CHELTENHAM

SATURDAY

12.15 JCB TRIUMPH HURDLE TRIAL (2M1F)

One of the unusual features of the Open Meeting last month was how many of Nicky Henderson’s runners appeared to be in need of an outing, and I resolved to follow a handful of those when they next ran. One of those was Hargam, who showed useful form on the flat in France for Alain de Royer-Dupré, and looked set for the perfect start over hurdles when coming from behind to lead halfway up the run-in, only to be reeled in by Golden Doyen, who raced closer to the favoured rail. I have very little doubt that the grey son of Sinndar is at least as good a prospect as the Philip Hobbs horse, and he has a good opportunity to prove that point here, with the weight he receives from Stars Over The Sea and Karezak swinging the verdict firmly in his favour.

1.25 JENNY MOULD MEMORIAL HANDICAP CHASE (2M110Y)

Bold Henry ran out an impressive winner of the Paddy Power Handicap here in November, and hasn’t been harshly treated for that win, which has since been franked by Monetaire’s defeat of Solar Impulse at Newbury. Several others have also come out of that race to run with credit, and there is no reason to believe the form isn’t watertight. The only issue facing punters is the matter of the much-disputed “bounce theory” and plenty will suggest that the Hobbs runner will recoil from such a big effort. I tend to disagree, and the fact that so many of the established chasers from the Minehead stable have been holding their form well this term tends to lessen any fears in that regard. Sew On Target was runner-up there, and is a consistent sort when getting his conditions, with his exposed profile usually meaning he’s ignored in the betting. He’s once again appealing as a forecast mixer for those reasons.

2.00 CASPIAN CAVIAR GOLD CUP (2M5F)

The fancy prices may have gone, but the case for Barrakilla remains a strong one. Evan Williams has his strongest ever team at the moment, and few are more exciting than the lightly-raced son of Milan, who returned from a lengthy absence to run a stormer on his comeback at Sandown last month. A recommended bet in this column there, he failed to justify the outlay, but did plenty to enhance his reputation by travelling best and wasn’t at all knocked about when getting a little tired between the last two fences. The first and fourth from that contest have since fought out the finish of a competitive handicap at Newbury, and the minimal rise in the weights handed to Barrakilla for that fine third looks extremely lenient in retrospect.

3.10 STANJAMES.COM INTERNATIONAL HURDLE (2M1F)

With respect to Zamdy Man and Bertimont, this looks a match between The New One and Vaniteux, and for all I’m a fan of the former, he faces a tough task in conceding weight to Nicky Henderson’s progressive second-season hurdler, who was another from Seven Barrows to look slightly undercooked at the Open Meeting. His second in the Greatwood reads well enough, but the impression he gave both before and during that race suggests there is a fair bit more to come. Easily the most imposing in the paddock prior to the Greatwood, he looked to have strengthened up markedly from when I’d viewed him as a novice, and in taking the inside route through the race, he certainly conceded a winning chance. It’s arguable that, with the weight concession taken into account, he achieved as much there as did the favourite in victory at Haydock. It’s true the The New One will pull out a little more when needed, but the selection has greater scope for improvement after that solitary prep, and he looks a most appealing betting proposition at the prices.

LINGFIELD SATURDAY

2.40 188BET HANDICAP CHASE (2M4F)

Farbreaga was well held on his return to action, but that run came on faster ground than he wants, and would have been needed in any case. Dropped back to Class 4 company, and on his preferred heavy ground, he’s taken to return to winning form. Jamie Poulton’s eight-year-old wins more than his share, and while it’s hard to establish what price he’ll be, the fact that he has a “P” next to his name on the formcard will surely see a bigger SP than might otherwise be the case.