14:10 Cheltenham

Confidence is building surrounding the chance of ALAPHILIPPE (best price 6/1) in the Pertemps at Cheltenham on Thursday. I’ve always been a fan of this horse and I thought he ran an eye-catching race when fifth at Warwick in January. He travelled notably well through that race before being given an easy time of things and the handicapper has dropped him 2lb since. That was his first run of the season so he will be primed for this now and with no issues over the ground he must have a very good chance. If you look at his profile he remains unexposed and I’ll be disappointed if he doesn’t at the least get competitive. I like Pileon at a bigger price too and have had a saver on him but dangers include Winter Fog who could have plenty in hand off his mark and Sire Du Berlais who has obviously won this twice before and is likely to give his running again.