Alan Thomson’s Tips: Vision of beauty on Cheltenham’s opening day

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VISION DES FLOS (3.35) looked one to follow after running a promising third to Poetic Rhythm and he can take revenge on his Chepstow conqueror on 5lb better terms.

That was Vision Des Flos' first start for Colin Tizzard, having won a Punchestown bumper for Robert Tyner on his debut back in April. This is a tough test, with several fancied runners in opposition, but Vision Des Flos possesses bags of scope.

There is a big field going to post for the novices' handicap hurdle but I'm hopeful OXWICH BAY (1.15) will reward an each-way investment.

Evan Williams continues to saddle plenty of winners and Oxwich Bay is due to go up 6lb in future races after his second to One For Billy at Warwick last Friday. He was a well-backed 6-4 favourite that day, so clearly was expected to go close.

JP McManus's Counter Shy beat Banditry two lengths at Worcester and is a pound better off. Soft ground may have contributed to his Uttoxeter defeat and he'll probably be better served by this sounder surface.

Zalvados experienced the hurly-burly of a 19-runner handicap at Aintree in April when third to subsequent Scottish Champion Hurdle winner Chesterfield and a repeat of that run would put him bang in the picture.

At Lingfield, PERSISTENCE (2.35) will be hard to beat in the Betway Maiden Stakes on the strength of her third to Precious Ramotswe at Newbury. John Gosden's winner was an 81-rated three-year-old and there is nothing of that calibre in opposition today.

Recommended bets

• Cheltenham 3.35 – Vision Des Flos 11-4 bet365
• Cheltenham 1.15 – Oxwich Bay ew 11-2 Betfair
• Lingfield 2.35 – Persistence 3-1 bet365

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