Cheltenham best bet (1350): Datsalrightgino to confirm progress over longer trip
Jamie Snowden keen to see Datsalrightgino in Tolworth test
The quality of racing at Cheltenham’s Festival Trials Day steps up another gear as six top-class chasers line up to contest the biggest chasing prize on Saturday’s card.
13:50 Cheltenham: Paddy Power Cotswold Chase (3 miles 1 furlong 56 yards)
The fact that 7/1 is currently the biggest price available on any of the six runners gives some indication of both the quality of the field and the wide-open nature of the race.
Royale Pagaille carries winning Grade 1 credentials after claiming the notable scalp of Bravemansgame in the Betfair Chase in November, but Venetia Williams’ 10-year-old tends to save his best for Haydock, and his subsequent penalty might prove too much around Prestbury Park.
Planet Sport Bet Daily Special: Bet £20+ cash on any runner in the race and if Stay Away Fay wins, get a £5 Free Bet
Early favourite Stay Away Fay carries serious hopes for Paul Nicholls after following up his Albert Bartlett success here at last year’s Festival with back-to-back successes in this season’s outings before Christmas.
Harry Cobden is back on board and he confirmed that connections have high hopes for the seven-year-old in his regular PlanetSportBet blog:
WATCH: Harry Cobden weighs up his seven Cheltenham rides
Despite Harry’s justifiable optimism, our final nod goes to Datsalrightgino, whose form and performances have been trending in a very favourable direction for Jamie Snowden.
His seven completed outings in his novice season produced two wins and three runner-up spots, and after a needed his pipe-opener in the Old Roan at Aintree in October, he showed his progress with a convincing win in Newbury’s 20-runner Gold Cup Chase in December.
Having taken the significant step-up in trip in his stride for that last-time-out success, he clearly has plenty more to come at this distance, and his victory in a Grade 2 event at Ayr on his last outing last season proves he is not out of his depth at this level either.
Gavin Sheehan has been in his saddle for all but two of his 19 career outings, and having won on three of his last six rides for Snowden, the team look in great shape to combine successfully again here.
Suggested best bet: Datsalrightgino in the 13:50 at Cheltenham
- Tip advised by Seventh Heaven Horse Racing on Tipstrr
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