THE most obscure race of the meeting requires skill to pick the winner. Can Graeme Johnston (@GraemeJ_83) or The Voice Of Value oblige?
Cheltenham 16:00 | Cross Country Chase | Channel 4
A race I enjoy to watch, maybe not a high class event, but its something different and the perfect event to rejuvenate wayward chasers!
Enda Bolger has a good record in this race providing us with the two best winners in Spotthedifference and Garde Champetre. This year he has another JP McManus owned contender in Quantatitiveeasing, but I don’t see him following in his stablemates hoof prints.
There are three cross country chases a season at Cheltenham, and you normally find very similar fields showing up. In the latest of these events Any Currency put up a convincing display running out a 12 length winner.
Now in his senior years, Any Currency loves the cross country course at Cheltenham, finishing second in this event last year, and being placed on another three occasions.
Even though he is creeping up the weights now, I still think he will run a huge race and I have him as the one to beat. There is no Balthazar King this season, and I believe Any Currency will inherit his crown offering real value at 11/2.
Best Bet – Graeme Johnston
Cheltenham 16:00 – Any Currency to win (11/2 BetBright)
This is a very unique test of stamina and just as importantly, the versatility of the horse’s jumping. The runners meet all sorts of obstacles on their way round and it can be tricky to get into a rhythm. Horses with experience over the course are at a big advantage.
In recent years Sire Collonges has run almost exclusively over the Cross Country course at Cheltenham and that experience will stand him in good stead.
He went off at a fair old clip in the same race last year before fading but he has won over the course before and I expect Sam Twiston Davies will be more patient with him than Ryan Mahon was that time. Hopefully he can get round safely and give us something to shout about towards the end of the race.
Best Bet – The Voice Of Value
Cheltenham 16:00 – Sire Collonges each way (13/2 BetBright)
TOPICS Cheltenham Tips Horse Racing Tips
