Daily Racing Multiple: Cromwell to rule with Cannon for Cheltenham opening day double

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Jockey Tom Cannon is on board Alan's final selection on Friday at Cheltenham

Alan Dudman is backing two runners in the big fields today at Cheltenham and is playing a 64/1 each-way double using the Extra Place Special...

  • Good ground set for Cheltenham
  • Sweet Will stays well and Alto Alto is unexposed
  • Al Dudman is backing a 64/1 Sportsbook double for Friday and is using the Extra Place Specials on the Sportsbook
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Cromwell and Buckley to get us off to a good start in Prestbury opener

Back Sweet Will each-way @ 10.09/1 in the 13:10 at Cheltenham

Some fiercely competitive racing for the next three days at Cheltenham and none more so than the 19-runner opener to kick-off the meeting on Friday with the Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle at 13:10, a race in which Gordon Elliott's Enki Flacke goes in search of a fourth win on the spin. That horse is no stranger to UK success having mopped up at Perth recently, but the claims of Gavin Cromwell's Sweet Will look a touch more appealing at a bigger price - especially with the Extra Place Special and five places coming into play.

Sweet Will is fairly exposed with 15 runs over hurdles, but the 2m7f trip last time at Fairyhouse in soft ground saw him in a good light. That his first try beyond 2m6f and 2m4f and with the way he finished off his race with the sweeping move down the outside, he looks quite a strong stayer. Dropping down to 2m5f today in a big field should suit him too.

His hurdling technique was good when it needed to be late on with the final two flights in the straight, and it could well be he'll likely stick to hurdling this campaign as his jumping when winning over fences on his chase debut at Kilbeggan earlier in the year was far from textbook.

The 5yo can be cajoled midway through a race, and that has been reflected in two of his wins in the spring (including the Kilbeggan chase victory), and he hit 25.024/1 and 50.049/1 in-play. He was sent off 9/4f last time at Fairyhouse and still hit twice his BSP in-running.

With form and quick and heavy, we need not worry about the ground, and at Cheltenham these days, no one seems to know what it is, but the going has changed to good officially in the lead up to today.

He likes big fields and Kieran Buckley retains his partnership with the horse. Buckley made the move to Ireland and Gavin Cromwell earlier this year after his time with Nigel Hawke, and his mount looks up to defying a penalty to at least hit a place.

Allo Allo to Alto Alto

Back Alto Alto each-way @ 6.511/2 in the 16:00 at Cheltenham

Chris Gordon has enjoyed a swell old time of things of late with the form of his stable and Alto Alto is one of the unexposed runners lining up in another massive field to round off the opening day of the Paddy Power Gold Cup meeting, and at 5/1 was backed this morning from 7s.

He improved to win his Maiden Hurdle at Plumpton in April having caught the eye previously at Taunton, and the good ground that day helped him to win convincingly.

The next assignment was a whole lot tougher at Sandown in the Novices' Championship Final. That was his handicap debut against the likes of Knapper's Hill and Boombawn - and both of those have won at a higher level since, with the former a recent victor at Grade 2 level at Wincanton and is nudging towards 150 now.

On that run alone, he is well handicapped today from just 114.

He made his comeback for the season at Ascot last month, and that should put him spot on for this. He finished second over 2m4f, but it was a hard race to assess as they went no pace at all early on. Dropping back down in distance will certainly help today, although I certainly think he'll get 2m4f this term.

Once again we have the Extra Place Special to utilise with the five places.

October/November singles winners:

Vaynor 7/4 Won
Magical Vision 10/1 Won and Placed
De Legislator 9/10 Won
Captain Quint 2/1 Won
Fiston Du Mou 5/2 Won
Rickety Gate 5/2 Won
Warren Point 9/4 Won
Pennymoor 17/2 Won and Placed
Tarhib 5/1 Won
Hoganville 3/1 Won
Sole Pretender 9/1 Placed R4
Maximilian Evens Won
Another Odyssey 5/4 Won
Magnetic North 16/1 Placed
Mr Alan 4/1 Won
Bright Diamond 13/2 Placed
Hurtle 2/1 Won
Good Impression 3/1 Won
Soft Whisper 2/1 Won

Recommended bets

Back Sweet Will @ 10.09/1 in the 13:10 at Cheltenham

Back Alto Alto each-way @ 6.511/2 in the 16:00 at Cheltenham

You can back Alan's two Cheltenham selections on Friday in a Sportsbook double that pays around 65.064/1 0.5pt EW using Extra Place Special and five places in both

ALAN DUDMAN'S P & L

Multiples 2021 to present: +39.64pts

Bets Of Day 2016 to 2021: +25.10pts

Irish Racing Tips 2020 to 2021: +21.63pts

Alan Dudman

Alan is a long term member of the Betting.Betfair team and has been a broadcaster and writer for over 20 years.

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