Bets of the Day: Theatre Territory can take centre stage at Cheltenham

Alan Thompson
15 December 2017

Theatre Territory can get her first win over fences at Cheltenham

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Alan Thompson returns to the tipping chair for the final time this year and kicks off his week with two selections from the International Meeting at Cheltenham...

"the lightly raced seven-year-old is unexposed in this sphere she should have the scope to win a race of this type"

Back Theatre Territory @ 4/1 in the 13:55 Cheltenham

13:55 Cheltenham - Back Theatre Territory @ 4/1

Theatre Territory is a recent recruit to the Warren Greatrex yard having moved from the Nicky Henderson yard just last month. She finished a very respectable second on her first start for the yard on her chasing debut behind a potentially smart mare, Casablanca Mix (rated 139) at Huntingdon last month and there is every reason to expect her to come on for that outing. That was her first run for 219 days and as the lightly raced seven-year-old is unexposed in this sphere she should have the scope to win a race of this type.

She has won over the larger obstacles before when she won a pointer back in 2015 and although her jumping at Huntigdon wasn't perfect I would expect her to be better this time around. As always jockey Sam Waley-Cohen takes the ride on his father's (Robert Waley-Cohen) horse and the 3lbs he takes off is always worth having. The horse to beat looks like being Ms Parfois from the Anthony Honeyball yard and she has a very similar profile to Theatre Territory. She returned from a 245 day break to finish third of four runners at Uttoxeter last time out and has previously won a point to point event. I just feel that Theatre Territory could be the better of the two today.

14:05 Cheltenham - Back Robinsfirth @ 9/4

When I initially looked at this race I was keen on Wotzizname but the more I looked into the race the more I was converted to the Colin Tizzard runner, Robinsfirth. I am sure Wotzizname will be there or thereabouts in this company after a very comfortable victory at Exeter last month but I am not sure that he can overcome that 5lbs rise in the weights. Robinsfirth could only finish six lengths behind Chase The Spud at Haydock on his latest start but I think the conditions certainly favoured the victor that day, they were running in very heavy ground and Chase The Spud is an out and out stayer. I think today's conditions will suit him more and he also gets in here off the same mark.

Despite the heavy conditions he was still sent off the favourite last time out and he just retains that position ahead of Wotzizname at the head of this market. I would be concerned if there was any overnight rainfall (there is none in the forecast) so provided the ground doesn't get any softer, I think he will prove the market right today and get his head in front.

Recommended Bets:

Back Theatre Territory @ 4/1 in the 13:55 Cheltenham
Back Robinsfirth @ 9/4 in the 14:05 Cheltenham