2m4½f (New) Paddy Power New Year’s Day Handicap Chase (Grade 3) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (5yo+)
He might currently be favourtie, but I think ALNADAM is a cracking bet for the big handicap on New Year’s Day at Cheltenham. Plenty of runners are coming into this having contested two similar handicaps at Cheltenham over the last two months, the Paddy Power Gold Cup and the Racing Post Gold Cup, and the handicapper may just be catching up with them. Instead Alnadam warmed up with a run against the likes of Bravemansgame and Itchy Feet.
Alnadam should come on massively for that run and he looks set to have nearly everything in his favour at Cheltenham. Still lightly-raced, he needs soft ground to be seen at his best. He ran excellently in the Ultima Handicap at the Cheltenham Festival, but just didn’t quite get home on his first attempt over the 3m 1f.
Testing ground over the extended 2.5 mile trip should be just what the doctor ordered. He also remains on a pretty decent mark having been dropped 2lbs for his seasonal opener and on a mark of 143, 6lbs higher than his last victory at Sandown last season and I fancy a huge run from this gelding on Saturday.
1pt win Alnadam @11/2, 14:00 Cheltenham, Saturday
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