Week 4 of Saturday’s #8PointstoPlay Tipping Challenge is here and this weekend’s action comes from Cheltenham, Doncaster, Fairyhouse and more. See our leaderboard below.
If you are joining the fun, please be disciplined, stick to your staking system and only stake what you can afford to lose. Understand and please be aware !
Ronan Groome
1:02 Fairyhouse – Hostage To Fortune (11/4) 3pts win
Anything above 3/1 looks good value for Barry Connell’s Hostage To Fortune in this lowly handicap. His trainer has done reasonably well since taking out a licence, notably at this course with King Alex, and this six-year-old has also prospered for him, winning last time out at Gowran Park after a couple of useful placed efforts. That win came over fences and he returns to hurdles now off a mark which is 23lbs lower than his chase rating. He has to prove he stays this longer trip but if he can replicate his chase form, he has bundles in hand.
1:50 Cheltenham – Cepage (7/1) 1pt e/w
I’m sweet on Benatar for this contest at a much bigger price but I’ve had two darts and of the two I’ve backed Cepage looks the more solid. His record at this course is excellent, he goes well fresh and although he has a career high mark to defy, he is only 1lb higher than when beating Spiritofthegames here last January.
2:12 Fairyhouse – Daly Tiger (9/2) 1.5pts e/w
This valuable two-mile handicap chase is an excellent each-way betting heat because there are only 11 runners, four of which have little or no chance from racing out of the handicap. The form of Daly Tiger’s win over Tornado Flyer at Punchestown in a similarly deep contest could hardly have worked out better and I think he has a huge chance to follow up off a 10lbs higher mark.
Thomas Coyle
1.50 Cheltenham- Al Dancer (4/1) 2 Pts e/w
Beat Master Tommytucker by 2 lengths giving him 6 pounds and is now receiving 6Ibs in this handicap. An each way bet to nothing in this I’d be very surprised if he wasn’t in the money.
12.00 Fairyhouse – Don’t Go Yet (12/1) 1 Pt e/w
I think 2m 6f might of stretched him the last time even though he is out of a half sister to Limestone Lad. He could probably be ridden a bit handier over this trip and could run into the money.
2.25 Cheltenham – Ashtown Lad (11/4) 2 Pts win
Won a P2P for Liam Kenny and when upped in trip the last day at Uttoxeter, he forged clear. Amongst the best form in this race and should take the beating.
Barry Doyle
3.00 Cheltenham – Goshen (7/4) 4 Pts win
Was on route becoming the most impressive winner at last year’s Cheltenham Festival before freakishly unseating at the last. Would we be looking at odds against Goshen prior to his below par flat runs ? I’m maintaining the faith and back over hurdles, he could be Epatante’s biggest Champion Hurdle challenger before the end of the day !
1.15 Cheltenham – Chatham Street Lad (14/1) 2 Pts e/w
8yo son of Beneficial, who has only had six starts over fences. Connections have rolled the dice following a cosy win over two miles at Cork three weeks ago. Chatham Street Lad seems to enjoy the soft conditions and Michael Winters believes he will get the extra distance fine. The UK handicapper hasn’t crucified him and he should be in the picture with a chance coming down the hill !
Mike Vince
1:50 Cheltenham – Annie Mc (22/1) 2 Pts e/w
Ran in a G1 at the Festival. Now tried in headgear.
1.15 Cheltenham – Zanza (5/1) 2 Pts win
Liked the way he won at Newbury last time though this is tougher.
1.57 Hereford – Elixir du Nuts (9/5) 2 Pts win
Grade 1 hurdle winner who I always thought would make a chaser.
Andrew Blair-White
1.50 Cheltenham – Windsor Avenue (8/1) 2 Pts e/w
3.15 Doncaster – Boldmere (3/1) 4 Pts win
The Champion
12:05 Cheltenham – Elham Valley (4/1) 4pts win
Quick enough turnaround for Elham Valley having only won a fairly sharp Juvenile Hurdle a week ago (well-backed odds on Henderson horse). Fergal O’Brien’s been having a very good season to date. I think the David Pipe fav is vulnerable albeit has course experience which will help. Son of Red won a fairly bunched finished race at Newcastle LTO. Think that standard might not be too hectic. Camouflage is a horse who I think will outrun his price but I am going to stick with Elham Valley.
2:40 Doncaster – Monmiral (1/2) 4pts win
I think this Monmiral has probably been the best juvenile hurdler we’ve seen so far this year in the UK. Nicholls told Ferguson to get the cheque book out for this fella and I think that’s a tale in itself. Gordon Elliot’s horse has been seen at Sligo and Sedgefield. Those tracks are not flashy enough for me and he could be a bit of a journey man horse. The only thing I would say is Duffle Coat ran very well at Cheltenham for the same trainer but I don’t think Glorious Zoff is in the same league.
Leaderboard
- Thomas Coyle +29 Pts
- Ronan Groome +20.7 Pts
- Mike Vince 14.6 Pt
- The Champion +2 Pts
- Andrew Blair White -24 Pts, Barry Doyle -24 Pts
Total Blog Score +18.3 Pts