The Wine Tipster: “Paul Nicholls must rate Saint Sonnet (NAP) highly”

Cheltenham Saturday

1.05 – Handicap Chase (Amateurs) 3m 2f

Kilfilum Cross leaves his best for Cheltenham and his record of two seconds in the Kim Muir at the last two Cheltenham Festivals run over today’s trips gives him a great chance.

He warmed up with a solid effort at Fakenham last month when fourth on his first start since The Festival.  Kifilium Cross has shown great determination and enthusiasm, as well as being a tremendous jumper, who has never fallen in his career.

Unibet 11/2 each way

 

2.15 Cheltenham – Handicap Chase 2m4½f

Saint Sonnet (nap) can strike here for the Paul Nicholls team, who at the time of writing have a strike rate in the last fourteen days of 39%. Yes, Saint Sonnet is being put in at the deep end, however his trainer must believe this five-year-old can take this competitive handicap here off what could be a very attractive mark of 147 carrying 11-1.

Saint Sonnet joined Paul Nicholls last season from France with four wins from eight starts and won a minor race at Catterick ahead of finishing seventh to Samcro. He made one significant mistake six out and yet was right in the mix at the second last before fading up the hill.

He will have learnt plenty from that experience and on his fourth career jumps start can make his mark.

Unibet 9/2 win

 

Happy Diva has a great record at Cheltenham, winning this last year and finishing second to Simply The Betts at The Festival. She wasn’t given a hard race when fifth on seasonal debut at Wetherby

and will really come on for that run.

Unibet 12/1 each way

 

2.50 Cheltenham – Handicap Hurdle 3m

Dell’ Arca for the inform David Pipe yard has bounced right back to form since returning to hurdles, winning at Aintree and Newbury, Fergus Gillard, claiming seven pounds, is his regular jockey now and they can make it three in a row.

Unibet 8/1 each way

 

3.25 Cheltenham – 2m5f Handicap Hurdle

Stimulating Song looks a rock solid each way selection here as he made a big impression in a bumper here when a staying on fifth last October. He has made steady improvement and the combination of soft ground, tongue-tie for the first time, with a step up in trip makes him an interesting runner at a double figure price.

Unibet 10/1 each way