‘He has been knocking on the door for a big-race victory’ – Jason Heavey’s Saturday ideas
The Daily Star Chief Tipster believes a Sam Thomas-trained horse can come good at Cheltenham on Saturday
VINCENZO (1.50) can give his trainer Sam Thomas a big Saturday payday by winning the Support The Hunt Family Fund December Gold Cup Handicap Chase at Cheltenham.
The seven-year-old has been knocking on the door for a big-race victory, having had to settle for the silver medal both in the Greatwood Gold Cup at Newbury in March and then on his return at Prestbury Park last month when he came up against Panic Attack in the Paddy Power Gold Cup.
Thomas believes in his chaser, who should be match fit up against likely danger Jagwar , who has not been seen since winning at the Cheltenham Festival in March.
SWEET CARYLINE (3.35, nap) looks a tasty bet to win the Download The BetMGM App Mares’ Handicap Hurdle.
Trainer Joe Tizzard has been on a great run in recent weeks, and none more so than with this seven-year-old mare, who is on a four-timer having scored at Newton Abbot in May and then during the autumn at Chepstow and Wincanton, all in mares’ handicaps.
The latest win was her best when stepping up in grade to beat re-opposing Jubilee Alpha by a length.
The runner-up admittedly made a Horlicks of the second-last flight, but my selection was always doing enough and another big run is expected.
The first race on ITV, the Quintessentially Mares’ Handicap Chase, looks the most open and REALTA LIATH (1.15) is taken to follow up her maiden victory at Fontwell last month.
That was her first run over fences and Warren Greatrex’s mare took to it like a duck to water, winning very easily by six and a half lengths. And while the form of that race hasn’t stood up that well, she should improve further from a handy-looking mark and with Sean Bowen doing the steering.
DAVID’S WELL (2.25, nb) is hard to oppose in the Read Meg Nicholls’ Blog At betmgm.co.uk Handicap Chase.
Chris Gordon’s six-year-old hasn’t looked back since switching to fences, winning all three of his outings over the bigger obstacles, including on his return three weeks ago at Haydock.
With Harry Cobden on his back, he can shrug off a 6lb rise in the weights.
THEY CALL ME HUGO (3.00) can make a name for himself in the Grade Two Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle.
Bowen has the chance to score a double on this son of Doyen, who was a decent point winner before success on his hurdles debut at Ffos Las last month.
The ITV cameras are also at Doncaster for three races and PRINCE ZALTAR (2.05), acquired by Dan Skelton in September, is taken to score a second chase win in the bet365 Pennine Handicap Chase.
The trainer and jockey Tristan Durrell can double up with KATEIRA (2.05) in the Listed mares’ hurdle.
LANESBOROUGH (3.17) has his first run of the season in the Each Way Extra At bet365 Handicap Hurdle, having impressed when winning at Warwick in February.
Jason Heavey’s Saturday tips CHELTENHAM 12.10 Minella Study 12.40 The Jukebox Kid (trb) 1.15 Realta Liath 1.50 Vincenzo 2.25 David’s Well (nb) 3.00 They Call Me Hugo 3.35 Sweet Caryline (Nap)
DONCASTER 11.55 Real Quartz 12.25 Zurich 12.55 Spadestep 1.30 Heather Honey 2.05 Prince Zaltar 2.40 Kateira 3.17 Lanesborough
LINGFIELD PARK 11.42 Hansard 12.17 Getaway King 12.47 Hot Goddess 1.22 Masked Man 1.57 Getaway With You 2.32 Knockanore 3.10 Bobbi’s Beauty
NEWCASTLE 3.05 Without Compromise 3.40 Brave Traveller 4.15 Alba Gu Brath 4.45 Bonnie’s Boy 5.15 Pocklington 5.45 Northern Spirit 6.15 Jamaican Storm 6.45 Lessay 7.15 Second Fiddle
WOLVERHAMPTON 5.00 Gustav Graves 5.30 Havana Jag 6.00 Magic Runner 6.30 Notimeforchitchat 7.00 Hostility 7.30 The Caribbean 8.00 Rainwater 8.30 Darn Hot Time
