Horsebetting.com experts give their BetVictor.com Handicap Chase betting tips for the 3m 3f contest on a cracking seven-race card at Cheltenham on Saturday, 17 November. Cogry ran a blinder when runner-up on seasonal reappearance, so looks worth a wager to go one better and land the spoils under Sam Twiston-Davies. Stablemate Calett Mad finished an eye-catching fourth in the same race and is therefore feared most. Northern raider Looking Well, meanwhile, looks the each-way value in an ultra-competitive affair. Read our in-depth 2018 BetVictor.com Handicap Chase betting tips preview for more details on these horses’ chances one day two of the November Meeting at Prestbury Park.Cogry taken to capture BetVictor.com Handicap ChaseCogry ran a cracker when runner-up on seasonal reappearance, so looks decent value to go one better and land the spoils in the 3m 3f BetVictor.com Handicap Chase at Cheltenham on Saturday (13:50). This Nigel Twiston-Davies trained nine-year-old is a dour stayer and a dual winner at the track.
His last success came at the venue 13 months ago where, after taking up the running three from home, he galloped on strongly to beat the re-opposing Singlefarmpayment by four lengths in the 16-runner Randox Health Handicap Chase over 3m 1f off a mark of 133. Cogry went on to finish a solid second of 13 to Milansbar in the 3m 5f Classic Chase at Warwick off 138 and was also far from disgraced when third to Casse Tete at the same venue, again on the same mark.
Although not at his best in his final two starts off the campaign, the son of King’s Theatre – who finished runner up in the 2017 Scottish Grand National at Ayr – looked as good as ever here last month when narrowly failing to retain his Randox Health crown. After racing prominently throughout, Cogry looked the likely winner when taking up the running two from home travelling powerfully.
He was the strongly challenged on the run-in by Relentless Dreamer and only gave way close home to be beaten just a neck. It was a fine effort in defeat and the front two pulled 11 lengths clear of the field, so that gives the form a solid look. It also makes a 4lb rise in the weights look fair and Cogry is entitled to remain very competitive off his revised rating of 139.
Another plus is that, unlike many of his rivals, he is tried and tested over the trip. So, taking everything into account, Cogry looks to have plenty going for him in this. Hence he features as the main selection in our 2018 BetVictor.com Handicap Chase betting tips.Calett Mad another contender for Twiston-DaviesTwiston-Davies also saddles Calett Mad, a six-year-old who has won twice and been placed four times in nine starts over fences. He finished an eye-catching fourth to Cogry in last month’s Randox Health Handicap Chase and looks sure to make his presence felt, so is feared most.
After being held-up at the rear of the 16-runner field, the son of Axxos made good headway from the 15th and stayed on strongly to be nearest at the finish and beaten just under 16 lengths. The way in which he finished off the race suggests the extra two furlong of this will be right up his street and he now meets runner-up Cogry on 5lb better terms.
That entitles Calett Mad to get much closer and he’s a classy sort who has some strong form in the book. He finished runner-up last year in the Grade 2 Towton Novices’ Chase at Wetherby off an official rating of 148, and was far from disgraced when ninth of 18 to Tiger Roll in the 4m National Hunt Chase at the 2017 Festival here off 145 when seemingly having his stamina stretched to the limit.
Having been dropped 1lb since running in the Randox, Calett Mad is now racing off a rating of 141 and that gives him a big shout from a handicapping perspective on the pick of his form. He is also versatile as regards ground, so everything looks in place for a big run.Looking Well a lively outsiderOf those at bigger odds, northern raider Looking Well looks a lively outsider and each-way value. Trained in Penrith by Nicky Richards, the nine-year-old has won only one of his 11 starts over fences, but shaped as if he has a big performance in him. That sole success came at Kelso in May of 2016 when he easily beat Pena Dorada by 13 lengths off a mark of 122.
Looking well has been lightly-raced since, but did run a blinder on seasonal reappearance last year when a 3 1/2 lengths second of 14 to Ziga Boy in a 3m Listed handicap chase at Doncaster off 132. He was also two lengths up and had the race seemingly in the bag when ducking left and unseating his rider at the last in the 4m Edinburgh National at Musselburgh back in February off the same rating.
There was also lots to like about his last run at Perth in June when a 3 1/4 lengths third of 11 to Henllan Harri over 3m off a rating of 136. After getting outpaced four from home, Looking Well rallied well under pressure to finish the race off strongly and be gaining all the way to the line.
The son of Gold Well is now able to race in this off 1lb lower and his revised rating of 135 makes him look nicely treated on the pick of his form. Richards also has his team in good shape and operating at a strike rate of 22 per cent in the past fortnight at the time of writing.
So, having creeped in at the foot of the weights off just 10st 1lb, Looking Well looks capable of outrunning his odds on ground that he relishes. That’s why he features as the each-way punt and completes our 2018 BetVictor.con Handicap chase betting tips.Your Next Bet
