CHELTENHAM NH "SHOWCASE" MEETING DAY ONE - FRIDAY 23rd OCTOBER

TWO DAY CHELTENHAM "SHOWCASE" MEETING
FRIDAY 23rd OCTOBER 2020
The wait is finally over as the days begin to get shorter and the crisp mornings return, it can only mean one thing – Cheltenham is back. The thundering of hooves and cheers from the crowd will return to The Jockey Club’s world class sporting venue on Friday 23rd and Saturday 24th October to kick start another season of extraordinary moments.

Racing remains behind closed doors for the foreseeable future, and all trainers, jockeys and officials are following strict Covid-19 procedures.

With jockeys, trainers, owners and racegoers alike making their season debut at The Showcase meeting, it is a huge shame that we still have to have our racing behind closed door and the famous gates remain shut to spectators on both Friday 23rd and Saturday 24th October for another extraordinary season. So for this meeting we intend to look through the card and pick out one or two interesting selections. The opening race on our seven race card, The Ballymore Novices hurdle, is scheduled for 1:50pm and the final race for conditional jockey's should be off (low sun permitting) around 5:15pm. Hopefully we'll have a fun and profitable NH Season. 

1:50  The Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle

2m 5f   (Class 2  7 runners)

Our opening contest on this seven race card has only the seven runners so each way opportunities limited to only first two, so we'll look at two to win against the field. Top trainer Paul Nicholls is always likely to have fancied runners here and with Ask for Glory looking to go off favourite after a wind operation we will look for alternatives. MIDNIGHT RIVER won for Dan Skelton at Uttoxeter, and fit from that run could well follow up. TOPOFTHECOTSWOLDS runs for the Twiston Davies yard and could put his wealth of experience to go use here and could well make the running as he did to good effect at Uttoxeter last month.

Winner - (3) Does He Know @9/1 [David Bass].

2:25  The Matchbook Better Way To Bet Novices’ Steeple Chase

3m 1/2f  (Class 2  6 runners)

Just the six for this chase, and GALVIN [Won 2/1f] is very interesting coming over from Ireland for Gordon Elliott already winner of last three chase wins and was runner up at the festival here in March, going to take a lot of beating. SOLDIER OF LOVE [2nd 10/1] has come on leaps and bounds since his Kempton fall and with improvement to follow should enjoy the trip as an offspring of the mighty Yeats. Support for Ask Dillion or Mossy Fen could be interesting as they make their chase debuts in a reasonably hot race. 

Winner - (2) Galvin @2/1f [R M Power].

3:00  Squareintheair.com Handicap Hurdle

2m 5f  (Class 3  20 runners)

Although beaten at a short price in a four runner event FIX SUN might not seem like a sensible choice but with a larger field and a stronger gallop this well regarded inmate of Nicky Henderson should be on the premises in this handicap. While YEAVERING BELLE has picked up a couple of races earlier in the year and will have the benefit of race fitness compared to some and should be another to consider in a quite open contest.

Winner - (19) Captain Tom Cat @15/2 [Cillin Leonard].

3:35  Bentley Flying Spur Handicap Chase

2m  (Class 2  13 runners)

Winner at Southwell HATCHER had also been keeping busy on the all weather, and could well take this for the Skelton team. Also interested in the Gary Moore trained BEAT THE JUDGE ran away with a Fontwell chase, beating several of the top stables, does make the odd mistake but will chance it given the way he finishes off his races the hill here shouldn't hold any fears. Plenty of respect for top weight Dolos (P Nicholls) but feel that the combination ground, first time out, and conceding weight all round might be too much but is certainly one to keep onside this season and will be winning races soon enough.

Winner - (2) Rouge Vif @5/1 [D A Jacob].

4:10  Catesby Estates Maiden Hurdle

2m ½f  (Class 3  8 runners)

Was sent off favourite for a similar maiden hurdle last time FAIVOIR is given another opportunity for his yard to show his wellbeing. Has a lot to fear from Nicky Henderson's PIPESMOKER [Non Runner] has been placed at Cheltenham and Ascot and this does represent a far easier opportunity to score. While the 5yo mare FOUND ON was staying on in a bumper and could run well into a place here though a longer trip should also see her in a better light in the future and perhaps one for the diary.

Winner -  (3) Falvoir @4/11f [Harry Skelton].

4:45  Two Farmers Crisps Novices’ Chase

2m  (Class 2  4 runners)

Just the four line up, with an odds on fav in FUSIL RAFFLES, the 5yo from Nicky Henderson already a novice chase winner this season and likely to prove to hot to handle for the three opponents here. Getaway Trump (P Nicholls) is a bit in and out and not one of the stables star turns, should win races during the year though, Return Ticket (Rebecca Menzies) and Sir Valentine (Nigel Twiston-Davies) will hopefully get round fine, and pick up some place money for their efforts.

Winner -  (1) Fusil Raffles @4/5f [D A Jacob].

5:15  The Back and Lay at Matchbook Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle Race

2m ½f  (Class 3  18 runners)

An eighteen runner hurdle for conditional jockeys to finish with plenty of winners amongst them, some of the big yards are represented, WILD MAX (P Nicholls) a dual winner at Taunton when Harry Cobden rode, and NANABELLE (N Henderson) a winner in France and needs to settle better than when beaten at odds on in her Uk debut. TEGEREK could go well for this jockey again at a decent price, so backed the place.

Winner - (16) Tegerek @5/1 [K Brogan].

Hope you have enjoyed the day, will update results here later when we can throughout the afternoon and we'll also have the second day details published for Saturday soon.