Cheltenham - Saturday 25th October

Day 2 of the Showcase meeting. 

13:10, William Hill Each Way Extra Novices' Limited Handicap Chase

Inox Allen 11/1, 1pt win
Kdaux Saint Fray 16/1, 1pt each-way (4 places)

This is a wide open novices' chase to start the card and cases can be made for any number of runners. Inox Allen travels down from Scotland with decent chances. A point winner who looked classy in his early days, he lost his way a bit over hurdles but bounced back with a commanding all the way success over fences at Perth in the Spring. He's up 11 pounds for that win but jumped like a stag and that will see him in good stead here against plenty who are inexperienced. One of those with less chasing experience is Anthony Honeyball's Kdaux Saint Fray. The 6 year old looked a nice prospect when winning a bumper at Ascot this time last year and wasn't disgraced on his last start over hurdles when finishing 2nd to an Irish raider at Chepstow in the Spring. It's telling that connections waste no time in going chasing and this winning pointer looks well treated. 

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13:45, Play William Hill's Final One Standing Novices' Hurdle

Conman John 11/2, 1pt each-way (4 places)

A fair renewal if not classy edition of this long distance novice hurdle and although the Irish raiders look to have a strong say in this, Conman John looks a likely improver for the same connections as Ahoy Senor. The 5 year old bolted up by 20 lengths in a 3 mile point last November and after a couple of just fair runs in bumpers since, he duly knuckled down well to win on hurdle debut at Kelso 20 days ago. He shaped that day as though there is untapped stamina to be found and could well be the answer. 

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14:20, William Hill Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap Chase

Hyland 6/1, 2pts each-way (5 places)

A hugely competitive handicap chase is the highlight of the afternoon for many. Henry de Bromhead has won the past 2 renewals and he fields likely favourite The Short Go who finished 5th at the festival. Transmission and Rock My Way also have decent course form but perhaps Nicky Henderson's Hyland could take this on his way to better things this season. An impressive winner at this meeting last year, the 8 year old went on to finish 2nd in a grade 1 at Kempton before another runner up finish off this mark at the same track. He can be forgiven pulling up last time as it was the Grand National and he is treated as still in form and improving. It's likely that connections have aimed at this given his track record and must hold a big chance. 

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14:55, Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle

Gowell Road 18/1, 1pt each-way (5 places)

Winning Smut 13/2, 2pts each-way (5 places)

This looks a strong renewal of the Pertemps qualifier. Gowell Road could well be overpriced here considering his fantastic course record which includes a win in the Cleeve Hurdle in January. The 9 year old has a career high mark to overcome but he's a whopping 15 pounds better off with Long Draw from their last encounter and with the stable going along nicely he rates a decent each-way play. Gordon Elliott knows the time of day with long distance hurdlers and he looks to have another progressive one on his hands with Winning Smut. The 6 year old won a big field affair at Galway 84 days ago and still looks ahead of the handicapper. He should go very close in a race the trainer won with The Wallpark last year.

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15:30, Masterson Holdings Hurdle

No Bet

On ratings Give It To Me Oj shouldn't have much issue taking this but doesn't make much appeal at odds on considering he's taking on unexposed types. 

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16:05, William Hill Extra Places With BOG 'Chasing Excellence' Novices' Chase

Welcome To Cartries 9/2, 2pts win

Some nice horses have won this staying chase for novices in recent years and although Intense Approach brings decent course form to the table it is Paul Nicholl's runner Welcome To Carries that makes most appeal at the prices. The winning pointer looked potential useful over hurdles when starting his career under rules but things didn't go to plan in 2 starts over fences last year. In fairness, he was highly tried at Sandown behind Handstands and then looked in need of a more galloping track when well beaten in the Kauto Star. He ended his campaign with a good 2nd at Newbury over hurdles and it's interesting that connections are keen to go straight back over fences this season and in at Cheltenham no less. He's every inch a chaser and perhaps has untapped potential in this sphere that others do not. 

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16:40, Oddschecker Open NH Flat Race

Le Beau Madrik 7/2, 2pts win

Dan Skelton's 4 year old grey travelled like a good horse when denied by one of Willie Mullins' runners at Plumpton in the spring, probably beaten by his inexperience. He'll be sharper here.