The Plate Handicap

I’m taking a look at one of the best trial races at Cheltenham for this weekend and I like a runner that is high on my list for handicaps in March.

PUSH THE BUTTON 12:05 - CHELTENHAM

Before I go on, I need to credit Matt Tombs with these trends as this is his work.

This race lives up to its name for Trials Day and as pointed out my Matt this has been a great pointer to not only the festival but specifically The Plate Handicap.

The winners of this race on Saturday, who then go on to run in The Plate have a phenomenal record of: 22121 and there’s a horse on my radar who lines up in this who looks progressive and has some exceptional form so far this season.

PUSH THE BUTTON looks like one who is very well handicapped and one who’s open to further improvement and his form from this season would back that up. He was beaten 0.5L by Meetmebythesea but gave him 6lbs on that day. Meetmebythesea is now rated 2lbs higher in the handicap making that a nice piece of form.

That run was then followed up with a second place in a Grade 2 at Ascot ahead of No Questions Asked and again that is starting to look like a very smart bit of form. They were off level weights that day but No Questions Asked is now rated 149 which is 12lbs higher than Push The Button meaning that surely there is much more scope for improvement off 137 for Push The Button.

Jordan’s Cross looks to be very progressive and could easily be three from three had he not come down when mounting a challenge at this course earlier in the season and is another who could be shorter come the end of the weekend but I really think there is plenty more to come from the Mark Walford runner and should you fancy him for The Plate, then perhaps take some of the 20/1 for the festival now, along with backing him to get his head in front on Saturday where I think he has a cracking chance but I will be waiting for opening show of prices on the morning.

Verdict: Shortener for The Plate (currently 20/1)