It’s all the time weekend when Prestbury Park is alive with motion, particularly when the headline occasion is the Cheltenham November Assembly.
With the Paddy Energy Gold Cup because the star act on Saturday, Friday is a pleasant introduction for weekend and I’ve three fancies for the motion on ITV and Racing TV.
1:45 Cheltenham – Ballybreeze @ 5/1 Basic – 2pt EW
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The Mucking Sensible Paddy Energy Handicap Chase (nice title) appears to be like like an interesting race over two miles with Calico, the 4/1 favorite, bringing kind with Jonbon to the desk whereas Triple Commerce is progressing at charge of knots for Joe Tizzard.
Away from these two, Ballybreeze is a horse I’ve needed to see for some time and he lastly will get his alternative within the shadows of Cleeve Hill.
The seven-year-old by Schiaparelli raced simply 3 times final season and kicked off his marketing campaign with a facile success at Chepstow after a 218-day break.
Trendy chase debut from Ballybreeze, who wins eased down at @Chepstow_Racing for Robbie Dunne and Sam Drinkwater… pic.twitter.com/4FOyjbjKyd
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) October 26, 2022
Following a 139-day break, connections despatched Ballybreeze to the Arkle on the Cheltenham Competition at 150/1.
Though he was final house, Samual Drinkwater’s £8,000 buy travelled at Grade 1 tempo for some time – not like Hole Video games – earlier than fading.
Following his Grade 1 check, Ballybreeze went to Market Rasen and regarded just like the winner earlier than over-jumping the third final and falling.
With summer season on his again, he appears to be like very well-handicapped off 120 and along with his potential to carry out effectively contemporary, he appears to be like like a standout wager at 11/2.
3:30 Cheltenham – Captain Teague @ 4/6 Basic – 4pt Win
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This isn’t a revolutionary or distinctive decide, however as a result of lack of betting angles within the different races, Captain Teague makes the listing as wager on Friday.
The five-year-old by Doyen has quite a bit to love coming into the Grade 2 Trustatrader Novices’ Hurdle, notably the very fact he received the Grade 2 Persian Battle Novices’ Hurdle on his debut over obstacles.
Good horse, this! Captain Teague wins the Grade 2 Unibet Persian Battle on hurdling debut at @Chepstow_Racing for @CobdenHarry and @PFNicholls… pic.twitter.com/iTW7Mncdbg
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) October 13, 2023
Though he regarded to guess at a couple of hurdles, his leaping improved all through the competition and that run was his first piece of education on grass as a result of fast floor again in Ditcheat.
Subsequently, he’ll hopefully present a greater degree of consistency at Cheltenham and, in flip, a fair larger normal of efficiency.
🗣️ Paul Nicholls on evaluating Captain Teague to Bravemansgame & Stage Star:
“He’s up there with all of them to win a race like that first day out – all of these horses in the present day had expertise, he didn’t.
“He’s been purchased to be a pleasant chaser someday. He can solely enhance massively.” pic.twitter.com/qijtq0zbxB
— Ash Symonds Journalism (@ASymondsJourno) October 13, 2023
Moreover, the type of his third within the Grade 1 Champion Bumper continues to get higher because the fourth, fifth, ninth, eleventh, twelfth, thirteenth, and fourteenth have all received impressively since.
In case you are trying to take a threat for some potential worth, I believe Kinbara is a pleasant horse for John McConnell and the 4/1 straight forecast might be an fascinating play, however as for the only choice, hopefully Captain Teague can present his class.
4:05 Cheltenham – Impose Toi @ 3/1 @ William Hill – 1pt Win
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Nicky Henderson might be on for weekend along with his JP McManus-owned horses if each Jonbon within the Shloer Chase and Iberico Lord within the Greatwood Hurdle oblige willingly.
Nonetheless, trying on the extra quick future, the trainer-owner partnership has probability to kick the weekend off effectively with Impose Toi within the finale on Friday.
The five-year-old gelding is making his handicap debut having bolted up in a novice hurdle over 2m5f at Ludlow in Could whereas carrying a penalty.
🐎 Market leaders Egbert (6/4 fav) and Impose Toi (13/8) have the end to themselves within the 2m5f maiden hurdle at @LudlowRaceClub. The latter tanked by the race on his debut for Nicky Henderson and will quickly be profitable. @tomcannon2 pic.twitter.com/7hFr1bukUD
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) January 6, 2023
That win got here after a mean run at Huntingdon behind Brentford Hope, although the shape has labored out as Brentford Hope skated in at Newbury by 15 lengths on his seasonal reappearance final week.
Though Impose Toi has 11-12 to hold round Prestbury Park, he’s unexposed and has good kind on delicate floor as a consequence of his two victories in France for Daniela Mele.
This might be a troublesome process on his handicap debut, however I believe he might be too elegant and I’m keen to take that probability at 3/1.
