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Go for Cheltenham glory with The Goffer at 13/27.50
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Nicholls' Hitman backed to fire at 16/117.00
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Lee can bring it Home at 20/121.00
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We're now NRMB on all 28 Cheltenham Festival races
Tuesday - Ultima Handicap Chase - Back The Goffer each-way
The Goffer 13/27.50 bids to improve on a fine fourth in this race last season, behind the Grand National winner Corach Rambler (now officially rated 13lb higher) and Fastorslow (now 20lb higher). The form of that event could hardly have worked out better and the selection has warmed up for this with a trio of quiet chase runs to protect his handicap mark, followed up with a confidence-boosting flat victory at Punchestown.
With more chasing experience under his belt this season, The Goffer has the right profile to land this handicap chase prize for a trainer who appears to have prepped him to be at peak form in March. Horses towards the front end of the betting have a good record in this race - eight out of the previous 10 scorers have been 10-1 or under in the betting.
Theatre Man would be one to watch out for after a productive season. He has excellent course form and should have the requisite stamina for this target.
Thursday - Ryanair Chase - Back Hitman each-way
Hitman 16/117.00 appears to be a big double-figure price for each-way players in the Grade 1 Ryanair Chase. The eight-year-old was a bit of a forgotten horse for Betfair ambassador Paul Nicholls, following three dismal efforts over fences, prior to bouncing right back to top form at Newbury on his second run after wind surgery.
Hitman produced a huge performance that day, running second to Cheltenham Gold Cup-bound Shishkin in the Grade 2 Denman Chase and finishing ahead of Grade 1 winner Protekorat. The trainer reported post-race that he hasn't been too hard on the selection in training before that event, which indicates he'll be arriving in peak form next month.
Hitman was third in this race last season and has the ability to be involved at the business end again, especially if the ground is on the soft side.
Thursday - Stayers' Hurdle - Home By The Lee each-way
Home By The Lee 20/121.00 catches the eye in The Stayers' Hurdle which promises to be the most competitive Grade 1 of the Cheltenham Festival.
It is worth noting that one needs to take this season's form with a pinch of salt. His reappearance third behind Bob Olinger wasn't a bad effort, trying to concede 9lb to that improved performer. You can put a line through a subsequent fifth of six in the Grade 1 Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown - he appeared to dislike making all and faded out tamely.
Home By The Lee has performed with credit in two previous attempts in this race, running sixth in 2022, before an excellent fifth, beaten under four lengths, in last season's renewal. That run can be upgraded, after he almost came down at the sixth hurdle and raced wide thereafter. There may be one or two improvers in this line-up but the selection has the capability of filling one of the places at big odds.
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