Cheltenham 23rd October

 

This looks likely to go to one of the top end of the market and it's hard to know which will be fit and ready enough to prevail.

 

I found it both hard to argue against or particularly for Cool Mix who can run well fresh and runs off a featherweight, Domaine De L'Isle who is a Course winner off an ideal trip and Going but who history suggests may just need the run, Jersey Bean a winner at the Course and over the trip elsewhere who has decent form fresh, Storm Control a Course and Distance winner for Kerry Lee who loves to bowl along in front, capable of nicking the race that way but another who history suggests may just need the run.

 

Of the longer priced ones I can see the romantic notion that The Hollow Ginge could revive off a very nice Handicap mark but on balance I think that's less than likely.

 

By a process of elimination, I'll have a small bet on COOL MIX who off the weight and the evidence of being ready first time out, looks the most likely.

 

 

 

A similar tale really with Irish raiders Born Patriot and Tullybeg being the ones they probably have to beat.

 

Of the home contingent both Butlers Brief for Alastair Ralph and Jersey Wonder for Oliver Sherwood are progressive types who get ideal conditions but with both on Course debut, you have to take it on trust that they will cope with the unique challenges of this Course.

 

I do think Jersey Wonder is the most likely of these but at a bigger price I like the claims of GEORDIE DES CHAMPS.

 

Rebecca Curtis has enjoyed some of the best days of her career at Cheltenham, can target the Meeting with a select few who are ready to win and this one has had a spin already, won its last 2 Hurdles races off marks of 123 and 128 and looks ready to run a big race here with fitness assured off a mark of 130.