RIO’S RACING STARS: Cheltenham Friday

Hello and welcome to my new column, brought to you by Star Sports, writes RIO BRYANT.

It’s an honour to be writing and tipping for such a prestigious and honourable bookmaker.

It’s Cheltenham this week and I will have three columns written throughout the weekend, so thank you guys for following along.

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CHELTENHAM FRIDAY

Friday looks a tricky card, to be honest.

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1:10 – AIS Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle (Challenger Stayers’ Hurdle Series Qualifier) (Class 3)

The first race is as competitive as they come. Glancing Jack for the Skeltons could improve a stone and that wouldn’t shock me. On the other hand, the long-standing veteran No Ordinary Joe at 40/1 wouldn’t be out of things either, with this step back up in trip likely to suit. Then there’s everything in the middle, and the way Norman Fletcher was backed last time, it was as if it couldn’t lose. He was unlucky early on in the race.

This wouldn’t be the perfect style for my betting, but No Ordinary Joe at 40/1 is a huge price, and I think he will outrun those odds. I’ll be having a small play each way, but I fully expect Glancing Jack to oblige for Dan and Harry.

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1:45 – Mucking Brilliant Paddy Power Novices’ Chase (Listed Race)

Derryhassen Paddy was the obvious eye-catcher last time, doing a lot of good work late on after an absence. If he doesn’t bounce from that race then he has a good chance. There are a few horses in here that I could never part my hard-earned cash with, as they are different characters, shall we say!

I do think there’s a horse in here that’s improving, looks a little overpriced and will love the ground, and that’s Intosomethinggood at 10/1.

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2:20 – Shloer Chase (Registered As The Cheltenham Chase) (Grade 2)

The best race of the day is next, the Shloer. Oh, Jonbon, we meet again.

What a fabulous horse for connections. I don’t think the Cheltenham factor is the issue; I think the sharpness of the track and trip could be, and giving away 6lbs is huge. Gidleigh Park is a high-class animal, but every time you’re betting him, in the back of your mind you know he has an irregular heartbeat issue that can flare.

I’m quite strong on Saint Segal at 11/2. He should jump out prominently and will definitely run his race. He’s had a prep so will be hard fit, and he may just catch these out, that being said, Jonbon is a top horse.

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2:55 – Jilly Cooper Veterans’ Handicap Chase (Class 2)

The veterans are next. I blink my eyes, and Thunder Rock is 9/2 when earlier on he was 10/1, so the race complexion changes completely. He may appreciate some softer ground, that being said.

Glengouly will try to make all, and he may just do so. His form last season reads strong, and with this being a weaker race he will possibly be able to control it as Ben wants. Triple Trade looks the main danger as he got a lenient 2lbs for his win last time. He may just get a little outpaced but will definitely be staying on strongly. I will most likely play both straight win and take my chances that one of them will take first spot.

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3:30 – Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (Registered As The Hyde) (Grade 2)

The penultimate race is the Albert Bartlett, a Grade 2 novice hurdle only in name!

This looks a poor race. Ferocimo won an ordinary race where I’m not sure if Nightflyer turned up and ran to his potential. Dan has said some positive words about his mare and was shocked how easily she won at Chepstow, but I could see a real turn-up here and a shock result, just like the October meeting when Kingofthefrontier went in for John Dawson.

When these horses hit championship pace for the first time, one of two things happens: they either fold because they can’t hack the pace and haven’t got the strength, or they thrive and like the nature of a strongly run race. It wouldn’t be my betting style to be getting involved, but I could see the Rothwell horse, Luck Between Us, running into the frame at 30/1.

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4:00 – Valda Energy Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (Class 3)

Hopefully we’re in a little bit of profit by this point, even though I’ve got stronger bets on Saturday and Sunday, provided conditions or the make-up of the races don’t change too considerably.

This is another really tough race with a lot of unexposed horses. No doubt the A J Martin horse would have been targeted at this race, and furthermore there is a bunch of Irish horses coming over. I’d be lying to you if I told you I study Irish racing. I specialised in English handicaps, and now I feel like I’m looking at a race from Tramore!

It brings good competition, however, so keep the Irish coming! A Jekyll and Hyde horse caught my eye a little in this, Ade Boy at 33/1. It’s a tentative selection, but he was staying on strongly last time against some unexposed horses, and if he taps into his bumper form, he has to have a chance.

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As expressed earlier, Friday looks extremely difficult. I hope you have enjoyed the column and will have two more up for you over the weekend.

Be lucky,

Rio

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RECOMMENDED BETS
BACK No Ordinary Joe (1.10 Cheltenham) 0.25pts each-way at 40/1 (⭐ ? CLICK TO BET NOW)
BACK Intosomethinggood (1.45 Cheltenham) 0.25pts at 10/1 (⭐ ? CLICK TO BET NOW)
BACK Saint Segal (2.20 Cheltenham) 0.5pts at 11/2 (⭐ ? CLICK TO BET NOW)
BACK Triple Trade (2.55 Cheltenham) 0.25pts at 7/2 (⭐ ? CLICK TO BET NOW)
BACK Glengouly (2.55 Cheltenham) 0.25pts at 5/1 (⭐ ? CLICK TO BET NOW)
BACK Luck Between Us (3.30 Cheltenham) 0.125pts each-way at 30/1 (⭐ ? CLICK TO BET NOW)
BACK Ade Boy (4.00 Cheltenham) 0.25pts each-way at 33/1 (⭐ ? CLICK TO BET NOW)

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Views of authors do not necessarily represent views of Star Sports Bookmakers. Prices correct at time of publication.

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