3.55pm Cheltenham Tips & Betting Preview 21/10/2016

Six runners have been declared for the Class 2 novice chase over 3m on Friday’s Cheltenham card. Our betting tips focus on home-based runner against the Irish-trained favourite. Read on for our full race preview.

IN SUMMARY: Tiger Roll comes here after producing an excellent performance to win a major handicap at Limerick recently and we know from his 2014 Triumph Hurdle success that he’s also suited by this track. If he’s on song, he’ll be very difficult to beat back in novice company today. However, he’s been rather inconsistent since switched to fences and is worth opposing with COTTERSROCK, who didn’t hang about for long over hurdles, made a winning chasing debut over 2m4f last month and is expected to be seen in an even better light over today’s trip. Heron Heights has also made a good start to his chasing career and is the other major player.

1 Full Cry – Struck form and won twice over fences in August, at Kilbeggan (2m4f, good) and Tramore (2m6f, good); comfortably held when upped to Grade 3 company at Tipperary (2m4f, soft to heavy) this month but may fare better now back on decent ground here.

2 Heron Heights – Three wins over fences this season, the latest when upped to 3m at Clonmel last month, where he was over 8l clear of Duckweed at the line; this race is tougher but he’s making good progress and might still have untapped potential over today’s trip.

3 Tiger Roll – 2014 Triumph Hurdle hero who is 3-8 since switched to fences; comes here after comfortable success in the Munster National at Limerick (3m, yielding) just 12 days ago and sets a very good standard on that piece of form; will be very difficult to beat if on song again.

4 Cottersrock – Quickly developed into a useful hurdler for his new stable in the first few months of 2016 and, following a break, made a winning chase debut at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good to soft) last month; this race is a bit stronger but both his pedigree and running style suggest today’s trip will show him in a better light.

5 Tempestatefloresco – Triple point winner who was sent straight over fences for rules debut at Newton Abbot (3m2f, good) in August and duly won by 8l; fell on next outing, though, and been a bit disappointing on last two appearances; needs to up his game.

6 Duckweed – Has taken well to fences this season, winning twice (2m4f/3m), but was brushed aside by Heron Heights when second at Clonmel (3m, good) last month and meets that rival on the same terms here; faces tough assignment.

myracing Forecast Prices: 5/4 Tiger Cry, 3/1 Cottersrock, 4/1 Heron Heights, 12/1 Full Cry, Tempestatefloresco, Duckweed