Cheltenham racing tips: Stage Star to steal the show from Al Dancer challenge

14:05 Cheltenham: Paddy Power New Year’s Day Handicap Chase (2 miles 4½ furlongs)  

On face value it’s difficult to see any horse finishing ahead of the Paul Nicholls-trained Stage Star, who is unbeaten in his last three outings at Prestbury Park, beginning with his impressive novices’ win 11 months ago, and crowned with an equally convincing victory in the Turner Advisory (Golden Miller) Chase at the Festival in March.

A setback at Aintree a month later was forgotten and forgiven upon his return to Cheltenham for his season debut in the Gold Cup Chase seven weeks ago, when he recovered from a sliding blunder at the last fence, to finish strongly and ease away to a cosy (in the end) four-length win.

Planet Sport Bet ambassador Harry Cobden again takes Stage Star’s reins, and his jockey/trainer partnership with Paul Nicholls continues to flourish at the highest level, as they team up fresh from Grade 1 success with Captain Teague in Saturday’s Challow Hurdle at Newbury.

 

• Suggested best bet: Stage Star in the 14:05 at Cheltenham

Stage Star’s odds-on prices accurately reflects the likely outcome of this race, but it also enhances the each-way prospects of his five rivals.

Richmond Lake is expected to challenge after winning his last two outings last term, and kicking off his new campaign by extending his unbeaten run to four after wins at Wetherby and Aintree, both under returning in-form jockey Brian Hughes.

It would also be foolish to discount the chances of the red-hot yard of Venetia Williams, who has enjoyed a stellar early season, with most of that success ridden home by the in-form Charlie Deutsch, who piloted Frero Banbou in each of the nine-year-old’s last 17 appearances, albeit with more near misses than his two wins.

Interestingly, Deutsch has also been on board the opposing Al Dancer for his last five outings, and his decision has opened the door for Dylan Johnston to bring his useful seven-pound claim to the back of Sam Thomas’ grey gelding.

If Al Dancer’s best years are behind him, no-one has yet told the 11-year-old, as he proved on his season debut when he won by more than seven lengths in a minor event at Chepstow.

That performance was soon backed up by an equally impressive third of 11 in the much stronger Roan Chase at Aintree in late October, and his subsequent absence suggests that connections are treating their veteran gently between outings.

Thomas’ small yard is hardly prolific in terms of runners, but it’s worth noting that of the 51 horses he has saddled this term, 30 have made the frame, with 11 of those making it to the winner’s enclosure.

• Each-way punt: Al Dancer each-way in the 14:05 at Cheltenham

• Tip advised by The King of Horses on Tipstrr

 

READ MORE: New Year’s Day racing tips: Best bets for Cheltenham and Musselburgh on January 1