CHELTENHAM SATURDAY: PREMIER RACE DAY PREVIEW & TIPS. Following a morning track inspection, Cheltenham goes ahead. However, the ground will be heavy, so take that into consideration if you’re betting race-to-race. Below are a few of my early thoughts, but only bet them if you’re convinced. In other words, take responsibility for yourself and all will be good. Want to learn – Tutorials here!

Interesting Triumph Hurdle Trial, although traditionally the ground will be very different come March!

ONE HORSE TOWN has won his three hurdle races; it’s just that this is much more competitive. From what I’ve seen, LORD and GALACTIQUE are not at this level. HOPES OF HIGH is starting to look a bit exposed, so it would be disappointing if he wins!

At his former base in France, PRECIOUS MAN was a good winner of an Auteuil hurdle for Daniela Mele. The Dan Skelton-trained gelding will appreciate conditions, but a 5lb penalty is even more burdensome on this testing ground.

My issue with SECRET FORCE is the short odds of 13/8 — there’s no value! While the son of FRANKEL is 2/2 since joining Gavin Cromwell, he was only rated 73 on the flat. Nevertheless, he’s better over hurdles, and he’s the one they’ll all have to beat.

James Owen runs two in this race, and I believe Sam Twiston-Davies had the choice of ride. With that in mind, the stable’s hurdling debutant HELLELUJUH U appears to be preferred ahead of KATE O’REILY. What we do know is that the gelding was the best of these on the flat, where he was rated 100. He’s the type to make a proper hurdler; the only issue is he’s unproven on the ground. That said, these odds are inflated — worth a poke!

I love betting novice chasers, and I believe one of these stands out from the crowd!

At the right level, both BRENTFORD HOPE and BREAKING COVER will win races. However, it would be a bit of a shock if either wins today.

The Noel George & Amanda Zetterholm-trained STENCIL is over from France for his first run over fences. While he should handle the testing ground better than most, his hurdle rating suggests the four-year-old needs to find 10lb or more.

Another chasing debutant is last season’s Champion Hurdle runner-up BURDETT ROAD. The James Owen-trained five-year-old has a strong Cheltenham record and handles any ground. That said, he just doesn’t look a chaser to me, and with that in mind he’s easy to oppose.

JULY FLOWER is over from Ireland representing the all-powerful Henry de Bromhead yard. Since she receives a 7lb sex allowance, the six-year-old mare comes out best on official ratings. Darragh O’Keeffe rode her to a comfortable win on her chasing debut at Limerick, suggesting she’s the one BE AWARE will need to beat.

Despite looking in need of the run, the Skelton-trained six-year-old was a comfortable winner on his chasing debut. While he finished behind BURDETT ROAD in a handicap hurdle here at Cheltenham, the son of MARTALINE has far more scope than that gelding. To cut a long story short — he looks invincible!

Following the withdrawal of two runners, the field is down to eight. I’m surprised the Olly Murphy-trained LONG DRAW takes his chance on testing ground — I doubt it will suit! An outsider who should handle conditions is the Evan Williams-trained PATRIOTIK, but the worry is stable form.

The Skeltons have two in this, and one is the favourite, SUPREMELY WEST. At the last meeting here, the seven-year-old came from off the pace to finish 3rd of 17, beaten 5.25L by the comfortable winner MA SHANTOU. The handicapper raised him 1lb for that, meaning he’s now 11lb above his highest winning mark. Nevertheless, he’s proven on the ground, and it’s easy to see why this strong stayer heads the market.

That said, the jolly is giving 18lb to the interestingly handicapped KIKIJO. The ex-French five-year-old was a comfortable winner on “very soft” ground at Nancy, and since joining the Hobbs/White team he’s won one of his five starts. While the son of ESTEJO will likely go back over fences at some stage, he’s a strong stayer who should take plenty of stopping at a track that looks tailor-made for him!

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