Horse racing betting tips: Mister Whitaker looks all Gold back at Cheltenham
EVEN though it supposedly kicked-off last month, the real start of the National Hunt season for many is at Cheltenham this weekend.
The feature race of their three-day November meeting is tomorrow’s BetVictor Gold Cup (2.25pm) which looks as competitive as ever.
A maximum field of 20 were declared yesterday, with the weights headed by the ultra-tough Frodon, ridden by Bryony Frost, who rode out her claim earlier this week.
Wind surgery over the summer looked to have made all the difference to him and he looks sure to go well despite his higher mark.
However, the one I like is Mick Channon’s MISTER WHITAKER who continues to climb the ranks at a rate of knots.
Having won the novices’ handicap chase at the Festival last March off a mark of 137, he made an impressive reappearance at Carlisle off 8lbs higher.
He’s got to shoulder another 7lbs higher tomorrow, but that may not be enough to stop him and the 13/2 with Coral looks really tempting.
If there is one horse in this field who could end up contesting the Grade One Ryanair Chase back here in March, it is most likely him.
Rather Be supporters will point out that Nicky Henderson’s runner is now 9lbs better off with my selection on his favoured sound surface and he looks a real danger.
The only negative with him is that he lacks a recent outing, but he should go close.
Keep an eye-out for David Pipe’s King’s Socks too, as he has had a wind operation over the summer and looks well-handicapped.
Looking at the rest of tomorrow’s card, Henderson could introduce a smart one in the shape of NEVER ADAPT in the opening juvenile hurdle (12.40pm).
She wouldn’t want the ground to get too quick, but she was smart in France and may follow in similar hoofprints to the same stable’s Apple’s Shakira who won this 12 months ago.
The final runners for the 3m3½f handicap chase (1.50pm) won’t be known until later this morning, but keep an eye out to see whether ROYAL VACATION is declared.
With his stable in unbelievable form and now down to a mark of just 143, he could easily go well at a massive 20/1.
Looking at Sunday’s action and sadly there is no Altior in the Shloer Chase (2.25pm), so the Henderson team relies on BRAIN POWER.
The market is headed by Sceau Royal who hasn’t been seen since winning at Doncaster in January.
He is unquestionably talented but hasn’t always looked the most straightforward in a finish and I prefer the chances of Brain Power at 3/1.
The better ground should suit him and even though he has had his fair share of jumping problems, he’s another year older now and gets a valuable 3lbs from Sceau Royal.
Finally, the big betting race on Sunday is the Unibet Greatwood Hurdle (3.00pm) where again the Henderson yard have a great chance with Verdana Blue.
She looks likely to make a quick appearance after winning at Wincanton last weekend and the ground has come good for her again.
However, she is pretty short at around 9/2, particularly under her huge weight and there may be better value elsewhere.
I’m going to take a chance on WESTERN RYDER who is set to be ridden by champion Jockey Richard Johnson.
He could be well-handicapped off his mark of 145, with plenty of strong form in the book back on a sound surface.
Some of his best form has come at this track where he finished fifth behind Fayonagh in the Champion Bumper.
He then beat Lalor here in December and came back to finish a close-up sixth in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.
He’s likely to have strengthened up over the summer and with his stable in good form, can go well at 7/1 with Ladbrokes.
POINTERS SATURDAY
Never Adapt 12.40pm Cheltenham
Royal Vacation e/w 1.50pm Cheltenham
Mister Whitaker e/w 2.25pm Cheltenham
SUNDAY
Brain Power 2.25pm Cheltenham
Western Ryder e/w 3.00pm Cheltenham