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2:25 Cheltenham squareintheair.com Handicap Chase

Cheltenham is back and we’re excited to once again be sponsoring at the Showcase Meeting. Whilst our Chairman, Bill Esdaile, is busy tipping winners in City AM’s weekly The Punter column, we’ve called on another SITA racing nut to preview our race this Friday…

07/11/2024

2:25 Cheltenham | squareintheair.com Handicap Chase

Jamie Woollen’s runner-by-runner guide will hopefully help you get a run for your money!

DANCING ON MY OWN

He's been a great horse for connections over the years, winning this race last year and he showed he still retains his ability winning at Ballinrobe in August. He does have to shoulder top weight here, but it would be no surprise if he came home in front.

MATATA

Jamie’s verdict: He ran a good race up in grade in the Arkle at last year's Festival and is a good traveller, but can be suspect to the odd jumping error which has been his undoing in the past. If he has ironed out the jumping errors, then he could make his current mark of 147 look silly, but I'll need to see that before I back him at 5/2!

CALICO

He's come down nicely in the weights, now 1lb above his last winning mark and the partnership with Harry Skelton, who was in the saddle when he finished ¾ of a length behind Triple Trade at the Cheltenham November Meeting last year, is reestablished. Calico has a 5lb swing in the weights with the reopposing Triple Trade this time and could go close if tuned up for this reappearance.

ARCLIGHT

He looked a horse on the improve winning three on the bounce before a disappointing performance at Kempton in February where he quickly dropped out of contention after a mistake. He's been given a good break by Nicky Henderson and further improvement could be forthcoming.

TRIPLE TRADE

He finished second in this contest last year behind the reopposing Dancing On My Own and he always runs his race. Now dropping to his last winning mark of 135, Harry Cobden is an eye-catching booking in the saddle and there's no reason he can't improve on his finish from 2023.

SCARFACE

He's arguably the most consistent horse in this field, running into the frame on each of his last six starts. His third behind In Excelsis Deo at the track was no disgrace and there's no reason to believe he won't run his race again, but there may be one or two better handicapped rivals.

COSTGUARD STATION

I've come down on Coastguard Station here. He was kept going over the summer months by Henry Oliver, enjoying a successful campaign with two wins at Fakenham and Uttoxeter, he was then given four months off before reappearing over hurdles at Hexham. He stayed on nicely enough there to suggest there's more in the tank and there looks to be a strong pace here which will suit a closer, 14/1 looks a good each way bet for a horse that should be staying on up the hill past rivals who may not have the same level of fitness.

SIR TIVO

Another horse who has been brilliant for his connections. Now at the grand age of 10 he can definitely still win races for Gary Hanmer, but he may just find the step up in grade a little too sharp here.

ROYAL MER

Jack Tudor and David Pipe are in great form. He looked a progressive horse landing a treble earlier in the year and is probably worth another go if you’re happy to forgive him his latest showing at Ayr, which was too bad to be true.

JAMIE’S TIP: COASTGUARD STATION

2:25 Cheltenham | squareintheair.com Handicap Chase

Jamie Woollen’s runner-by-runner guide will hopefully help you get a run for your money!

DANCING ON MY OWN

He's been a great horse for connections over the years, winning this race last year and he showed he still retains his ability winning at Ballinrobe in August. He does have to shoulder top weight here, but it would be no surprise if he came home in front.

MATATA

Jamie’s verdict: He ran a good race up in grade in the Arkle at last year's Festival and is a good traveller, but can be suspect to the odd jumping error which has been his undoing in the past. If he has ironed out the jumping errors, then he could make his current mark of 147 look silly, but I'll need to see that before I back him at 5/2!

CALICO

He's come down nicely in the weights, now 1lb above his last winning mark and the partnership with Harry Skelton, who was in the saddle when he finished ¾ of a length behind Triple Trade at the Cheltenham November Meeting last year, is reestablished. Calico has a 5lb swing in the weights with the reopposing Triple Trade this time and could go close if tuned up for this reappearance.

ARCLIGHT

He looked a horse on the improve winning three on the bounce before a disappointing performance at Kempton in February where he quickly dropped out of contention after a mistake. He's been given a good break by Nicky Henderson and further improvement could be forthcoming.

TRIPLE TRADE

He finished second in this contest last year behind the reopposing Dancing On My Own and he always runs his race. Now dropping to his last winning mark of 135, Harry Cobden is an eye-catching booking in the saddle and there's no reason he can't improve on his finish from 2023.

SCARFACE

He's arguably the most consistent horse in this field, running into the frame on each of his last six starts. His third behind In Excelsis Deo at the track was no disgrace and there's no reason to believe he won't run his race again, but there may be one or two better handicapped rivals.

COSTGUARD STATION

I've come down on Coastguard Station here. He was kept going over the summer months by Henry Oliver, enjoying a successful campaign with two wins at Fakenham and Uttoxeter, he was then given four months off before reappearing over hurdles at Hexham. He stayed on nicely enough there to suggest there's more in the tank and there looks to be a strong pace here which will suit a closer, 14/1 looks a good each way bet for a horse that should be staying on up the hill past rivals who may not have the same level of fitness.

SIR TIVO

Another horse who has been brilliant for his connections. Now at the grand age of 10 he can definitely still win races for Gary Hanmer, but he may just find the step up in grade a little too sharp here.

ROYAL MER

Jack Tudor and David Pipe are in great form. He looked a progressive horse landing a treble earlier in the year and is probably worth another go if you’re happy to forgive him his latest showing at Ayr, which was too bad to be true.

JAMIE’S TIP: COASTGUARD STATION

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