THIS might seem like revenge to owner Carl Hinchy — but I fancy FUGITIF (1.50) to go on the run in the big one at Cheltenham.
It’s fair to say Hinchy will have a pop at Yours Truly whenever he can on social media, for all that I actually enjoyed meeting him at Worcester not so long ago!
GettyChappers has got a number of big tips for Cheltenham’s Saturday card including a 12-1 chance[/caption]
But don’t worry, Carl, in no way am I trying to put the mockers on Fugitif.
Indeed selections have been going rather well for the last couple of weeks, with both Get a Tonic (28-1) and Truckers Lodge (12-1 into 11-2) scoring at tasty odds.
Fugitif is due to take on 11 rivals in the feature Virgin Bet December Gold Cup.
The Richard Hobson-trained eight-year-old has won four of his twenty starts and rarely runs a bad race.
His Cheltenham form reads 2224 and for much of the Paddy Power Gold Cup last month he looked like the winner, travelling strongly and challenging with power down the final hill.
However, mistakes in the closing stages took their toll, and he faded into fourth behind Stage Star.
I suspect Gavin Sheehan will try and challenge later on the back of that performance.
With that in mind, and a possible improvement in fitness, I’d think he has a fantastic eachway chance.
He’s been given a boost by the handicapper having been dropped 2lb. Of course it’s a hugely competitive race, with Thunder Rock a strong challenger for Olly Murphy.
His Carlisle form has worked out well, but he might need further.
Monmiral was a class hurdler and if he got his act together over fences he would be a danger to all for champion Paul Nicholls, while the latter also sends out Il Ridoto.
Elsewhere on the Cheltenham card I really want to praise handlers Dan Skelton and Nigel Twiston-Davies for respectively running Protektorat and Broadway Boy in our magnificent Favourite from the Sun Now Daily Handicap Chase. What a race. What a paper!
As many of you will know, Protektorat is the kind of class act that rarely runs in handicaps, having finished third in the 2022 Cheltenham Gold Cup and fifth in this year’s contest.
Broadway Boy, on the other hand, is just a novice still learning his trade. To have the pair clashing at this stage of their careers is a real treat and both might be good enough.
Protektorat could easily outclass the field, but I’m still far from sure he’s a strong stayer at this distance despite those decent Gold Cup performances.
He might just travel too well for most of these. Broadway Boy adds real spice, having been a decent novice hurdler and seemingly an even better fencer with a Listed success at Cheltenham last time.
That all said, I’m going to have a few quid eachway on the improving ELVIS MAIL (2.25) for Nick Alexander and Bruce Lynn, who takes off 3lb.
The Kelso winner stays and jumps and it’s just a case of whether he’s good enough.
ITV coverage on Saturday starts with a 2m handicap chase.
This is a chance for AUCUNRISQUE (1.15) to bounce back to form for Chris Gordon and Rex Dingle.
Oddly Aucunrisque is miles better off with Funambule Sivola despite finishing in front of that rival at Ascot last time.
My hope is now down to 142, 4lb below his highest mark and while well beaten by Boothill he kept on well enough. I’ll take the chance.
Over at Doncaster, there’s a decent handicap hurdle featuring Tommy’s Oscar, once behind Honeysuckle in a Champion Hurdle.
There are some class handicappers in here. SOARING GLORY (2.40) is gradually getting back to form for Jonjo O’Neill and ran a fair second last time.
He’s down in the handicap to a rating he can operate from and Kevin Brogan has every chance of getting him into the frame at the very least.
Also there is a trappy handicap chase at Doncaster. NESTOR PARK (3.15) stays well. His third to Celebrate d’Allen was all right and I reckon he has an each-way chance.
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