| C L Tizzard | 8 | 22 | 36.36 | 14 | 63.64 |
| David Dennis | 3 | 9 | 33.33 | 3 | 33.33 |
| P F Nicholls | 13 | 39 | 33.33 | 24 | 61.54 |
| Mrs J Harrington | 3 | 10 | 30.0 | 5 | 50.0 |
| D G Bridgwater | 3 | 10 | 30.0 | 5 | 50.0 |
| A M Thomson | 3 | 11 | 27.27 | 4 | 36.36 |
| H Fry | 3 | 11 | 27.27 | 5 | 45.45 |
| Mrs S J Smith | 6 | 23 | 26.09 | 12 | 52.17 |
| W P Mullins | 9 | 35 | 25.71 | 15 | 42.86 |
| V R A Dartnall | 3 | 12 | 25.0 | 4 | 33.33 |
| R Tyner | 5 | 20 | 25.0 | 7 | 35.0 |
| J W Mullins | 4 | 16 | 25.0 | 9 | 56.25 |
| N J Henderson | 8 | 32 | 25.0 | 13 | 40.63 |
| T R George | 4 | 17 | 23.53 | 7 | 41.18 |
| N G Richards | 3 | 13 | 23.08 | 6 | 46.15 |
| D Pipe | 8 | 36 | 22.22 | 12 | 33.33 |
| A King | 6 | 27 | 22.22 | 14 | 51.85 |
| P J Hobbs | 6 | 28 | 21.43 | 16 | 57.14 |
There are no surprises with shock big trainer omissions, Henderson, Nicholls, Hobbs, King and Pipe are all operating at a good strike rate, with Nicholls the best of these. However it looks like the Tizzard yard are absolutely flying currently so if you have an interest from this yard over the weekend put more on!
12.30 Cheltenham Novices Chase over 3 miles, 1 furlong 110 yards.
I really want to oppose King's Palace here, for all I expect him to be a very decent horse I don't want to have to take odds on about a runner in this competitive 4 runner field because all three with chase experience have won over the larger obstacles (King's Palace included) and the only one who doesn't comes from the red hot Nicholls stable who are well capable of schooling a horse so that it gets to the racecourse and jumps like a professional. Therefore I'm going with Sausalito Sunrise here to take advantage of an 8lbs swing in the weights from the last time these two met (where King's Palace was a 4 length winner) as he is a much more attractively priced 3/1. Tom O'Brien is this one's regular pilot so don't be put off that Johnson rides the stable's other horse, the selection has better form in the book and a proven ability to act round the course. with the weight swing in his advantage Sausalito Sunrise can gain revenge here at a nice price.
2.10 Cheltenham Handicap Chase over 3 miles 2 furlongs.
I'm siding with the top weight Hadrian's Approach here to take this for Nicky Henderson. Hadrian's Approach has an absolutely cracking record first time out, winning twice in the last three years first time up and only being done by a nose in the other, and bearing in mind this record Henderson must have targeted this race with him after pulling him from the Hennessy. This stamina test won't be an issue for the selection and the likely better ground will also prove to his liking. With Geraghty taking the ride (encouraging as HA can have jumping issues) I'm confident that the top weight can come out victorious here to further enhance that wonderful record fresh.
3.15 Cheltenham Handicap Hurdle over 3 miles.
I'm siding with the hugely progressive Ulzana's Raid who has won on his last three starts, including victories over a shade over 3 miles to prove stamina and a win at the course last time out. The selection was staying on gamely on his win over the extended 3 mile trip at Ayr so a step back up to three miles after dropping to 21f last time out could bring about even more improvement. In a hot handicap I like the chances of this improving type who shows a very likable attitude at the business end of the race and is the selection at 9/2 here.
I'm going to chance the above three runners into a little Friday Trixie to keep me entertained through till the weekend, where we have day 2 of the Cheltenham weekend featuring the Relkeel Hurdle, the International Hurdle (with The New One out again) and the December Gold Cup so check back on Friday evening for the Saturday selections!
Thanks for reading!
Alex
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