Andy Holding's Cheltenham Thursday Racing Tips

Ben Pauling clearly has his team in the rudest of health at the festival and there’s a good deal of confidence behind KILDISART (best price 9-1) giving the big two in the market plenty to think about. The original plan for the son of Dubai Destination was the Close Brothers Handicap on day one, but after landing the trial for that contest in convincing fashion back in January, he blew a tilt at that prize out of the water by incurring the sort of new handicap mark that made him ineligible. In beating a competitive field that day, the seven-year-old overcame a series of niggly errors to storm up the hill in game fashion and with the time figure and subsequent form of those in behind suggesting it was a fair race of its kind, he appears to have a perfectly plausible chance of providing his handler with another notable success of the week.

As ever, a wide-open and trappy renewal of this fiendishly-difficult handicap, but following their promising and eye-catching performances in the best of the Irish qualifiers, SIRE DU BERLAIS (best price 11-2) and WALK TO FREEDOM (best price 12-1) are worth playing against the field.

The former started the final circuit at the Dublin venue in last place so the fact he managed to sneak the final qualifying spot in sixth, is testimony to his ability. In doing so, Gordon Elliot’s gelding amazingly ran the last lap in a time quicker than Apple’s Jade, who took the Grade 1 over the same C&D and hour later, so armed with that knowledge, the son of Poliglote is clearly better than the literal reading of the formbook suggests. A creditable fourth in the boys’ race here last year, the seven-year-old has done well to escape the wrath of the British handicap as he’s been kept on the same mark and hailing from the same set of connections that suffered a body blow in this race last year when Glenloe failed to land a massive punt, hope is high that this fella can make amends.

The latter also clocked similar fractions in the same race 76 days ago, so on that basis, Jessica Harrington’s charge must be played accordingly. The way he finished off his race that day to be a never-nearer second pointed towards a horse with a good deal of quality and he too has been kept back especially for a crack at this decent pot.

Having already put up Monalee to finally get his deserved moment of glory at the Festival, it’s good to see connections do the right thing and run the son of Milan over his optimum distance rather than waste a bullet over further in the Gold Cup. That said, this looks a far-more competitive a renewal than previously anticipated and with ROAD TO RESPECT (best price 9-2) being one of several rerouted from the blue riband on Friday to come here instead, Noel Meade’s inmate must be worth a small saver. Winner of the Brown Advisory Handicap Chase in ridiculously easy fashion two years, the son of Gamut has dined at the very top table ever since and with three Grade 1 victories next to his name, he’s made the seamless transition from high-quality handicap to top-class chaser.

Unlucky in the Savills Chase at Leopardstown two starts ago, the chestnut gelding seemed certain to make amends on his return visit to the Dublin venue last time out only to be worried out of the argument by the tenacious Bellshill close home. Although it was a little disconcerting to see the eight-year-old back off some of his fences 39 days ago, the fast ground and the fact he was left in front a long way from home were contributory factors for those uncharacteristic traits. Back on a more-favourable soft surface and over a course he knows well, he looks primed to keep his amazingly consistent record intact.

Bookmakers have had a pretty decent start to the week, so there will obviously be many layers queuing up to try and get another favourite get chinned, but in the shape of PAISLEY PARK (NAP) (best price 2-1), hopefully Emma Lavelle’s gelding can get one back to the punters and rubber-stamp his claims to be by far and away the best staying hurdler for some time.

Since disappointing in last year’s Albert Bartlett, Emma Lavelle’s gelding has simply gone on the rampage through this division and his victory in the most important trial of them all, the Cleeve Hurdle, only went to further his grip over the very best around in this category. Always travelling well 47 days ago, the seven-year-old breezed into the lead on the long run down to the last and even though he was spending the most of run-in dossing and star-gazing at the crowd, he still had far too much left under the bonnet to maintain his healthy advantage. Obviously, with a big field at Championship level, there’s quite a bit that can go wrong to all best laid plans, but providing they go a reasonable pace and he gets a smooth passage through the race, it would be a surprise if he couldn’t confirm the form with many who he’s already thrashed.

Dan Skelton has enjoyed a successful festival so far to date and there could be even more cheer for the Warwickshire handler as he sends SPIRITOFTHEGAMES (best price 8-1) to post with what appears a serious chance based on his form this season.

A ready winner of his first start over fences at Chepstow, the son of Darsi wasn’t quite up to Grade 2 standard when last of four behind the likes of La Bague Au Roi and Lostintranslation at Newbury on his next outing. Back in handicap company last time, the seven-year-old ran a gallant race in a quality handicap won by Kildisart and with the likes of Azzerti, Dentley De Mee and First Drift all franking the form since, he clearly ran to a decent standard. Although he lacks the experience of many established names, the stats say that novices have a distinct advantage in this race down the years (6 of the last 23 winners were novices and they have also accounted for seven of the last 17 runners up) so with that in mind, he’s worth a reasonable bet at the morning odds.

Epatante has looked good in both of her two victories for new connections but she has looked quite a keen-going sort, so whether she’s worth risking at a relatively short price is down to personal choice. For those seeking for something at slightly more rewarding odds, LUST FOR GLORY (best price 20-1) and QUEENOFHEARTS (best price 16-1) have done more than enough to warrant a reasonable interest, especially as some firms are offering four places.

The former is closely matched with Posh Trish on two previous encounters and having beaten Paul Nicholls’ mare in a well-run contest at Newbury earlier in the campaign, Nicky Henderson’s mare looks overpriced based on that effort. Undone when the pace was pedestrian next time, the daughter of Getaway had a nice little spin in nothing more than an exercise canter at Doncaster last time out, but at least that run out allows her to come here a relatively fresh horse.

The latter has been plying her trade over further, but with the conditions set to deteriorate during the build up to the race, the emphasis on stamina will suit her more than some. Even allowing for that possibility, Stuart Edmonds’ mare has enough solid form against her own sex to suggest she deserves to take her chance and it wouldn’t come as the biggest shock in the world to see her run a big race.

Measureofmydreams has developed into one of the gambles of the meeting and it’s easy to see why he’s such a warm order following an eye-catching effort on his first start for his in-from handler. However, for those not on at fancy odds, KILFILUM CROSS (best price 16-1) probably represents one of the better each-way alternatives at bigger prices.

Having his first start for new connections at Ludlow recently, Henry Oliver’s gelding turned out to be a well-backed favourite and with Derek O’Connor booked to do the steering, he duly delivered the goods. Moreover, his winning time suggested he’d run up to fair level at the Shropshire track and having come from a background of many soft ground encounters over hurdles, the eight-year-old grey could propel his young trainer into the bigtime under ideal conditions.

MUSICAL SLAVE (best price 10-3) has had the look of a handicap project for some time and he's fancied to vindicate that viewpoint off what looks a reasonable opening mark. A highly-promising sixth in a red-hot novice event behind the smart Getaway Trump at Exeter back in December, Philip Hobbs' inmate was in no way knocked about that day and the same story pretty much unfolded at Ffos Las last time out. In a well-run affair at the Welsh venue, the son of Getaway was never remotely in with any chance of winning, but he didn't run too badly in the context of the overall standard of the race and it was at least another stepping stone with a view to gain more valuable experience. Obviously, bearing in mind the connections, some money in his direction would be encouraging, but whatever his fate here this afternoon, he remains one to keep on side.