Attaglance looks set to continue Jefferson’s fine record at Prestbury Park
MALCOLM Jefferson has enjoyed some tremendous success at Cheltenham in recent years and he could be celebrating in the winner’s enclosure again tomorrow as I like the look of his ATTAGLANCE in the Stewart Family Thank You Gold Cup (2.25pm).
Even though the seven-year-old is yet to win over fences, and admittedly had a poor first season over the larger obstacles, he has performed well on his two starts this campaign, especially when fourth in last month’s Paddy Power Gold Cup.
He raced from out of the handicap that day, so will be better off with both Johns Spirit and Colour Squadron who finished first and second respectively.
The 2012 Martin Pipe Hurdle winner will get the decent ground he needs and his trainer thinks Cheltenham’s New Course will suit him better than the sharper Old Course that he raced on last month.
This doesn’t look the hottest renewal and Attaglance strikes me as a really strong each-way bet at 8/1 with Coral.
The main dangers are the aforementioned Johns Spirit and Colour Squadron, as well as Grandioso who is aiming to give Paul Nicholls a fourth win in the race in the last five years.
The Stan James International Hurdle (3.00pm) looks a straight match between The New One and Zarkandar and, although I think the former will win, I’m not prepared to back him at 1/2.
It’s difficult to know who is running in the other races at Cheltenham tomorrow, so instead I’m going to go to Doncaster for another bet.
Emma Lavelle’s horses remain in good form and she is sending OFF THE GROUND up the A1 again after his dominating victory over course and distance last month.
Town Moor really seemed to suit the seven-year-old son of Oscar and with the ground likely to be good again he should be able to defy a 15lb hike in the weights in the Download The Free BetVictor App Handicap Chase (2.40pm).
There is some decent action back at Prestbury Park this afternoon and my main fancy is ANY CURRENCY in the Cross Country Chase (2.40pm).
Martin Keighley’s 10-year-old ran a cracker over this unique course last time to finish third to Balthazar King and Uncle Junior.
He doesn’t face anything of the calibre of those two today, plus that race wasn’t a handicap so he will be much better off at the weights this time. He looks well-handicapped and should go very close.
Philip Hobbs has his string in rude health, as Saturday’s across the card four-timer proved, and he looks to have a few good chances this afternoon.
Return Spring will be popular in the three-mile handicap hurdle after his last-gasp win here at the Paddy Power meeting, but the one I’m more interested in is GARDE LA VICTOIRE in the finale (3.45pm).
It looks a hot race with Doctor Harper and Ballyalton the chief threats, but Diana Whateley’s four-year-old is unbeaten in three starts and was hugely impressive at Warwick last time.
■ Pointers…
ANY CURRENCY 2.40pm Cheltenham (today)
GARDE LA VICTOIRE 3.45pm Cheltenham (today)
ATTAGLANCE e/w 2.25pm Cheltenham (tomorrow)
OFF THE GROUND 2.40pm Doncaster (tomorrow))