‘He’s close to a good thing’ – Jamie Codd’s surprise Cheltenham Festival NAP

The recently retired amateur jockey Jamie Codd was one of the best in the business. He’s also got a wise head on his shoulders and a reputation for being a shrewd judge. This means you should definitely get the notebook out when he speaks. Codd recently provided his NAP for the entire Cheltenham Festival and his connection to the Gordon Elliott yard makes his selection a surprising one. Check out our free tips page for daily content across British and Irish racing.

‘He’s as close to a good thing as we’ll get’

Paul Nicholls’ Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase contender Stay Away Fay has really caught Codd’s eye and he’s clearly an admirer. Codd said: “I’m very, very strong on Stay Away Fay. I think he’s as close to a good thing as we’ll get.”

There’s plenty to like about his profile and his performance outside of novice company at Cheltenham last time is some of the best form on offer. He added: “I’m a massive fan. I just think he’s got the form in the book, winning the Albert Bartlett. His run the last day in open company was really, really good. He jumped like a handicapper. He jumped so, so well and stayed going to the line.”

‘Fact To File has to step up’

Willie Mullins’ Fact To File heads the market for this race and perhaps understandably so. Jamie Codd is of the opinion that Mullins’ gelding has something to find to get to Stay Away Fay’s level and come out on top here. Codd said: “For me, he [Stay Away Fay] sets the standard for this race. Fact To File has to step up to get to Stay Away Fay.”

The case Codd makes for Stay Away Fay is certainly a strong one and the horse’s form suggests he could possess all the tools required to run a massive race at Cheltenham.

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