CHELTENHAM NH MEETING -- NEW YEARS DAY 2019

Welcome to 2019, Happy New Year to you all.

We kick off the new year with the traditional New Year January 1st meeting at Cheltenham, which will be the broadcast live on ITV once again so if it's cold out and you cannot get there, stay in the warm, finish off the last of the Christmas booze and chocolates and enjoy the jumpers in action. We have about ten weeks till the Cheltenham festival in March so each meeting should have it's own clues to the future, maybe not so much the big races but the handicaps will certainly attract plenty of interest.

Today it's a 7 race card, the feature events are a pair of Grade 2 contests, the Dipper Novices Chase and the Relkeel Hurdle which are both run over 2m 4f. 

Going -- Good to Soft.
Here are our selections for the New Year Day card;

12:15 -- 2m 4f 56y Novice Hurdle (Listed).
Happy New Year and we start the season at Cheltenham with a listed hurdle for novices, a field of 8 declared and headed by COOLANLY from the Fergal O'Brien yard who will have to concede 5lb in weight to his opponents today. 

ANEMOI has won a couple of hurdle contests at Ascot and Doncaster and will fancy his chances of a hat trick here along with I CAN'T EXPLAIN a winner at Sandown so this uphill finish shouldn't be an issue.

Result:
1.  JARVEYS PLATE   12/1
2.  I CAN'T EXPLAIN   5/6F
3.  ANEMOI   9/2  

12:50 -- 3m 2f 70y Handicap Chase.
A field of ten are declared for the handicap chase next, all could have a chance if they stand up and should ensure a true run race. Joint top weights BEWARE THE BEAR and RONINSFIRTH the latter is a course and distance winner here a month ago and should be able to shoulder the weight too. SOME CHAOS should continue to improve for the step up in trip and is considered the biggest danger in the field.

Result:
1.  BEWARE THE BEAR   7/2
2.  SHANROE SANTOS   10/1
3.  PERFECT CANDIDATE   16/1

YANWORTH WINNING THE 2018 DIPPER CHASE

13:25 -- 2m 4f 127y "The Dipper" Novices Chase (Grade 2).

As expected it's a small field for the first of our Grade 2 races, the novices go chasing and each of the quintet have a chance if their jumping holds up. DEFI DU SEUIL gives his opponents 3lb for his win at Exeter last time out, shouldn't be an issue though the inexperience might be a problem for BLACK OP who was 3rd in that event and I don't see him overturning that form this quickly. 

CRUCIAL ROLE [Non Runner] won a beginners chase last month but might be better over further in time while LOSTINTRANSLATION looks one paced and the hill should be a problem even if he jumps the last ahead. Leaving ON THE BLIND SIDE as the big danger a multiple hurdle winner at good tracks should be ready to go on debut and it's noted that his yard go straight to a Grade 2 contest and not give him an easier novice chase to start off with.

Result:
1.  LOSTINTRANSLATION   3/1
2.  DEFI DU SEUIL    5/2

14:00 -- 2m 4f 127y Handicap Chase (Grade 3).
Tricky chase follows next, of the nine declared not many you can discount although top weight ASO looks unlikely to win here having tried around Cheltenham five times before now and failed to trouble the judge each time, might be best on tracks like Newbury where we won last time out. WON .. what do I know !! 

I'll take the paid of GIVE ME A COPPER and BORN SURVIVOR against the field today the former should go well for the inform Paul Nicholls yard and will give young Harry Cobden another good ride. Born Survivor looks a safe jumper for the Skelton team and likes to lead so should be up front making it a good test. Decent bet to place at least for that one.

Result:
1.  ASO   3/1F
2.  HAPPY DIVA   8/1
3.  BALLYHILL   7/1

14:35 -- 2m 7f 213y Handicap Hurdle.
A staying handicap hurdle now and a field of 14 line up so should be fast and furious even though the emphasis on stamina VIVE LE ROI is in good form winning three of his last four outings and regularly in the frame too should be popular. Both SHALAKAR and LORD DU MESNIL are a pair that should also appreciate the trip and the going, looks a cracking race to enjoy.

Result:
1.  AUX PTITS SOINS   5/1F
2.  DE NAME EVADES ME    11/2
3.  THE EAGLE HAS LANDED   12/1

15:10 -- 2m 4f 56y Relkeel Hurdle (Grade 2).
Certainly nothing of the quality of Relkeel here but will be interesting enough with another good field lined up although only the six runners. MIDNIGHT SHADOW has been running with great credit and is certainly worth his place in this field, OLD GUARD is a grand servant but probably not good enough here while CLYNE was a good runner up to Unowhatimeanharry at Newbury last time and should be thereabouts again. 

Unusual that Nicky Henderson sends THOMAS CAMPBELL back to hurdles having been novice chasing if fully wound up this might be a good call and it's that one and Clyne who I will pair as the forecast bet. 

Result:
1.  MIDNIGHT SHADOW   8/1
2.  WHOLESTONE   6/4F

15:50 -- 1m 5f 209y Open NH Flat Race.
Concluding with a bumper, a decent one for it's level but hardly anything to go on so just reputation and yards I guess, all three year olds, should do better in time. I'll side with the bottom one RIPPLET this filly easily accounted for her opponents at Exeter and the weight allowance will also be in her favour. Not a race for me to be too involved with though.

Result:
1.  GLORY AND FORTUNE   7/2
2.  CASCOVA    3/1
3.  BOOK OF INVASIONS   15/2

Results will be updated here later today, and the rest of the New Year fixtures will feature events from Kempton Park on Wednesday nights as well as all the cards at Pontefract on the flat, and the bigger 2019 Festivals from Cheltenham, Aintree, Royal Ascot, Glorious Goodwood and Galway amongst may others. Have fun this year.