Cheltenham 2016: Voice of Value’s Network Final Tips

• 2.10pm
• Run over hurdles
• Competitive handicap
• Run over 3 miles but they go at a frantic pace so stamina is essential as is accuracy over the hurdles

This is a race for handicap ‘plots’ – horses who have been trained exclusively for this race at the expense of better performances elsewhere – and also those have enough experience to cope with the hurly burly and the stiff test of stamina.

It’s not quite a lottery but it’s not far off and my first selection is a nice juicy each way shot to nothing. FLINTHAM might not be the obvious choice – his only run at Cheltenham was poor but I’m willing to forgive him that run given his other attributes – his subsequent win at Warwick in January was tenacious in the extreme and he has been put away since then, presumably for this race.

There may be a suspicion that he doesn’t like good ground but I’m not convinced that is the case given his breeding and he is a full brother to Carruthers who had a couple of decent runs on good ground. Flintham also won at Ascot on good ground. He has to carry a big weight here but Charlie Deutsch is a capable apprentice who takes off 5 pounds and he is the sort of horse who would be perfect in a battle coming up the hill.

With Flintham you also have the added bonus of the zany Bradstock family being involved in the celebrations afterwards.

If you are looking for something more straightforward then CUP FINAL has obvious claims – unexposed as a stayer and lightly raced, he bounced back from a long spell out to win last time at Musselburgh and the better ground should be fine.

Nicky Henderson is on the crest of a wave at the moment and this might be the one to give him another win.