Simon Holt previews Sunday's racing at Cheltenham on day three of the November Meeting and he's got three selections on the card.
Sunday's Unibet Greatwood Handicap Hurdle looks a puzzle, and the improving MILKWOOD could be over-priced given that he seems to be improving with every start.
The six-year-old would hardly have warranted a place in this field on his form last season but he reappeared to win effortlessly at Ffos Las (from the re-opposing Balinsker) and then handled a step up in grade with some aplomb on the same course subsequently when fourth behind the classy Sceau Royal and Ballyandy (top weighted here) in the Welsh Champion Hurdle.
On the latter occasion, Milkwood was still able to travel well against better rivals and, but for being squeezed out going to the last, would probably have finished a bit closer.
If he can improve again for his in-form trainer Neil Mulholland, Robbie Dunne's mount may prove seriously under-estimated in the betting.
It could also be worth taking an interest in STRONG GLANCE who cruised up to challenge like a talented horse over two-and-a-half miles at Aintree last time before being edged out by Jacamar having previously found two miles on good ground at Market Rasen just too sharp behind Marine One and the re-opposing Pisgah Pike.
Unlike the last named, Fergus Gregory’s mount is proven in the soft and seems sure to see this race out well back over two miles on this stiffer course and in the likely testing conditions.
There are lots of other possibilities, including last year's winner Harambe who (unlike then) lacks a recent run and his promising stable companion Edwardstone who didn't get home in the Supreme Novices' in March but is reported to be a much more relaxed horse now.
The improving Cormier, representing trainer Brian Ellison who won this race with Nietzsche in 2018, and Tegerek, who landed a gamble here at the October meeting, also have live chances along with several others.
Earlier, CAPTAIN DRAKE looks potentially the biggest improver in the Planteur At Chapel Stud Handicap Chase.
Harry Fry's seven-year-old was a bit hit and miss in the jumping department last season but showed his stamina credentials when scoring at Exeter and then when chasing home Truckers Lodge in the Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter in March.
A big positive here is that Captain Drake reappeared to win over hurdles back at Uttoxeter under Bryan Carver (who again claims a valuable 5lb), and he should be spot on for this return to fencing against a few well-exposed rivals.
Posted at 1645 GMT on 14/11/20
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