Rest of Cheltenham

The remaining 5 races at Chelteham are also highly interesting and the card begins with a Grade Two race for 3yo hurdlers at 13.20, in which 12 of the 16 runners are already winners. Girogio Quercus (Nicky Henderson/ Barry Geraghty), R de Rien Sivola (Paul Nicholls/ Ruby Walsh) and Saticon (Alan King/ Robert Thornton) are all ex-French horses who won on their British debuts and represent top stables. The novice chase over 3 miles at 14.25 sees Nicholls/ Walsh and King/ Thornton again in opposition with Big Fella Thanks and West End Rocker respectively, who were only separated by 1/2 length when they met last month at Chepstow; Gone to Lunch (Jeremy Scott/ Tony McCoy) was the best of these over hurdles and is also in with a big shout. The handicap chase over 3 1/(2 miles at 15.00 is wide open, especially as many of the runners are making their seasonal debut. Grand National winner Comply or Die (David Pipe/ Timmy Murphy) may need the race and his stable is not yet in top form. Simon (Jon Spearing/ Andrew Thornton) makes more appeal, while Parsons Legacy (Philip Hobbs/ Ricjhard Johnson) won here at the last meeting over 3 miles but is now 6 lbs worse off with 3rd-placed Joe Lively (Colin and Joe Tizzard). The listed handicap hurdle at 16.10 could possibly go to the German-bred Sullumo (Cahrlie Mann/ Sam Thomas), who who very consistent form in Britain and can certainly be preferred to the other ex-German Fair Along (Philip Hobbs/ RP Flint), but Irish challenger Kirbybroiguelantern (Tom Hogan/ John Cullen) is a big danger. Another German-bred with a chance is Oldrik (PÜhilip Hobbs/ Mr. I.Popeham) in the 2 mile novices handicap hurdle at 16.45, but he faces 19 opponents, including 5 trained in Ireland, all of who could be handicap snips.

Betting forecast:
1.Race: R De Rien Sivola - Giorgio Quercus - Saticon
2.Race: Big Fella Thanks - West End Rocker - Gone To Lunch
3.Race: Opera Mundi - Halcon Genelardais - Joe Lively
4.Race: Silverburn - Imperial Commander - Barbers Shop
5.Race: Pride Of Dulcote - Sullumo - Valerius
6.Race: Hivikos - Sunnyhillboy - Keki Buku