Friday is the first of three cracking days of national hunt racing at Cheltenham. All eyes will be on Oscar Whisky as he embarks on his new chasing career and he should not be too severely tested with just three rivals. If he can convert his hurdles form to the bigger obstacles he will be an exciting prospect this season.
Of course, he isn’t really a betting proposition on Friday but there are plenty of competitive races to look at. Standing Ovation is likely to be all the rage in the opener after running out a clear cut winner of the Badger Ales Trophy at Wincanton. That was achieved off a mark of 120 and he has been raised to 127 tomorrow. David Pipe is a chip off the old block when it comes to taking horses through the handicap and it would be no surprise to see this one make it five on the bounce.
Conor O’Farrell has ridden him to all of his recent victories but amateur Mr S Clements takes over on Friday. He runs in the colours of the late David Johnson and it would be a poignant winner on the day of the Memorial race named in his honour. David Pipe has a fancied runner in that event with Top Gamble who is on a hat-trick after wins at Ffos Las. He must have a good chance but there are several promising types in opposition including Upswing, Whisper and Atlantic Roller.
I’ve never really been a fan of the cross country races but Balthazar King doesn’t seem to mind them and he looks a good bet at around 2-1 in the 3.15. He was only second here last year behind Uncle Junior but that one is getting a bit long in the tooth whilst Balthazar King continues to progress. It was a decent handicap that he won here in October and this looks like a drop in class.
Standing Ovation 13-8 Stan James
Balthazar King 2-1 Skybet, William Hill, Paddy Power
