Cheltenham Clues – 5th November 2018

What a week it’s been here at myracing, a 31/1 Breeders’ Cup Accumulator landing on Friday started the weekend perfectly. We followed that up with 48/1 Mega Acca and 15/1 Double winners on Saturday and a 50/1 Early Value tip winner to carry the form through to Monday! You can view all our horse racing tips now!

It has been an informative week in both Britain and Ireland with a number of major horses returning to the track. The two day Festival at Down Royal was an eventful one with Samcro getting turned over on his return. Wetherby on Saturday wasn’t devoid of drama either as Double Shuffle fell at the first in the Charlie Hall and Bryony Frost’s remarkable sit on Black Corton.

Samcro staying over hurdles the right move?

I’m sure much will be made of the decision to keep Samcro over hurdles as opposed to a novice chase campaign over the course of the season. In truth, I’m not sure we can take a great deal from his reappearance on Friday. He jumped fine and travelled well but when push came to shove he didn’t have the change of gear. It’s certainly a possibility that he simply wasn’t fit enough and will come on bundles from that run. So he can’t be judged on that and it’ll be the next time we see him where we can make a more informed opinion on him. If that doesn’t go to plan then a switch to chasing and a possible JLT tilt instead of the Champion Hurdle, wouldn’t be too surprising.

All Roads lead to the Gold Cup for Respect

Fourth in last seasons renewal of the Cheltenham Gold Cup, Noel Meade’s Road To Respect laid down an emphatic marker in the JNwine.com Champion Chase at Down Royal on Saturday. A runaway sixteen length winner of the meetings Grade 1 event, he produced an RPR of 170, which is a personal best. It was an impressive display for a seasonal reappearance and he would be entitled to improve for that run too. He still showed his tendency to jump a little left around the right-handed track so a return to Cheltenham will no doubt suit him. Seen to best effect on a sounder surface, if the ground has ‘Good’ in the description come March, he could be a massive player in the Gold Cup once again.

Global Citizen continues to show promise

Since joining Ben Pauling’s yard at the beginning of this year, Global Citizen has created quite the impression. A couple of easy wins at Southwell and in the Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle at Kempton, he was a touch disappointing when went sent off favourite for the Top Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree in April. He returned to action in handicap company at Ascot carrying top weight, where considering how hard he pulled during the contest, to finish second can be regarded as an excellent reappearance. He was conceding 10lbs to the winner Fidux, who is more than decent when things fall right. If Global Citizen can just relax a bit and not be so keen then he clearly is a talented animal, particularly on what he demonstrated last season. Progress into a high class hurdler is likely and though it is doubtful that he’s Champion Hurdle standard, he could definitely be one for the County Hurdle.

Mister Whitaker showing all the right signs

A Cheltenham Festival winner last campaign, Mister Whitaker made it three wins on the bounce when victorious in the Colin Parker Memorial Intermediate Chase at Carlisle on Sunday. Previous renewals of the race have been won by Many Clouds, Saphir Du Rheu, Seeyouatmidnight and Waiting Patiently. So normally a contest which produces a talented horse, there is every chance Mister Whitaker could be another. Having already won at the Cheltenham Festival that’s a huge tick in his box and considering how rapidly he appears to be progressing, there is no telling what level he could reach. If he were to continue on this steep upward trajectory, the Ryanair Chase wouldn’t be out of the question. Failing that, the Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Stable Plate could be tailor-made for him. But he’s never tried three miles and the Ultima Handicap Chase could be for him if he demonstrates he stays the distance. He has plenty of options and is one trainer Mick Channon can be excited about.

This Weeks Racing

On Tuesday, the Haldon Gold Cup takes centre stage at Exeter and last years winner Politologue went on to dual Grade 1 glory as well as running fourth in the Queen Mother Champion Chase. Our Exeter tips for Tuesday are on site! Saturday sees the Elite Hurdle at Wincanton which always attracts potential Champion Hurdle prospects and it’s Sandown’s jump season opener on Sunday. Might Bite won the Intermediate Chase on that card last season so it’ll be interesting to see who lines up.

Cheltenham Clues 29th October

Chelteham Clues 22nd October

Cheltenham Clues 15th October