By Andrew Atkinson
Al Dancer bid in Cheltenham Paddy Power Gold Cup
CHELTENHAM features the 20 runners Grade 3 Paddy Power Gold Cup Handicap Chase over 2m 4f on Saturday with Al Dancer (2.15) tipped each-way by fromthehorsesmouth.info with Sam Twiston-Davies up.
Paint The Dream, 16-1 from 25s, trained by Fergal O’Brien, is owned by jockey Connor Brace’s grandfather, David Brace.
“This is a massive meeting and race – it would be nice to walk back into the winner’s enclosure – winning a race like this on this horse, who is owned by Grandad and trained by Fergal, would be right at the top of my achievements,” said Connor.
Dan Skelton trained Protektorat, 11st 12lbs, priced at 11-2, Paul Nichols trained Lalor, 6-1, Al Dancer, 7-1, and Simply The Betts 12-1, are leading contenders in the Gold Cup, and Connor added: “They have watered the ground – top horses in the race may want genuine winter good-to-soft ground and may not love that as much as he does.
“That could be a big advantage as he is a horse who will go well on good ground, so hopefully that is in our favour.”
Knight Salute (12.30). Plan Of Attack (1.05) and Third Time Lucki (1.40) are tipped to win, the latter in The From The Horses Mouth Podcast Grade 2 Novices Chase, over 1m 7f.
CHELTENHAM fromthehorsesmouth.info selections: 12.30 Knight Salute (ew). 1.05 Plan Of Attack (ew). 1.40 Third Time Lucki. 2.15 Al Dancer (ew); Lalor (ew). 2.50 Proschema. 3.25 Breffin Boy (ew). 3.55 Where’s Maud Gone.
Cape Gentleman to land BetVictor Casino
At PUNCHESTOWN the Grade 2 BetVictor Casino Novices Chase over 2 miles is featured with hat-trick seeking Cape Gentleman (12.38) tipped to win.
Henry de Bromhead saddles Bob Olinger (12.00) and Gateaux De Miel (2.58) with Rachael Blackmore up.
PUNCHESTOWN fromthehorsesmouth.info selections: 12.00 Bob Olinger. 12.38 Cape Gentleman. 1.13 Iberique Du Seuil. 1.48 Purple Mountain. 2.23 Noble Birth. 2.58 Gateaux De Miel. 3.30 Minella Crooner.
Harry’s Bar eyes Lingfield Golden Rose
At LINGFIELD feature races are the Class 1 Listed Betway Golden Rose Stakes over 6 furlongs and the C1 Betway Listed Churchill Stakes over 1m 2f.
Harry’s Bar (7-1) ridden by Tom Marquand is tipped each-way in the Golden Rose and Pyledriver (3.40) trained by W. Muir & C. Grassing is tipped to land the Betway Churches Stakes.
LINGFIELD fromthehorsesmouth.info selections: 11.40 Three Start. 12.10 Independent Act. 12.45 Valentinka (ew). 1.20 Young Fire. 1.55 Desert Lime. 2.30 Smith (ew). 3.05 Harry’s Bar (ew). 3.40 Pyledriver.
Hobbs Boys Uttoxeter double bid
At UTTOXETER feature races are the Class 3 Hobgoblin IPA Handicap Chase over 3m 2f and the Wainwright British EBF Mares Novices Limited Handicap Chase over 2m 6f.
Peter Hobbs saddles Sandy Boy (2.07) and Little River Boy (2.42) tipped to win by fromthehorsesmouth.info.
Uttoxeter fromthehorsesmouth.info selections: 12.22 Mexican Boy (ew). 12.57 Court Jurado (ew). 1.32 Lupus Regem. 2.07 Sandy Boy. 2.42 Little River Boy. 3.17 Zulu Dawn (ew). 3.50 Newtonion (ew).
Hammond Wetherby raid
At WETHERBY the Class 2 All Steels Trading Introductory Hurdle over 2m is featured At the Yorkshire track.
Mick Hammond noted runners Cornerstone Lad (12.50) and Rory And Me (2.35). Solo Saxophone (1.25) with R. P. McLernon up is tipped to win.
Wetherby fromthehorsesmouth.info selections: 12.15 Thunder Rock. 12.50 Cornerstone Lad. 1.25 Solo Saxophone. 2.00 Palmers Hill (ew). 2.35 Rory And Me. 3.10 Champagne City. 3.45 Frau Georgia.
Kirby eyes Betway Handicap Wolverhampton win
WOLVERHAMPTON’S seven racecard evening meeting features the Class 3 Coral Fillies Conditions Stakes over 7 furlongs, with Charlie Appleby trained Wedding Dance (7.00) under James Doyle tipped to win.
Adam Kirby is noted riding Winklevi (8.00) tipped to land the Betway Handicap over 1 mile 5 furlongs.
Wolverhampton fromthehorsesmouth.info selections: 4.30 Billy Roberts (ew). 5.00 Sunshine Fun. 5.30 Antiphon. 6.00 Golden Warrior. 6.30 Arthur’s Seat. 7.00 Wedding Dance. 7.30 Shanghai Rock. 8.00 Winklevi.
