced here. He’s got more 2s than 1s next to his name and perhaps that puts people off, but pay closer inspection and some of…

I’ve backed IBERICO LORD at 16/1 non-runner no bet for the Coral Cup as I’ve got a strong view he’s been gagging to go up in trip. Connections must know it and haven’t tried yet, with the 2m Betfair Hurdle next up. There’s no way this horse will miss Cheltenham…

3m Trustatrader Hampton Novices’ Chase (Grade 2) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (5yo+) A slightly odd market because I can’t have the favourite Grey Dawning as he has stamina to prove and jumped poorly last time. Apple Away has a sexy profile with a Grade 1 novice win but her Leicester win was a…

2m5f (Winter) Coral Lanzarote Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 2) (4yo+) I can’t escape the claims of IMPOSE TOI here even though he’s been well found in the market. His Ascot run was superb over a trip more than 5f shorter than this, yet he’s proven he stays this longer trip well in the…

William Hill go non runner no bet for the Cheltenham Festival and I’ve backed BANBRIDGE at 14/1 in that market for the Ryanair. This is a past Festival winner who won over 2m at the track in an Arkle trial last season but simply has to have good ground. That’s…

3m (2m7f213y) (New) Paddy Power Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 2) (4yo+) This looks competitive but BUTCH looks ideally suited for 3m on heavy ground around Cheltenham. He’s proven at the course, has a grabby action and battles hard in a finish so should run to form. He’s notched two…

2m4½f (2m4f56y) (New) Dornan Engineering Relkeel Hurdle (Grade 2) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (5yo+) Marie’s Rock and Bob Olinger have become unreliable but their Grade 1 winning pasts will always be a magnet for punters. The value in this race is surely STRONG LEADER who runs without a penalty and…