Strictlyadancer was placed in the Amateur jockey's race, ensuring it wasn't a complete bloodbath after Scarface jumped like a snooker table and wasn't good enough earlier in the day.
Strictlyadancer went through the race in patches, especially in the final half circuit. The jockey appeared to not be happy, then the horse was back on the bridle, then he was under pressure again and it didn't look like a place was going to be secured until the final few strides when the horse managed to have a bit more stamina than the eventual sixth-placed horse.
Cairnzy's Tips
Make You Smile 6/1 – Newbury 3.10
For my sole selection on Saturday I'm going to take a chance on the Hugo Palmer trained Make You Smile, who at 6/1 looks a cracking bet against those towards the head of the market.
The conditions at Newbury will be testing on Saturday, and opting for a horse that will handle the ground looks the way to go in my opinion.
Although the horse has only raced one time. Make You Smile certainly ticks the boxes when it comes to finding a horse who will handle the testing conditions. His sole run came at Newbury on heavy ground, which saw him plough through the mud to win comfortably by just under 3L. He Hit the line hard on that occasion, suggesting he had more in the tanks which gives me the impression he will be well suited to the galloping track at Newbury.
The form of his debut run reads not too badly either with the third placed horse, Artic Voyage hacking up by just over 6L on his next run, notably on heavy ground as well.
Current the market leader Yaroogh comes here on the back of a Listed win at Chantilly on heavy ground two weeks ago. On figures, he's the one to beat but he may be vulnerable to an improver and for that reason I thought he was worth taking on with my selection.
Rizzel's Tips
Bob Bob Ricard 10/1 EW (4pl) – Cheltenham 1.10
There were a few horses in this race that got my attention but I eventually landed on Bob Bob Ricard who has made a nice start to his chase career with two wins from two efforts earlier in the summer.
I've always been a fan of Bob Bob Ricard and I've always felt that there was plenty of ability based on his runs over hurdles (before his chase starts). Prior to his chase runs he had run well in novice/maiden company and the horses ahead of him looked like nice prospects, so for him to be 2/2 over fences now is hardly a surprise. I think the O'Neill stable noticed that this lad was much better over fences and decided to put him away for when the jumps seasons really kicked off, rather than running him over the summer in some poor prize money races, as I think they felt that he is on a good mark and they can make it worth for races like today.
His jumping on chase debut wasn't great, but he showed his class by winning the race in the end. Last time out he jumped much better, and with that experience under his belt, as well as many more schooling sessions, he could be ready for today's sterner test of jumping at Cheltenham.
His fitness should be ahead of most in the race as he had a run 29 days ago, and the ground at Cheltenham should be perfect for him. He is an each-way price, and I think he comes into this race with a decent chance. If the ground was bottomless, I would have been interested in the Joe Tizzard chase debutante, Lord Of Thunder, as he looked like a really nice horse for the future, but his form has been on soft ground.
Broadway Boy 10/3 – Cheltenham 2.20 (2pt)
I could be completely wrong about this race, but I seriously don't think it's as competitive as what it might appear to be at a first glance, and as a result, I think Broadway Boy has a nice chance from a big weight.
If I don't think the race is too strong, then surely one of the classier horses will win it and that's why I've opted for Broadway Boy who enjoyed a fantastic start to his chasing career around this time last year. His form didn't carry through to the end of the season, but based on his runs over fences at the start of the season, it might be the best time to catch him.
He managed to win a Listed race and Grade 3 between 3m and 3m 2f on soft ground, so the better racing ground is something which might be a problem. But, based on how he progressed and beat some decent horses at this track last year, as well as the runner-up finish to Flooring Porter, I think he might be able to progress further this year and turn into a horse that could compete in some big races, maybe the quality handicaps off big weights.
In December 2020 we sadly 
