A new dawn, a fresh National Hunt season awaits. After a busy summer in which new arrivals in our household curtailed much in the way of betting activity post Royal Ascot, the start of the November meeting at HQ (Cheltenham) always heralds, for me at least, the start of jump racing, proper.
You will find my selections today for Cheltenham and the rest of the meeting over the next few days.
Next week I will recap the year from January through June (readers will recall a very profitable Cheltenham and a successful Derby weekend, as stumps were drawn, we were certainly in plenty of profit for that period).
As for new readers, welcome, please note I back everything I post, I will not win all the time but will continue to share review and insight whilst I have time, it is enjoyable and hopefully profitable.
Cheltenham – Friday 12 November 2021
Cheltenham going
(Updated: 06:24, 12th Nov)Fri 12 Nov Chase and Hurdle Good, good to soft in places.
Cross Country Good.
Chase and hurdle 5.8
Cross country 6.5
13:10 – Handicap Hurdle
In the opening race, the eye is drawn to the Henry Daly trained, THE WREKIN, a fine summer when he won three on the bounce was not tempered by his seasonal reappearance at Chepstow last month. A winner over distance and at a price that is worth a play, let’s hope he can at least hit the frame and give his Sire a second victory at Cheltenham.
The main selection however is the Fergal O’Brien trained Art Approval, a horse which has been lightly campaigned and shown plenty of promise, in particular when winning a grueller in heavy conditions at Market Rasen at the turn of the year, the yard is in form and on ratings he is above the Nicholls trained favourite.
The Wrekin 1pt ew 16/1
Art Approval 2.5pt ew 6/1
13:45 – Handicap Chase
The Gary Moore yard might well have something with Editer Du Gite, a stand out on ratings winning at Ascot in April, his speed today on his preferred ground should be too much for these.
Editer Du Gite 4pt ew 10/3
14:20 – Novices Chase
Plenty has already been written about how the lack of entries is a farce, saying that it could be some match, if i had to pick I would side with the Irish raider Gin on Lime (at the odds) but My Drogo looked mighty impressive last campaign. One to watch for the future.
14:55 – Cross Country
A real favourite of mine, a race which the beloved Balthazar King was always such a star. A race-type where anything can happen and of course and real stars can break out (Tiger Roll).
The pin landed on FOX PRO and FREEWHEELIN DYLAN
Fox Pro 0.5 pt ew 20/1
Freewheelin Dylan 1.5pt ew 13/2
15:30 – Novices Hurdle
The Nicholls trained favourite is well backed, however an Irish horse at Cheltenham can rarely be disrespected and having performed well carrying heavier weights over the water the value may be in backing not the Elliot runner but the C Brynes trained, Blazing Khal who was successful carrying a stone more at Galway last month.
Blazing Khal 2pt ew 9/2
16:00 – Handicap Hurdle
Sashenka is the main selection, down in the weights, the Scudamore family are above 20% S/R and it looks well placed in the market, we will also back the O’Brien trained, Castel Gandolfo.
Sashenka 1.5pt ew 17/2
Castel Gandolfo 0.5pt ew 28/1
Multiple
Editer Du Guite (13:45) & Blazing Khal (15:30) 1pt ew 23/1
Treble add Freewheelin Dylan (14:55) to the above 0.5pt ew 177/1
Horse Racing Selections 