Cheltenham´s International Meeting: second day

Cheltenham´s International Meeting goes into its second day today with some very competitive racing and we shall no doubt be seeing many of today´s runners back here at the Festival in March. However the big races then will mainly be run at level weights, while today the various weight concessions could play a big role.

The main event is the International Hurdle at 16.10 CET where The New One Nigel and Sam Twiston-Davies) will probably start at ods-on; he has a good record here and was a very unlucky third in the Champion Hurdle, clearly the best form in the race. he won this last year and has won his last 3 races. However he has to concede 8 lbs to Vaniteux (Nicky Henderson/ Barry Geraghty) which will certainly not be that easy, while we also like Zamdy Man (Venetia Williams/ Aidan Coleman), who meets him on better terms this time after running second to The New One at Haydock. Zamdy Man, out of a Nebos mare closely related to Lando, is a horse we like and he could be a decent each-way bet at the likly double figure odds.

The big betting race is the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup, a handicap chase over 2 miles 5 furlongs at 15.00,which looks wide open. Caid du Berlais (Paul Nicholls/ Sam T-D). He has only gone up 5 lbs for that win and looks certain to be involved again. Ericht (Henderson/ Geraghty) was well behind that day and Easter Meteor (David Pipe/ Tom Scudamore) pulled up, bjut we expect them both to run much better this time. Attaglance (Malcolm Jefferson/ Brian Hughes) and Barrakilla (Evan Williams/ Paul Moloney) are others to consider, but almost any of the 12 runners could win here.

The 3 mile novice hurdle at 15.35 is another race in which the horse with the best form- Blaklion (Nigel T-D/ Jamie Moore) has to concede weight, and it could be that Port Melon ( Nicholls/ Sam T-D) could prove superior in receipt of 7 lbs. However both are moving up in trip, while Binge Drinker (Rebecca Curtis/ McCoy) and Parish Business (Emma Lavelle/ Coleman) are both proven at the distance, so it is not clear cut.

Best bet of the day could be Hargam (Henderson/ McCoy) in the opening 3yo hurdle at 13.15; he made a most encouraging debut when runner-up here at the November meeting in what was possibly the best juvenile hurdle of the season so far. It has been a frosty night in many places and Doncaster has called for a third inspection before racing gets the green light. If so, there will be very small fields, and here also there is a good race for 3yo hurdlers, which could also go to the Henderson stable via Peace and Co (Daryl Jacob).

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Hargam - Stars Over The Sea - Karezak
2. Race: Champagne West - Un Ace - Little Jon
3. Race: Solar Impulse - Bold Henry - Sew On Target
4. Race: Caid Du Berlais - Barrakilla - No Buts
5. Race: Blaklion - Port Melon - Parish Business
6. Race: Vaniteux - Zamdy Man - Bertimont
7. Race: Volnay De Thaix - Rock On Ruby - Lac Fontana