Kelso’s hurdles course is a specialist track – left-handed, sharp and undulating. Some horses handle it well, others do not. Cracking Rhapsody most definitely falls into the former category because tomorrow he will try to win the bet365 Morebattle Hurdle (2.55 p.m.) for the third year in a row.
His form this season is modest but Ewan Whillans looks to have trained him to peak tomorrow and he can race off an official mark of just 4 lbs higher than his winning rating from last year. He has every chance of landing the hat-trick but he is likely to go off at around 5-1 favourite so he is not for me at those odds.
Helnwein could easily outrun his odds in the William Hill County Hurdle on March 13
Hot Fuss did this column a favour when winning at double-figure odds at Windsor last month and, even though he has never raced at Kelso, he should handle its tight turns since he proved adept at a similar twisting track last time out.
However, marginal preference in this 17-runner race over two miles is for SPECTACULARSUNRISE. He is a course and distance winner at Kelso and, having Scottish owners, he has been aimed at this race since chasing home Hot Fuss in that Windsor contest, when he was sixth beaten nearly nine lengths.
However, tomorrow Spectacularsunrise has a pull of 5lbs at the weights even before his jockey’s 5lbs claim is taken into account. Back him 1 point each way at 11-1 with bet365, paying five places, because this slightly quicker ground should play to his strengths too.
NEW ORDER was second to Dartmoor Pirate in the Virgin Bet Great Yorkshire Chase at Doncaster last month. Both horses return to the track tomorrow to contest the Virgin Bet Grimthorpe Handicap Chase (2.30 p.m.).
The Charlie Longsdon-trained runner-up has been left on a mark of 125 despite his strong run and so he is now 5lbs better off with the winner. He should also be better suited by the drying ground than his Anthony Honeyball-trained rival.
Back New Order 1 point each way at 8-1 with one of the several bookies offering those odds and four places for this 13-runner handicap over three miles two furlongs, that is two furlongs further than the Great Yorkshire Chase.
There are differing weather forecasts for Cheltenham over the next fortnight but with little sign of heavy rain. Trainer Alan King’s HELNWEIN has strong course and distance form having been second to the well-handicapped Alexei in the Greatwood Hurdle in November, on ground softer than ideal for him.
Helnwein has been lightly raced this season because he is better on quick ground and, if he gets his preferred terrain in two weeks’ time, he could easily outrun his odds in the William Hill County Hurdle on March 13. Of course, this is a race in which there will be plenty of Irish “plot horses” but back Helnwein 1 point each way at 33-1 with one of the several bookies offering those odds and Non Runner No Bet (NRNB).
There will be more places on the day but I doubt the 33-1 will still be on offer if the ground is “good”. If the heavens open for the last day of the Festival, Helnwein would be an unlikely runner so the NRNB comfort blanket is essential.
Pending:
1 point each way New Order for the Grimthorpe Handicap Chase at 8-1, paying 1/5th odds, 4 places.
1 point each way Spectacularsunrise for the Morebattle Handicap Hurdle at 11-1, paying 1/5th odds, 5 places.
1 point each way Sober Glory for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at 12-1 NRNB, paying 1/5th odds, 3 places.
1 point each way Romeo Coolio at 16-1 for the Arkle Chase, paying 1/5th odds, 3 places.
1 point each way Mambonumberfive at 20-1 for the Arkle Chase, paying 1/5th odds, 3 places.
1 point each way Konfusion at 20-1 for the Ultima Chase, paying ¼ odds, 4 places.
1point each way Golden Ace at 16-1 for the Champion Hurdle, paying 1/5th odds, 3 places.
1 point each way Laurens Bay at 25-1 for the NH Novices’ Chase, paying 1/5th odds, 3 places.
1 point each way Derryhassen Paddy at 25-1 for the Brown Advisory Chase, paying 1/5th odds, 3 places.
1 point each way La Conquiere at 16-1 for the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle, paying 1/5th odds, 3 places.
1 point each way Helnwein at 33-1 NRNB for the County Hurdle, paying ¼ odds, 4 places.
1 point each way Haiti Couleurs at 14-1 for the Cheltenham Gold Cup, paying 1/5th odds, 3 places.
1 point each way Resplendent Grey at 50-1 for the Grand National, paying ¼ odds, 4 places.
Last weekend – 2 points
Pending:
1 point each way Dom Of Mary at 15-2 for the Eider, paying 1/5th odds, 4 places. Unplaced. – 2 points.
1 point each way The Doyen Chief at 12-1 for the Ladbrokes Trophy, paying 1/4 odds, 4 places. 2nd. + 2 points.
1 point each way Deep Cave at 9-1 for the Ladbrokes Trophy, paying 1/5th odds, 4 places. Unplaced. – 2 points.
2025-26 jumps season: running total – 6.985 points
2025 flat season: + 84.12 points on all tips.
2024-5 jumps season: – 47.61 points on all tips.
2024 flat season: + 41.4 points on all tips.
2023-4 jumps season: + 42.01 points on all tips.
2023 flat season: – 48.22 points on all tips.
2022-3 jumps season: + 54.3 points on all tips.
Total for six full seasons of tipping: + 126 points
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