For Cheltenham Festival Trials Day tips, look no further. This Saturday is the last chance for trainers to run their horses around Prestbury Park. There are also some punts at Doncaster and a Fariyhouse betting tip. Read all about who our experts like across the cards.
Cheltenham Festival Trials Day tips – Mister Whitaker each-way value in Trophy
Mister Whitaker ran third at the Cheltenham Festival when last in action at this venue, and a repeat of that effort gives him claims in the 2m 4f Grade 3 Millionaire Trophy Hanidcap Chase (13:50). Trained by Mick Channon, the nine-year-old has three wins and two placed efforts from eight previous starts at the track.
That decent record, plus the fact that he meets Happy Diva on 3lb better terms, make him interesting here. Richard Patrick has ridden out his claim, so no longer takes weight of the back of Kerry Lee’s mare. That may turn the tables in the favour of Mister Whitaker, who could well reverse form.
While he does meet Oldgrangewood on 1lb worse terms from the Festival, that one lacks the fine course record of Channon’s charge. A line can be out through Mister Whitaker running sixth on reappearance in the Charlie Hall at Wetherby, as he doesn’t stay 3m. This race fits the bill and he’s solid each-way value at 10/1 with Unibet here.
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Bear Ghylls the Classic Novices’ Hurdle choice
In the 2m 4f Grade 2 Ballymore Classic Novices’ Hurdle, Bear Ghylls puts his unbeaten record on the line. Trained by Nicky Martin, all this six-year-old by Arcadio needs is to brush up on his hurdling. All his runs so far have come on softer surfaces, so he clearly relishes testing conditions.
There is substance to some of the form too. Bear Ghylls beat Make Me A Believer at Lingfield on his hurdle bow. The runner-up went on to win a race here at the December Meeting and finish a close up half-length third in another Ballymore trial, the Leamington at Warwick, earlier this month.
Bear Ghylls also bested subsequent five-length Newbury handicap winner Gowel Road at Ffos Las. The runner-up carried top-weight and bolted up two starts later. With his form given such boosts, Bear Ghylls is a strong fancy now up in grade. Odds of 6/5 with Unibet say he can make it five from five under Rules.
Sage Advice value and the Finesse fancy
While there is no case against Paisley Park in the Cleeve Hurdle, fellow odds-on favourite Nassalam is plenty short enough in the 2m Grade 2 Finesse Juvenile Hurdle (12:40). Our Cheltenham Festival Trials Day tips side instead with Flat recruit Sage Advice.
Now in the care of Dr Richard Newland, this Make Believe gelding is an Irish import to the stable. Sage Advice made a promising British and hurdles debut at Kempton earlier this month. He won easing down by six lengths and went into many punters’ notebooks as one to follow.
This demands more, but Sage Advice is unexposed in this sphere compared to the red-hot jolly. Nassalam got turned over at a short price by Adagio at Chepstow too, and never really looked like winning. Therefore, Sage Advice looks the value play in this and odds of 11/4 with William Hill appeal.
Doncaster betting tips – Canelo has big claims in Sky Bet Chase
Doncaster’s card contain the old Great Yorkshire Chase sponsored by Sky Bet, a Listed handicap over 3m as its feature (15:15). Rowland Meyrick winner Canelo can go in again. Trainer Alan King has won the race twice in the last five years.
In Canelo, he has a JP McManus owned eight-year-old that has three victories and two placed efforts from eight outings over fences. The Mahler gelding has won on heavy and proved his stamina when winning in Grade 3 company at Wetherby last time out.
Canelo stayed on best and prevailed by half-a-length over Snow Leopardess. Although up 6lb for that effort, he was value for more than the official winning margin. Despite the presence of old rival Cap Du Nord in the line-up, Canelo is less exposed as a stayer and therefore appeals at odds of 5/1 with Betfred to follow-up.
Worth hedging your bets in River Don
There is a wide-open renewal of the 3m Grade 2 River Don Novices’ Hurdle (14:40) also on the card. Flash Collonges and Bobhopeornohope are the two most interesting contenders, so Dutching the duo is an angle into this intriguing Albert Bartlett trial.
Flash Collonges is a Paul Nicholls inmate who has won two of his four starts and now steps up in trip. He is out to avenge taking a tumble at this track on his penultimate outing in a race won by Bobhopeornohope. Flash Collonges is 5/1 with Betfair now upped in distance and grade for victory.
On his course win, meanwhile, Bobohopeornohope, looks a good each-way bet. He has raced freely and made most of the running on both his hurdles outings for game victories. Trainer Kim Bailey is having a fine season, so Bobehopeornohope looks another to consider at 8/1 with Unibet here.
Fairyhouse betting tips – Gauloise and Mighty Blue of interest
In the 2m 2f Grade 3 Solerina Mares Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse (13:58), Gauloise can build on a Listed win at Thurles last time out. Trained by Willie Mullins, who has won the race six times since 2012, this typical French import to the stable is unbeaten in three outings.
Gauloise won a 1m 4f bumper when still across the Channel. She has since notched back-to-back victories at Thurles, comfortably beating Global Equity and then the re-opposing Mighty Blue. There is plenty to like about that form. The runner-up is a Joseph O’Brien inmate who placed at Group 3 level over 2m on the Flat.
Stepping up in distance looks a positive for both Gauloise and Mighty Blue, then. Despite the presence of Fairyhouse specialist Royal Kahala in the line-up, Mullins’ superb record in the race commands respect. Gauloise thus appeals most and Mighty Blue looks a great bet to fill the places now getting weight from all but one rival.
