Cheltenham Racing Tips: Pembroke looks potentially smart

NAP

Pembroke - 15:35 Cheltenham

Pembroke finished runner-up on his sole start in an Irish point and has made a good impression so far under Rules, winning a bumper impressively on his sole start last season, and shaped well on his return and hurdling debut in a maiden which could hardly have worked out any better at Chepstow in November.

Pembroke has progressed well since, winning his last two starts at Wetherby and Ludlow, and it was hard not to be impressed by the manner of his latest success. He scored by 16 lengths that day and the visual impression was backed up by the clock, too. He is ready for this step up in grade and he may yet take his form to another level now moving up in trip. Big player.

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Scriptwriter - 11:40 Cheltenham

Scriptwriter was lightly raced on the Flat for Aidan O'Brien and has made a good impression so far over hurdles for new connections, overcoming inexperience to make a winning start in this sphere at Sedgefield in October before following up in a Grade 2 at Cheltenham on his next start.

He shaped very well that day, travelling fluently throughout and easily drawing clear of a subsequent winner on the run-in. Scriptwriter has to carry a 5 lb penalty for that success, but he has since won a useful handicap on the Flat at Wolverhampton, and is clearly thriving at present. Milton Harris has a good record record with juveniles and another bold bid is anticipated.

EACH WAY

Fugitif - 13:50 Cheltenham

An extremely competitive handicap chase where you can make a case for several but Fugitif looks the one to side with.

He ran a cracker when runner-up to a well-handicapped, progressive sort over two miles at Cheltenham on his return in November and relished the step back up in trip when resuming winning ways at Chepstow last month. The handicapper has hit him with a 10 lb rise for that success, but he was heavily eased at the finish, and he could well have more to offer.