Cheltenham Festival Patterns: Medic just what the doctor ordered

/ Rory Delargy / 29 October 2009 / Leave a Comment

Robert and Sally Alner's Master Medic may find the trip in Ascot's Byrne Group Handicap Chase on the sharp side, but the outing looks certain to put him spot on for a tilt at Cheltenham's Paddy Power Gold Cup in a fortnight's time.

There are no fewer than eight Listed or Pattern contests this weekend in the UK and the jumps season has certainly hit its stride.

Friday
14:40 Wetherby bet365.com Handicap Chase - This listed contest can be seen as a Paddy Power Gold Cup prep for Knight Legend and Bible Lord, but both may find Bauhaus too strong. Nelson's Spice was grossly flattered last time at Cheltenham and must be avoided at a short price.

15:15 Wetherby (Friday) Weatherbys Bank Wensleydale Juvenile Hurdle - we won't see the Triumph Hurdle winner here and Mohanad can enhance Sheena West's reputation by winning again.

Saturday
14:20 Wetherby bet365 Mares Hurdle - with questions over the wellbeing of Dansimar, Izita Star could prove value; Annabel King's mare travelled well but didn't get home at Cheltenham last time.

14:55 Wetherby bet365 Charlie Hall Chase - not the greatest renewal and, unless Deep Purple proves a revelation over this trip, Tamarinbleu can take advantage of the race conditions to bounce back to form. None of these appeal as championship prospects,however.

15:25 Wetherby John Smith's Hurdle - last year's winner Pettifour will enjoy the lively ground and could get his hurdling career back on track with a repeat. He'd be an ideal RSA Chase prospect at the festival if switching to fences which remains a strong possibility.

13:50 Ascot United House Gold Cup H'cap Chase - Suzy Smith's admirable mare Aimigayle is a decent bet to bely long odds and hit the frame. If Can't Buy Time is declared, he would look the likeliest winner and is an exciting prospect given these conditions.

15:00 Ascot Williamhill.com Handicap Hurdle - Laura Mongan's Alsadaa loves to hear his hooves rattle round Ascot and is certain to run well here. Micheal Flips is an unexposed type from the in form yard of Andy Turnell and could be interesting now handicapping.

15:35 Ascot Byrne Group Handicap Chase - Master Medic is of some interest here but much more so for the Paddy Power Gold Cup; he's still progressing and would be a popular winner at Cheltenham in the colours of Champion Chase winner Katabatic. He's a general 16/1 chance for the November feature but he might be worth putting up a small back at bigger odds on Betfair as defeat on Saturday wouldn't be the end of the world.