Resident expert Man On The Spot provides a race-by-race guide to the free-to-play Pick 7 game at Cheltenham on Friday.
12:10 Cheltenham - British Stallion Studs EBF 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle
Man On The Spot: A cracking opener featuring several highly-regarded novices. Summerville Boy was beaten less than a length in a Grade 2 here last month so has to go on the short-list. Western Ryder made amends for his mishap at Stratford when winning easily at Chepstow. Lalor is gradually getting there and his stable is in good form, though he’s possibly held by Summerville Boy on collateral form. Spice Girl’s winning run continued on her hurdling debut at Towcester but this is a much bigger test. Despite running green, SHOAL BAY beat an odds-on favourite at Taunton with any amount in hand. He could be anything and may represent some value here. Some Man came off worst in a blanket finish at Worcester but will have learned from that and has a future.
12:45 Cheltenham - Horse Comes First Novices' Chase
Man On The Spot: Exeter scorer Coastal Tiep was soon brushed aside next time at Aintree and is penalised here. DUEL AT DAWN also has 5lb extra but ran well on his chasing debut at Chepstow and built on that when staying on strongly to get of the mark at Exeter. He only had two rivals that day but only has one more here. Sizing Tennessee is now 0-7 over fences and he’s not completed in his last two following a good run behind Black Corton at Newton Abbot in the autumn. Tintern Theatre, only beaten a length here last time in a handicap, doesn’t have much to find on official ratings so shouldn’t be ignored.
13:20 Cheltenham - Catesby Handicap Hurdle
Man On The Spot: An open-looking handicap in which Chris Gordon looks to hold a strong hand. He saddles both Newbury second Remiluc and Sea Wall, who has been knocking on the door. The former makes most appeal, despite the drop in distance. ATTEST only weakened at the last returning to hurdles at Ascot. He’s achieved a level of consistency this year and the booking of Richard Johnson suggests connections mean business today. Raven's Tower arrives in good form and a 5lb rise for winning at Fontwell is cancelled out by his rider’s claim but Cornborough may not be suited by the undulations here. Champagne City looks in the handicapper’s grip and the assessor has taken no chances with Smaoineamh Alainn after a couple of wins in novice company.
13:55 Cheltenham - CF Roberts Electrical & Mechanical Services Mares' Handicap Chase
Man On The Spot: Song Saa was quickly left behind by Sheer Poetry at Worcester in October but probably needed the run and is 12lb better off. She ran much better at the same track last time and should make a bold bid here, despite top weight. Twenty Eight Guns was pulled up in the former race but also did better next time, at Wetherby, and is gradually coming down the weight. Ms Parfois sweated up before her reappearance and first run over fences at Uttoxeter and is capable of better but, after a couple of runs in October, TIMEFORWEST should now be ready to do her self justice as she was also a slow-burner over hurdles before coming good in the spring. Sparkling River jumped well at Warwick so makes more appeal than Theatre Territory, who made mistakes at Huntingdon.
14:30 Cheltenham - Unicorn Group Handicap Chase (Grade 3)
Man On The Spot: A disappointing turnout for a Grade 3 and Abracadabra Sivola and Shanroe Santos will both be carrying more than their allotted weight. MYSTEREE (NAP) has made a winning reappearance in each of the last three seasons. He won the Eider Chase over 4m at Newcastle last season so stamina isn’t an issue and neither is the soft ground. Robinsfirth races off the same mark as when second at Haydock last month so looks the danger ahead of Wotzizname, raised 5lb for winning at Exeter but possibly lacking the experience for a race like this. Southfield Theatre had a hard race at Sandown just six days ago and hasn’t won in almost three years.
15:05 Cheltenham - Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase
Man On The Spot: Enda Bolger has won three of the six previous renewals and is responsible for a third of today’s field. Cantlow won it last year and was hampered when fourth behind Kingswell Theatre over course and distance last month. JOSIES ORDERS was the winner in 2015 and is unbeaten in three runs over track and trip, though needed the help of the stewards at The Festival in 2016. He’s worse off at the weights than when beaten by Mtada Supreme at Punchestown but the longer trip is in his favour and he should be cherry-ripe now. Tiger Roll won the National Hunt Chase here in March and More Of That was sixth in the Gold Cup but neither have experience over the cross-country fences. French raider Kapville faces a stiff task at the weights and Bless The Wings is looking a light of former days.
15:40 Cheltenham - Citipost Handicap Hurdle
Man On The Spot: Anteros probably runs his best races around here and was ahead of Rocky's Treasure when second over a slightly longer trip last time, though was only fifth in this last year off the same mark. The Dutchman made a promising reappearance at Haydock on his first run for Colin Tizzard but his long-term future probably lies over fences. Champers On Ice ran in the same race and is another who will be back chasing sooner rather than later while Sykes has more to do than when winning at Ffos Las. ARTHUR’S GIFT beat a subsequent dual winner at Worcester last month and then overturned earlier form with Psychedelic Rock at Market Rasen. He’s a progressive sort and gets on well for Tom Humphries. Luccombe Down has place claims again while Jester Jet boasts an excellent strike-rate for Tom Lacey, though may be a few pounds too high now.
