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A POTENTIAL £500k jackpot at Cheltenham has necessitated a change of approach and today I am trying to plunder the loot.
2pm – Nicky Henderson appears to hold a strong hand in this opening contest, saddling Ma Filleule and the unexposed Springinherstep.
While the latter is obviously open to plenty of improvement, it is Ma Filleule, an impressive Grade 2 winner at Warwick on her penultimate start, that has the strongest form credentials, and she can bounce back to winning ways having disappointed on her handicap debut at the Festival last time.
It is well worth forgiving her that effort, however, as she seemed to be unsuited by the emphasis on stamina and the drop back to seventeen furlongs looks sure to suit. It may also be worth including the Donald McCain-trained Doyly Carte as the sounder surface could bring about an improved performance from this speedy type.
2.35pm – With some formidable races to tackle later on the card, we will need to take the brave route and select a banker in the shape of Marie des Anges.
Anthony Honeyball's mare has taken well to fences, winning all three of her completed starts, and she still appears to be well treated, a rise of 6 lb for her most recent victory at Newbury not looking at all harsh for this progressive sort.
Some of her rivals arrive in this contest in good form but few have the scope for improvement that Marie des Anges possesses and she can hopefully see us through to the third leg.
3.10pm – An impressive winner on her penultimate start at Ludlow, Prima Porta was by no means disgraced when upped in grade in the David Nicholson Mares' Hurdle at the Festival last month, finishing with a flourish to pass the post in sixth having been given plenty to do.
She has only had the six starts over hurdles so there is room for further improvement and it would be little surprise to see this strong-travelling mare throw down a serious challenge. Well behind Prima Porta at Ludlow was the Peter Bowen-trained Big Time Billy.
However, that effort came at a time when the stable's runners were struggling for form, and Big Time Billy's two most recent appearances have been a lot more encouraging, her wide-margin victory over Occasionally Yours at Fakenham last time looking like a particularly good piece of form considering that horse's subsequent easy success at Fontwell. From a handicapping perspective, Big Time Billy could still be ahead of her mark and ought to be included in the pot.
3.45pm – Cedre Bleu, a narrow winner at Haydock last month, looks to have an excellent chance. Paul Nicholls' rangy gelding has shown some useful form over fences and while he didn't need to improve to score at Haydock, he gave the impression that there was plenty more to come. The eventual winning distance of a short-head didn't do Cedre Bleu justice as he idled badly close home.
Once such a reliable and high-class chaser, Midnight Chase has been badly out of form on his three starts since making a respectable return in the Charlie Hall Chase, but the handicapper has given him a chance, dropping him to a mark of 147, and if the blinkers, which are being deployed for the first time, have a positive effect it is easy to see him going close.
4.20pm – Another fiercely competitive handicap to try and dissect and the obvious place to start with is Sam Winner. Bitterly disappointing when sent off as favourite for the Pertemps Final at the Festival, Sam Winner certainly looks capable of better than he has shown in this sphere.
It is just a matter of whether he has the application to deliver on his promise. His attitude is very much under suspicion but it is worth keeping him onside such is his obvious potential from this mark and he could respond positively to the fitting of blinkers.
He is no banker, however, so we will also include Big Easy. Big Easy quickly developed into a useful handicap hurdler last year but has been restricted to just three starts this term. He did, however, shape promisingly when finishing sixth in the Coral Cup at the Festival and looks as though the step up to three miles could suit.
4.55pm – Anquetta's three wins over fences may have come racing on right-handed tracks, but his fourth-place finish in last year's Grand Annual Chase is up there with the best of his form and it may be worth taking a chance on Nicky Henderson's gelding.
Anquetta failed to make an impression at Aintree last time in the Red Rum Chase but it seemed difficult for hold-up performers to get involved in that particular contest and he has claims in this less-competitive event. Kie is a thoroughly consistent and likeable type and should once again give his running, so he is also included in the Jackpot.
Jackpot Selections
2pm – 1, 3
2.35pm – 7
3.10pm – 4, 13
3.45pm – 1, 4
4.20pm – 3, 6
4.55pm – 1, 3
= 32 lines
Milesey (Betfair)
Jackpot Selections
2pm – 1, 3
2.35pm – 7
3.10pm – 4, 13
3.45pm – 1, 4
4.20pm – 3, 6
4.55pm – 1, 3
= 32 lines
RESULT
2:00 3, 1
Milesey
2pm – 1, 3
2.35pm – 7
3.10pm – 4, 13
3.45pm – 1, 4
4.20pm – 3, 6
4.55pm – 1, 3
= 32 lines
RESULT
2:00 3, 1
2:35 6, 5 **NUMBER 7 FALLER**
Milesey