Friday Racing Tips: Two picks from day one of the Cheltenham Open Meeting

Tony Calvin
10 November 2016

Tony has picked two fancies out from day one of the Cheltenham Open Meeting

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Racing pundit and tipster Tony Calvin has picked out two horses worth backing for Friday's races at Cheltenham's Open Meeting...

"The Grade 2 novices’ hurdle at 14:40 is the other class angle on the card. There are no end of unexposed and lightly-raced winners in here but I like the chances of West Approach at 7.06/1 or better."

As Cheltenham Channel 4 cards go, Friday's meeting may not be at the very top of the tree in terms of quality, but it does throw up a couple of fair punts all the same.

14:05 Novices' Chase is full of quality

To be fair, there is a touch of quality to go with plenty of numbers on the card, and that comes in the 2m4f novices' chase at 14:05.

I don't have a strong opinion in a race that has thrown up a lot of top-class winners in the past - Gold Cup victors Denman and Imperial Commander to name just two - but it is no surprise to see Barters Hill head the betting.

He hasn't been seen out since a somewhat underwhelming fourth in the Albert Bartlett but is clearly rated a top-notch prospect by connections.

However, you don't have to look too hard for very serious dangers in here - Theinval is the outsider of the party at 14-1 and he is a 144-rated hurdler who hasn't done too much wrong in his chasing career so far - and it just isn't the shape of race that interests me at all.

West is best in the 14:40 Novices' Hurdle

The Grade 2 novices' hurdle at 14:40 is the other class angle on the card. There are no end of unexposed and lightly-raced winners in here but I like the chances of West Approach at 7.06/1 or better.

I could bang on about all of the opposition but I haven't the time or the inclination - to be serious, you can easily make a case for all of these bar the possible exception of Crosshue Boy - and in any case nothing appeals more at the prices than the selection.

I was actually hoping that the horse took up his engagement off a mark of 139 in the 3m1f handicap hurdle at Cheltenham on Saturday, as I think this half-brother to Thistlecrack is ideally suited to a test of stamina, as his pedigree would suggest.

But this 2m1f winner doesn't lack pace and often travels powerfully in his races, and I think you will see a lot sharper horse than we did when he was ½ length second to Wholestone over 3m here last month.

He was played too late there, from too far off the pace, and I'd confidently expect him to reverse the form with the winner on 3lb better terms.

If you wanted to back him each-way at 5/1 or better, then I wouldn't put you off. I'll be disappointed if there are three in here that can lead him home.

I don't have a recommendation in the opener at 12:55 but Ericht is probably a fair price at around the 7/1 mark after his decent second at Newbury.

Monbeg River should get the cash flowing

My second bet in the C4 races comes courtesy of Monbeg River in the 13:30. Back him at 9.08/1 on the exchange, and/or 8/1 each way with the Betfair Sportsbook.

There is no real story with him, other than I think he is very solid.

Sizing Codelco hasn't been missed in the market on his debut for Colin Tizzard and I certainly wouldn't rule out the outsider Un Beau Roman causing a 33/1+ shock if back to his best, but it's Monbeg River for me.

The fact that the rain isn't set to arrive until late on Friday is certainly in his favour. He has form on soft ground but he just looks a better horse on better ground, and he comes here after a very promising comeback run at Wetherby last month.

The winner rather stole the race from the front there but Monbeg River closed him down to a length at the line in a race run in a really good time.

Off the same mark here, fitter for that run, and over this trip on good ground, he ticks plenty of boxes - horrible phrase but there you have it - and 8/1 is a very fair price.

Recommended Bets

Back Monbeg River in the 13:30 at 7.613/2 on Exchange and/or 8/1 each-way with the Sportsbook
Back West Approach at 7.06/1 in the 14:40 at Cheltenham

You can read my Saturday Racing Tips behind the link.