STAR RACING PREVIEW Fri: Cheltenham

The jumps season is well and truly underway, with three days of action at Cheltenham for the Paddy Power November Meeting. writes WILLIAM KEDJANYI.

Much has been made of the field sizes for the first day but we do have some class on show, not least in the Shloer Chase (2.20) and where Melling Chase and Celebration Chase winner Jonbon faces last year’s runner-up Edwardstone, whilst we have a fascinating clash between highly promising Recent course winners Valgrand and Potters Charm stand out a mile in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (3.30)

The best betting race of the day could well be the Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase (2.55), where two horses are of interest.

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2.50 Cheltenham – (X-Country) Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (Class 2) (5yo+) 3m5½f (3m5f56y)

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The weights are dominated by Conflated – to the extent that only three other runners are racing off their correct weights – and if he shows up at his best then he could be too good for this field, but he was bitterly disappointing in the Charlie Hall on his return and hasn’t shown his best since chasing home Jonbon back in April.

He can be taken on here, and two contenders come to mind for this test. Sweet David has been placed in two cross-country chases over the past two months, finishing a creditable second in the Grand Cross at Craon behind the good yardstick Roi Mage, rated 147 when last running on these shores and a three-time Grand National finisher, and he might have won there last time if he hadn’t suffered mid-race interference.

As a hurdles winner on good the ground will be of no concern and this is his game, so the ? with starsports.bet looks well worth chancing.

Add an Irish challenge to your bow with Fameaftertheglory, who has a good CV of banks form including a third over course and distance last December whilst he performed admirably twice over the banks at the Punchestown Festival. He’ll need to be tuned up to go close here but it’s hard to see why he wouldn’t be with so few chances over the season for these horses and he’s got some of the best cross-country form here.

Of the rest, Tommie Beau is a game and solid horse although this is a step up in class for him first time over the banks, Mister Coffey is talented but 0-13 over fences and has faded over extreme trips, and Busselton has a great mark if at his best, although he hasn’t shown it for a long time here and the same comments apply to Back On The Lash.

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RECOMMENDED BETS
BACK Sweet David to win the 2.50 at Cheltenham 1pt at 13/2 (⭐ ? CLICK TO BET NOW)
BACK Fameaftertheglory to win the 2.50 at Cheltenham 1pt at 6/1 (⭐ ? CLICK TO BET NOW)

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PROFIT/LOSS (NOV 2024): +24.78 POINTS

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