12:40 Cheltenham

I’m really liking the claims of Olly Murphy’s RESPLENDENT GREY, who has stepped on the gas since sent chasing, recording a win and two seconds from three starts this season and is fancied to make it two wins from two in handicap chase outings.

The grey ran a huge race to finish second to Handstands in the Grade 2 Esher Novices' Chase at Sandown last time out, doing best of those who were held up. The winner has won again since, so the form has a pretty solid look to it.

His effort in defeat was worthy of an upgrade, as was his half-a-length second to Hyland here in November, where again the race was run tactically, and he wasn’t suited to the slow pace at the rear end of the field. Even so, he was closing the winner down all the way to the finish.

That form has also worked out nicely, as the winner was last seen chasing home The Jukebox Man in a Grade 1 at Kempton. The horse back in third, Springwell Bay, subsequently made a mockery of a mark of 145 here earlier this month.

Although both of his two creditable efforts in defeat have been over three miles, he will have no issue dropping in trip, as he bolted up at Uttoxeter on his chase debut. Back down in grade, with plenty in his favour, surely he’s better than a mark of 143.

Resplendent Grey, 1pt WIN, 4/1

Lucinda Russell hasn’t had much luck here this season, but there’s been a lot to like about the way WHISTLE STOP TOUR has beaten his rivals a couple of times over three miles and should have no problem dropping back in distance.

This imposing seven-year-old made light work of his opposition at Ayr, scoring by more than three lengths, and a 7lb rise seems manageable. He is his trainer and jockey’s only ride on the card, so at double-figure odds, he’s worth an interest.

Whistle Stop Tour, 0.5 pts E/W, 12/1

13:50 Cheltenham

Ginny’s Destiny is obviously the classiest horse in the field and would have solid claims if back to his best. However, the one runner who may be lurking on a favourable mark is Irish raider MOON D’ORANGE.

This seven-year-old has run well on all four chase starts and ran a solid race when runner-up at Newbury last time out. He’s only gone up a pound and Sean Bowen rides this time, so he could be set to run well.

Moon D’orange, 0.5 pts E/W, 6/1

15:35 Cheltenham

Although I’m under no illusion about his disappointing run in last season’s Stayers’ Hurdle, CRAMBO will not get a better opportunity to win at Cheltenham and prove that he’s not just a right-handed track bully.

Strong Leader was really disappointing last time out and cannot be fancied to bounce back to his best following that flat effort. Botox Has finished well beaten in the last two renewals. Monmiral had no excuses when last seen, and the horse he beat in the Pertemps Final has let the form down since. 

This looks stronger than the race Gowel Road finished second in here last time, while Kerryhill won a weak Grade 2 contest at Doncaster around this time last year and ran poorly on his return. 

 

Ga Law has his stamina to prove over this trip, and maybe this is a bit of an afterthought given connections have abandoned chasing with him for the time being, which I think is a strange move. Transmission looks out of depth, so the reality is that Fergal O’Brien’s charge should be shorter in the betting. 

Those who are saying he cannot perform left-handed are talking nonsense because he’s won twice going this way. Despite finishing behind Strong Leader twice last season (excuses), this two-time Long Walk Hurdle winner is fancied to prove too powerful when his engine kicks in on the turn into the home straight.

Crambo, 1pt WIN, 10/3

16:10 Cheltenham

Potters Charm will prove a tough nut to crack if he can deliver his best in the finale. That being said, there is some each-way value here, and I like the look of GAMESTERS GUY, who seems overpriced and should be suited to the course.

The six-year-old won two of his three bumpers (placed in the other) and, having pushed a subsequent and race-fit winner to within a short head on his hurdles debut at Bangor, he comfortably went one better at Carlisle. 

He was also engaged at Doncaster, but this was his first preference, and provided the ground doesn’t dry up too much, he should be fine on the surface. With a lot more to come, he could prove equal to the task ahead. Nice value.

Gamesters Guy, 0.5 pts E/W, 12/1