It's a strong race, but he has made a good debut over fences, says the Betway ambassador ahead of this weekend's rides...
Cheltenham on Saturday
There’s a good card at Cheltenham on Saturday and I start on {ODDS:116183164:9/1} Coologue in the handicap chase (1.50pm).
Charlie Longsdon’s horses are in fine form and there should be no worries about the trap or trip.
He’s high enough in the weights and it’s a competitive renewal, but he goes well fresh and certainly has an each-way chance.
I’m on Young Dillon in the novice hurdle (2.25pm) and he comes here in really good form. He will like the good ground and fingers crossed he’s still improving.
I rode West Approach here last year and he’s a very interesting horse. He’s a half-brother to Thistlecrack and is definitely a horse to watch out for this season.
I will be on Philip Hobbs’ Dunraven Storm ({ODDS:116183242:16/1}) in the Handicap Chase (3.30pm), a yard who have been in cracking form of late.
There’s no worries about the ground but I’m a bit worried about his handicap mark as he is giving weight away to younger horses.
In the 4.05pm Handicap Hurdle For Good Measure ({ODDS:116183218:15/2}) was unlucky when just getting caught at Market Rasen last time out.
He will like the big field and he’s open to improvement.
I’m really looking forward to riding Brother Tedd in the Royal Gloucestershire Hussars Novices’ Chase (4.40pm).
This looks a very strong race, but he made a pleasing debut over fences at Newton Abbott and I’m hoping he’ll come on for that.
Fingers crossed he’s my best chance of the day. Knockgraffon of Dan Skelton’s is a fair horse as is Shantou Village, but I’m still pretty hopeful.
I was really impressed by how much Somewhere To Be improved on his first run when finishing third at Worcester last time out and he should have a chance in the last (5.15pm).
Martin Keighley always does well at Cheltenham too.
Aintree on Sunday
My first ride is Charlie Longsdon’s Abbotswood in the maiden hurdle (1.40pm). He looked really smart in point to point races and I’m expecting him to go well.
Paul Nicholls has started the season with a bang as well and Winningtry looks the one we have to beat.
Russian Regent (2.45pm) has been going well all summer for Gordon Elliott and he comes into this race a very fit horse.
Good ground on Aintree’s galloping track is right up his street, so hopefully he can go close.
Perform (3.15pm) is potentially one of the most exciting horses in Philip’s yard.
This is a very hot race and there are others in there with chances but I really like mine. He beat Dan Skelton’s Knockgraffon at this track last October and he’s a decent horse.
He got a very nasty cut in that race and has taken plenty of time off to recover and get race-fit.
He’s got a very big future and, even if he doesn’t win today, he should be very smart in time.
This looks a good renewal of the Old Roan Chase (3.50pm) and I’ll be riding Royal Regatta for Philip Hobbs.
He found his form towards the end of last year with blinkers and a tongue strap applied and comes here in good form for what looks an open race.
God’s Own is likely to go off a fairly short price having won at Punchestown and Aintree last season, but is usually at his best in the spring.
However, my horse is only an eight-year-old and there could still be improvement to come. The ground will pose no problems and the flat track will suit.
I finish my weekend with a ride on Theatre Rouge in the Bumper (5.00pm) and he came home a nice second last time out. He’s had a nice summer off and can hopefully go well.
