C4 Racing Tips: Take a chance on an ex-Nicholls horse to shine on new stable debut

As ever, the Open meeting is full of high-class races, but from my point of view the four-runner novice chase and the Cross Country Chase are not serious punting opportunities.

And competitive 20 and 17-runner handicaps are hardly a walk in the park to solve either.

The handicap hurdle at 14:40 is particularly trappy because it is full of progressive youngsters from the top yards, and it is a guessing game as to how much they have up their sleeves.

I was quite taken by Upswing's win at Carlisle last time - even though I backed the runner-up - but so was the handicapper who has shunted him up 10lb for that ¾ length win.

But there are just too many potential plots in here to be confident - given that this race is named in memory of the late David Johnson, not a bad punter himself, I would imagine David Pipe's Top Gamble would be an apt winner - so my only tip of the day is Elenika in the 13:35. 
 
Quite a few of these crossed my mind before I landed on the selection, most notably Gus Macrae, from the bottom of the handicap, and Sew On Target. Elenika, though, is of most interest on his first start from Venetia Williams.

Now improving a horse from Paul Nicholls is a tough ask but certainly not unheard of. So I wouldn't be at all put off by the switch, as Nicholls always says that you have to sell on the odd good one to keep the buyers interested at the end-of-season sales!

And, speaking to him earlier today about the horse, Nicholls said that it was simply a matter of that the former Million In Mind-owned horse being part of the usual clear-out, and that no negativity should be drawn from his sale.

And in Elenika, I think the new stable have inherited a well-handicapped horse and a potential bargain at just 28,000 guineas. He is 1lb lower than when a good fourth at Ascot in April, and 2m on good ground here is expected to suit him.

He is a strong-traveller - so you may want to take out some in-running insurance at short prices - won first time up last season and, as he is only a 5yo, there could be more improvement to come.

At odds of 12.011/1 or bigger, I can see him going really well at a price. And I wouldn't put you off backing him for a place, too.

Recommended Bet 
Back Elenika @ 12.011/1 or more in the 13:35 at Cheltenham