‘He will relish the testing floor at Cheltenham’ – Jason Heavey’s Saturday suggestions
The Daily Star Chief Tipster has singled out a mudlark who will not mind the rain-softened conditions at the home of jump racing, while he also fancies a 16-1 shot in the Paddy Power Gold Cup
JUBILEE EXPRESS (1.10, nap) can grab the gold medal in the big staying chase at Cheltenham on Saturday.
The eight-year-old has the credentials to cope with what should be attritional conditions over 3m1f in the Debenhams Amateur Jockeys Handicap.
The eight-year-old has been given a great chance by the assessor who has dropped him 9lb since his last race at Haydock in February.
He is only 3lb higher than when a close second in last year’s Welsh National on what was his seasonal bow.
His trainer Sam Thomas remains in brilliant form and at around 8-1 he looks to have strong claims.
ES PERFECTO (2.20) can finally fulfil his huge promise in the Paddy Power Gold Cup.
The 10-year-old is approaching the twilight of his career but has only had 17 starts.
He has tons of ability and his task has been made easier by the late defection of market leader Jagwar, who was said to be ‘off colour” by connections.
Ten years ago owner Liz Prowting won this race with Annacotty and her familiar silks will be carried again by Es Perfecto.
The horse did this tipster a favour at the Cheltenham Festival in March when he rewarded place money with a cracking run at 33-1.
That was the last time he was sighted on a track and it is a big ask to win first time out.
But his trainer Alan King prepared Annacotty to win first time out in soft ground and I fancy history to repeat itself.
At the time of writing Es Perfecto is a chunky 16-1.
Last year’s winner Il Ridoto is respected but would prefer better ground, while Vincenzo represents the Sam Thomas winning machine.
Panic Attack and Venetia Williams’ Hunter Legend are others with solid claims.
BE AWARE (1.45) was a talented hurdler and impressed when scoring on his fencing debut at Stratford.
He comes back in top for the Grade Two Paddy Power Arkle Trial Novices’ Chase, which is a step up in class but he should cope with the ground and may handle the conditions better than Burdett Road.
The latter, who was second in the Champion Hurdle in March, makes his chasing bow.
GOWEL ROAD (2.55) is one of the toughest and consistent horses in training and he gets the vote off top weight in the From The Horses Mouth Podcast Handicap Hurdle.
He should be fitter for his run three weeks ago and is bombproof in terms of trip, track and ground.
HOLLOWAY QUEEN (3.30) showed plenty of form on bad ground last season and is tipped to score on her seasonal return in the Paddy Power Intermediate Hurdle.
Nicky Henderson’s mare is a tough cookie and appeals at around 10-1.
The ITV cameras are at Wetherby for the last two races and MINSTREL KNIGHT (3.10), an 88-rated horse on the Flat, can make a winning debut over timber.
And in the Boylesports Home of the Early Payout Handicap Chase CERENDIPITY (3.43) can build on a promising return to give the in-form Joel Parkinson and Sue Smith another winner.
JASON HEAVEY’S SATURDAY TIPS
CHELTENHAM
12.35 Secret Force
1.10 Jubilee Express (Nap)
1.45 Be Aware
2.20 Jagwar (nb)
2.55 Gowel Road
3.30 Holloway Queen
4.00 Divine Diva
WETHERBY
12.15 Monochromix
12.50 Get On George
1.25 Hara Kiri
2.00 Meetmebythesea (trb)
2.35 Rocheval
3.10 Minstrel Knight
3.43 Cerendipity
UTTOXETER
12.07 Reinado
12.42 Queenofthejukebox
1.17 Aworkinprogress
1.52 Passing Kate
2.27 Brixson
3.02 My Granny Lily
3.37 Laraktar
