News

Triple threat on the cards at Cheltenham

Written by Press Association | Nov 17, 2023 7:26:15 AM

Joe Tizzard will be delighted to have been among the winners in recent weeks and is backed to add to his tally with Triple Trade on day one of the November meeting on Friday at Cheltenham.

The former leading rider had big boots to fill after taking over the licence at Venn Farm from his father Colin last year - and while a tally of 55 winners in his debut season is not too shabby, big-race victories proved difficult to come by.

However, the success of Elixir De Nutz in last week's Haldon Gold Cup put the Dorset-based team back in the spotlight and they return to the home of National Hunt racing this weekend with some nice chances.

Tizzard and jockey Brendan Powell teamed up to land the Mucking Brilliant Paddy Power Handicap Chase with Amarillo Sky 12 months ago and in Triple Trade they have another major contender.

It took the seven-year-old seven attempts to get off the mark over fences last season, but he immediately followed up success at Wincanton with a wide-margin victory at Kempton to ensure he ended the campaign on a high.

He made his reappearance off a 5kg higher mark at Cheltenham last month and there was much to like about the way he boxed on to finish second behind Irish raider Dancing On My Own, who brought solid Graded-race form to the table.

Triple Trade has only been raised half a kilo for his latest test three weeks later - and while in an ideal world he would perhaps prefer further than this 3200m trip, the soft ground should put enough of an emphasis on stamina to ensure he makes his presence felt again.

Tizzard will also have high hopes of striking gold in the SSS Super Alloys Arkle Challenge Trophy Trial with JPR One.

A high-class novice hurdler a couple of seasons ago, the six-year-old has returned from a year on the sidelines at least as good as ever.

He made a winning comeback over hurdles at Taunton in March and while he subsequently failed to fire at Aintree, he was thoroughly impressive on his recent chasing debut at Newton Abbot.

JPR One will need to step up again to follow up in this Grade Two, but conditions will hold no fears and he has run well at Cheltenham before.

Dual Festival hero Delta Work can make a successful return to the Cotswolds in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase.

Gordon Elliott's multiple Grade One winner has won over the specialist course at Prestbury Park in March in each of the past two seasons, memorably getting the better of a titanic tussle with legendary stablemate Tiger Roll in 2022 and seeing off another Elliott runner in Galvin last term.

Galvin is again in opposition, with the Elliott duo clear of the rest at the top of the weights.

Galvin is again rated a threat, but crucially Delta Work has had a run - finishing third over regulation fences at Punchestown last month - which should leave him spot on for Friday.

The Big Doyen could prove to be the value call in the Grade Two Trustatrader Novices' Hurdle.

Last season's Champion Bumper third Captain Teague will be a hot favourite to make it two from two over jumps, having stamped his class on the Persian War at Chepstow last month, but he was novicey in the jumping department that day and giving weight to a horse of The Big Doyen's calibre is no easy task.

Peter Fahey's Irish raider has plenty of experience with eight runs over hurdles under his belt and he is hard fit, having won twice during the summer before bumping into the exciting High Class Hero at Limerick last month.

Recent Kempton victor Gaboriot is rated the best bet at Doncaster in the BetMGM - Stay Golden With Responsible Play Handicap Chase.

Having been placed in several hunter chases for the burgeoning training partnership of Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero, a switch to handicap company did the trick for the seven-year-old almost four weeks ago and he should remain competitive despite a 1.5kg rise.

Haaland can make it back-to-back wins on the all-weather at Newcastle in the Use Safer Gambling Tools At BetUK Handicap, while Timeless Charm is expected to maintain her unbeaten record in the Set Deposit Limits At BetMGM Fillies' Restricted Novice Stakes at Wolverhampton. - Press Association

TAB is betting on 4 UK meetings on Friday. Here are the tips.

DONCASTER: Race 1: 14.30 Think First, Race 2: 15.00 Fearless Action, Race 3: 15.35 Inoui Machin, Race 4: 16.10 Hardy Boy, Race 5: 16.45 Luna Dora, Race 6: 17.20 Gaboriot, Race 7: 17.53 Burrows Hall.

CHELTENHAM: Race 1: 15.10 Fathom Two, Race 2: 15.45 TRIPLE TRADE (NAP), Race 3: 16.20 JPR One, Race 4: 16.55 Delta Work, Race 5: 17.30 The Big Doyen, Race 6: 17.05 Impose Toi.

NEWCASTLE: Race 1: 15.20 Isles Of Wolves, Race 2: 15.55 Governor Of India, Race 3: 16.30 Tokyo Bay, Race 4: 17.05 Haaland, Race 5: 17.40 Pockley, Race 6: 18.15 Involvement, Race 7: 18.50 Indalo, Race 8: 19.20 Upper Hand, Race 9: 19.52 Gloves.

WOLVERHAMPTON: Race 1: 18.30 Show Compassion, Race 2: 19.00 Once Adaay, Race 3: 19.30 Timeless Charm, Race 4: 20.00 Roman Secret, Race 5: 20.30 Sparkling Spirit, Race 6: 21.00 Sun Festival, Race 7: 21.30 Power Of Darkness, Race 8: 22.00 Kitty Foyle, Race 9: 22.30 Starsong.

ALL TO COME: Triple Trade and Delta Work (Cheltenham, Races 2 and 4).