Two tips from Andy Holding, whose Cheltenham Festival tips this week will be available the day before for Oddschecker Unlimited subscribers.
14:00 Plumpton
JOHNNY JUMP UP (NAP) (best price 5-4) ran out an impressive winner on his rules debut at Fontwell back in January and with the strong possibility of a good deal more to come, Gary Moore’s gelding should hopefully make for pleasant viewing again in this similar heat.
Having not showed a great deal on his two starts in the point arena, it was little surprise to see him sent off at 16-1 up against the likes of Saladins Son and Walks Like The Man (7th and 8th in the EBF Final on Saturday) at the Sussex venue, but having travelled noticeably well throughout the strongly- run affair, he found the necessary requirements when push came to shove at the business end.
Considering he was keener than ideal in the first mile, the fact the son of Workforce still appeared to have plenty of lead left in his pencil crossing the line pointed towards a horse with a big engine and hailing from a yard whose novices always command plenty of respect at one his local courses, he can keep the regulars on good terms.
18:30 Wolverhampton
Eleutheromania made a bright start for new connections at Newcastle 10 days ago and obviously commands respect on handicap debut but ALGHEED (best price 7-2) is a fairly reliable sort against her own sex and at a track she knows like the back of her hand, Mark Loughnane’s mare can add to her previous C&D success.
Although yet to win this winter, she has run many notable races in defeat and her latest effort behind an improving type in the shape of Twirler suggests her return to winning ways can’t be too far away. Keeping on strongly in the closing stages, she made a brave fist of things under the welter burden of 10st2lb and it’s also worth pointing she did manage to finish well clear of the rest.
As far as tonight’s tactics are concerned, this should be a straightforward exercise for Billy Loughnane in tracking the likely early pace from the favourite, who made all last time out, and providing she settles into a nice rhythm, she should give herself every chance of having a clear shot in the dash for home.
