Racing TV's Andrew Blair White provides his best horse racing tips for the Friday at the November Cheltenham meeting.
I am going to start this week by saying one thing – I love the November Meeting at Cheltenham. I don’t know what it is about it, or why it is, but it is comfortably up there with one of the most enjoyable weekends of the calendar year for me. I am hopeful that this year can be a profitable one to add to its enjoyment and I shall be looking through all three days of the action on this column.
Starting with Friday – and I am diving into the Veterans action first, with the 2.55 over 2m4f being a perfect opportunity to see some of the stalwarts of the game in recent times. Preference here is for OUTLAW PETER 4/1 , who boasted some good form in a mix of open and Veteran handicaps last season.
Last year, his season culminated with an excellent win at Haydock in April off a mark of 134 in the Veterans Series Final and showed that he can still operate off higher marks when a good third over the exact same course and distance a few weeks later back in open company. This is his first start of the season but has ground in his favour here and Paul Nicholls’ string have been in resurgent form in recent weeks. Surprisingly, this is the horses’ first trip to Cheltenham but I see no issues in that regard and he usually races prominently – which can help in these types of races. A price of 100/30 with Betway looks a fair price.
Back Outlaw Peter at 100/30 in the 2.55 at Cheltenham
The 3.30 race is graded novice hurdle action over 2m5f and we have plenty of differing types of profiles coming into this race. Ferocimo and Divine Diva both come with exciting reputations, but I am going to side with the more experienced DALLAS STAR 7/1 – who’s two runs in this discipline have showed that he does retain some of the ability he had as a high-class flat performer.
He won well at Navan on debut over hurdles over 2m and while the form has some mixed signals, there have been winners to come out of the run. He was reversed when sent off favourite for a Listed contest at Limerick last time out and although that was a disappointing run, I think there are grounds for optimism that this could suit better. Often ridden handily, if getting into a better jumping rhythm, he should relish the stamina sapping final furlongs of this race and perhaps has a little bit more street craft than some of his younger rivals. It is also interesting to note that it is Emmet Mullins’ sole representative over the three days, which again gives me optimism. A price of 15/2 with Betway appeals to me as an each way proposition.
Back Dallas Star at 15/2 in the 3.30 at Cheltenham
We are often told that if we ignore history, we are doomed to repeat it. However I would admit that sometimes I am glutton for punishment when it comes to Tony Martin’s pursuit of winning the concluding handicap hurdle on the card at 4.00. Having been down the road of Belgoprince, Explosive Boy and Alphonse Le Grande before – we now tread the shoes of EBEN ZAABEEL 3/1 .
Objectively, his claims for a race like this look perfectly valid with a win at Downpatrick and a decent second at Fontwell being his last two runs over hurdles.
However, like so many from his stable – the prospect of this horse travelling in amongst a bigger field and to a stronger pace is something that I am sure he will relish. He has one of the best in the business in Dan King riding him and he certainly has untapped potential in his first handicap hurdle off a mark of 117. I am hoping his experience on the level will help make this not so daunting a task. 7/2 with Betway is enough to lure me in. Hopefully history does not repeat itself.
Back Eben Zaabeel in the 4.00 at Cheltenham
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