2m5f (Old) Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (4yo+)
Nicky Henderson has a strong hand here but the yard form is a big concern with so many of his runners being pulled up. However my long term fancy for this race, LUCKY PLACE, has taken a walk in the market as a result and I can’t let him go off unbacked at 22/1 given I’d been nibbling at 14/1 antepost. I rate his novice form highly and reckon a mark of 137 leaves him thrown in after narrow defeats by Gidleigh Park in a Grade 2 at Cheltenham and when giving the classy Golden Ace a stone at Taunton. I like both of those horses a lot and suspect they’ll go on to be rated in the high 140s themselves. He’s a strong traveller who will be ideally suited to a big field handicap and ticks the all important course form box. Given the suspect yard form, I won’t play each-way in case of a blowout, and I’m going to fire a few darts at this race. I’m backing Gordon Elliott’s JIGORO, who is an unexposed 5yo with form with Supreme Novices’ second Mystical Power. I’m not paying any attention to his defeat to Tullyhill last time out as he needed to run to get qualified for a Cheltenham handicap, and I love that he’s trying this trip for the first time. Jack Kennedy has picked him from Gordon’s string. I’m also backing Gordon’s WESTERN FOLD, a 40/1 novice hurdler who is improving rapidly at the right time. He scooted home last time out when settling well under a more patient ride, and even though I think the British handicapper has been a bit harsh with a mark of 140, like all three selections, he’s a horse on the up.
1pt win Jigoro @14/1, 14:50 Cheltenham, Wednesday
1pt win Lucky Place @22/1, 14:50 Cheltenham, Wednesday
0,5pts win Western Fold @40/1, 14:50 Cheltenham, Wednesday