Cheltenham Tips: Friday’s Through the Card Tips as Racing Returns to Prestbury Park

Racing returns to Cheltenham this week and we’re delighted to have @TheTr17pleP from RideoutRacing on Twitter look through the seven-race card on Friday and pick the best betting tip from each race.

The action starts at 1.35pm and as ever, you can look through the free bet offers in search of some bonuses to spend betting on the day’s racing.

 

Cheltenham Tips Friday 21st October

• 1.35pm Cheltenham – Lively Citizen (12/1)
• 2.10pm Cheltenham – Straw Fan Jack (17/2)
• 2.45 Cheltenham – Music Drive (3/1)
• 3.20pm Cheltenham – Pull Again Green (7/2)
• 3.55pm Cheltenham – Onagatheringstorm (4/1)
• 4.30pm Cheltenham – The Newest One (14/1)
• 5.05pm Cheltenham – Hullnback (2/1)

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1.35pm Cheltenham – Lively Citizen

Course form to the fore in Cheltenham opener

This weekend Jumps racing returns to Prestbury Park, and the opening contest is a typically competitive two-mile handicap hurdle. With 16 runners set to go to post, a strong case can be made for a few of these but the one that caught my eye was Lively Citizen 12/1 for trainer David Jeffreys. With course form figures of 121PU he clearly thrives around Prestbury Park and had excuses the day he was pulled up due his saddle badly slipping after jumping the first. Still only a seven-year-old, he has a progressive profile and ran some excellent races in defeat last season, including a fine second in the Imperial Cup at Sandown before a good sixth at the Aintree Festival. Archie Bellemy takes a valuable 6lbs off bringing him 2lbs below his last winning mark. Nayati caught my eye after 1013 days off the track when making a winning return for Donald McCain but after such a hefty absence, I would worry about the dreaded bounce factor.

 

2.10pm Cheltenham – Straw Fan Jack 

Jack should have his fans in the second

Next up the novice chasers get a chance to shine over the minimum trip. The Irish raiders are well represented in this with both Ash Tree Meadow and Sole Pretender likely to prove popular. They set a clear standard on hurdles from and subsequently are well treated at the weights. Straw Fan Jack 17/2 has long been held in high regard by trainer Sheila Lewis and made an eye-catching chase debut at Ffos Las a fortnight ago. The grey gelding jumped beautifully throughout before cruising clear up the straight. He has plenty to find on ratings, and at the weights, but he should relish the better ground and has the potential to improve considerably on what he achieved over hurdles. Fingers crossed all eight runners go to post and we have a decent each-way market.

 

2.45 Cheltenham – Music Drive

The Davy drive can get a sweet tune out of Music

We switch back to hurdles over the intermediate trip for the third race of the day where I like the chances of Music Drive 3/1 for Russell and Elliott. A big, strong, galloping type, I expect him to suit the demands of Cheltenham and he looks the standout pick on bumper form, finishing eighth in last season’s Champion Bumper. Prior to that he finished second to the extremely exciting Redemption Day and beat the well-regarded Sandor Clegane. The form of his Galway success is yet to be tested but that experience should help him here and he’s open to plenty of improvement. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him line up in an Albert Bartlett come Festival time.

 

3.20pm Cheltenham – Pull Again Green

Plenty of reasons to be keen on Green

Hang In There heads the weights for the 888Sport Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase bidding to rack up an impressive five timer. He’s been in good form over fences this Summer, but this is by far his toughest test to date. Champagne Gold is bound to attract support for Gold Cup winning duo Henry De Bromhead and Rachael Blackmore, but I am keen to side with Pull Again Green 7/2. Having seen him in the flesh a couple of times last season, he certainly has plenty of scope for fences and early reports are that has he been schooling well. He progressed nicely last season and I would be disappointed if he doesn’t turn out to be a fair bit better than his current mark of 138. We know he likes Cheltenham as a track, and he should handle the quicker conditions. I’m hoping he’s a bit of value in this tricky five runner race.

 

3.55pm Cheltenham – Onagatheringstorm

The Fergal theme continues

The fifth race of the day is the Abu Dhabi Digital Exchange Handicap Hurdle over two miles and four furlongs. Cheltenham Festival hero Coole Cody tops the weights and has an exceptional record at the track. Onagatheringstorm 4/1 reappeared at this meeting last year, finishing in the places behind Albert Bartlett third Bardenstown Lad. He would go on to place behind Sporting John over the same course and distance before disappointing a little on his final two starts. He didn’t appear to be the strongest of finishers over three miles last season and this step back in trip looks a good move. He remains competitively handicapped, and I believe the step back in trip may well be key to his success.

 

4.30pm Cheltenham – The Newest One

Close relative of Cheltenham hero can strike

Amateur Jockeys take centre stage in the penultimate race on the card, a handicap chase over three miles and one furlong. With a maximum field of 20 set to go to post, this isn’t an easy race to assess. Old Town Garde is bound to prove popular for Gordon Elliott and excellent claimer Rob James, but I have decided to take a chance on The Newest One 14/1. A close relative to one of my favourite horses, The New One, it is safe to say The Newest One hasn’t quite reached the heights connections thought he would. He does however have some eye-catching pieces of form. Two starts back he finished just over seven lengths behind Didero Vallis who went on to finish third in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham. With form on good ground and James Turner taking off 7lbs, I would be disappointed if he can’t be competitive.

 

5.05pm Cheltenham – Hullnback

Hullnback to cap a fine day for Fergal

An intriguing maiden hurdle over an extended two miles rounds off the action on Day 1 and I am hoping to see Hullnback (2/1) make a winning start to life over hurdles. Fergal O’Brien’s son of Schiaparelli caught the eye when storming home on bumper debut to record a four-length success. He backed up that visually impressive performance with a good fifth in a strong listed Newbury bumper before running a massive race to finish second in a Grade 2 at Aintree. I think he may want a little more cut in the ground, but I expect Cheltenham to play his strengths. Look out for him staying on strongly up the famous Cheltenham Hill. Carrigdoun Boy is the only runner on the card for team O’Neill and I’ll be watching him closely given he finished third to the highly touted Klitschko on his final bumper start.

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Friday’s Cheltenham Tips

• 1.35pm Cheltenham – Lively Citizen (12/1)
• 2.10pm Cheltenham – Straw Fan Jack (17/2)
• 2.45 Cheltenham – Music Drive (3/1)
• 3.20pm Cheltenham – Pull Again Green (7/2)
• 3.55pm Cheltenham – Onagatheringstorm (4/1)
• 4.30pm Cheltenham – The Newest One (14/1)
• 5.05pm Cheltenham – Hullnback

 

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