Cheltenham Saturday

1.15 Betfair Exchange Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) 2m 4f 127yd

Jagwar stands out on form and potential, winning the Festival Plate over this trip on the New Course last term and looking at least as good when third to the well-ridden Glengouly there last month. It’s very encouraging that he has been given an entry in the Ryanair in March and he appeals as the type to keep progressing beyond handicaps.

Jagwar has a similar profile to Iroko at this stage of his career and I had in the back of my mind that connections could potentially throw him into the Grand National, for all he doesn’t qualify for that contest as he’s got no form at three miles plus. In truth, it’s a lot more likely that he would have been aimed at the Great Yorkshire Chase or even the Cotswold Chase in order to meet those criteria, so his presence here could be seen as a sign of intent in terms of that Ryanair entry, and he’d need to be able to defy a mark of 149 to justify that high opinion.

1.50 Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase 3m 5f 56yd

A winner of the Grote Steeplechase de Vlanderen at Waregem last year, Placenet was second in the same race this time around and he’ll have no issues with conditions. He did run out in the Gran Premio de Merano last season, but was taking a grip of his jockey, who was unable to steer him, and I’m inclined to view that as rider error rather than a sign of temperament.

He has a bit to find with Final Orders having finished an 11-length fourth to that rival here last month, but he gets a 9lb pull now, which gives him a chance of turning the tables, while the booking of Sam Twiston-Davies to replace Frenchman Johnny Charron looks a positive in my eyes, with the former very familiar with Cheltenham for all Charron may have extensive cross-country experience in France.

Final Orders does need consideration and his stable has picked a good week to emerge from a slump, with the Thyestes Chase part of a treble for Gavin Cromwell at Gowran Park on Thursday. He took to the track well last month, although he might not have beaten J’Arrive De L’Est had that rival not made a bad mistake at the Aintree-style fence six from home. He jumped fine apart from that, and did well to recover his momentum to finish second, so looks a solid favourite given a swing at the weights.

2.25 Betfair Cotswold Chase (Grade 2) 3m 1f 56yd

Grey Dawning appears the one to beat on recent evidence, sensibly swerving the King George after winning the Betfair Chase in November, but while he did it nicely at Haydock, that contest wasn’t up to its old standard (race has declined since the loss of a £1m bonus), and I’d not go overboard about a beating of Royale Pagaille, who has looked a shadow of his former self subsequently.

With Haiti Couleurs having a rare off-day, the Betfair form needs taking with a pinch of salt, for all Grey Dawning was a comfortable winner, and a penalty for that win does demand more of him. Spillane’s Tower needs to prove he’s as good as he was over fences, but I’m as confident as I can be of that, with his latest effort over hurdles on a par with his best form in that sphere.

He has a big chance here based not only on his best form as a novice, that being a defeat of Monty’s Star in the Grade 1 Champion Novice Chase at Punchestown in 2024, but also his excellent second to Fact To File in the John Durkan last season, where he finished in front of Galopin Des Champs.

Spillane’s Tower couldn’t match that effort in the 2024 King George, where he was left in a poor position after being hampered at the first fence and simply failed to find his usual rhythm at a track where rhythm with a capital ‘R’ is key. I’m more than happy to give him a pass for that, and the Durkan form could hardly have worked out better, with Galopin Des Champs and Fact To File dominating the Savill’s Chase at Leopardstown. Since then, Spillane’s Tower’s only run over fences saw him finish second to Galopin Des Champs at Punchestown, albeit well held by the winner, where he had Monty’s Star and Banbridge behind.

That was on good ground (officially yielding, but riding quicker), a surface his trainer Jimmy Mangan feels is too lively for him, and he missed Cheltenham and Aintree due to the prospect of a sound surface. He also missed Down Royal in November due to unsuitable ground and has reverted to hurdles to ensure his fitness for the second half of the season.

Mangan has exercised extreme patience with his stable star and he now gets ground that suits him for the first time since last season’s Durkan. I have faith that the underrated Mangan will have Spillane’s Tower ready to do himself justice, and the weight he receives from the penalised Grey Dawning could be crucial.

3.00 Unibet Hurdle (International Hurdle) (Grade 2) 2m 179yd

It’s hard to look beyond Sir Gino here, and he looks a banker for those who like to put shorties in multiples.

He’s a year younger than the supposedly less exposed The New Lion, and I couldn’t back that gelding after the way he went through the Fighting Fifth, looking like throwing himself onto the deck one or twice before he finally did in the home straight. He has something to prove now and may prove flattered by his win in the Turners Novice Hurdle here in March.

3.35 Pertemps Network Cleeve Hurdle (Grade 2) 2m 7f 213yd

The form of the Long Walk Hurdle looks very solid this year, with Potter’s Cross franking it by winning a £100,000 pot at Windsor last week. Impose Toi beat Strong Leader in that race and is a confident pick to confirm the form with soft ground a big negative for the latter, who doesn’t seem to like Cheltenham that much in any case. Doddiethegreat, a creditable fifth at Ascot, can reverse form with Olly Murphy’s gelding and makes plenty of appeal as a forecast bet with the odds-on favourite.

Doncaster Saturday

1.30 Virgin Bet A Yorkshire Rose Mares’ Hurdle (Grade 2) 3m 84yd

Feet Of A Dancer is readily preferred to Jetara. The latter is strictly the pick on her third to Colonel Mustard in the Lismullen Hurdle, but that was a race that pulled the guts out of the principals, and all three have disappointed since. She was beaten a long way in the Christmas Hurdle and, while this is much easier, I’d not be keen to back her until she shows she’s fully recovered from her slog at Navan.

Feet of A Dancer ran really well when fourth in the Pertemps Final here in March and has maintained her form this season, running with particular credit when beating Mozzies Sister and The Great Nudie in the Grabel Mares’ Hurdle at Punchestown in November. All those who have run from that race since have performed well and the form is better than it looked at the time. Second to Wodhooh at Leopardstown last month, Feet of A Dancer will appreciate the return to three miles and has more to offer.

Recommended

Placenet 1.50 Cheltenham – 1pt e/w 8/1 (general – 5 places)

Spillane’s Tower 2.25 Cheltenham – 2pts win 7/2 (Bet365, 10/3 Hills, 3/1 general)

Impose Toi/Doddiethegreat 3.35 Cheltenham – 2pts SFC

Feet Of A Dancer 1.30 Doncaster – 2pts win 5/2 (general)