Cheltenham - 19th Oct

I may not have given any selections for today’s racing – but it still proved to be a useful day in the pre-season build-up…

The only horse I considered selecting last night, was Award Winner. He was a best priced 3/1 yesterday evening – but I felt there was a chance that he would be well backed and outclass his rivals today.

That was exactly what happened, with him being backed down to 5/4 at the off (admittedly with a significant NR) – and then simply toying with the opposition in the race itself…

In truth, he never would have been a tip – but it reminded me of a couple of important points: firstly, I must avoid not tipping a horse simply because it’s price is too short. I almost have a mental floor of 5/1, and I’m not loathed to tip anything below that price. As I was reminded today, value can come at much shorter odds – provided the case is sound and the opposition weak.

The other useful reminder, was that I shouldn’t steer clear of horses which I feel might be subject to ‘insider’ gambles (maybe with the exception of Barney Curley horses !!). I remember last year, being very cautious about a few Ferdy Murphy horses – and they all ran exactly as I expected. Today, I was apprehensive of a J P McManus owned horse – but it dotted up, as I thought it might…

Anyway, enough of today’s lessons and on to tomorrow’s action !

The season curtain raiser at Cheltenham, really is a cracker.

A few years back, this was a non-descript mid-week meeting, that tended to barely cause a ripple. But the executive have worked their magic: moved it to a weekend slot; improved the quality of the races – and now they have a meeting worthy of the course.

I was a bit spoilt for choice as to which race to focus on: there are 4 interesting novice events: 2 over hurdles and 2 over fence; plus 3 ultra-competitive handicaps: 2 over hurdles and 1 over the bigger obstacles.

The New One should take some beating in the first – but will be priced accordingly. The other novice hurdle, at 4:30, looks far more difficult to unravel and victory for any member of the field wouldn’t be a huge surprise.

King of the Night looks very interesting for rooky trainer Harry Fry, in the novice chase at 2:45; whilst Sea of Thunder is likely to take some beating in the other novice chase, at 3:55 (though I could also see Tour Des Champs running well).

However, all 4 races really need to be watched closely with a view to the season ahead…

In the handicap chase at 5:05, I’m draw to Hunters Lodge and Time for Spring. I would have a slight preference for the former – but don’t think there is a lot of margin in the early quote of 6/1.

In the finale, Vapiano is really eye-catching with bottom weight and is quite tempting at 14/1: more conventionally, Scottish Boogie should run well, but a quote of 10/1 is quite tight.

However, the one selection for the day, runs in the handicap hurdle at 3:20…

When I saw the declarations for this race, my eyes were drawn to 2 runners: Sivola De Sivola and Secret Tune.

Unfortunately, the bookmakers have also noticed Sivola De Sivola and he is 6/1 joint favourite.

Secret Tune on the other hand, seems to have slipped through the net – for the time being at least..!

He was a beaten favourite at this meeting last season, when he finished third in a handicap hurdle on the Saturday. Following that run, he was transferred into the care of Charlie Longsdon and when he was next seen, he put up an improved performance to win an AW bumper at Kempton.

He has only run 4 times since then and has won one of those, on the flat. He was last seen a month ago when he ran in the Cesarewitch trial at Newmarket – a race that should have set him up nicely for tomorrow.

Ofcourse, tomorrow’s race won’t be easy – there are 20 runners for a start – including some unknown quantities. There is also some concern over the distance of 3 miles, which is unknown territory for Secret Tune.

However, he will be fit; relatively indifferent to ground conditions - and is handicapped to go very close.

I might be tempted to back him EW – but back him I certainly will !

Selection: Secret Tune 20/1 (EW)

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