Tote Placepot a good option for tricky Cheltenham card

Irish interest in Friday’s action at Cheltenham is mainly confined to the Glenfarclas Crystal Cup Cross Country Handicap Chase where 6 of the 13 runners travel over from Ireland including former Gold Cup winner Minella Indo who tries his hand at this unique test for the first time.

Minella Indo has an enviable record around Prestbury Park, not only winning the 2021 Gold Cup, but also finishing second in the same race in 2022 as well as winning an Albert Bartlett Novice Hurdle and finishing runner-up to Champ in the 2020 RSA Novices Chase at the Festival.

While Minella Indo’s sights are lowered considerably for today’s test his lack of experience over cross country courses coupled with the burden of top weight are enough to suggest he is unlikely to add to his Cheltenham victories here.

Recent form over this course is in plentiful supply with six of the finishers from a similar race in November renewing rivalry here. Latenightpass did best of the sextet on that occasion when finishing in the runner-up berth and looks a major contender again off a 3lbs higher rating.

The Cross Country race is the final leg of today’s Tote Placepot with a guaranteed minimum pool of £50,000 and Latenightpass would look banker material to finish in the first three again.

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Dysart Enos would also look banker material in the opening Novices Hurdle on the card. Fergal O’Brien’s three time bumper winner barely came out of second gear to win on her hurdles debut at Huntingdon four weeks ago and is a very exciting prospect.

The second race, the Cheltenham & South-West Racing Club Novices Chase is decidedly trickier with five of the six runners in with realistic chances. Grey Dawning gained the notable scalp of Gaillard Du Mesnil when running out a wide-margin winner at Haydock last month, but he may be somewhat flattered by that victory as the distance was on the sharp side for the Willie Mullins trained runner-up.

Ginnys Destiny boasts a recent win over the course and distance, but that result may well have been different if Crebilly had not exited at the second last fence when in contention. Crebilly is better off at the weights this time and will be a strong contender with a clear round.

Denis Hogan sends Thecompanysergeant over to contest the Catesby Estates Handicap Hurdle and while he looks up against it carrying top weight, he is a likeable sort that could out run his odds and make the frame.

Doddiethegreat is looking to make up for lost time here having returned from two years on the sidelines to score at Ascot less than three weeks ago. The bounce factor is a concern, but there can be no doubt that the unbeaten seven-year-old can be competitive off a rating of 131.

Towards the foot of the weights Donnacha must be of interest. He has looked an improved model since returning to action this winter and his recent second placing in a big field handicap hurdle over this course and distance bodes well for another bold showing.

The Mares’ Handicap Chase at 1.50pm sees another irish-trained horse topping the weights. Gavin Cromwell’s La Malmason has the welter burden of 12st 1lbs and it looks a tough task for the five-year-old mare. She hasn’t won since making a winning debut over hurdles at Cork just over a year ago and she hasn’t exactly set the world alight in three outings over fences.

Former Punchestown Festival scorer Lilith has plenty of experience in this type of race and she should strip fitter following her comeback run at Kempton last month. On that occasion she made much of the running before fading late on and with her stable amongst the winners in recent days she can be competitive.

Walk In Clover is another to consider in this wide open handicap. She is a previous course and distance winner at Cheltenham and again ran well here when third in a similar contest last month.

The nine runners in the Veterans Handicap Chase at 2.25pm are all prolific winners, but with question marks around several of them in terms of fitness and their ability to produce anything near their peak form at this stage of their careers, two to side with are Le Ligerien and Go Steady. Both arrive in good form and should have no issues with either the ground or distance of today’s race.

Suggested Tote Placepot at Cheltenham Friday

The Tote Placepot unit stakes start from 10p. The dividend is declared to a £1 stake.

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