Racing tips: Powerful Position looks set to make it back to back wins for Christian Williams

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It was unfortunate to come away with just one win yesterday as No Cruise Yet couldn't hold on in the dying stages to fend off Dee Star who to his credit battled like a lion to win. Elvis in the comments mentioned No Cruise Yet has an entry for next week, so depending on his odds, I think I'll be returning with a bet on him.

Minella Plus was the winner, beating the odds-on favourite horse from the Fergal O'Brien stable. The runner-up slipped around the bend (I think) and that allowed Minella Plus to take the lead and win comfortably. Whether or not that incident changed the outcome, who knows?

Cheltenham 1:35

When the first Cheltenham meeting comes around you know we're starting the jumps season off properly. Today's racing at Cheltenham is competitive as ever and a lot of Irish runners have come over which is nice to see, as it makes it more diverse and better from a betting standpoint.

For my first selection of the day, I have gone with LIVELY CITIZEN who might be on a tough handicap mark, but I know for sure that he handles this track and won't mind any rain which arrives, so is undoubtedly a good EW play in this.

Archie Bellamy takes off a handy 6lbs, and has a good partnership with this horse which is always a big positive in a conditional's only race. This jockey won on him last December at Cheltenham in a Class 3 handicap so they both have experience together around this track. He is a gutsy horse who stays up the hill really well. He has a bit of class about him as well, as shown when finishing second in the Imperial Cup at Sandown last March behind Surprise Package who is currently rated 145, so has some good form to match his course form.

Cheltenham 3:20

There are some potential nice horses to follow for the rest of the season in this race, but one who might be more ready for this race than the others is FOUND ON who arrives to Cheltenham looking for the five-timer.

Martin Keighley's 7yo novice chaser has enjoyed the transition to the larger obstacles and has managed to rack up four wins, with three done in relatively quick succession between March and May. Though the form isn't probably at the level of some of the others, I still believe it is good form and something which shouldn't be overlooked. He beat Shetland Bus by 12L in April. That horse has since won twice recently after running well on a few occasions. On Found On's most latest start he beat a horse called Twig who was a winning selection for me a week or so ago, and like I said, he went on to win since and I think he is a horse who could potentially win again.

Found On is a horse who stays further than today's trip, handles ease in the ground (won a PTP on soft) and is a front runner. All three are a positive for me in this. Knowing he stays further than today's trip is a big positive for me as you know he will continue to run on and stay up the hill when others might not, especially when fitness becomes a factor. If the rain arrives and comes in big amounts then it might go against a few in this field, whereas it shouldn't bother Found On. Front running could result in him putting a lot of pressure on the jumping of the others in the race, and with them being novices, that could spell disaster for the rest.

Cheltenham 4:30

We all know how good of a trainer Christian Williams is, especially when he trains a horse with a target in mind. I have no doubts in my mind that he has purposely aimed his horse, POWERFUL POSITION at today's race.

Christian won this race last year with Strictlyadancer who had one run before coming to this race which came 14 days before. So it's hardly a coincidence that Powerful Position has taken the same route and raced 14 days prior to today's race (both raced at Chepstow), which should have him primed and ready to fire and get in the winners' enclosure.

Powerful Position ended last season in good form over fences, winning 4 from 10 and finishing 2nd on his last start behind yesterday's selection No Cruise Yet, which I rate to be good form, hence the tip from yesterday. Off a mark of 113 I think there is still more improvement to come with a good young jockey doing the steering (Freddie Gordon) who takes off 5lbs.

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