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Good year! ITV starts off with this Absolute Belter of a Grade 2 Paddy Power Novices’ Chase over a 2m4f stretch. MILLER BANK jumped really well when he scored two points back at Huntingdon, but was poor when he knocked down the runner in Newbury the last time around. That said, the gelding trained by Alex Hales probably would have won that day without the crash and he clearly has a lot of ability. I’ll take the opportunity for Harry Bannister to have a good tune.
ITV is also in Musselburgh for this handicap hurdle of more than 2m4f. CROSS OF KAVANAGHS has lost 1 pound despite winning last time and Angus Cheleda is now 5 pounds off, so he’s technically better by 6 pounds. Having said that, that’s not a good thing as I’m not absolutely sure he’s a solid stayer. This track is pretty neat, be careful, and gives it a chance to get home, so at least has room claims.
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It is about a pursuit with handicap of level 3 on an extent of 2m4f. It might be the day for ZANZA arrive late even if he’s slowly climbing up the handicap odds for being beaten. The Philip Hobbs rider, ridden by the excellent Tom O’Brien, is on 147 having now finished sixth in the Paddy Power Gold Cup on 144 and second in the Racing Post Gold Cup on 145. pace – if it gets that tough to keep the frame.
Another handicap hurdle here but this time over nearly 2m. FIRST IMPRESSION was 5-4 off that mark on this track last time around, but jumped badly and the driver lost his spot early. Obviously he will have to jump a lot better here and it’s harder, but he gets a lot of weight from the other fancy runners and should be fine for John Quinn and Henry Brooke.
ITV shows a Tramore run in this level 3 pursuit over 2m6f. AL BOUM PHOTO is the forgotten horse from the Gold Cup pitch and my advice is to bring him back to Cheltenham today before he gets started here. At 16-1 there is still a great bet each way and if you have to take 14-1 take it. At the age of 11, he did not have a bib and did not run much. Come on Willie Mullins and Paul Townend.
A handicap hurdle difficult to disentangle over 3m. ASK DILLON is a stronger stayer than most and lost 1 pound after his third on the track last time around. It might not be enough to get him to score here, but he should still run well for Fergal O’Brien and Liam Harrison is now off 3 pounds. So I’ll go with him every way.
Now, a pursuit with handicap over an extent of 2m4f. Henry Brooke might have a good day because NIETZSCHE has pretensions here despite probably being outside the domain. My hopes are crippled on their best form for coach Brian Ellison and the conditions are ideal. He could easily bounce back to his best in a winnable race.
It is the class with the Grade 2 Relkeel Hurdle on an extent of 2m4f. I’m amazed that we haven’t seen MCFABULOUS over the fences, for it is a big beast built like a hunter. I guess he is poorly educated. What we do know is that he’s a pretty talented hurdler and just might be tough to beat for champion Paul Nicholls and Harry Cobden.
So good luck and pray for Yeeehaaas. Can you hear me Paddy?
Tips from Matt Chapman
NEW YEAR’S DAY ITV RACING
Cheltenham 13.25 – Millers bank
Musselburgh 13.40 – Kavanaghs Cross (each way)
Cheltenham 14.00 – Zanza
Musselburgh 14.10 – First impression
Tramore 14.20 – Photo of Al Boum
Cheltenham 14.35 – Ask Dillon
Musselburgh 14.50 – Nietzsche
Cheltenham 15.10 – McFabulous
New Year’s Horse Racing Tips
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