Betfair Official Blog

Cheltenham Open Meeting Day Two: Through the card with Graham Cunningham

Click here to view market

Another day, another clutch of leading fancies representing Paul Nicholls and Ruby Walsh. Day one of Cheltenham's Open Meeting produced two victories for the most powerful duo in jump racing. Our man Graham Cunningham puts Silverburn and the rest of their Saturday stars under the spotlight and also nominates a live longshot for the featured paddy Power Gold Cup.

12.50

Recent trends suggest the winner of this will make up into a leading Triumph contender and Giorgio Quercus is plainly of keen interest after following his solid effort against some of the best young French hurdlers with a bloodless Hereford success.

That form looks better than anything Nampour and Saticon have achieved thus far, while upgraded Huntingdon winner Starluck appeals as one to go well at a price. However, on this occasion I suspect the Nicholls hordes might miss out with R De Rien Sivola, who received a stone when beating Tuanku at Chepstow and may lack the pace for this.

1.25

A cracking novice chase featuring a rematch between West End Rocker and Big Fella Thanks, who shaped like surefire winners when filling the placings behind Wichita Lineman at Chepstow.

West End Rocker is highly progressive in his own right and his jumping looks an asset, but Big Fella Thanks left a strong impression at Chepstow and can have the edge this time.

Ballyfitz has valuable track experience and Gone To Lunch has masses of natural ability along with a few quirks. However, the Chepstow race looks the key piece of form and Big Fella Thanks went about his business there in a manner which suggests that Cheltenham ought to suit him down to the ground.

2.00

This looks very hard to assess, namely because several key players could be using it as a springboard to other things. Much as I respect last year's Gold Cup fourth Halcon Genelardais I suspect he will find at least one too good off a mark of 166, while National hero Comply Or Die is much higher in the weights now and may well be trained with another trip to Liverpool in mind.

In the circumstances, it might pay to look further down the weights. Parsons Legacy goes extremely well at Cheltenham and has nothing to prove on the score of fitness, while Beat The Boys thrived for the most part last season and is another with a valauable course success under his belt.

2.35

Any number of possible angles, but my short list consists of Silverburn, Maljimar and Mister McGoldrick. Nominating Silverburn hardly wins prizes for originality, but he has looked the sort for this ever since his eyecatching SunAlliance Chase run and a mark of 143 could prove well below what he's capable of.

Maljimar is more exposed but comes firmly into the picture if back to the form he showed to sluice home here in January, while Mister McGoldrick is an old warrior with one thunderous course success under his belt and offers of [60.0] plus are just an insult to his ability and courage.

Of the rest, Ouzbeck has probably shown his hand to the handicapper a shade too early. Softish ground is an added concern, while Piraya is very hard to assess on his British debut and Imperial Commander lacks experience for a searching test like this.

3.10

That man Nicholls poses another riddle here. Runaway Chepstow winner Pride Of Dulcote represents him, but this looks much stronger than the maiden hurdle he won and it might just pay to concentrate on those who have shown their mettle in handicaps.

Kirbybroguelantern has thrived in Ireland and boasts an impressive strike rate over hurdles, while Fair Along makes his debut over three miles here after a typically gritty effort in defeat here at the October meeting.

Rhys Flint's 7lb claim should help him go very well for a long way again, but Sullomo could be more progressive. Charlie Mann's gelding travelled like a well handicapped horse for a long way on his Chepstow reappearance and that ought to put him spot-on to give his each way followers a bold run for their money.