Architect Tips picks out six selections from the ITV races at Cheltenham on Saturday.
Tip1: 13.10 Cheltenham - NEWTON TORNADO - 1 POINT WIN
Tip 2: 13.10 Cheltenham - DOUBLE POWERFUL - 0.5 POINTS EACH-WAY
This is a really competitive opener with the vote going to chase debutant NEWTON TORNADO for the Rebecca Curtis team, who could offer decent value at the available odds.
It would be fair to say that he didn’t really respect hurdles last season but he was consistent and concluded his campaign with a straightforward success at Ffos Las.
That victory ought to have done his confidence that world of good and given his only point-to-point outing resulted in success, there’s hope he will be an even better chaser.
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An opening mark of 121 could turn out to be generous and he can compete off a handy weight, so with more to come this season, the six-year-old is worth consideration.
DOUBLE POWERFUL progressed through the ranks over hurdles last season, winning four on the bounce, including here in November before placing in three competitive big-field handicaps.
He concluded the season with a good third at Aintree and is dropping in class ahead of his seasonal/chase debut. With a good record when fresh and at this time of year, it would come as no surprise to see Neil Mulholland’s progressive charge make a statement in this sphere. Good chance.
Tip 3: 13.45 Cheltenham - POUR LES FILLES - 1 POINT WIN
POUR LES FILLES relished positive tactics when opening his account over timber at Downpatrick two weeks ago and has the makings to come into his own over this longer trip.
Gordon Elliott’s charge had been beaten in three previous starts in this sphere but looked like a different proposition last time out and should be able to kick on now.
His handler rarely gets it wrong when he sends one to a meeting such as this, so he’s handed the vote to go in again under Jack Kennedy. I can see him shortening up on the day.
Tip 4: 14.20 Cheltenham - FASCILE MODE - 0.5 POINTS EACH-WAY
Not the easiest race to predict but I am willing to take a chance on FASCILE MODE, who must be well handicapped off a mark of 135 and should be able to take a step forward from his latest third at Sligo.
Although he wasn’t able to succeed, there were positives to take, while his previous second on his return was a really good effort. It’s not ideal that he’s fallen twice over fences heading into a race at Cheltenham.
However, if he can keep the errors at bay, I reckon Danny Mullins’ mount could exceed market expectations and is worth an interest at double-figure odds.
FASCILE MODE (22/1 generally, 5 places BOG) 0.5 POINTS EACH-WAY
Tip 5: 14.55 Cheltenham - SURREY QUEST - 0.5 POINTS EACH-WAY
The Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle looks fiercely competitive but a lot of these lack a recent run and therefore I get the impression that SURREY QUEST is way overpriced.
This eight-year-old should be a lot fitter following his comeback run at Uttoxeter just under three weeks ago and will be having just his seventh hurdle start.
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He looks so well treated in this sphere compared to his chase mark. Last year, he finished second twice in much stronger events, including last November off a mark of 137.
He is also 2lb lower than when being beaten a nose in the Scottish National. With a run under his belt and unfinished business over hurdles, this stout stayer could get heavily involved.
SURREY QUEST (50/1 generally, 5 places BOG 0.5 POINTS EACH-WAY
Tip 6: 16.05 Cheltenham - LEAVE OF ABSENCE - 2 POINTS WIN
I have this between Intense Approach and LEAVE OF ABSENCE (NAP) with the vote going to the latter. Anthony Honeyball’s charge. He is very lightly raced for his age and has won four of his seven starts. He was a dominant winner at Newbury when last seen and surely has more to come this term.
He’s already been mixing it with horses rated in the 140s, and I think he can take a higher rank. I think this race has been a bit of a plan so he’s selected to continue to make up for lost time and make a successful return under Rex Dingle.
