Now is the time for Highland to finally take some Acclaim this season

If at first you don't succeed, try, try and try again. Well, followers of HIGHLAND ACCLAIM will know that old proverb all too well and might think me mad for suggesting he can break his season-long losing habit at Doncaster (3.10pm) this afternoon. 

 

David O’Meara’s frustrating four-year-old will be having his 12th run of the campaign today with only a second place finish at York back in August to show for all those efforts.

 

In fact, having finished 18th on both his last two starts, he hardly appears to be lining up in red-hot form.

 

However, he never saw daylight last time and ran up behind a wall of horses.

 

Not only can that run be ignored, the handicapper has also dropped him a couple of pounds.  

 

Throw in the fact that the O’Meara team look to be back in better form and he looks worthy of support at 14/1 with Betway.

 

Cheltenham’s two-day Showcase meeting gets underway on unseasonably decent ground today and the best bet on this afternoon’s card looks to be Nicky Henderson’s CLONDAW BANKER in the lucky last (5.40pm).

 

He begins life in handicaps from a mark of just 121 which looks lenient when you consider he was beaten just over three lengths by Jolly’s Cracked It, who is now rated 138, on his hurdling debut last season.

 

Philip Hobbs has his team in good order too and can land the maiden hurdle (4.30pm) with DRUMLEE SUNSET.

 

He won his bumper at Exeter back in February and connections opted to give him time and not run at the major festivals.

 

Their patience can be rewarded this afternoon.